By Stephen Roberts
So finally, on the 25th March and after 525 days (not that I have been counting) Mad Men returns. I truly love this show and although I do not want to be tagged with title of “Maddict” I am totally in awe of Jon Hamm or as he is more commonly known, Don Draper. It is not his womanising ways or how well he pulls off the tortured creative genius, it is his ability to wear a suit and look amazing doing it and his return is a perfect opportunity for me to write a piece about suits.
I could now make reference to many different designer websites, for example Tom Ford and make it easy for anyone to find that perfect suit. But where is the fun in that? It can be done using the high street!
I will explore the options of suits out there and how to achieve that classic look, whether you desire it for work, a wedding, or even to just look good when you step out of the house.
One thing everyone should remember when buying a suit is that it is an investment piece. Go to different shops and scout out the best style and fit for you. You need it to fit you well and every shop is different. This goes for the shirts as well. But most of all, make sure everything matches. Buy the suit and the shirt, then match the shoes, belt and accessories to complete your perfect look.
Suits
When it comes to suits, there are only two rules I can think of: The first, keep it dark, bright suits may look trendy but they aint 'classic'. The second is a bit of a personal opinion, which is to avoid pin stripes. They belong in gangster movies and on overweight businessmen only.
I have always loved Topman suits and when I look online I could pick easily 10 suits I would love to own, but I have managed to narrow it down to two choices. The first is a dark sand ‘Taylor’ single breasted suit jacket with black contrast peak lapels, which I think contrast perfectly to make the complete fashion suit for almost any occasion. The second is a brown heritage wool suit which looks so elegant and embraces this seasons love of heritage and tweed.
Of course, you don’t have to go to Topman, there are many
other shops out there. Here is a selection of some of the best out there.
Burton is much underrated and this Lambretta slim fit grey
suit is a perfect example of why we should all be shopping there more often. I love the suit from Zara because it is a bit different. Yes, it is plain black but the double breasted styling will make you stand out instantly from all other black suits. Finally, this 3 piece suit from ASOS is an absolute bargain. Three piece suits look brilliant when worn properly and this shows how it can be done well with a reasonable price tag.
Shirts
When it comes to shirts, they should be kept simple. In my opinion either a white or very pale colour work best. No one wants to see a bright, garish coloured shirt under a suit. It is no coincidence that all the models above are wearing light colours, it is simply the best way to do it.
You also don’t need to break the bank to get a good shirt, just make sure it fits. For you skinny guys out there, yes a fitted shirt looks good but if you can’t do the top button up without cutting off your air supply it is the wrong size. Take your time to try them on and look at different brands to find the best fit for your body shape.
A good tip to make a simple shirt more stylish is to make the most of one of this season’s biggest looks, the oxford shirt. I have chosen a few from many different choices including a brilliant white oxford shirt from ASOS. The different coloured buttons means you could easily wear this shirt without a jacket and still look smart. The light blue shirt from H&M is an absolute bargain and they have this shirt in a range of colours. It isn’t a bad thing to look for a bargain shirt for every day wear and this one is perfect. The white shirt from Topman with black buttons bring a touch of class to what could be just a plain white shirt, I actually own this shirt and it looks great worn with any suit. And finally, a subtle grey tinted oxford shirt from New Look, which is another bargain!
The Final Touch
So you have a suit and you have a shirt but you need to complete your look. You can't wear a suit without the necessary accessories to go along with it. This means shoes (not usually deemed an accessory, I know), belt, tie and possibly that most brilliant of fashion statements, the pocket square.
Shoes
When it comes to shoes, it has to be either black or a dark brown. Keep it simple and again, make sure it matches your suit. Please do not wear brown shoes with a black suit, this is one of the ultimate fashion faux pas and should be avoided. Your shoes should be formal, but this does not mean they can’t be fashionable. I have suggested two shoes, one brown and one black that cover two big shoe trends, the brogue and the chukka boot.
When it comes to shoes, socks have to be mentioned too. These can divide opinion. Although, I don’t personally do it, I do not see a problem with a single coloured sock. It adds a bit of risk to your style. Note, I said single colour not multi coloured. Make sure if you do it, you don’t wear white socks. Stick to an autumnal pallet and never wear “comedic” socks. Socks should not have writing or cartoon characters on them. That said, if you want to complete your Mad Men look, then you have to keep the socks black. And make sure they are long enough, no one wants to see a flash of leg when you sit down next to them.
Belts
The belt should again match your suit in style, although in certain situations, a clash of colour can work in your favour. Brown belts do look good against some dark charcoal colours but generally I would mindful of this. There are some people who believe your belt should match your shoes, I don’t agree. If it looks good and you feel confident then wear it. But keep it plain. No one wants to see superman staring back at them from your crotch.
The two belts I have suggested cover the two colour options for me; brown and black. They are also both a complete bargain for what you get. One thing to remember when buying your belt is, you get what you pay for. It is definitely worth spending a decent amount on a belt that lasts.
Ties and Pocket Squares
Finally, this is your moment to have a bit of fun. I know most of my suggestions have been quite plain and I would've loved to suggest a pink suit with neon yellow shoes but it just does not look good. However, your tie and if you choose to have one, a pocket square is definitely a chance to inject a small amount of colour into your suit. That is not to say you have to. There is nothing wrong with keeping your outfit classic. It never fails to looks good, however if you want to add some colour here are a few suggestions.
You can see from my suggestions that there is colour, but it should be worn in small doses. There is no neon, or bright colours. Any colour used should be subtle. It is a way of showing off your personality without making it glaringly obvious you are a nutcase and again make sure there are no cartoons or singing ties anywhere near your wardrobe.
So, is it possible to look as good as Don Draper using only the high street? Of course it is, you just have to follow a few simple rules.
1. Get a plain dark coloured suit that fits you and your style well.
2. Keep the shirt white or light pastel.
3. Don’t have cartoons or bright colours on any of your accessories.
And most importantly, wear it with confidence. Like Don Draper would.
