| Many men leaders are so busy keeping their | | | | incorporate your selection of ties. You want to |
| professional lives on target that they don't really | | | | coordinate and look intentional - as though an image |
| have the time or the interest that it takes to keep | | | | consultant dressed you backstage before an |
| track of modern wardrobe trends. They may depend | | | | important media appearance. We always provide our |
| upon their spouse or an experienced salesperson to | | | | clients with education on how to balance shirt and tie |
| guide and advise them regarding how to keep their | | | | colors and prints - by teaching them what we call the |
| professional edge and look polished and successful. | | | | "rules of coordination." To adhere to this rule keep |
| Although men still hold the majority of top level | | | | similar colors through different prints, but the two |
| positions many of them are completely oblivious to | | | | prints must be of two different scales. Here's an |
| the fact that what they wear sets a cultural | | | | example to help you understand the formula: |
| standard within the workplace and serves as a | | | | A blue and white subtle-checked dress shirt would be |
| role-model for others within the organization. | | | | great coordinated with a blue, charcoal grey, and |
| Fashion Trends as Vital Components of Your Brand | | | | white medallion tie - but only as long as the |
| In the past most men didn't view their visual image | | | | medallions in the tie are larger than the checks on the |
| as important for portraying a positive personal and | | | | shirt and they are also in similar shades of blue that |
| corporate image. But things have changed and this is | | | | carry across throughout the look. Oftentimes a solid |
| an entirely new business era. To be an effective | | | | shirt and tie can be rather boring. But if you have |
| leader a man needs to dress the part. Most of my | | | | some mix and match know-how you can give |
| top level clients want to be successful, prestigious, | | | | yourself a well-dressed fashionable edge that |
| and influentially powerful. But when I am coaching and | | | | communicates a modern flair for innovation that is |
| consulting with them it is easy to see that their brand | | | | important to your overall brand messaging. |
| presence and wardrobe doesn't communicate any | | | | Sweater Classics |
| kind of memorable message. Fashion and style are | | | | When the autumn weather starts to cool down a bit, |
| major components of your personal and corporate | | | | be sure to dress in style by layering a modern |
| brand and your industry reputation, and they can | | | | cardigan that communicates polish. Cardigans are |
| actually help you to build business relationships by | | | | great items to layer with, especially if you work in a |
| inspiring trust and confidence in those around you. | | | | business casual environment where a suit may appear |
| My Top 7 Trends for Upgrading Your Business | | | | too formal to your clientele. The new modern |
| Wardrobe | | | | businesslike styles are made from fine merino wool |
| Here are my seven best trend picks for today. Every | | | | or cashmere that doesn't add a lot of bulk to your |
| man can adapt these to various work environments | | | | layered look. V-necks are also another layering option |
| with looks that range from formal and conservative | | | | that, like cardigans, lets you layer up over sport |
| to more friendly, approachable, and elegantly casual. | | | | shirts, fancy dress shirts, and button-down shirts to |
| Grey - The New Power Neutral Color | | | | keep you feeling warm and looking approachably |
| This season grey suits are taking center stage and | | | | debonair. They are great on days when you want to |
| moving navy out of the spotlight. Shades of grey will | | | | be polished and sharp without creating too much |
| be in men's suits and sports jackets in solid colors | | | | fashion distance between yourself and your |
| and pattern styles like windowpane. While you can | | | | ultra-casual clientele. |
| never go wrong with the classic 2-button suit or | | | | Footwear that Steps it Up a Notch |
| jacket, we are beginning to see that what was old is | | | | For men footwear is one of the signs of social |
| new again. The double breasted suit has gone full | | | | status. Wearing high quality leather and knowing how |
| circle and is beginning to reemerge to contribute | | | | to coordinate specific shoes styles with different |
| some memorable elegance to your fashion wardrobe. | | | | wardrobe looks says you understand the art of |
| Plus grey has always been a classic cornerstone of | | | | dressing to look sharp. Keep in mind that there are |
| every man's professional wardrobe and it is a | | | | formal and business casual levels of dress shoes. |
| wonderful color that communicates a distinct level of | | | | When working with my professional clients, I always |
| conservatism and authority. | | | | suggest they wear a formal lace-up dress shoe when |
| Corporate Background Checks | | | | wearing a formal suit, as this is the highest level of |
| If there is one must-have item for every man this | | | | dress. A slip-on loafer style works when you are |
| season it is the checked dress shirt. I always suggest | | | | wearing a sport coat or blazer, shirt, and dress |
| that for a more businesslike occasion you will want to | | | | trousers - because the loafer conveys a more |
| invest in a very subtle solid check. By subtle I mean | | | | business casual look and feel. Here are the latest fall |
| that from a few feet away it will appear to be a | | | | trends in men's formal lace-up and loafer styles: |
| solid color. This kind of classy check adds an element | | | | Formal - Lace-up Dress Shoes: Wing tips, vintage |
| of visual or tonal texture and interest. If you are | | | | oxfords, leather lace-ups, polished leather oxfords |
| more fashion-forward and that kind of style | | | | and suede shoes (which are a bit more casual). |
| resonates with your true personal brand, then by all | | | | Business Casual Loafer Dress Shoes: This season the |
| means acquire a few fine quality check print shirts in | | | | leading styles are dressy leather loafer-style |
| several multi-colors. Keep this tip in mind: The bolder | | | | moccasins, suede slip-ons, and a return of the penny |
| and more colorful the checks, the more casual the | | | | loafer from days gone by. |
| shirt will look and feel. | | | | Top it Off with a Finishing Touch |
| Another corporate checkmate can be gained by | | | | Like the American Express slogan advises, "Don't |
| adding a checked long sleeved sport shirt to your | | | | leave home without it." You never want to head out |
| business casual look. Robert Graham makes some | | | | into the unpredictable autumn weather without an |
| beautiful casual sport shirts that look modern and | | | | elegant topcoat that is practical and functional, looks |
| have sleeves that can be turned up to expose a | | | | fantastic, and also serves to protect the tailored |
| contrasting print. Pair these types of shirts with an | | | | clothes underneath in rain or snow. This season we |
| exquisite skin belt, dress trousers, leather slip-ons and | | | | are seeing topcoats in shorter styles that can work |
| voila - you look modern and contemporary. Another | | | | for both your professional and casual wardrobes - |
| alternative is to wear a checked casual button-down | | | | especially if you live in a warmer climate where you |
| collar style dress shirt under a sport coat or blazer to | | | | may not need the extra length. This season look for |
| look casually elegant and trustworthy. | | | | a neutral tone like black, grey, navy, or camel in wool, |
| Around the Neck | | | | cashmere, or other natural fabrics that will help to |
| When it comes to fashion you can tie in knots you | | | | insulate you against the elements while protecting |
| will want a broad selection of prints like medallion, | | | | your clothing investment. |
| striped, mosaic, and pin dot. If you want to be on | | | | Any of these seven trends can be worked into a |
| the cutting edge then you may want to incorporate | | | | traditional, high fashion, or business casual wardrobe |
| the new solid ties as your signature accessory. By | | | | to keep you beautifully prepared for any business |
| solid I don't mean those boring solids with no texture | | | | situation. If you've made it to the C-suite then your |
| or contrast. The new versions are bold and beautiful. | | | | visual messages need to continually communicate |
| Neiman Marcus has a great new selection of these | | | | your expertise and your visionary leadership. I hope |
| solid ties that look elegant and sophisticated by | | | | you can take advantage of this modern trend report |
| adding texture. You'll find tone-on-tone, tiny dots, rich | | | | to incorporate some fresh fall fashion into your |
| satins, small square geometrics, and paisley print | | | | wardrobe. Concentrate on core pieces, basics, and |
| jacquards in a single color tone. | | | | accessories that communicate your personal brand |
| Checks & Balances | | | | style and you'll soon see how the way your dress |
| With the new check dress shirt taking the fashion | | | | inspires greater business success. |
| spotlight, you will need to be careful how you | | | | |