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Are you clueless about what type of belt to wear, and how important it is to wear the right belt for the right occasion? Don’t fret yet, you aren’t alone. We’ve got you fully covered in this blog. You can know more about the various types of belt, and how belt buckles can function as the ideal adornments when you’re sporting either a formal or an informal wear. 

There’s so much to factor in when we’re discussing belts. Now first things first, before we set our mind upon buying one, choose a budget range that wouldn’t burn a hole in your pocket. Next, comes wearing the right color, tricky, ya? What if you’ve got a plethora of colors to choose from? Black and brown are staple colors for any ensemble over the years, or at least we are made to believe so. But in recent times, we are witnessing a flurry of belt colors including navy, blue, tan, rust and grey. These colors are unique in many ways as these tend to work with a number of clothing.

Black leather belt:  The belt is a regular piece of fashion accessory and good on the go. Leather is generally appropriate as a formal belt when accessorized with a pair of trousers or like a suit belt. It does have its restrictions and function only as a stylish optimizing factor between the top and bottom half. It will enliven your look for sure, like a tie, in a subtle, understated manner.

Brown formal belt:  Not every belt color can offer the flexibility that a simple buckles and an earthly color such as brown. Accessorize it with polished brown leather shoes and almost every combination of shirts and trousers for a stunning look.

Cool Casual Belt: Undoubtedly, the formal belt types, including black and leather, offer a gamut of opportunities to produce bold, layered looks. Fabric is a main criterion that differentiates a casual belt type from a formal one. Casual belts are most appropriate for casual summer looks, either to spend the evening with your buddies on a rather sunny day by the seaside or on a lunch date. It works just great as a matching pair for shorts or jeans lending a laidback look, and allows you to experiment with a varying range of outfit.

Fabric Belts: As mentioned above already, if you’re trying out different textures and colors, go for a fabric belt. They are easy to maintain and use, and add a layer of fun to your attire. Cloth belts and canvas are the most common types of fabric belts, available in different forms of pattern. The fabric belt texture is built to easily wrap around the waist, minus the stiffness that leather may usually have. 

Thin Belts: Compared to the thicker ones, thin belts are comparatively dressier and increasingly formal. The belt isn’t intended to appear delicate; therefore, you can maintain the look of your outfit by harmonizing the heaviness with softer colors and materials.

Gone are the days when only suits and tuxedos were reserved for men during the fall season. Thank God, the fashion rules are changing fast and moving beyond. At least the trend indicates towards the fact that tailoring is always a classic trend and is here to stay. Shopping at times can seem daunting—and expensive—if your wardrobe previously doesn’t have suiting in it.  Going further, I discuss here ways that men can prepare for the coming fall season in terms of dressing without sacrificing their personal style and wallet.

First things first…sporting the essentials
Going for basics is the best way to begin building a customized closet. The best combination here can be a good blazer and button-down shirt. I recommend accessorizing the ensemble with a pair of loafers.  These are some of the versatile items you can have in your closet forever.

Add a Personal Touch
Who said that you can’t add a personal touch to any formal suiting? You can style and accessorize it the way you want with a mix of both modernity and personality to your look. Do check some of our previous blogs on how to accessorize your suit for fall. The trick is to have fun whilst looking professional at the same time.  Do you have questions to ask on how to try out menswear tailoring this fall? Just touch base with me.

The Fit
Come fall, suits were a model of status and class, affordable to only those elite sections of the society who could purchase a bespoke two-or-three piece ensemble. Nowadays, suits are everywhere at all possible price points, which indicates fit is more often than not compromised when choosing lower-priced collection.  Ask the fashion experts, they will tell you that it is advisable to consult with a tailor before wearing them, no matter how budget-friendly or luxury it might sound. What’s more you’ll love what a little bit of tailoring can do to make your suit appear a tad different from the gentleman next to you.

I always look forward to this interesting time of the year, as it is the best time to sport different layers and fabrics, teamed up with a plethora of accessories. I have given you some basic tips above for preparing yourself, and making the optimal use of fall wear.  Do check out my posts that cover on fall colors and shades; different textures and patterns, wearing different types of heavier fabrics having interesting patterns and more. Next week, I’ll be compiling a post on how to reorganize your closet this fall.

Do you need a fun way to say adieu to summer 2022? Then get a sweater for the occasion when the cold weather gets rolling. And who doesn’t love the sweater anyways? And for an outfit, that’s so wonderfully classic, the variations are simply infinite. The oversized and chunky turtleneck hooded—is all there for the day. But nothing can come even closer to cashmere, a stunner of a fabric, when the weather gets bitingly cold.  This blog will cover why the cashmere pieces are quintessential for any closet, and why you need them anytime.

First and foremost, if you think comfort, versatility and quality are the major elements of the ideal sweater, then any cashmere-blended knit will emerge a winner.

How does it stand out?
I always feel that a sweater that will disintegrate, deform or lose shape within a season is not worth the money and time from a buying perspective. If your objective is to see your sweater outlast use going through season after season, then the cashmere sweater stands out. If you take proper care of it, it will even outlast us all. But let’s remember that the benefits to owning this timeless outfit in your wardrobe go beyond its durability.

Superior quality cashmere can be three times warmer compared to sheep’s wool, but in terms of weight it’s much lighter. The presence of amino acids and its moisture content ensure that whilst it is insulating during the cold weather, it would also maintain the cool temperature when the days are balmy and warmer. With this luxurious knit covered around the body, you will still enjoy the benefits of its breathable nature. This invariably makes it a favorite wear under trans-seasonal conditions or unpredictable climes.  All organic, it is convenient to dye, and the yarn alone can be spun in several ways—this is the reason why the everyday range of cashmere sweater beats the rest. It drapes exceedingly well; therefore, it is very flattering on the body.

What is the differentiating factor?          
The wool itself is derived from the soft undercoat of goats reared below sub-zero temperature, which is what provides them with the supremely thick, fuzzy fleece. A point to note here is that these soft fibers are shed every spring, and requires to be disintegrated from the coarser top coat of the goat. This generally involves manual combing and sorting. Only approximately 0.33 percent of the equivalent volume of sheep’s wool made globally per year is produced in cashmere wool—and that’s about 6,500 tonnes contrasted to 2 million.  This explains why the cashmere is considered the best of luxury wool fabrics!

Styling options
Sweaters that feature slimmer feat is said to offer more styling options compared to the loose, oversized or chunky ones, but that doesn’t necessarily indicate their distinctive benefits. I feel that the cashmere is a more fitted sweater type, in addition to its uniquely luxurious feel. A more fitted sweater is appropriate for dressier and casual occasions—it looks as splendidly good teamed up with tailored trousers as it clinically does with a pair of jeans.

For all the smart-casual events that may emanate especially during the winter season, it is not easy to knock down a classic men’s overcoat. Extremely versatile and insulating and an easy way to attract a few eyeballs, the outerwear plays a key role in molding the style quotient of men, while being more than a useful addition in the wardrobe at the same time. 

Wool may not be waterproof, but it is water resistant and can hold close to 20 percent of its weight in water before getting wet or heavy. Besides, no fabric can feel as warm as wool as it constitutes fine fibers that capture air which can be transmitted to the body. And there is the overcoat’s simple, fashionably evergreen cut making it an ideal option for the Christmas party (I know it’s still a few months away) as you can easily wear it over a hoodie anytime.

Before continuing further, I find there is a great sense of confusion between a topcoat, a greatcoat and an overcoat. Many struggle to understand their distinctions. Let me put it straight for you. 

# An overcoat is a long coat that is designed to be worn as the outermost attire. The length is usually below the knee. 

# A topcoat is lightweight compared to the other two. For e.g. the trench coat fits into this category.

# A greatcoat, also called as a watch coat, is bulky, heavy overcoat that was first used in the military before it became a fashion statement.

If you pick a good overcoat, it can go well with a suit easily, and craft an instantaneously smarter look and appeal. But the question here is what is a good overcoat? What are the selection criteria?  Below are some of the questions that you may need to answer before shopping or picking a tailored overcoat for you.
1. What is the length of the overcoat?
2. What is the choice of the right fabric?
3. Are you picking the right weight to suit the clime?
4. Does the overcoat have a decent fitting?
5. Is the sleeve length of the overcoat given due consideration?
6. What is your investment? State the maximum and minimum bracket for a quality overcoat.
7. Is it going to be a single-breasted or double-breasted construction?
8. What exactly is the color of your choice? Supposing if black, why do you prefer so?
9. Do you mix overcoat and outfits? They rarely mix together!
10. What are the accessories that suit your overcoat ensemble? And so on…

Although answering all these questions may not be always necessary, considering them will add more zing to your overall style look when you dress up the overcoat.

Whether the situation demands wearing a suit or tuxedo, the overall objective is to effuse a powerful look. Now this can get a lot trickier if you’re the man on your big day, or maybe even a groomsman or guest. The million dollar question: should you wear a suit or tuxedo? The answer is not that simple. Let me get things straight for you as I explain the various aspects that distinguish the two distinct styles, how to decide the most appropriate style, and several accessories worth considering for a complete look. And yes, watch out for the details that make the differences between a suit and tuxedo including satin lapels & details, shirt style, ways to accessorize, and finally shoes.

Dress Code
When things are not clear, I rather you follow the rules. Take the event into consideration when deliberating what to wear. The invitation should give you a hint or so on the required dress code. What about Black-tie and formal weddings? A dark suit or tuxedo is recommended. If it is a dress-casual or semi-formal event? A suit is the best choice.

Time of Wedding
This is another important factor: night or day? Suit or Tux? A tux, as you may know, is a regular in the evening. During the day, a suit should strike the right chord. This said if the festivities extend into the evening hours, you can select whichever is preferable.

Flexibility
Wondering which is more flexible—a tux or suit—going beyond the wedding norm? A suit wins hands down here because you can either dress it up or down. You can also afford to enhance the style quotient of your suit by adding a pocket square or fun tie as accessories at the workplace or any exclusive event. At the same time, the tuxedo jacket can be paired with T-shirts and jeans for a strikingly semi-casual or casual look.

Are you true to your style? 

Weddings are moments to treasure and cherish in anybody’s life, and therefore men would want to appear extra dapper on a momentous day. As I mentioned earlier, for some, a tuxedo is super-perfect. For others, all that is required to craft a great look is a smart suit. The only factor that counts here of course, whether you’re part of the wedding party or getting married along the way, is that you enjoy what you are wearing. As simple as that. It is common sense to indulge in a bit of grooming—think cologne, shaving essentials and hair and body care products.

Before dealing with how to wear a monochromatic outfit, let’s explore a bit what they are. The word ‘Monochrome’ is a combination of two words: mono means single and chromatic means hue or color. Put it together and what you get is single color outfit, literally.  But that doesn’t mean you need to wear the same color head to tone. You can mix different tints and shades of the equivalent color family, technically referred to as a tone on tone outfit, though the two are interchangeable.

We know that the most simplistic outfit combos can often result in making a strong statement. Sometimes, what you require is a simple effort crafted effortlessly and integrated. Mixing in a range of textures and fabrications can generate enthusiasm and add features to your ensemble. Are you trying to go for a monochromatic style? Remember these more than handy tips.

Monochrome Attire for Men: Understandably, fit gains predominance over others, but choosing the color will go a long way in crafting your fashion statement too. Complementing different colors can be really daunting, but it is the most fundamental aspect in order to differentiate your outfit from the crowd. 

As I mentioned earlier in the blog, monochrome is “one color”. You can sport a “monochromatic outfit” by wearing outfits of the same color, or equivalent shades leastwise. You can produce some eye-grabbing attire by selecting hues such as grey, white and black from your closet.

Select a tertiary color from which you can produce your entire palette of colors. It can emanate from shades (base color + white), tones (base color + grey) or tints (base color + white). You can also make use of online tools such as Adobe color wheel to create your own color palette by considering saturation, hue and lightness. Take a print out of it as a sample reference for use when you go out for shopping.

Go for darker shades on areas that you need to hide, and lighter hues on areas you want to highlight or accentuate. In addition to these, the lighter item should be moved on top, while pushing the darker items to the bottom.

Don’t do too much by pressing yourself to go single color—chances are you may just look out of sorts. For example, if you’re sporting a navy blue top, why not try to add some twist by teaming it up with dark blue pants or something with a feel of a discrete color (blue featuring black stripes)? As for shoes, go for brown loafers or black shoes as they are an excellent way to add elegance to monochromatic attire without appearing overdressed or stuffy. Remember your choice of color should be based on your skin undertone. We all have a fundamental understanding of what color appears strikingly great on them. Therefore, if you want to play the game safe, go for these, instead of trying out novel ones.