The rest of your outfit can look like a million bucks, but all can be for naught with a pair of cheap shoes. Good shoes will last for years. And, things like old world craftsmanship and Italian leather make a difference you can not only see, but also feel. Our footwear is designed with three things in mind: comfort, style and value. The finest material and hand-finished detail, ensure the highest level of quality. Quality equals comfort. While we are all for classic, updated detail makes for a more distinctive statement while not compromising timeless appeal. And, finally, offering it to you at a price that is not only affordable but surprisingly affordable. Plus, we’ve got a diverse selection of matching belts so you can finish your look seamlessly.

Dress Shoes

The vast majority of dress or business shoes fall into one of two categories. First, oxfords are any lace-up that does not go above the ankle. Probably the two most common oxfords are cap toe and wing tip, which simply refers to the way the shoe is finished around the toe. Penny, tassel and monk strap is three common styles of the second category which is loafers or slip-ons. While considered somewhat less dressy, both oxfords and loafers are appropriate choices for business wear.

Classic Wear Guide

A couple simple rules of thumb when getting dressed:

• Black and burgundy are good with almost any black, navy or grey suit.
• Brown works well with tans and navy.
• Shine your shoes. A little polish goes a long way.
• Match your socks to your pants unless it is a lighter color. Then it is often better to match you socks to the color of your shoes.
• Your belt color should always match your shoes.
• Better shoes last longer. An investment that pays for itself over time.

The Four-in-Hand is a slightly asymmetrical and tight knot.  Considered the most versatile tie knot, it’s acceptable to use with any type collar, but best suited for a straight, tab or buttondown. View our post How to Tie a Tie: Four-in-Hand Knot.

The Windsor is a big and chunky tie knot.  Best when used with a wide spread collar shirt, perfect for a Windsor Spread or English Spread collar.  View our post  How to Tie a Tie: Windsor Knot.

The Half Windsor is a solid, balanced tie knot. It is a slightly smaller knot than the Windsor. Best when used with a spread collar shirt, perfect for a Windsor Spread or Park Avenue Spread collar. View our post How to Tie a Tie: Half Windsor Knot.

The Four-in-Hand is considered the most versatile tie knot.  Acceptable when used with any type collar, but best suited for a straight, tab or buttondown.

Use the simple instructions below to tie a Four-in-Hand knot.

Step One: Start with the wide end of the tie on your right, extended about 12 inches below narrow end.	Step Two: Cross the wide end over the narrow, then again under the narrow.	Step Three: Continue around, passing the wide end across in front of the narrow once more.
Step Four: Pass the wide end under the knot and up through the loop between the knot and your neck.	Step Five: Hold the front of the knot open slightly with your index finger to create a loop in the knot. Pass the wide end down through the knot in the loop that you’ve just created in front.	Step Six: Remove your finger and tighten the knot carefully. Draw the knot tight by holding the narrow end of the tie and sliding the knot up snug to your collar.

Other Knots:
Click here for Windsor.
Click here for Half Windsor.

The Windsor is a big and chunky tie knot. Larger than the Half Windsor. Best when used with a wide spread collar shirt, perfect for a Windsor Spread or English Spread collar.

Use the simple instructions below to tie a Windsor knot.

(when looking in a mirror)

Other Knots:
Click here for Half Windsor.
Click here for Four-in-Hand.

The Half Windsor is a solid, balanced tie knot. Slightly smaller than the Windsor. Best when used with a spread collar shirt, perfect for a Windsor Spread or Park Avenue Spread collar.

Use the simple instructions below to tie a Half Windsor knot.

(when looking in a mirror)

Other Knots:
Click here for Windsor.
Click here for Four-in-Hand.

Wool suits and wool trousers made from 100% wool have been favored by consumers and apparel makers alike for years and years. Here’s why:

A natural fiber, wool comes in many different weights and thicknesses allowing you to wear it year-round. With small gaps of air in its fibers, wool controls the climate you wear it in. It breathes, which synthetic fibers can’t do. Because of this, wool is not only comfortable on the skin, but it’s also odor-free. And to top it off, wool is easy to care for. Creases hold well, even on lightweight wools worn during the summer.

For a company sponsored cocktail or Christmas party, take your initial cues from your company’s dress policy.

If you work in a suit and tie environment, you can assume that suits will be worn at these types of social events.   It is, however, recommended to switch from your normal solid white or blue dress shirt to something more fashionable.   Try a striped dress shirt , check dress shirt, or a shirt with a contrasting white collar.   For a more formal look, wear a French cuff shirt.

If your day-to-day environment is business casual, you may want to select a deep toned sport shirt  and match it with a great looking sportcoat.   Or, take that same sportcoat and wear it over a fine gauge knit.

Your cotton dress shirts will last longer if you follow some simple care instructions. If you are washing at home, use a cold water setting, then tumble dry on a delicate cycle. While your shirt is still damp, use a warm iron to get those wrinkles out. If you have your shirts professionally laundered, ask for light starch.

For non-iron cotton shirts, use the same wash and dry settings mentioned above. Simply remove the shirts from the dryer while they are still warm and you will be able to put them on without even looking at an iron.

The most basic color matching involves selecting a tie to wear with a dark suit and a white dress shirt. It is difficult to go wrong with this combination and your main decision is whether to keep with subdued tones or go for a brighter look.

The same holds true for matching a fine gauge knit with a pair of dark trousers. If you are wearing a colored solid dress shirt, select a patterned tie that uses the dress shirt hue as a secondary color. Use the same logic if you are wearing a patterned pair of trousers (glen plaid, houndstooth, etc.). Select a knit or woven shirt that matches the secondary color in the trouser pattern.

Matching a patterned suit or sportcoat with a dress shirt and tie is more complex. A few options are acceptable. You can select a shirt that is a lighter shade of the primary suit color and match it with a tie that emphasizes the suit’s secondary tone. For example, if you are wearing a light brown sportcoat with a burgundy over bar, you might select an ecru dress shirt and match it with a small-patterned tie with burgundy as the primary color. Or, you can select a shirt color that emphasizes the burgundy in the sportcoat, and match it with a tie that has a light brown as the secondary hue.

As with most elements of business dressing, select color combinations that you are comfortable wearing.

1. Invest in quality tailored clothing that will last. Buy conservative suits and basic trousers that won’t be out of style next season, and use fashion dress shirts and ties to personalize your fashion statement.

2. Find a good tailor and treat him/her well. Proper alterations on suits, trousers and sportcoats are important to your appearance.

3. Be a bit more adventurous when matching shirts and ties. A large patterned necktie will work very well with a small patterned dress shirt, and vice versa. For example, pair a bold paisley tie with a micro-check dress shirt.

4. Make certain that your shoes are shined and appropriate for the rest of your outfit. For example, don’t wear penny loafers with a suit, or cap toe dress shoes with chinos.

5. Make sure your accessories work together. Your belt should match your shoes and your socks should coordinate with your trousers.

6. Make yourself “perspiration proof.” Always wear an undershirt under your dress shirt, and carry a handkerchief to wipe perspiration from your hands or brow.

7. Purchase a small, fold-up umbrella and keep it in your briefcase at all times. Nothing takes the smartness out of a man’s appearance like an unexpected rain shower.

8. Unless you are in a profession where artistic flair is expected, always try to err on the side of dressing too conservatively.

9. Emulate (but do not copy) your boss, or other senior executives at your company, when deciding how to dress.

10. Never wear anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or not yourself.