5 Basic Rules For Men’s Formal Clothing

There are people who believe in the saying “Know the rules and break some.” Though such saying may be applied in some aspects of a mans life, you can never relate it to men’s fashion. All types of clothing have specific rules. Once you break any of the basic rules, you may end up looking messy or feeling uncomfortable with your outfit. But if you well understood and properly follow the rules, you will arguably look best in your outfit.

So, if you are going to attend events, especially if it is a formal one, make sure you follow the basic rules in fashion. Remember, rules in casual clothing are more flexible while the rules for formal wear are the more formalistic. Before knowing the methods on how to accessorize formal attire like suits or tuxedos, know first the basic rules for men’s fashion in formal wear.

Rule No.1

White is the safest color for a formal shirt and is the best choice for some occasions like black tie events or a job interview. However, white shirt can also be the most boring when worn for more relaxed settings. To avoid looking tedious, you may also try conservative, muted colored shirt or one with patterns. Never wear see-through or translucent shirts for formal occasions if you want to be the laughing stock on the event.

Rule No.2

Pick a shirt that perfectly fits you. You have the freedom to wear any size of shirt, but make sure you are only wearing well-fitted shirts when going to a formal or even special occasion. If you choose to wear a shirt that does not fit you, the sleeves will expose your wrists. Avoid wearing tight collared shirt, which will just make you look messy and may choke you once worn with a tie. So, make sure the collar and sleeves are just right and comfortable to wear.

Rule No.3

Fasten the shirt buttons. All buttons in your shirt should be fastened, including those in the side of the sleeve, near the shirt cuff. The buttons keep your forearm from being exposed on the hole where the sleeve is unbuttoned. Don’t forget to fasten the button-down collar to prevent the buttons below the collar from sticking out awkwardly.

Rule No.4

Make sure your pants fit you, too. If you bought pants that are too long for you, let them be hemmed. It is better to buy longer pants as they can be altered. Aside from the length, you should also check its waistline. If your pants are too large, they will look baggy.

Rule No.5

Choose accessories that complement each other. Never wear brown belt with black shoes or vice versa. The color of your accessories should always match each other. Also, avoid wearing sneakers with formal attire. Make sure your shoes provide elegance and go well with your formal wear.

Since you are going to wear your outfit for a formal affair, look for ultra-conservative socks. Formal socks should be thin, although ultra-thin nylon socks are not totally necessary. Make sure your socks are long enough to keep your calf and ankle from being exposed when you cross your legs.