Men's fashion experts help you look even better by showing you how to put it all together.
If you're a guest: "Arrive on time, even if it means driving around
the block or taking a short walk, " says Curtis. "Get there early and
you'll have to take responsibility for your party, which involves
decisions best left to the host. "
3. Flash Your Dress Watch
When it's time to seal
the deal. "Wear a dress watch when important matters are on the table, "
says Lloyd Boston, an NBC style correspondent and author of Make Over Your Man.
Wearing a watch that rises to the occasion when you're proposing,
signing a loan, or shaking the hand of a potential employer will convey
that you're a man of taste, and a man on time. Or at least a man with a
really cool watch.
4. Replace Your Briefcase to Celebrate Every Promotion
"You have new responsibilities, " says Amy Wolf, senior director of
product design for Samsonite. "Does your bag have all the features you
need to look professional and well organized? " If the promotion doesn't
come, replace the briefcase every 5 years. "The anchorage points (where
the shoulder straps and handle attach) on a good-quality bag shouldn't
wear out for at least that long, " says Wolf. But if you haven't gotten a
major bump in 5 years, you should probably hit the road. Which is
another really good reason to buy a new briefcase.
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5. Dry-Clean Your Suit Within 48 Hours of the Big Spill
"That's true of any garment, " says Steve Boorstein, author of The Ultimate Guide to Shopping and Caring for Clothing.
"Otherwise, stains can set. " You need to dry-clean your suit only two
or three times a year, which also means it will last longer. "Inspect it
for stains, " says Boorstein. "If you've got a stain on your lap or
wrinkles in the crotch, have your pants cleaned. The jacket can wait. "
6. Know When to Switch from Your Business Suit to Your Birthday Suit
"When you get home from work, immediately hang your suit in an open
area and let it air out for a couple of hours, " says Boorstein. "If you
haven't gotten any stains on it, you can then move it to your closet. "
Use a wooden or plastic hanger with wide ends to preserve the broad
shape of the shoulders.
7. Button the Jacket Up Tight
It'll keep the
jacket secure, straight, and unwrinkled on the hanger. "The only other
time to button them all, " says Men's Health fashion director Brian
Boye, "is when you're wearing a one-button suit. " If your jacket has
more than one button, always leave the bottom one undone. What you do
with the rest is entirely your call.
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8. Head for the Shoe-Shine Guy After the First Drop of Rain
It's the opposite of your car-wash mentality: When the rain comes, the
polish will fight off the moisture, protect your shoes, and make you
look better than the other amphibians out there. If there's not a cloud
in sight, have a shine whenever you arrive early for an out-of-office
business meeting. "It's an ego balm and time killer wrapped into one, "
says Gordon Thompson, executive vice president and creative director of
Cole Haan. "And it takes only 15 minutes. " If you have shoes made of
exotic materials, like crocodile, be sure to work moisture into the skin
at least once a month.
9. Press Your Dress Shirt When the Iron's Steaming
Or just flick water onto the fabric around the button seams and collar
before you iron. "Those are the spots you really need to press, " says
Clint Greenleaf, author of A Gentleman's Guide to Appearance.
"If they're crisp, flat, and smooth, you'll look good even if the back
of your shirt is wrinkled. " If you have a dryer, forget the iron.
Dampen a washcloth (one that doesn't make lint), throw it in the dryer
with your shirt, and dry on high for 2 minutes.
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10. Wear a Tie When Nobody Else Does
Think of
casual office attire as God's way of giving you an advantage over your
coworkers. You just have to be smart enough to choose something with a
little more leadership potential. "That's when a tie will make the most
impact, " says Boston. "It sets you apart in the room; it inspires
people and lets them know that you're a man who doesn't miss the
details. " Even in a casual setting, a tie is a safe choice, and you can
always remove it if it seems like overkill (i.e., your boss is in
shorts and a T-shirt).
