Introduction
After taking a brief glance through some of the work I’ve put out since the sun decided to disappear, it would be fair to say that I’ve stuck firmly to the casual end of the sartorial spectrum. Not that there’s anything wrong with that – there is, after all, a lot more room for experimentation, trend incorporation and creativity within casual clothing. Plus, for the majority of guys who work in an office or corporate environment, it’s pretty much suit, shirt, tie, shoes, done. Where’s the fun in that? However, as with most things that involve being creative, it’s all about what you do with what you’re given. And I would make the argument that because a business environment often requires you to wear a uniform, there is actually more room to experiment with colour, fabric and trends without things getting too out of control. So, with that in mind, I thought I’d put together a few tips on how to easily raise your style game in the office this season. This does presume that you already own a solid selection of classic office wear, such as neutral suits, block-colour dress shirts and a collection of ties. If not, it may be worth reading one of my previous articles, The Ultimate Streamlined Capsule Wardrobe, before continuing. For those that already have the basics down, let’s get right amongst it…
1. Embrace Brown & Blue
The Italians have been doing it for years, and we all know how well they’ve mastered dressing for business. It’s such a simple combination to pull off because the shade of each colour doesn’t matter, just so long as they’re together. Whether it’s a brown wool tie with a blue gingham shirt or a navy suit with chocolate brown shoes, incorporate this colour combination into your nine-to-five looks for an instant shot of style and sprezzatura.
Lookbook Inspiration
Example Combinations
- Reiss Hampton Micro Polka Dot Pocket Square
- Mixed Pique Socks
- Ymc Men?s Yellow Argyle Socks
5. Don’t Be Afraid To Mix Things Up
By ‘things’, I mean patterns. The key to any sartorial man’s success is his ability to mix and match what is available to him. In the office it’s always difficult to fully incorporate prints and patterns without seeming too outlandish, but I tend to find that as long as you stick with two rules, you’ll be fine: Firstly, remember only two out of three pieces in your look should be patterned. In other words, always have a least one solid item anchoring your outfit. Secondly, as long as the patterns differ in size, then they shouldn’t clash. For example, try pairing a pencil check shirt with a wide striped tie and solid suit, or a pinstriped suit with a solid tie and a plaid dress shirt.
Lookbook Inspiration
Final Word
So there you have it, a few quick and easy tips to help boost your business style this autumn/winter. As always, I’m interested in hearing what you have to say. Was there something you do that I missed off? Do you disagree with any of the advice provided? Let me know in the comments section below… Matt Allinson
