If like many people you’re ready for the weekend, and having fun out with friends, you know that having the right look is important. Emily Post, once regarded as a worldwide expert in etiquette, was emphatic about how important clothes are in our lives; Post believed that clothes were an outward expression of our inner values and personalities — and were a great way to lend a stylish air to whatever group we were in. So here are just a few ways to make sure your outfit will stand out this weekend.
Pattern Matching
We all remember one of our uncles or grandparents showing up to a get-together in a plaid pair of golf pants and a pair of shoes that could be best described as having been last in style in the Iron Age. One of the biggest reasons we look back and cringe at old outfits is that they tended toward big patterns with little to no thought of how those patterns fit with other parts of what the person was wearing. A simple rule of thumb is: match similar patterns with different sizes, and different patterns with same sizes. For example, if you’re wearing a striped tie with a striped shirt, make sure that the stripes on the tie are either larger than the stripes on your shirt, or vice-versa. Patterns can be great, but they have to be done right.
The Right Cut
It’s often been said that a good cut on cheap clothes will look better than a bad cut on expensive clothes. However much your suit cost, if the sleeves are too long, it won’t look good. Having trousers that only slightly break around your shoes, and shirts that flatter (and don’t dwarf) your frame will not only make you look better, but will make you feel better too.
Dress for Location
If you’re in a club, you’d hardly want to wear a sweater — so remember to dress appropriately for your night out. There are many brands out there who sell colourful t-shirts that are amazing to go clubbing in, because you’ll stay cool and you’ll look great. And keep it simple: Small logos, or no logos at all, can lend an air of sophistication to your shirt — just one reason the tiny logos of Polo and Lacoste were such staples of fashion for generations.
So enjoy your weekend, and know that a great outfit can make you the most popular person in the room. Know the rules, and work within them, and you’ll be sure to enjoy your time out!
