Spring Wardrobe-102-What to add to the dark suit?

Hello again.

In my last post, I recommended a dark navy or black 2 button suit for your core wardrobe addition for this Spring.

Many of my customers next ask to add a “sport coat” for those “business casual” days in the office where a suit isn’t needed, but a jacket seems appropriate for less formal meetings with clients or potential clients.

The good news is…you don’t need a separate sport coat! The solid jacket from your new suit is perfect as a blazer…unless you want to look like Thurston Howell III from Gilligan’s Island complete with yachting hat and gold buttons!  (I prefer a dark button on my blazer to a gold button, and don’t wear the captain’s cap, regardless.)

Thurston Howell III...with gold buttons!

All you now need to do is look through your wardrobe and find a pair of charcoal gray pants you like, a pair of taupe or tan pants you like and a pair of black/white tic slacks…and you now have up to three blazer outfits…without spending a dime!  If you need a new pair of slacks, that’s sure a lot more efficient than buying a “sport coat” that will probably be a spring/summer weight exclusively for summer use in the Northeast.

Each of these swatches or variations on them would work excellently as a complement to your navy or black jacket.  Pair with almost any dress or casual shirt for your “business casual” wardrobe.

If you are really going casual, try a pair of white linen or light-weight wool slacks.

Perfect for Lake George or Sarataga!

I’d recommend flat front trousers for your next pair of pants.  If you prefer pleats for the comfort, you really need to try custom.  My customers love my flat front pants with hidden pleats at the waist for extra comfort.  If you are having flat front pants made, try having your tailor add 1/2″ to the rise, 1/2″ to the seat, and a a 20 1/2″ knee with an 18″ bottom. (If you really want a trim pant…a smaller knee/bottom is required…discuss your preferences with your tailor and he/she will guide you to your perfect flat front trouser.)

For a 34 waist, these dimensions should work fine.  Your tailor can assist with knee/bottom proportions if you are bigger/smaller than a 34 waist.

Once you’ve got your basic dark suit/blazer combination under control, you can think of adding something with a little more punch…perhaps a striped suit that could double as a great casual look over a pair of dressy jeans.

Please feel free to share your sartorial questions with me at vince@christopherscustom.com.

Vince Rua, Founder

Christopher’s Custom

TOO SEXY?

You’ve heard about the Citibank decision to fire Debrah Lorenzana.  Take a few minutes to watch this short, to-the-point news feature from PIX11 TV in NYC.

Link to YouTube News Articla re. Citibank fires Lorenzana

I’ve spoken all over the country on how to dress for business and beyond, but admit that my area of specialization was always the guy.  Having said that, many of my presentations incorporated collaborative efforts from some of the country’s foremost experts on women’s workplace attire, including:

• Judith Rasband, Founder Conselle Institute of Image Management Link to Judith’s Website
• Sherry Masonave, Author of Casual Power: How to Power Up Your Nonverbal Communication and Dress Down For Success and Founder of Empowerment Enterprises Link to Sherry’s Website
• Juanita Ecker, Founder Professional Image Management Link to Juanita’s Website

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Please join this discussion and provide your views and see what others think.