Menswear Monday {on a Tuesday}

Happy Tuesday! I apologize for my brief blogging hiatus. We spent the weekend in Nashville, and now it's back to the real world for me! Today's Menswear Monday {on a Tuesday} highlights my amazing experience with a custom clothier last week.

Many of my male clients are in need of suits, dress shirts, blazers, slacks and more. I took my most recent client to a custom clothier based in Atlanta to see the difference between a customized experience like this, and buying a suit from the store. I was blown away! First of all, the process is so much easier than perusing a store for the perfect suit. Jeff, the clothier, has over 2,000 fabric swatches to choose from; from suit fabrics, to dress shirts, to ties & jackets. And ontop of that, everything is truly CUSTOM. We even picked out the lining for the inside of each jacket, the buttons and the stitching around the buttons. Each suit is totally customized to your specific measurements, and has custom pockets throughout. Full canvas or half canvas is included in the price, as well as ALL alterations if any may be needed. Another fun fact? Your name is sewn into each of your suits. No more losing your navy blazer at weddings or cocktail parties!

Now, we'll address the price. The cost of a FULLY CUSTOM suit is less than any suit you will find at Brooks Brothers or Nordstrom. And those suits are priced pre-tailoring. The same goes for the blazers, pants and shirts. After this experience, I don't know how men could shop any other way! An hour of your time with no try-on yields you multiple new suits, dress shirts, pants & blazers. Men, I think I probably lost you at "1 hour and NO TRY-ON."

If you are interested in more information about this process, pricing and details, email me at courtney@lifestyledatlanta.com.

We'll see you tomorrow for Working Girl Wednesday, featuring the perfect nude shoe for spring & summer!

Stylishly Yours,

Courtney

Menswear Monday :: How to Rock the Jeans & Blazer Look

I have always been a big fan of the jeans // blazer look on men. There's something about it that looks effortless, yet put-together and usually ends up being perfect for a handful of occasions. If you're unsure of how to wear this look, or what the right occasion is, here are some guidelines ::

1) When you hear the words 'Dressy Casual', the jeans & blazer look is appropriate. When you hear the words 'Business Casual', it usually is not. Business casual translates into slacks and a blazer, no tie needed OR dress slacks, a button-down and a sweater of some sort over.

2) ALWAYS choose a dark wash jean. Dark wash, slim-fitting jeans are going to give a more formal and professional look. NEVER pair an acid wash {in fact, if you have these in your closet go ahead and do yourself a favor and put them directly into the trash! They have no place in the 2014} with a blazer. It gives off a very country feel -- and not in a good way.

3) Leave the blazer open, or button it up. This is up to you. An open blazer gives a more casual feel, while buttoned-up adds structure and formality.

4) For a more casual look, cuff the bottom of your jeans one or two times & pair with loafers or oxfords.

Here are some of my favorite jeans & blazer looks. You can never go wrong with a tan blazer and dark wash jean. Gray is also a staple that will never go out of style!

So go ahead men, rock that jeans & blazer look for your next dressy casual event! You'll be looking effortlessly put-together in no time.

Stylishly Yours,

Menswear Monday :: Suiting Guidelines

When it comes to suits, some men are very lost. Let's start with the basic guideline :: Fit is EVERYTHING. It doesn't matter how expensive your suit is, if it doesn't fit correctly it is going to look sloppy. So here are some rules to follow when you're suiting up ::

1) Fit - Your pants should be a "slimfit." This means that they shouldn't have any bulkiness or bunching excess fabric. This only gives the illusion of added weight. The shoulders should be narrow, and the waist nipped.

2) Length - Trousers should be hemmed to reach the top of a standard dress shoe. Your socks should not show, and you should not have bagginess around your ankles. This gives a sloppy, unprofessional look. Your suit jacket should come down to the first knuckle on your thumb. If your jacket is too short, you will look heavier through the middle.

3) No contrast stitching. Visible stitching on a suit is okay, as long as it is subtle and the same tone as the actual suit. Contrast stitching looks cheap!

4) Pinstripes :: If you're going for the pinstripe, choose a subtle and understated stripe. A pinstripe that is visible up close, but barely recognizable from afar is a good choice.

5) Watches :: Never pair a sporty or plastic watch with your suit. Save it for your evening run or weekend activities.

6) Don't over-accessorize. A tie bar, pocket square and lapel pin are not necessary! A rule of thumb -- choose two of the three at most.

7) Camel vs Brown :: If you have the choice between a chocolate brown and a camel / sandy tan suit, go for the tan. It will prove to be more versatile and flow between seasons more effortlessly.

8) Polka Dots :: When wearing polka dots, make sure they are big enough to be recognizable and seen, but not so big that they look goofy and cartoon-like.

So follow these guidelines the next time you're suiting up or shopping for a new suit. You can be sure you're doing it right!

Stylishly Yours