VERITAS | Men's Style Blog

3 Manly Ways to Wear Floral Prints

Floral prints are a top menswear trend this spring, popping up in full bloom in a wide range of graphics, sizes and colors. The challenge for the average man is to incorporate this romantic trend in masculine ways that sets him apart for the right reasons, while avoiding any risk of looking like an unfortunate—and clueless—fashion amateur. I’ll share 3 simple, reliable ways for any man to look sensational in this season's freshest trend, and emerge victorious with his manliness fully intact.

 

Easy Does It

Let the other dudes plaster themselves silly in fanciful bouquets while you remain ever smart and relaxed in a simple, small-scale printed shirt within a limited color range. The floral print itself speaks volumes, so no need to exaggerate the scale or overdo it with too many colors. Ground the rest of your outfit in a solid, neutral base color such as grey, beige, navy or dark denim, and top it off with a handsome cardigan or lightweight jacket for those chilly springtime mornings and evenings. Add a pair of cool kicks from this season's mix of unexpected colors and materials and you're the man. 

 

Seriously Speaking

For a dressier, hushed evening look, consider a shirt or sport jacket in a dark 2-tone pattern that’s more shadow-like over one that pops. The idea is to utilize the print more as a texture while the dark color adds depth and drama—it’s about tasteful discretion, not flash. For a printed shirt, top it with a solid dark jacket. For a printed jacket, pair it with either a solid shirt that picks up a tone on the jacket, or a white one. If you want to add a tie, make it solid and dark—a knit tie will quietly add another layer of texture, which is always a good thing. Again, the rule is to keep the rest of your outfit lean and clean, preferably with a pair of trim trousers worn beltless, and as a bonus, with an extended tab closure. Garnish with a well-polished pair of your best shoes.

 

A Little Goes a Long Way

This is a prime example of accessories as king. No need to invest in a big ticket item like a full shirt with a front, back and sleeves in order to enjoy spring’s hottest trend, which, like all trends, is eventually destined to be a flash in the pan. All that most guys really want is a little taste of what’s current, right?

Well, that’s where a small piece of cloth in the form of a pocket square, tie or socks will get you that kick of floral rush while fully insuring you from any fashion calamity. Add just one well-appointed floral accent to your otherwise monotonous uniform, and presto! You’ve just locked in a mad dose of personality without having to wallpaper yourself full of petals. This is also a winsome, non-invasive way to wear prints on the sly to earn points at the office... and impress that gorgeous date later tonight.

Now that you see how easy it is to wear floral prints without putting your manliness in suspect, why not give this top spring trend a go? As long as you have a solid foundational wardrobe, all you need is to invest in one item—a shirt, jacket or accessory—and work it into the everyday pieces that you already have in your daily rotation. It will work wonders to add fresh charm to your spring wardrobe without having to overhaul your closet, and make your style sense spring forth and blossom to a whole new level.

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7 Wardrobe Essentials for Every Man

 

Here are my picks for the 7 must-have menswear essentials, guaranteed to equip you with a solid foundation in which to build the rest of your wardrobe. Think of them as primary building blocks that click together to form countless varieties of new looks, or a blank canvas that offers the ideal backdrop for expressing your personal style. These pieces will work well in most semi-dressy/business casual situations that call for something a bit more polished, but not too strict or fussy – kind of like the Goldilocks Zone of modern-day dressing.

All you need are two tops, two bottoms, two jackets, and a great pair of shoes. Let’s go:

1.) White Button-Front Shirt: Whether it's a dress shirt or sport shirt, a white, collared, button-front shirt is never an option. This shirt is the carte blanche of all shirts. Make sure they’re always at the ready, spotless, crisp and well-pressed. Whenever you're in doubt, put one on and you're money.

2.) Lightweight Crewneck Pullover: A finely-knit top is like a luxurious t-shirt. Trade it in place of your normal everyday t-shirt and you instantly amp up your style quotient. Wear it alone or over that white button-front shirt. This is also where a little color goes a long way – choose one that shows some personality (like this pink one), and it’ll take you so much farther.

3.) Dark Straight-Leg Jeans: These should have none-to-minimal washing/distressing with simple stitching. It's a versatile staple that grounds pretty much any casual/semi-casual look, and has become as essential as the ubiquitous chino. Wear it whenever you usually grab for your chinos, but when you need the dark color and a little more kick to your style.

4.) Slim Plain-Front Chinos: The chino can either be the most boring item in your wardrobe, or the most perfect basic you can ever own. You obviously want to aim for the latter, and that all depends on the style and fit. Slim means exactly what it means. Plain-front means no pleats – ever – please.

5.) Navy Blazer:  An absolute essential in order to dress up any outfit in a pinch. You could be in a t-shirt and old jeans, but the minute the blazer gets added to the mix, you'll manage to look respectable, even if you're in a hurry. For maximum mileage, go for the two-button, with dark buttons that match the jacket.

6.) Grey Blazer: The addition of an alternate grey blazer to the navy one packs a powerful one-two punch for any occasion that calls for a jacket. You’ll be fine with having just one (either one will do, but start with the navy), but you’ll never regret having both. The two options together will exponentially increase your wardrobe possibilities.

7.) Lace-up Oxfords: No matter your shoe situation, you’ve got to have one really good pair. Make it a lace-up oxford in either plain or cap toe. Dark brown gives you lots of versatility and is more interesting than black, especially in context to the rest of the 6 pieces we’re focusing on today.

Put it all together: Not only are these 7 items integral to every man's wardrobe, the beauty of these timeless basics is that, when combined together, it's an absolute fail-proof ensemble that will take very good care of you, season after season. Add extra flair with accessories, like punchy pocket squares or handsome belts, and you’re big time.

Lastly, about that white shirt... tuck the damn thing in!

Office Shirt Battle: UK vs US

Here's something fresh from my friends at UK-based menswear retailer, TM Lewin. Called "Men at Work," this entertaining infographic provides interesting facts on office shirt style preferences between English and American men.

Regardless of your nationality, which side are you on? See below to find out.

[You may need to zoom in to read the text.]

The Classic Tux Redux

[Catch up on the previous post: “Wear a Tux Like a Leading Man”]

 

Continuing our formal wear coverage....

When it comes to black tie events, the classic tuxedo reigns supreme.

First of all, it’s a uniform. Uniforms are meant to be goof proof – the whole thing is already perfected for you. As long as you assemble yourself faithfully to proper point-by-point guidelines, there’s no way you can make a wrong turn. Plus there’s no denying that a man looks smashing in a uniform.

Another reason to go for the classic is that it exudes good manners. Like all uniforms, a properly worn tuxedo, as much as it sets you apart, is also meant for blending in. In this case, why? Why to gracefully allow your date – and all the ladies in attendance – to showcase their exquisite dresses. See any photos of these stars taken with their dates and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about. A gentleman never attempts to one-up his date by fighting for fashion attention.

If you really must strut your stuff, it’s allowed, within tasteful reason – just make sure you own your shit 100% without a single shred of doubt (fine examples here). But for the rest of you who want a sure shot at looking pitch-perfect with zero risk, you can achieve so much with the classic tuxedo. Oh, and trust me: no one will mistake you for boring – ever.

A few notables who hit it perfectly at this year’s Oscars are Bradley Cooper (in Tom Ford), Eddie Redmayne (in Alexander McQueen), and Justin Theroux (in Salvatore Ferragamo). They kept it as classic as can be in a single-button peaked lapel style, but couldn’t have been more dashing.

This, however, doesn’t mean you can go to a local rent-a-tux and get any classic number and think it’s okay, because that will prove to be a disaster. Primarily, rentals will most often be too boxy (in order to accommodate more body types). Please – wear a tux, not a box. Not only is the boxy style awful-looking, it’s also very dated (see what I mean here). What you need is a classic tuxedo that says modern, contemporary, and for that, the proper fit is key.

Watch especially that the jacket’s shoulders don’t extend past the natural shoulder line, the sleeve length is cropped enough to show some shirt cuff, and the body is immaculately tailored to hug the figure. The trousers are sleek and slender with sharp creases, with minimal break at the hem so that it flows neatly onto the shoes. The plain-front turndown collar shirt is clean and simple, taking over the old-school winged version as the new modern classic. 

There’s always room for variations in keeping with the classic style. Bradley Cooper chose a trim vest and simple black studs for a graceful multi-dimensional look. Eddie Redmayne wore velvet slippers for a dose of sole-ful English propriety rarely seen on this side of the Atlantic. Justin Theroux wrapped on a cummerbund, a classic formal wear furnishing that’s fast becoming a rarity.

That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. Stick with the classics for an effortless, sure-fire way to guarantee your spot as man of the hour – every time.

Next up, to round out our three-part tuxedo examination: “Tuxedo Dos and Don’ts”

[Getty Images]

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Wear a Tux Like a Leading Man

Wear a Tux Like a Leading Man

 

The Oscars. It came. It went. And I don’t give a crap. But what I do give a crap about is the subject of men’s formal wear, which I’ll be covering in the next 3 posts.

Today I’ll talk about my Oscar pick for Best Dressed Man: Daniel Day-Lewis.

Daniel Day-Lewis is hands down (and feet down, and ass down) the winner of the night for embodying an impeccable formal presentation in his midnight blue Domenico Vacca tuxedo. And how apropos of him to also receive the Academy’s grand honor for Best Actor in a Leading Role. By the way, he now holds the record for the most golden statuettes in the category. Congratulations.

It’s becoming clear that I have a ‘thing’ for two things: the midnight blue shawl-collar tux and leading actors named Daniel who wear them. (If you want to see me squirm over the other Daniel, check out: “Holiday Gear: Tux Deluxe.”)

Apart from the leading man midnight blue color that takes a subtle yet glamorous departure from the sea of nominee blacks, what makes Mr. Day-Lewis’s look so absofuckinglutely right?

Let’s go down the list....

Jacket: The shawl collar has always been my favorite for its classicism and elegance. Daniel’s slimmed down version is very in-the-moment, while complementing his elongated features. Everything about him is long and lean, from his face down to his feet. The linear quality of the slim shawl collar harmonizes well with his body type.

The black accent on the collar works well to add contrast and dimension to this strict streamlined look, as well as to pick up the black of the bow tie. This creates a clean, precise frame over the backdrop of the white shirt to neatly direct the focus to his face, which is a man’s most identifiable and expressive feature. And his is just... lovely.

The chest pocket is also cut with the same black fabric as the collar, a quiet way to showcase a novel design detail. In fact, I had to take a closer look to make sure it was the pocket welt and not a black pocket square. In effect, this clever feature does double duty as functional pocket opening and decorative pocket square, further streamlining the look.

The single button is not only the ideal style for a formal jacket, it also creates a low button stance that cuts a deep V onto his torso, complementing his long lines. Anyone who wishes to create the look of a longer, slimmer torso would do well with lower button stance jackets. Button stance is the term used for the position of the jacket’s top button.

Shirt: Perfect in its minimalism – a quiet plain front with a simple turndown collar. No extras like pleating or embellished studs. It’s just a pared down yet elegant canvas to highlight his face and upper body. Also note the cuffs peeking out – this detail is never an option when wearing a shirt and jacket, as the extra sliver of cuff keeps the shirt and jacket visually linked, creating balance. It looks like he has a good inch showing instead of the usual half inch, thereby doubling his confidence and flair.

Trousers: Tuxedo trousers traditionally have a ribbon running down the outer side of each leg, made from the same fabric as the jacket’s satin or grosgrain lapel. Daniel took a pass, instead opting again for a sleek, solid colored trim-cut trouser that accentuates his lean lines. The sharply-pressed creases at the center of the legs create an even more severe linearity that further accentuates his vertical stature. The high hem with a minimal break seamlessly connects to his shoes, creating a continues flow.

Shoes: Sleek slip-ons in patent/high-polish leather. With no extraneous laces or bulk, it blends in beautifully with his trousers.

Accessories: Nothing more than a simple black blow tie in perfect proportion to his face and collar, and one single statement jewelry – his wedding band. For a look this stunning, nothing more is needed – or wanted.

Lastly, I want to comment on one thing that Daniel Day-Lewis possesses that’s both the essential foundation and final touch to his refined appearance. And that is his character. This outrageously talented man embodies poise and finesse alongside a deeply genuine humility, making him a man of incredible integrity, decency and grace. I believe that a cultivated, attractive inner quality is the key to appearing cultivated and attractive to others. So after all that I’ve said on this post regarding the outer, I leave you now with the most important ingredient for your image and style – yourself. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

On my next post, I’ll talk about some more impressive stars who shined in their tuxes on Oscar night.

[Images: Getty]

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