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By Allen, November 18, 2009 9:16 am

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.

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By Allen, November 16, 2009 2:21 pm

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.

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By Allen, November 11, 2009 10:45 am

Shoe colors for business traditionally range from black to burgundy to shades of brown and beige. It makes sense to stay within these guidelines, unless you are extremely confident that you can “pull off” a different color. Black is the most versatile color, since it complements a nice variety of suit and trouser colors.  Also remember to coordinate your shoe and belt color, as well as your trouser and sock color.

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By Allen, November 6, 2009 10:05 am

Some simple rules for coordinating your dress shirt with a tie, sportcoat, or suit.

1. Avoid patterns that are too similar.

2. Select complementary colors and patterns.

3. Don’t wear combinations that are drastically different. The patterns and colors should not compete with one another.

4. Match large patterns with small patterns or vice versa.

5. Don’t overdo one pattern or color.

The key is feeling comfortable wearing your ensemble. Many times there will be combinations that seem to fit the rules but do not look right together. Always use your own judgment to determine what works for you.