Men's fashion is a game of details that add style and elegance. Today, I will discuss six details worth knowing and using to avoid faux pas and demonstrate class. You will learn how to tie a tie to look stylish, whether it is okay to mix patterns in men's fashion, what a breast pocket and a pocket square are, and you will discover many other tricks that will ensure your image is always professional.
Essential elements of elegant men's attire
1. Tie
This is a fundamental essential in every man's wardrobe. An elegant outfit for a man primarily consists of a tie. They can be worn with a classic suit, a coordinated set (a combination of matching men's wardrobe items that were not originally a set), or a smart casual outfit. However, ties should not be worn with short-sleeved shirts—this is an informal garment that should be worn on its own in more relaxed situations, such as on vacation. Additionally, it is not recommended as part of a tuxedo or tailcoat outfit, as this type of attire should be worn with a bow tie. There are 5 types of ties: solid (the most elegant), micro-patterned (also suitable for a business dress code), striped/club (with a slightly larger pattern and lower level of formality, recommended for everyday wear or coordinated sets), paisley (with floral ornaments), and knits (knitted ties with the lowest level of formality, fitting into the smart casual style).
When choosing a tie, pay attention to its material composition. I especially recommend those made of natural silk—they will look their best and serve you for a long time. Another important issue is the thickness of the tie, which should be neither too thick nor too thin. Before buying a tie, tie it in front of a mirror to see if it looks as you expected. The tie should also match the proportions of your silhouette: slim men can afford narrower and medium ties (4-9cm), while those with a larger build will look better in wider (above 9cm) and medium (7-9cm) widths.
How to tie a tie?
In Poland, the most popular knot is the symmetrical Windsor knot. It looks best on men with a broad face and with a formal suit. In my opinion, the four-in-hand knot is much more stylish and interesting due to its slightly asymmetrical shape. It suits every type of collar and face shape. A detail that will additionally show your professionalism is the presence of a "dimple" (the depression under the knot). This is achieved by placing a finger in the last phase of tying the tie between the main loop of the tie, and then forming it with your fingers.
2. Bow tie
In recent years, it has been experiencing a renaissance, as it is seen not only in formal outfits but also in everyday ones. Going back to basics, a bow tie is an essential element of a tuxedo and tailcoat. Additionally, it has a higher degree of formality than a tie, which is why it should not appear in a business dress code. A real bow tie is one that is tied manually. It must be admitted that it is slightly more difficult to tie, but a well-formed one makes a stunning impression. It is important to remember that a tied bow tie should not be wider than the outline at ear height and not narrower than the width between the outer corners of the eyes.
3. Pocket square
Another nuance that adds style is the pocket square, which is a square-shaped handkerchief placed in the jacket pocket—the breast pocket. The best size for pocket squares ranges from about 30x30cm to approx. 40x40cm. In the men's fashion market, the most popular are white linen pocket squares (used in very formal situations as well as with elegant sets) and silk ones featuring patterns. Elegant men's attire, meaning high-quality pocket squares, are hand-rolled, which can be recognized by the characteristic rolled edge. The most important rule when choosing a pocket square is that it should NOT be made of the same fabric as the tie or bow tie. There are many ways to fold a pocket square:
- Classic fold into four with a peak and visible edge,
- Puff fold with hidden ends, achieved by grabbing the handkerchief at the intersections of the square's diagonals, then using the other hand to shape the pocket square, and then inserting the formed handkerchief into the breast pocket.
- Four corners, which involves inserting the pocket square in the opposite direction than for the puff fold.
4. Mixing patterns
The rule stating that you should not mix different patterns is long outdated. Today, combining different designs can diversify an outfit and also convey your style. In this case, the rule stating that one should mix patterns of the same or similar sizes works well. An example is combining a pinstriped shirt with a small-dotted tie. However, this does not exclude other combinations, which you can choose according to your taste or thanks to inspiration by browsing men's fashion blogs, reading articles on men's elegance, following people with refined fashion taste on social media, or simply from Pinterest.
5. Separating a suit
While separating the elements of a formal suit is not a good idea, separating a less formal suit gives you many possibilities to wear it. You can combine a sports jacket with jeans, chinos, or various shirts. Conversely, trousers (often tapered, sometimes without a crease) can be a substitute for chinos, worn with sports shirts, turtlenecks, and other informal jackets.
6. Socks in men's elegance
Socks are an often overlooked but very important detail of men's attire, because if they are poorly chosen, they can ruin a set consisting of even an ultra-expensive suit. There are two schools of thought on choosing socks: one says that they should match the color of the trousers, the other that they should match the color of the shoes. However, the most important thing is that the color, texture, or pattern is compatible with the whole. For example, a gray sock can echo a gray vest. In the summer season, loafers are often a substitute for leather footwear, and they look best without classic socks. In this case, you can use invisible liners, which will protect your feet from chafing. An important aspect is also the length of socks worn with a suit: regardless of the season, they should not reveal your calf, even when sitting down.
As you can see, "the devil is in the details," so it is worth taking care of even the smallest detail of your attire, which will surely reward you with a stylish and professional look. I certainly haven't covered all the details, so I would love to know what elements of men's elegance you pay attention to? Let us know in the comments! We also invite you to read our post where we reveal how to dress for a wedding?
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