A Guide to Men's Shoes & Fashion
Men's fashion is less complicated than many make it. For men, a closet full of fashionable and timeless staples should form the core. Surrounding these essentials are clothes more suited to specific events and venues. The basic elements of a solid wardrobe consist of the right shoes and clothes, taking men from work to the restaurant over all four seasons and in virtually any combination. Does this Spark an idea?
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Suits
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Of all the suiting options out there, men require at least two as a foundation -- navy and charcoal, which is a black or an ultra-dark gray. These two colors not only pair with virtually any tie or shirt, but the jackets and pants may be interchanged in some cases depending upon the scenario. By keeping the color options simple and classic, there is less opportunity for error. Additionally, blue and charcoal suit jackets made from the right fabric may be separated from their accompanying trousers and paired with khakis or jeans for a dressed-down look.
Shoes
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Despite the effort many men put into their appearance, most people evaluate wardrobe choices from the feet up. Men do not require a closet full of shoes to be fashionable. Black captoe lace-ups, brown or tan wingtips and a plain grey or white leather sneaker work equally well with suits and jeans. Leather soles are a must for the lace-ups. Men may opt to incorporate a pair of suede chukka boots for those in-between situations when sneakers nor wingtips are truly appropriate.
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Quality Watch
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Men don't require much jewelry. In fact, a good watch and a wedding ring suffice for many. But that watch often says as much about the individual as the shoes he has on. Stainless steel models from quality brands like Rolex, Omega and Cartier almost never go out of style, transition from suits to polos and are heirloom-quality. Keeping the case size below 44 millimeters avoids that trendy large-watch look that waxes and wanes over time.
Oxford Cloth Button-Downs
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A man cannot have too many white and pastel Oxford-cloth shirts. These are acceptable under a suit jacket, sweater or with sleeves rolled up on the beach. Keeping colored button-downs muted avoids clashing with ties, partners with almost any other item in the closet and is always appropriate. French cuffs are optional, but what is not are sleeves of proper length and collars that are snug but not tight. Button-down collars are traditional and fool-proof.
Pants
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Men in most cases can get by with a few pairs of quality dark denim jeans and khaki chinos. Outside of situations like weddings and business meetings where suits are a must, these pants can carry men through most events while remaining appropriate. These versatile options may be teamed with virtually anything else in the wardrobe, depending on the level of formality required.
Cashmere Sweaters
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Lighter cashmere sweaters can keep a guy cool in the warmer months and warm in the cooler times of the year. These versatile pieces can be thrown over a shirt and under a jacket, or worn over a simple T-shirt. Choosing options in neutral colors like heather grey and charcoal allow men to wear them in many business environments, to holiday parties and just leaning back somewhere with a cup of tea and a book. Choosing a couple with V-necks adds a little polish to the look.
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References
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