WARDROBING, ACCESSORIZING AND COLOUR CO-ORDINATION

MODULE – 2C

10 Tips to Stretch Your Wardrobe Dollars

1. Buy what works for you, what you actually require!

2. Stick to your best colours3. Buy the right size for right now 4. Purchase for Multi-season use5. Remember the basics 6. Accessorize with style7. Buy quality over quantity8. Compatible shoes 9. Organize and categorize10. Take notes for future use

Example of a wardrobe - The Uniform ManYou have a specific uniform you wear that is required by the nature of your work.  The only time you need personal clothing is when you have time off in the evenings and your weekends.  You wear a suit rarely, but when you do you like to look sharp as being a man of detail you pay attention to the small things.

• 1 Suit• 1 Pair Dress Shoes• 1+ Pair Casual Leather Shoes• Belts that match above shoes• 4+ Dress Shirts• 3+ Ties• 2 Pairs of well-fitting Jeans• 2 Pair Slacks, Dark & Light

• 2+ Button-up collared sport shirts• 3 Solid Polo Shirts• 3 Sweaters• 5+ Undershirts• 1 Sports Jacket• 1 Simple Dress Watch

• Items that would be helpful to have• 1 Navy Blazer• 3+ pocket squares• 1 Overcoat• 1 Pair Leather Gloves• 1 Hat• Collar Stays, Cuff Links

Men’s AccessoriesBasic formal accessories for men; Head to toe1. Hat / Cap2. Tie / Bow Tie / Cravat3. Tie pin4. Pocket square / silk5. Cuff Links6. Watch7. Belt8. Wallet / Card Holder9. Socks10. Shoes 11. Bag

How to choose the accessories• Define the setting

For Professionals1- Casual: In a formal business setting, this should not extend beyond a shirt

without a tie or a polo shirt and khakis. In such an environment, denim, shorts, T-shirts, and open-toe sandals are not acceptable. However, in more informal, often younger business settings, such attire may indeed be permissible. 

2- Semi-formal: A nice dress shirt with an optional tie, good quality chinos or trousers, and a sports coat is highly recommended.

3- Formal: A tailor-made suit, impeccably pressed shirt and conservative tie is the norm. Pinstripe is a great choice, and a vest is a nice addition as well. For formal wear, it's not recommended to mix and match blazers with trousers. Keep it uniform.

• Choose what is necessary and try not to go overboard• Co-ordinate with the color theme and apparels chosen• Matching socks to trousers; shoes, belt, watch, wallet

9 Tips for Choosing Men’s Jewellery

• Jewellery should have purpose• Less is more• Match your existing look• When in doubt, opt out• Watches for status• Rings for sentiment• Cuff links and tie clips for class• Necklaces for tradition• Avoid Earrings

Colour Coordination for Men

• Introduction – The Colour Wheel and Colour Basics

• By looking at the basics of colour and how to incorporate these basics into an outfit we will be able to confidently develop the knowledge necessary to match our clothes properly, allowing us to look our best

Color Basics – The Color Wheel

5 key colour wheel concepts1. Core Colour – the dominant colour in a colour

scheme. For example in terms of an ensemble, it would usually be the colour of a jacket or sweater.

2. Accent Colours – Secondary colours used in a colour scheme. Accent colours may be complementary, triad, analogous or neutral.

a. Complementary colours – colours that are directly across from one another on the colour wheel.

b) Triad Colours – Three colours that are equidistant on the colour wheel.

c) Analogous Colours – Colours that border each other on the colour wheel.

• Using this as a reference is key when coordinating colours.

• Conclusion – Just touching the surface of the Colour Wheel

• The Wheel will provide guidelines and suggestions as to how to properly match clothing, but when it comes down to it, it’s about how you think you look in your clothes, and how they make you feel. Don’t become a slave to the science of colour coordination, but rather use the knowledge it provides to better assist your personal style.

• The closer the colours are to each other, the easier they are to coordinate. For example, wearing a blue dress shirt with a tie that has blue-green strips is a good, simple coordination. On the other hand, trying to mix yellow-green and red-violet can get messy, so knowing how to mix these colours is important.

• The first things to look at when learning about contrast if understanding the colours and contrasts of your body. Your hair colour, eye colour, and skin colour play an important role in developing the proper contrast within your outfit. These three factors, which every man has, determine whether a man is of high, low, or medium contrast.

• High Contrast Men• Men whose hair colour contrasts their skin colour greatly fall under this category. For example, men with black hair and white skin. The most important thing for men in this category is to try to mimic this same contrast with their clothes. A dark suit (navy blue or black) and a white dress shirt or a charcoal gray suit with a blue dress shirt will both provide this desired contrast. As for ties, any tie that distinctly stands out from the shirt will compliment a high contrast man.

High Contrast Men - Formals

High Contrast Men - Formals

What’s wrong with his dressing?

High Contrast Men - Casuals

• Low Contrast Men

• Low contrast men have a much more subtle, if any, contrast. Men with light hair and light skin fall into this category, and (usually) so do men with red hair, bald men, and men with little hair. The ability for a low contrast man to look good is the complete opposite from that of a high contrast man.• A colour combination for low contrast men• Low contrast men should strive for a monochromatic (single colour) look. A dark blue or earth-toned dress shirt with a dark suit will work best most of the time. As for ties, something that contrasts too much will take attention away from the face, so having a tie similar to the colour of your suit and shirt will work best.

Low Contrast Men

Low Contrast Men - Formals

Low Contrast Men - Casuals

• Medium Contrast Men

• Men who don’t fall under either extreme usually fall into this category. Dark skinned men with dark hair or light skinned men with white or gray hair usually fit into this group. Since there is such a wide variety of facial tones and hair colours, it is difficult to pinpoint specific guidance to this group.

• The mentioned dark skinned man with dark hair would lean more towards the high contrast side, while the light skinned man with white or gray hair leans more towards the low contrast side. With that being said, it should be mentioned that medium contrast men could easily explore and enjoy what both sides have to offer, but should do so without wandering too far off into one of the extremes.

Medium Contrast Men

Medium Contrast Men

Medium Contrast Men

Men's Fashion Tips - Do's and Don'ts Do's1. Match your belt to your shoes2. Match your socks with your trousers3. Wear a suit that fits properly4. Get your suit/trouser/chino legs hemmed by a

tailor5. Tuck your shirt into your pants when wearing a

sport coat or blazer6. Flat front pants if you’re skinny7. Pleats if you’re overweight8. Slim-fit shirts if you’re skinny, have tailor take

sides in on baggy shirts9. Wear dark colours if you're overweight

Don'ts1. Match your pocket square to your tie2. Button the bottom button of a suit jacket, sport

coat, or blazer3. Wear two articles of clothing with the same

pattern or stripe thickness4. Wear three articles of clothing with three

different patterns5. Wear brown shoes with black suits6. Wear white socks with dress shoes7. Wear a shirt darker than your suit to work8. Wear black suits for work9. Wear black slacks or chinos10. Wear a French cuff shirt without a tie

Don'ts11. Wear square-toed dress shoes12. Wear socks with sandals13. Wear a contrast collar to work unless you are the

boss14. Wear flat front pants if you’re overweight15. Wear black dress shoes with jeans16. Wear a black suit with a black shirt

EXAMPLES

Medium contrast man has opted for a high contrast look.The suit could have been slightly darker. He has narrow Shoulder but is wearing a broad tie. A slimmer tie would

have looked better.

Low contrast man opting for a high contrast look

doesn’t work. No one would want to go to work

Looking like this. Three buttoned suits are out.

EXAMPLES

Can you tell what is wrong in this picture?

How can he dress better?

What is wrong with this picture?

How can he dress better?