photo by paul (dex) busy @ work

Have you ever just stopped during your lunch hour and looked at what people are wearing? You see one tall, lean man walking near you; he’s wearing gray tights and sandals that would resemble what Jesus would wear. You look around and see a group of young men wearing jeans that dangle halfway down the designer briefs they have on. Another man sitting on the bench with you is wearing pants he designed out of an old checkered shirt, by turning it upside down and getting his legs into where his arms should be.

At one time, men were doomed to the fashion labels; sort of like a fat man trying to wear slim jeans. However, men’s fashion wear is very big business and is worth at least $2.7 billion annually in Australia based on the data by IBISWorld.

Today, it’s cool for a man to be fashionable, take some satisfaction in your appearance and be stylish. Basically, it’s not boys doing it for a girl’s attention; they’re just dressing fashionably and taking pride for themselves now.
You can even see football and basketball players looking good even when they change their hairstyles nearly every week. You can see the same thing happening in the music scene as the glam/romantic era is making a return. Boys are making that extra effort to dazzle themselves up.

There was a time that men could look like slobs and get away with it. Now they must present themselves better, which is wonderful for some and unsettling for some males. Why? There was a time that all males needed to do to attract women was to have a decent but powerful position to earn money.

One big reason for the change in men’s attitude is due to women and their attitudes. More and more women are becoming financially independent, which means they don’t need to rely on men for total financial support; it also means they demand more of their men’s respect. The balance has shifted and men must understand that most women are no longer submissive; they want power just like their male counterparts. They want their man to be an equal, have money and they must look good on top of it all.

Due to this change, men’s fashion, both in casual and business shirts, has been propelled into mainstream and the industry is informing men what styles are hot and which are not. In fact, it’s not uncommon to pick up a magazine with well-dressed men on a glossy page layout. No longer are women standing at the forefront when it comes to how people are dressed.

Men are taking more pride in their appearance and using clothes such as business shirts to express who they are, their personality and style sense in the often boring and conservative corporate world. One type of business shirt that men are opting to wear is the highly quality, 100 percent slim-fit, Egyptian cotton business shirt that’s got a classic colour to it and French cuffs- what could be more important than this (other than your next promotion..)

Technorati Tags: business, corporate, dress, shirt

photo by Aunt Owwee

When people are looking at shirts, the first thing they’re going to notice is the colour of it. If you’re a male in the room with a bunch of other males in suits, the colour of your business shirt will either make you stand out or blend in. Where do you want to stand in this crowd?

Actually, the answer to that question depends on what intentions you have and if you know how to mix/match your clothes to meet those intentions. The way you do this is to understand what colour shades will compliment you and how the colours will match your environment.

How seasons play a role in your business shirt colours

While you should pay attention to your skin tone and hair colour, these aren’t the only things you need to be focused on when choosing your business shirt colour. Make sure you pay attention to the season that you are in. You may like the dark shirt and suit but during the summer time, you’re going to find it hot around your collar and sticking out sorely (you certainly don’t want to look odd at special events such as a formal presentation).

Here are a few ideas to help you choose the colour of your business shirt based on the season.

Spring – This is the season that brings out the light colours such as light blue, lavender and pink. These lighter weight fabrics are usually brought out after being set aside for the winter months. However, a man who chooses to wear a multi-coloured checks and strips shirt can stand out from the crowd.

Summer – This is the season that bold and light colours make their appearance. Shirt colours that should grace the man’s wardrobe should be solid blues and patterns. We recommend 100% Egyptian cotton as it’s by far the most premium business shirt fabric going round.

Autumn– During the autumn season, heavier and Earth tone fabrics tend to show up. Clothes start making a somber appearance to highlight the near appearance of the winter season. This is also the ideal time to wear blends if you find yourself outside on a cold night without a jacket/coat. (clothes can certainly keep you warm when you don’t have anything else that will…)

Winter – During the winter season, more men will wear black/dark clothes to retain the body heat. However, you don’t have to stick with black as your only colour. You can go with a maize colour, greens and browns as well during this season.

Keep up your confidence by keeping up your appearance. If you notice people looking at you for a bit longer (and if you see a woman taking noticeable glances) then you know that your attire such as your business shirt is everything you wanted it to be and more. Just remember to be courageous and know what colours compliment you and the season you are in.

Technorati Tags: business shirt, business shirts, business shirts online, colour, dress shirt, dress shirts, season

photo by the moog

There are all kinds of accessories that can go with a business suit. When you know how to use those accessories, you won’t overdo your look. Not having the right accessories can make your whole outfit look not quite right. Accessories you can include with your business suit include:

• Belts
• Watches
• Handkerchiefs

What you need to know about belts and suits

The one clothing accessory that’s in style off and on is belts. During the 1930s and 1940s, suspenders were generally used more than belts. However, today, you can find more people wearing belts; although traditional men don’t wear belts with their suits, seem strange- just heck out a leading fashion publication and you’ll see not many belts with suits.

If you decide to wear a belt, make sure that your shoes and belts are about the same colour; be sure your belt is either one of three things: plain silver, leather or coloured buckle. Suspenders are usually worn when a belt is not.

How to handle pieces of jewellery (basically we mean watches)

Jewellery should not overpower your outfit; the most you need is cufflinks, a timepiece and tie bars/tacks. If you want something formal to wear on your wrist, a watch can be your signature piece.

If you’re unclear of the handlings of watches and how they go with your business suit, you also have the option of not wearing a watch at all, a common trend is just to use your mobile if you need to know the time- it’s always with you right! However, a watch is the ideal accessory when you’re trying to look cool and sophisticated.

Cell phones/Bluetooth accessories – should you use them with business suits

This is the era of technology and it’s not hard to find people walking around their office, on the streets and in their cars using the Bluetooth earpiece. Unlike what many people think, the Bluetooth earpiece does not make you look cool and you aren’t seen as very credible. Most people have a phone and don’t feel the need to look like they are a dodgy private investigator- so why should you- think twice.. you’ve been warned!

How to use handkerchiefs with business suits

Do you remember when many people would use their handkerchief and then place it in the upper chest pockets or in their pant’s back pockets? Not too long ago, handkerchiefs were worn in the area of the left jacket sleeve, showing ever so slightly. As time passed, handkerchiefs were moved to the breast pocket. In the past, silk was seen as a rare commodity and a way to flaunt wealth. Near the turn of the 19th century, handkerchiefs were standard among males. Most males don’t realize it but in some places of the world handkerchiefs must still be used in breast pockets of coats and jackets. However, handkerchiefs, business shirts and suits do not go hand in hand so leave them to people who are more artistic.

Technorati Tags: accessories, belts, business shirts, shirts, suits

photo by jayneandd

Ties are a matter of personal preference and taste but they are some basic guidelines to them. After all, you don’t want to look like a total goof trying to impress your boss or some woman, right?

Ties and colour: what should you be aware of?

When you’re looking at ties to wear, you need to be aware of the shirt colour. Always, without fail, wear ties that are darker than your shirt. Make sure the ties’ background colour is not the same as the shirt while making sure that the ties has some colour resemblance to the shirt. Whatever tie you choose to wear, make sure you integrate the suit colour in the same way as the business shirt.

While simple/subdued patterns are favoured for the conservative dress, the terms can be taken in a variety of ways. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, it was popular to have matching necktie colours with the shirt (a look that many people adopted because of TV personalities). It was also popular to wear a dark coloured shirt and light coloured tie; though this was mainly seen at formal occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, graduations, etc. Thank god we have evolved- some fashions are better kept in the past…If you feel like wear a blue shirt with a dark blue tie, this works well too.

Knots and ties – three common knots you can use

When talking about knots in ties, there are three very common names that come up. They are:

• Four-in-hand
• Half-Windsor
• Full-Windsor

These three knots are more fitting to wear with a suit based upon the modern guidelines. Once they’ve been correctly knotted and arranged, the bottom can be extended to any part of your belly. However, the ties thin part does not need to be any longer than the tie’s wide end. However, if the tie is thin, this is tolerable.

A look at ties in the past

During the 1960s, men and women would wear scarves with their suits that were tied into knots either inside the shirt (known as an Ascot) or under the collar, worn like a tie. This style was highly common for people who worked in the art department like musicians and film directors. For corporate executives, it was best to leave any scarves for the winter time or when you’re out with the ladies. However, the style faded during the mid 1970s but in the 1990s, the style was revived (women, for the most part, would wear it). Again, in 2005, the style made a comeback with many famous people wearing them. While scarves were prevalent during the 1960s, business workers preferred ties. Although Matt Preston wouldn’t be caught dead on Masterchef without his favoured cravat- the jury is out on whether this trend will go mainstream….

If you think it’s too hard tying a knot, consider getting an elastic novelty tie and see just how far your life in the career sector gets. Tying a knot isn’t all that hard now, is it?

Technorati Tags: dress code, matching, suits, ties

photo by brains the head

When you have so many things to choose from, it’s not necessarily a good thing. This statement is especially true for when men are choosing business shirts that come in a variety of colours. After all, your chances of choosing the wrong one will increase. When you’re in the market for your next set of premium men’s business shirts, keep these two tips in mind (by doing so, you won’t become the laughing stock of your workplace).

First, make sure your business shirts aren’t too hard on the eyes or so in your face. That means you need to steer clear of shirts that are neon, floral or really bright red. Loud shirts are great for scientists or have invented a new dance craze but not for ordinary folk like yourself. Be sure your style sense includes the corporate world; have light, traditional colours and only the basic patterns.

Second, you can add in cufflinks to your attire. Avoid novelty cufflinks because that’s not what is meant by adding cufflinks. Go for cufflinks that are classic and bold and something that will catch the eye.

The idea behind wearing patterned business shirts is to keep the attire subtle. When you wear something bold and contrasting, it can distract the attention away from the attention you were looking for. It makes it even harder to find a tie to accentuate the shirt. Bold means colours such as green and yellow. In some cases, stripes of blue and white are still fine for business shirts.

Make sure that you stick with shirts that are light in colours and don’t have over three colours. The only time it’s acceptable to have more than three colours is when you’re wearing a checkered shirt. Ensure that white is the base colour and then throw in the grays, blues, reds and browns. Above all else, the pattern should be easy on everyone’s eyes. If you have too many things going on, it can really distract from what you were trying to attain with your wardrobe. Bear in mind that dark patterned shirts are not usually seen as work-related shirts. Business shirts should always have fresh, eye-appealing colours.

Should business shirts have pockets?

Now you may ask if it’s acceptable to have a pocket on the shirt or no pocket. If you go with a no pocket look, you’ll have the opportunity to wear the shirt outside of work (such as going to weddings or other social gatherings). It’s also great for those corporate executives who are young in age. If you have a shirt with a pocket on it, toss it on now. You won’t look stylish or cool. Basically, the answer to your question is: go with business shirts that have no pockets on them.

Technorati Tags: business, colour, cufflinks, online, pockets, shirts

photo by Tobyotter

OK, so you’ve made the decision to buy yourself some mens business shirts, something that’ll make you stand out from other men in your company- you deserve that promotion more than anyone! You may not have needed to purchase a new business shirt for some time but you know your fashion tastes and you know that shopping won’t be a problem. You have no qualms about spending $100 to $150 on a good-looking, high quality, premium business shirt, something you know will hold up through wear and tear.

It may have been some time since you purchased any business shirts and during this time, the Internet has changed and evolved- if you thought it was just a fad, you might want to think again.. If you’ve never purchased your business shirts online, you may be a bit uneasy. Clothes shopping isn’t the same as purchasing music off the Internet. When you get MP3s online or buy DVDs, you pretty much know what to expect. However, buying clothes online leaves room for the unexpected. Here are some helpful tips to make your first online clothes purchase a gratifying experience.

Two useful tips to help you buy your business shirts online:

• First, purchasing clothes online has many advantages that retail shopping is unable to give. No doubt, buying clothes online is faster; it allows you to shop from website to website, comparing prices against each one (possibly finding a better deal)
• Second, online businesses, because of the competitive market, can offer discounts, allowing consumers to get a bargain. This also cuts out any middlemen and overhead costs; something that’s seen with retail stores

Things to look out for when buying clothes online

Are there risks to purchasing clothes online? Absolutely. Before you purchase anything, do some research on the companies you’d like to buy from. What should be on the lookout for?

• First, research their returns policy; if there’s no 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, you’ll want to be a bit wary
• Second, be sure the website has some kind of sizing chart that way you know what size you need when you order
• Third, be well aware of how much time it takes to get your package, from start to finish. It should arrive in a reasonable amount of time. You certainly don’t want to wait three weeks or more to get your package; the normal processing to shipping to arrival time is between three to five business days
• Fourth, the overall costs should be included in your total

Technorati Tags: business shirts, buy, clothes, online, risks, shirts, tips

photo by hectorir

Ask yourself this question: would you even bother wearing a business shirt and/or suit if you worked from your home? How many people crave the day that they can ask themselves this very question? So what would you do? How would you like to not shave your face or get out of your favorite pyjamas? Doesn’t sleeping in some good too?

Now, ask yourself this question: what is the downfall of working at home? You don’t work as a team, you don’t get to eat lunch with friends and you don’t feel like your life as real purpose.

Here’s what you need to remember: you cannot achieve a professional look, attitude and status when you work at home. For those people a professional look goes a very long way.

The first thing you can do when you work in public is take pride in how you look and present yourself. When you do, chances are you’re going to have some compliments come your way. Plus, looking professional can get you ahead of your competition.

If you’re a man, having a great suit is vital but having yourself a premium business shirt is a wonderful way to make that strong, long-lasting impression. You’ll be glad to know that there are several choices available when you’re in the market for a new business shirt but you should know there are some things you need to be on the lookout for.

Whatever you do, do not compromise material. If you want the best, go for 100 percent Egyptian cotton. After all, it’s premium material, feels good, maintains its shape and will last for quite some time. On top of all that, you still want a design that’s got a slim fit cut. Suit colors are subjective but if you want the classics (as most people do) then choose the classics for your suit. Make sure to pick business shirts that are light in color, pin-striped or plain. Use your sense of style to choose the tie you want to wear with the suit.

Did you know that you could shop for many of your business shirts online? There are many reasons to shopping for your men’s business shirts through the Internet. However, you need to know what you’re looking for.

Here’s some advice that can help you get the best deals and shirts through the Internet:

• Make sure the payment portal is secure
• Be sure the website states in no uncertain terms who the portal is
• Be sure they clearly state the reliability of the portal
• Know what the refund policy is
• You should also take advantage of free shipping/express delivery sites

Bear in mind that your first online business shirts purchase (so long as it’s been a pleasant experience) won’t be your last online purchase. Your next business shirts online purchase will lead to even more savings-time and money!

Technorati Tags: dress code, shirt, shop online, work from home

photo by sandman_kk

Do you have a picture in your mind in how you want that premium business shirt to look like, right down to its collar, color, cuffs, fit and style? Did you know that you’re missing one main ingredient for that business shirt? You will need to know what kind of material you want to have it designed in. When you know this, then you know that the money you shell out will be worth the price you’re paying for the shirt.

What generally makes a man buy business shirts: material is everything

When you’re trying to decide whether or not to purchase men’s business shirts, the material type will play a huge part in whether or not you buy a particular brand and style. This should be a deciding factor when you’re placing money on men’s business shirts.

Yes, all shirts look alike when they’re on the store shelves. However, when you’re buying your shirts in the store… go ahead and feel the material. Would it be something you’d like to wear on your back? Of course, if you’re buying business shirts online, then you need to have this prior knowledge in mind; you need to know what you’re paying for. It also demonstrates that the manufacturing company knows what they’re doing.

Sometimes, it’s not very easy to determine what the shirt is made from. When this happens, one can deduce that the shirt manufacturer doesn’t want to advertise that they skimmed on the quality that will ensure your health. Just remember that the fabric of a good tailored shirt is going to feel good and natural against your skin.

King of fabric – cotton

Most people, men and women alike, go for clothing that’s made of 100 percent cotton because it feels good and is comfortable. Now, you may not realize it (and many people don’t so don’t fret too much) but there are a variety of cotton types. Some types of cotton include:
- Egyptian – top end cotton with a great feel
- Organic
- Pima

Cotton and polyester – People may make compromises on cotton because (if you didn’t know) 100 percent cotton tends to wrinkle. However, if the fabric is mixed in with polyester, wrinkles can all but be eliminated. Don’t turn your nose up to the idea of a polyester/cotton blend (though cotton should be the material that’s used more). Bear in mind that these types of business shirts are generally inexpensive compared to 100 percent cotton shirts.
Cotton and spandex – On top of the mixture of polyester and cotton, shirt materials may consist of cotton and spandex, which helps give the shirt some flexibility, makes it stronger and reduces the possibility of wrinkles.
Linen instead of cotton – A great substitute for cotton is linen; however, it’s way too casual for business shirts and, believe it or not, it can wrinkle even more than cotton does. Leave linen to the people who really want to wear them.

When you’ve looked for your shirts, has it ever crossed your mind what the manufacturer/designer was thinking when they look at fabric quality? Besides the design, there are two characteristics on a shirt and they are:
- Yarn count (thread count)
- What the fabric is made up of

Now, the yarn count will be what determines the fabric’s feel. The higher the count, the softer it’s going to be. What’s the yarn count? Well, that depends on the number of threads per square inch. When you’re on the lookout for your next business shirt, remember that any number higher than 100 is great; thread counts of 80 are fine to give you that nice feel and make you feel comfortable.

Technorati Tags: cotton, egyptian, fabric, shirt

photo by dominic bartolini

Men and women differ in their fashion sense. After all, women will wear clothes that make them stand out and be noticed. Men, on the other hand, will choose clothes that will enable them to blend in with the crowd. Women often compliment one another about their choice of attire; men are a bit more subtle with their compliments if at all..

If you find that a friend is dressing rather suave, how likely are you to compliment him for his style? Chances are you probably wouldn’t. However, if you’re secure enough in your manhood, why not give them a compliment? If you’re worried about your compliment coming out the wrong way, here are some helpful do’s and don’ts when you’re giving out an admiring comment to a male friend.

A look at the five “how to compliment men” do’s:

1. Give your compliment by asking your male friend where he got his outfit.
2. Compliment your friend by flipping over the tie or pulling open the jacket to check the label- play it cool, like you’re not that interested. This type of act implies a compliment in the man’s taste. It tells them that you like their sense of style and want to check out what kind of brand of clothing they are wearing.
3. Use your thumb and forefinger to feel the fabric. The best place is at the sleeve of the jacket so that you can feel the fabric and its thickness. Don’t do anymore than that.
4. Now, getting a business shirt brand isn’t near as easy; however, you can check out men’s business shirts by several signs. These are what you need to be complimenting him on. The ways to tell of a premium business shirt include:
   - Well-shaped collar
   - French cuffs
   - Slim fit cut
5. Compliment the man on his shoes and ask him what brand they are.

Now a look at the four “how to compliment men” don’ts:

1. Don’t compliment him in the way the attire makes him look. This includes statements such as:
   - “That shirt makes your eyes really stand out nicely.”
   - “Those shorts look very good on you.”
2. Don’t phone your co-workers to find out what they’ll be wearing when you’re on a business trip. This is the time to let unintentional matches occur.
3. Don’t spend too long gawking over another man’s clothes.
4. Don’t rub your open hand on the fabric (regardless of where the fabric is at).

When you’re making compliments, the idea is to be short and sweet. Don’t linger too long on the topic and don’t say anything more than what you have, anyway that’s our thoughts on how to not get caught in an awkward encounter!

Technorati Tags: dos and donts, fashion, mens fashion, tops

photo by ~Twon~

When you care for your shirts in the right manner, the overwhelming look is one of professionalism. On top of that, the shirts will last longer and, because you care for them so delicately, you can wear them as often as you want. Don’t allow wrinkles to make you look disheveled; instead… have perfectly stylish business shirts that you can use during work or after hours.

How to care for your business shirts

Before you start washing/drying your clothes, it’s always great to read the tag and stick to what is suggested. Before you start wearing your premium business shirt, wash it. Failing to do so can make the shirt feel stiff and it could still have chemicals on it. Be sure you use a detergent you trust and be sure your washer setting is on the gentle cycle and use lukewarm water. If you’ve got custom made business shirts, wash the shirts by hand.

Do you always dry clean your clothes because you just don’t have the time or are you just too lazy to clean your own shirts by hand? Go ahead and send them onto the dry cleaning business but be sure they launder your shirts instead of dry clean. The problem with dry cleaning is that it can turn a white business shirt a shade of yellow. Make your shirts last by forgoing the dry cleaning process. When your shirts are going out, make a note that there should be no starch or machine press.

How to lengthen the life of your business shirts

Get rid of stains – Before you start pressing and ironing your shirts, look for stains on them. If you don’t clean it before ironing, you’ll be stuck with that stain for life. Remove stains like ink with an over the counter ink stain remover or rubbing alcohol (which is a home remedy you can try). You can eradicate red wine stains by dumping white wine on the mark then cleaning in.

Dampen your shirt – If your iron isn’t very good, iron the shirt when it’s still wet. This allows you to press easily, removing all the wrinkles; plus, you’re less likely to damage the shirt.

Spray body spray/cologne on body – Don’t spray your cologne or body “smell good” on your clothes; instead, spray it on your body. Wait for the cologne to dry before you put your shirt on. Cologne/body spray stains last forever on your shirts.

Check for damages – If your shirt is need of repair, fix it. Always be on the lookout for loose buttons and threads.

Two tips to store your business shirts

Don’t waste your money by not storing your shirts properly. There are at least two tips to keep in mind that will keep your shirt looking good without the excessive ironing and washing.

Supportive hangers – When you’re hanging up your shirts, be sure you use hangers of thick plastic or wood; do not use wire hangers.

Packing seasonal shirts – If you’re storing your shirts, make sure you wash them before putting them in plastic cases since these can keep bugs and odors from getting into the bin and ruining your premium business shirts.

Technorati Tags: business shirt, care, dry clean, how to, shirt, shirt life, tips