| Spring is just around the corner and it's time for | | | | wardrobe collection because it is a timeless style |
| every businessman to think about a wardrobe | | | | that you can wear for years without looking |
| update. Top level executives understand the | | | | dated. If it's a 2-button sport coat you need to |
| importance of investing in a few fashionable | | | | add to your executive collection, shop for a navy, |
| pieces each season to keep their professional | | | | grey, or black color because they will offer |
| images on the cutting edge - and that is especially | | | | greater versatility. |
| true in these challenging times. Buying just the | | | | When you head off to the stores for a few |
| right items can enhance your entire wardrobe | | | | tailored basics you should shop for tropical wools, |
| without deflating your wallet. More importantly, a | | | | lightweight Italian wools, or a luxury blend of wool, |
| few carefully selected pieces will set you apart in | | | | silk, cotton, and linen. These fabrics have a |
| a way that exudes confidence and success during | | | | beautiful drape for a dressier look. Any of these |
| this difficult economy - and those are valuable | | | | will be ideal for the man who wants to be elegant |
| attributes that make a strong positive impression | | | | and feel cool and comfortable at work. Depending |
| on board room decision makers and clients. | | | | on your position, your industry, and your business |
| I recently reviewed all the current men's fashion | | | | culture, you may be able to go with the traditional |
| magazines, browsed around on GQ.com, and | | | | formal suit - but nothing says you mean business |
| peeked at the new spring collections in | | | | like a gorgeous jacket! |
| department stores and finer men's specialty | | | | 2) Dress Shirt Style |
| shops. While taking style notes and highlighting | | | | Designers this season are taking their clues from |
| emerging trends, I distinguished between the | | | | the weather report. As we finally thaw out from |
| professionally polished looks and the high fashion | | | | a long winter and start enjoying more blue skies, |
| menswear runway items - which are way too | | | | you'll also see beautiful blues on the racks and |
| dramatic for today's business wardrobe. Then I | | | | shelves - especially in sky-colored herringbone and |
| distilled it all down for the man who wants a | | | | checked styles for dress shirts. If you have blue |
| distinct fashion style and statement that builds | | | | eyes, you will definitely want to wear blue to |
| trust and credibility in the business arena. | | | | highlight that asset and give your eyes a larger |
| Here is my advice on the latest colors, prints, and | | | | and brighter appearance. You will also see softer |
| top five trends that every businessman should | | | | colors in this spring's professional shirts - like |
| watch for this season and incorporate into his | | | | lavender, soft gray, and muted black and white |
| wardrobe and personal image: | | | | tones. |
| Spring into the Power Spectrum | | | | 3) Tie Your Image to Your Brand |
| This season the spectrum of power colors | | | | Printed ties are the big new trend and will be in |
| revolves around neutrals like navy, gray, pewter, | | | | every store this spring. They have accents colors |
| olive, tan, black, and white. Most men already | | | | in luscious new shades like greens, sky blue, pink, |
| have plenty of black in their closets, so to stand | | | | yellow, navy, and camel. Experiment with these to |
| out in style and be more memorable take a | | | | give your neutral-colored suits a focal point of |
| break from dreary old black and step into | | | | added texture and color. Shop for patterns like |
| springtime with a colorful new palette. Start by | | | | paisley, medallion, stripes, lattice, and grid design |
| adding a suit or new sport coat in colors like | | | | prints - and find one or two that really resonate |
| charcoal gray, navy or tan. Many of my high level | | | | with you. A tie is a great way to exude fashion |
| clients love to elegantly project a look of | | | | flair and communicate your personal and |
| "selectively famous" for their target markets - | | | | professional brand, and ties are the main way for |
| especially those specializing in fields like finance, | | | | a well-dressed man to express his authentic style. |
| banking, and law. If this is the kind of visual brand | | | | 4) Fine-Gauge Knit Shirts & Sweaters |
| image you want to embrace, consider wearing | | | | Entertaining a prospective client out on the golf |
| monochromatic tones from head to toe. That | | | | course next month? You will want to dress to |
| means pick a color, and then add various shades | | | | impress by showing up in style in a new |
| of that same color in different degrees and | | | | fine-gauge polo or golf shirt. You may not be |
| intensities. But remember to add some texture to | | | | ready to retire, but consider retiring last year's |
| this particular look so you appear sophisticated | | | | knit shirts. They don't last through more than a |
| and nuanced - not boring. Try wearing a navy | | | | season or two of laundering and dry cleaning |
| suit, for example, with a light-blue herringbone | | | | before they start to lose their shape and color. |
| dress shirt. Then top it off with a paisley tie that | | | | Replace them with this spring's fresh selections to |
| sports three different shades of blue. | | | | add a little color to your resort wear or smart |
| Want a pop of color for your business casual | | | | business casual wardrobe. Many knits this season |
| wardrobe or feel like adding some brighter colors | | | | are in bright tones like lime green, navy, and |
| to wake up your necktie collection? Add a dash | | | | orange. But if you love a softer look, opt for the |
| of brighter shades like green, yellow, pink, or blue | | | | new colors of baby blue, pink, or dove gray. |
| - if you resonate with those colors and they feel | | | | Another idea for your smart casual look is to add |
| like an authentic complement to your overall style | | | | a new cardigan - but not your daddy's sweater. |
| and professional work image. | | | | Go instead for a modern interpretation of the |
| Stamp Out Boredom with a 2010 Print | | | | enduring cardigan classic for a stylish new way to |
| Sometimes men become bored wearing solid | | | | layer when the weather is a little chilly. A |
| shirts every day for work and casual dress. But | | | | lightweight fine cotton fabric should always be |
| this season you will have your choice of lots of | | | | your first choice, and you can layer it over a |
| fresh new prints to help you spring | | | | great checked sport shirt. Pair those up with |
| fashion-forward in 2010. Choose a few subdued | | | | dress trousers, a smart looking belt, and suede |
| prints to add to your tailored haberdashery look | | | | slip-on shoes. When you dress this way in triple |
| while you give your suit, sport coat, or casual | | | | layers you add polish and credibility to your |
| attire greater versatility and comfort. Look for | | | | presence. But we aren't looking to add bulk and |
| new interpretations of classic prints including | | | | pounds, so stay clear of that heavier-weight bulky |
| windowpane, multi-striped, checks, and gingham. | | | | sweater. It will only add visual volume to drag |
| The new checked shirt is really capturing the | | | | down your springtime image. |
| spotlight this season. While we will of course still | | | | 5) Neutral Suede Shoes |
| see tried and true striped shirts, they will not be | | | | Many finely crafted men's suede shoes in neutral |
| as important in 2010 as they were in years past. | | | | shades - that can be worn with lighter neutral |
| So a wonderful and inexpensive way to add | | | | fabrics and colors - will appear in stores as we |
| some fashion flair - and draw the viewer's eye up | | | | move into spring and summer. Most of the top |
| to your face, which is your main communication | | | | designers offer these in both lace-up and slip-on |
| center - is to check out some new checks. Here's | | | | styles. If you already have a great shoe collection, |
| a tip: If you are on the heavy side, you will want | | | | this could be the one new item to add this season |
| to look for smaller, more subtle checks, because | | | | for your business casual wardrobe. Or wear them |
| these do not make you appear heavier like the | | | | for casual elegant evenings out on the town. You |
| bigger and bolder ones may. Or skip the trendy | | | | will discover that these neutral-toned suede shoes |
| checks completely and wear a beautiful striped | | | | come in buttery soft colors like oatmeal, tan, and |
| shirt, because the vertical lines help to visually | | | | light gray - and they are a great way to add |
| slenderize your torso. | | | | some soft but textured style to your professional |
| Top 5 Must-Haves for Men | | | | look. Every woman notices a man's shoes - so |
| 1) Tailored Suits and Sport Coats | | | | this might just be your big step in the right |
| We are seeing the return of the double-breasted | | | | direction heading into spring. |
| suit and sport coat this season in navy, soft gray, | | | | As a professional image consultant I am always |
| charcoal gray, or the classic pinstripe. It's great to | | | | looking for innovative tips I can use to advise my |
| see this old classic style reemerge, but remember | | | | clients on ways to spot 2-3 trends each season |
| that with a double-breasted jacket it only looks | | | | to work into their wardrobes. My recommendation |
| top-notch when you keep it buttoned. Take that | | | | to you is this: every trend, every season, is not |
| into account and consider whether or not you'll be | | | | for every man. Your professional presence |
| wearing it during the warmer weather, and also | | | | projects your self-brand if you are an |
| factor in the scale of your frame and physique - | | | | entrepreneur - and your corporate brand if you |
| because you may look and feel your best in the | | | | are a top level executive. Incorporate a few of |
| new 2-button style. | | | | these springtime fashion suggestions into your |
| The 2-button suit or sport coat is very stylish this | | | | wardrobe to project a new look that conveys a |
| season. While the new slim cut is best left for the | | | | modern edge with a fresh perspective. That's |
| trailblazer executives, you will find that the classic | | | | exactly what your clients and colleagues are |
| 2-button suit is available in many other silhouettes. | | | | looking for in this new decade. |
| This type of suit is a great choice for your | | | | |