Dress the Part

It’s a fact: Some people just dress funny.

Maybe they don’t know better. Maybe they do, and just don’t care.

But if you want to make a good impression, it’s important that you learn to dress properly. When you dress the part, you send the message that you care what the other person thinks. And while you don’t have to have an incredible selection of clothes in order to impress, there are a few simple guidelines you can follow.

Christy Taylor — licensed aesthetician and cosmetologist from Nashville, TN — has made it her passion to know fashion and to make people look good.
For Men Only
To the men – who Christy has often found to be more fashion-challenged than women – she offers the following insight:

1. Find a good pair of jeans that fit properly, not too tight or too loose. When shopping, don’t hesitate to ask a sales associate for help. And, there’s a reason those name brand jeans cost a little more; most often you will find they fit and look better on you than the others. The jeans also need to be boot cut and cover half of your shoe laces – otherwise, the pants look too short.

2. Your belt needs to match your shoes. If you have a brown belt on, wear brown shoes. Wear a black belt with black shoes.

3. You should own at least 3 pairs of shoes: Brown casual shoes, not shiny ones (Sketchers makes great ones); Black casual shoes; and tennis shoes (New Balance is a brand that looks great on men).

4. Pay attention to your shirts. Whether going dressy or casual, you can wear a button up collared shirt with jeans. Leave it untucked. It should come down right below your hip. If it comes any further, it’s too long. If the shirt covers your butt, it’s too long.

5. T-shirts are great. You should own several plain, short-sleeved T-shirts. Combine a plain colored T-shirt with a color that compliments it. Leave the shirt unbuttoned or button just a few buttons at the bottom of the shirt. Also, invest in vintage T-shirts. American Eagle has some great ones – some with logos or numbers – wear them untucked.

6. Cargo shorts are a basic necessity in your wardrobe. Find a pair of khaki brown cargo shorts that hit right at your knee. Not any shorter or any longer. If you have cargo shorts or denim shorts and an assortment of T-shirts, you will always have lots of choices.

7. Socks should never be seen. Buy ankle socks – preferably low rise ankle socks that actually fall a little lower than the ankle.

8. Find a good black or brown blazer. A basic staple to your wardrobe is a casual blazer, not a suit jacket.

Christy closes out her advice to men with a carefully constructed, “Things Not to Do” list:

1. Do not pull your pants up too high.

2. Do not wear your belt too tight.

3. Do not tuck your shirt in.

4. Do not wear knee high socks with shorts.

5. Do not wear dress shoes with shorts.

6. Do not mix plaids with stripes.

7. Do not wear busy patterns, florals or Hawaiian themes.

8. Do not wear pink.