Top 10 Rules for being sharply suited

Top 10 Rules for being sharply suited

I read an article a few months ago about the unspoken suit rules every man should know. So that they don't remain unspoken, I thought it would be beneficial to bring you my own top 10 of those rules.

Employing these top 10 rules will help you to remain sharp, sophisticated and down right trendy when wearing suits.

10:
When buying a suit off-the-rack, the most important thing is to ensure that the shoulders fit. Ill fitting suit jackets that sag below the top line of the shoulder is not going to look great nor sharp. Shoulders are the hardest to tailor, so mark sure they don't stick out or stick up.

The gap between the collar of your shirt and the jacket's lapels is a giveaway that you have an ill-fitting jacket.



9. Charcoal or Grey suits are more sharp than black. This is because greys and charcoals are more versatile and will look better with more colours. Not all men suit black either.

Source - Stafford Ellison

8. When wearing a 3 piece suit or just the waist coat with trousers, keep the bottom button of your waist coat unbuttoned. This provides a slightly more sharper look and fit and prevents bunching at the bottom.

Source - scopes.co.uk

7. Cuffs should be showing at least half an inch from the jacket sleeve. Not only will this show off your  masculine jewellery you have such as cufflinks and watches, it provides a more balanced look by matching the amount of collar visible at the back of the neck.
  Source - Pinterest.com

6. Make sure your tie is darker than your dress shirt. This allows a balanced contrast and draws the eye in the V shape at the centre of your chest giving a slimmer sharper look.



5. The hem of your trouser should touch right at the top of your shoe. This provides a fashion forward, sharp look. If you are looking for a more conservative look, the trouser hem should cover the top of the shoe and parts of the laces.

 Source - gq.com

4. For a classic or vintage look, wear a matching waist coat and trouser with a slimmer tie. A brown tweet option would provide even more of a vintage look.

Source - Stafford Ellison

3. Always go for a classic windsor knot for your tie. Use the size of your head to determine whether you should go half or full windsor.

Source - feeldesain.com

2. Matching the right coloured shoes with your suit provides a sharp and sophisticated look. This includes being the same colour as your belt. A simple guide for matching shoes and suits is outlined below.

Source - putthison.com

1. For a particularly modern sharp look, choose a slim fit suit. Make sure that the back of the suit jacket has a double vent flap.

  Source - dh.com

To see the full list of the 27 unspoken suit rules every man should know go to http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/unspoken-suit-rules-every-man-should-know.

D.

www.bodestyling.com

Building A Capsule Wardrobe: Pants and Shorts

Building A Capsule Wardrobe: Pants and Shorts

Let's get it straight, pants, are the greatest freedom. Pioneering for women to wear pants was one of the greatest things women like Gabrielle Chanel ever did. Now, I love dresses, skirts and feeling feminine, but I like to do this with a touch of manliness. The juxtaposition between male/ female is the perfect spot to reside in for me. Comfort, is a major factor for me when it comes to getting dressed, women who kill themselves to fit into something uncomfortable for days on end make me frustrated. A lot of primping and product application can be fun, but everyday it is just tiring. I am not a fan of lots of hairspray, product, etc. I do love to dress up and feel beautiful, but I do not like to sacrifice my sanity and comfort to achieve this. In the world of fashion, I often feel perplexed watching what I dub as 'overdressed' women. Posing in platform neon heels, a bikini and bangles for photos is confusing. Wearing heels on grass, is confusing. If you are going to an event like the races, or a picnic, please do not wear heels! I feel at odds with myself the second I step on to unsturdy ground in a heel- even if this is for a moment. I find flatform shoes confusing, they are just so unattractive! The list goes on, but at the end of the day, to each their own.

I wear jeans, a lot. For a while, when I had gone through a super girly phase, jeans really bothered me. I hated seeing them on everybody- all looking the same. The thing is though, it is comfortable, often warmer, and you CAN personalize your style even if you are simply 'in jeans'. These days they are also widely worn in dressier circumstances, with a good pump heel, or ankle boot they can elongate the legs and look amazing. Find a good brand and stick to it. For me I love Rag and Bone, J-Brand (they are worth the $$ because the fit it is incredible), Sass and Bide, Dr.Denim and One Teaspoon. 

I do prefer to wear trousers or jeans as an everyday thing- rather than when going out for dinner, to a show or the like. For occasional wear I will switch back to a skirt or dress. Don't underestimate how valuable a well tailored black trouser can be, they will come in handy, are great for the office or official business and work in summer or winter. I ensure I have a matching black blazer, just in case I want to suit up.

For years I thought shorts were for men in summer, for Mickey Mouse and for children. I didn't see that they had much of a place in a womens wardrobe. It took me a while to see how I could feel like they were appropriate and found a place in my own day-to-day. Now I wear them all summer, and consider them to be a staple- again, in my day-to day, I leave shorter shorts out of the office and prefer not to wear them out to an event or dinner. They certainly can be worn in dressier ways- when tailored correctly, I feel they can look rather nice. The trick is to get the proportions right. A short short with an exposing cami top feels to me like I am showing too much skin. A cami top and longer shorts, is a little better, but best suited to culottes. Shorter shorts I feel team up best with a shirt or tee which has full or 3/4 length sleeves. When it comes to buying denim shorts I tend to go up one or two sizes, so they are looser around the thigh area. It is more flattering that way, and gives you plenty of room to move. I don't mind the torn hems, as long as the overall short covers your butt (ensure you bend down when you try them on- just to check you actually can without exposing cheek!) and I tend to stay away from embellishment, at least when building the essential capsule wardrobe.

Here is the breakdown of my 'Must Have Pants and Shorts For Any Woman':
- 1x Dark Denim jeans (skinny, fitted or flared- to suit your own body shape best)
- 1x Blue, Khaki, Bone, White or Oxblood coloured jean (again to suit your own body shape)
- 1x Torn 'Boyfriend' jean (I love the One Teaspoon Awesome Baggies, buy in a size or two larger)
- 1x Black linen long shorts- around knee length, slightly wide in the leg
- 1x Black tailored dress trousers for occasional wear and office wear
- 1x Black jeans (again, in a cut to suit your body shape)
- 1x Light Grey suit-shorts, can be short or longer, wear with an elegant flat or kitten heel for a dressier look
- 1x light washed denim or black denim cut off shorts (long enough to house your butt and worn tastefully!)
- 1x White leather shorts (or black- you would wear both, but start with one)
- 1x Black Leather Shorts (I wear mine too much!)
- 1x Culottes (not pictured) midi length, wear with cropped tops or blouses

If you have missed any of the 'Building A Capsule Wardrobe' series, check out the previous posts here. 

I will be bringing you more of this sort of post in coming weeks, so stay tuned, and please share any comments or ask any questions below. 

Happy Capsule creating! 

xx Jenelle

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Today's Everyday Fashion: Minty Fresh

Today's Everyday Fashion: Minty Fresh

Inspiration: Pinterest

My enthusiastic, year-long hunt for the perfect pair of mint jeans is over... and it resulted in me owning not one, but two pairs. (These and the Gap Skimmers.) I normally wouldn't buy two items that are so similar, but lately my shopping planning hasn't been so much planning as winging it. Everybody makes mistakes (if I could go back, I would've held out for the Gap pair), but mistakes that result in twice the minty fresh denim fun can hardly be penalized in my book. ;-) What are your favorite denim colors for spring? Would you wear mint + leopard?

Shirt: Moda c/o MJR Sales, $17 (old)

Jeans: Forever 21, $25

Necklace: Red Dress Boutique  c/o

Shoes: Nine West c/o, $62 (similar, similar)
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Rings: My Stella & Dot 1, 2
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3

Piperlime / Anne Klein / Charlotte Russe
Victoria's Secret  /  Buffalo  /  Victoria's Secret
Forever 21  /  Rsvp  /  Obey

Today's Everyday Fashion: Navy Polka Dots

Today's Everyday Fashion: Navy Polka Dots

Inspiration: Pinterest

See another outfit with this shirt here

Gray, mint and navy polka dots - a fun combo that I spotted on Pinterest and decided to try with my own clothes. My navy polka dot pencil skirt was calling my name this time around, but you could do any number of combinations to create this outfit, based on the items already in your closet. How would you wear this combo?

Shirt: Express c/o, $25 (similar)  

Cardigan: Banana Republic, $30 (similar, similar)

Skirt: Banana Republic, $50 

Shoes: Banana Republic, $50 (similar, similar, similar)

Necklace: Red Dress Boutique c/o

Purse: Michael Kors, Santa

Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Rings: My Stella & Dot website 1, 2
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website 1, 2, 3

Macy's / Forever 21 / Nordstrom
Forever 21 / Phard / Chico's