Men's fashion is all about details that add style and elegance. Today, I'll discuss six details worth knowing and implementing to avoid faux pas and demonstrate class. You'll learn how to tie a tie to look stylish, whether you can combine patterns in men's fashion , what a breast pocket square and a pocket square are , and many other tricks that will ensure your look is always professional.
Essential elements of elegant men's clothing
1.Tie
A basic must-have in every man's wardrobe. A man's elegant attire is primarily a tie. They can be worn with a classic suit, a coordinated outfit (a set of interconnected and matching men's wardrobe items that weren't originally a set), or smart casual attire. However, ties shouldn't be worn with short-sleeved shirts – they're an informal attire and should be worn on their own in more casual situations, such as vacations. Furthermore, they're not recommended as part of a tuxedo or tailcoat outfit, as these outfits should be paired with a bow tie. There are five types of ties : plain (the most elegant), micro-patterned (also consistent with business dress code), regimental/club ties (with a slightly larger pattern and less formality, recommended for everyday wear or coordinated outfits), paisley (with a floral ornament), and knit (these are knitted ties with the lowest level of formality, consistent with smart casual style).
When choosing a tie, pay attention to its material composition. I especially recommend natural silk – they will look their best and last a long time. Another important consideration 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 and see if it looks the way you want. The tie should also suit your body proportions: slim men can afford narrower and medium-width ties (4-9cm), while those with a larger build will look better in wider (over 9cm) and medium-width (7-9cm).
How to tie a tie?
In Poland, the most popular tie is the symmetrical Windsor knot . It looks best on men with a wide face and 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 any collar type and face shape. A detail that further demonstrates your professionalism is the presence of a "teardrop" (a depression under the knot). This is achieved by inserting a finger between the main loop of the tie during the final stage of tying, then shaping it with your fingers.
2.Fly
In recent years, it has experienced a renaissance, being seen not only in formal attire but also in everyday wear. Getting back to basics, the bow tie is an essential element of a tuxedo or tailcoat. Furthermore, it has a higher degree of formality than a tie, so it shouldn't be included in business dress codes. A true bow tie is one that is tied. Admittedly, it's a bit more difficult to tie, but a well-formed one makes a striking impression. It's important to remember that a tied bow tie should be no wider than the outline at ear level and no narrower than the width between the outer corners of the eyes .
3.Pocket square
Another touch of elegance is the pocket square, a square-shaped handkerchief tucked into a jacket pocket (breast pocket). The ideal size for a pocket square ranges from approximately 30x30cm to 40x40cm. The most popular pocket squares in the men's fashion market are white linen pocket squares (used in very formal settings as well as with elegant ensembles) and patterned silk ones. Elegant men's clothing, or noble pocket squares, are hand-stitched, recognizable by their characteristic rolled hem. The most important rule when choosing a pocket square is that it should NOT be made of the same material as the tie or bow tie. There are many ways to fold a pocket square:
- Classic fold in four with a tab and a visible edge,
- Puffy with hidden ends, they are obtained by grabbing the handkerchief at the intersections of the diagonals of the square, then grabbing it with the other hand to form a pocket square, and then putting the formed handkerchief into the bursaries.
- Four corners , i.e. inserting the pocket square in the opposite direction as in the case of the puff fold.
4. Combining patterns
The rule that you shouldn't mix and match different patterns is long outdated. Today, combining different patterns can diversify an outfit and also express your own style. In this case, the rule that you should combine patterns of the same or similar sizes works well. An example is a pinstripe shirt and a small polka-dot tie. However, this doesn't rule out other combinations, which you can choose according to your own taste or draw inspiration from browsing menswear blogs, reading articles about men's elegance, following people with refined fashion taste on social media, or simply from Pinterest.
5. Unpacking the suit
While separating the components of a formal suit isn't a good idea, breaking up a less formal suit opens up a multitude of ways to wear it . You can also pair a sport coat with jeans, chinos, and various shirts. Trousers (often tapered, sometimes creaseless) can be a substitute for chinos, worn with sport shirts, turtlenecks, and other informal jackets .
6. Socks in masculine elegance
Socks are an often-overlooked, yet crucial, detail of men's attire, because if they're poorly chosen, they can ruin an outfit, even an ultra-expensive suit. There are two schools of thought when it comes to choosing socks: one says they should match the color of your trousers, the other that they should match the color of your shoes . However, the most important thing is that the color, texture, and pattern complement the overall look. For example, a gray sock can complement a gray vest. In summer, loafers are often a substitute for leather shoes, which look best without a classic sock. In such cases, you can use socks that protect your feet from abrasion. The length of the socks worn with a suit is also important: regardless of the season, they should not expose the calf, even when sitting down .
As you can see, " the devil is in the details ," so it's worth paying attention to even the smallest detail of your outfit, which will surely reward you with a stylish and professional appearance. I'm sure I haven't covered every detail, so I'd love to hear what elements of masculine elegance you pay attention to? Let me know below! We also invite you to read our post, where we reveal how to dress for a wedding .
unique, solid and substantive fashion knowledge
have access to pre-sales, drops and promotions
receive a 5% code for your first purchase at ANSIN
Anna Ochman Stylist
