This post on men’s fashion was adapted from an article by Marla Tomazin.
“You only get one chance to make a first impression.” While that may sound like something your mother taught you when you were a kid, it’s good advice for entrepreneurs. Whether you’re meeting potential clients, existing customers, a new landlord or a banker, you want to make the best impression you can.
Both William Shakespeare and Mark Twain are given credit for writing some version of “Clothes make the man.” And both were correct, you need to consider your fashion choices in order to make a great impression on people.
I always tell my clients—female and male—that you begin to communicate with others before you ever open your mouth to speak. This is true for life in general, and especially so in a professional setting.
So, before you head out the door ask yourself, “Does everything look well-kept and congruent? Does anything stand out or look out of place? What would I assume about someone wearing this outfit?”
When you’re interacting with others, you want the focus to be on you and your words—not on your clothing. And when you’re confident in your look, you feel good about yourself too.
If you sell men’s fashions, these are good tips to know so you can offer your customers the best advice.
6 Fashion Tips
Fashion is not just for women, so here’s a quick list of best practices for polishing your image:
1—Quality counts. Frugality may be in style (and more power to the money savers!), but filling your wardrobe with the cheapest price tags you can find won’t do much for your image. Always buy the highest quality fabrics you can afford—even if it means owning fewer clothing items. Quality garments tend to travel well. They last for a long time and don’t need to be dry cleaned as often. And, of course, quality looks great. In particular, I recommend looking for lightweight wool suits, trousers, and sport coats, as well as fine cotton shirts.
2—Make sure it matches. Your clothing doesn’t need to be “matchy-matchy,” but each outfit should have balance. When you choose a shirt, tie, and blazer combo, everything should blend. (Leave the “loud” statement ties in the closet.) If one element stands out in contrast to the rest of the clothing and draws the eye, it can be a distraction that keeps other people from really engaging with you. Don’t forget about the “hidden” elements of your outfit, like socks. Make sure your socks match either your pants or your shoes, and that they are long enough so your legs never shows if you cross them.
3—Don’t leave out outerwear. A properly fitting overcoat, scarf, and gloves (and possibly also a briefcase or computer bag) complete the look for a well-dressed man. If you meet people in an ill-fitting, beat-up old coat, that might be what people remember—not the beautiful new suit you were wearing underneath! As with “regular” outfits, make sure everything coordinates.
Accessories Matter
4—Belt it out. For a modern look, quality leather belts that are between 1 1/4- and 1 1/2-inches wide in brown or black—depending on the color of your shoes—are perfect. Look for a matte finish on the buckle—preferably in a silver or pewter tone—and avoid buckles with logos.
5—Make sure the eyes have it. If you wear glasses, you probably don’t think of them as a fashion accessory. But they are an important factor in your overall look. Glasses can age you, make you look tired, and/or be a distraction if they are not the right color and shape for your face. A pair of quality frames is worth investing in. Oh, be sure your glasses are clean! Smudges on the lenses can look very sloppy.
6— Work from the feet up. If you don’t already own a pair, invest in a good dress shoe. Consider shoes with a long toe box—it makes you look taller and leaner. And make sure your shoes are always polished and properly heeled and soled. No scuffs allowed.
You don’t have to be a slave to fashion to look polished and put together. Paying attention to a handful of details can make a huge difference in your image and in how you’re perceived by others.
This post was adapted, with permission, from “10 Fashion Tips for Men Who Aren’t into Fashion,” originally published on Hitched.
Marla Tomazin is a Certified Image Consultant, who started her image consulting business in 1990 with the goal of helping clients identify an authentic image and develop its effective expression.
