First of all, you should consider the sensibleness of the shoes. Are they well made? Will they be comfortable all through the day? To begin with, make sure you get a pair of shoes with good padding and a firm insole. The normal person takes over 4,000 steps a day, which is approximately 3 miles. With that information in mind, it is imperative to choose a dress shoe that is both comfortable and offers good firm support for your feet. The accent there should really be on support. With good support you will end up with more comfort. The arch of your foot is a very sensitive body part. Your arches should be correctly supported in order to have good overall comfort, as well as good foot health.

Secondly, consider the sturdiness of the dress shoe. With a person taking so many steps per day, the wear on the shoes can be significant if you wear them with any regularity. Look for a dress shoe with a good thick sole. Also strong stitching will help the rest of the shoe hold up against the wear and tear of each step you take. Look for something that will offer you good thick soles as well as firm stitching. The thick soles may actually perform double duty for you since they can be inclined to absorb more of the shock of the day’s walking by putting more material between your feet and the ground.

Once you have the reality of comfort and sturdiness taken care of, you might want to look at the fashion side of the shoes. First, consider the color of the shoes. Color is significant, because regardless of what most men think, dress shoes are not all the same. Black and brown are your two main men’s dress shoe colors, and in an ideal world you would have one pair in each of the colors. Brown shoes are desirable to wear with khaki, blue, green, and other earth tones. On the other hand, you need the black shoes to go with black pants or white and cream colors. If you are only going to buy one pair of shoes, then you really have to look at your own wardrobe and see if it works best, on the whole, with brown, black, or some alternative color that is suitable for your clothing.

An additional thought in terms of fashion is the style of the men’s dress shoe you are going to choose. There are a variety of levels of “dressiness.” You should consider where you are going to wear the shoes the most. Increasingly, our society is getting away from formal and leaning more toward casual. Casual dress shoes may actually be much more versatile for you than dressier men’s shoes. If you find a comfortable shoe with a nice casual look, you can actually get them to look more formal with the right attire with them. Remember, these are your shoes, not everyone is going to pay as much attention to them as you will.

Choosing men’s dress shoes is definitely not an easy task for most guys. You know you need to get dress shoes because of your job, because of a party, or simply because it completes your wardrobe more readily. Once you know you need them, you should start considering how to pick them out. There are a number of factors to consider in dress shoes for most, but there are four that are perhaps the most important. You should make sure that your shoes are durable so that they will last. They should be thick soled so that they are comfortable as well. You should make sure you get the right color or colors as well. Lastly, make sure the dress shoes you choose are the right style for what you need.

Kinds of Kilts

There are two kinds of kilts – a great kilt (draped, not sewn) and an English kilt (wrapped on with sewn pleats). Here we will discuss only the wearing of an English kilt, also called “the small kilt”

The Way of Wearing a Kilt

Kilts can be a very comfortable and extremely good-looking piece of clothing, providing that you wear it properly. So, you have to remember that: 1. Your kilt falls to the center of the knee and sits exactly on the natural waist.
2. You have to check if the pleats are at the back of the kilt – otherwise you’ll look terrible!
3. You have to wear a simple white shirt unless you decide to wear the traditional waistcoat.
4. Strapping the kilt is quite easy as long as you use your common sense.

Useful Tips for Wearing a Kilt

There are a few things you should think about before (and while!) wearing a kilt. First of all, decide on one of the Clan’s tartans. If you have Celtic origin, the best way to do it is to find out which tartan is really yours. The next hint is about the fact that you usually want to keep your modesty intact, so you should really consider wearing some underwear (even Scottish men do that from time to time), or at least wearing a kilt pin.

And the last thing you should know if you’re going to wear a kilt – even in Scotland kilts are reserved for special occasions – funerals, weddings etc. They are not meant to be worn everyday!

Let’s face it, we all want to look our best and yes, it’s not only women who want to look good for a first date. We know you guys need a little help getting ready too. Playing dress up in front of the mirror may not be your idea of a good time so here is some help and guidance on how to dress for a first date guaranteed to avoid disasters and leave you looking and feeling like a million dollars!

The way you dress for a first date says a lot about who you are and provides some important visual clues to your partner. Ok, clothes don’t make the man, not by a long shot. However, the way you dress is an extension of your personality. It shows your date you respect her enough to make a good impression and can make you feel a lot more confident and relaxed on your first day or night out with the object of your affection.

Men’s clothing is often a lot simpler than that of our female counterparts but when you dress for a first date it’s all about detail. Your choice of shirt, tie color, shoes and socks can all create an impression that says you are a man who means business. Here are some tips and tricks for looking fabulous on your first date and making a memorable impression:

* Don’t dress too casually or too formally. Go for a smart-casual look that is not too understated or too bold and daring. Woman do love a man to dress confidently though, so add a touch or two that says “I am unique’. Never wear an item of clothing that is show-offish or obviously accentuates your body. Your date will be notice that you work out under basic clothing too!

* Always dress for a first date in clothing that is both neat and clean. This says a lot about your personal hygiene, self-respect and ability to take care of yourself. These are all qualities admired by women, so make an effort to be as presentable as possible.

* Avoid buying a new outfit when you dress for a first date. This can make you appear to be trying too hard and will make your date wonder what the rest of your wardrobe looks like. New clothes can also be uncomfortable and the last thing you need is to discover that your new pants really don’t fit as well as you thought they did!

Fashion, clothes and the first date.

* Consider wearing a favorite outfit if it suits the occasion – This will make you feel confident and comfortable and this translates into better self-esteem at a time when you are likely to be a tad nervous.

* Choose your outfit based on the venue for the date. If you are going to a rock concert, you could go with ultra-trendy or semi-casual but don’t overdo it with a death-metal T-shirt (unless you know your date will be wearing one too!) or green streaked hair.

* Colors you may consider wearing when you dress for a first date include blues, black(don’t overdo it) and earthy tones like brown or beige. This is not the time to be dusting off that purple Mickey Mouse tie!

* Stick to basic fabrics and add interesting touches with a suede jacket or shoes. You might want to avoid leather on a first date and please, please don’t wear a hat (unless you are going to a rodeo or sports event, that is!).

* Clothing items you may want to try out are a nice smart shirt and chinos or dress pants and a nice shirt and tie (wear a matching jacket if it suits the venue). If you absolutely must wear denim, make sure it’s a fairly new pair and pick a smart-casual shirt that will tone in with the blue or black denim. Jeans and a T-shirt will only work if the venue is outdoors and super-casual.

* Don’t forget your shoes and socks when you dress for a first date. Many a fabulous outfit has been ruined by forgetting to wear a good pair of shoes and matching socks. Your shoes should be clean and polished if need be and suit the time and place, your outfit and the weather. Make sure your socks tone with your suit or pants and that they are clean. If you are going to invest in anything new for a first date, a new pair of socks would be it!

* Pay attention to your accessories – These include your watch, belt and any jewelry you may be wearing and other items like cell phones or pagers. For example, if you are separated, or in the process of a marriage break-up don’t wear your wedding band and leave that bracelet that says ‘Mandy’ at home!

Your jewelry should be clean and understated. Check that your watch is working and if it has an alarm make sure it is turned off. Leave your cell phone or pager at home! When you dress for a first date you don’t want to appear to be tied to your work or anybody else!

* Pay close attention to your grooming and hygiene. ALWAYS bathe or shower before setting out for a first date and make sure that any after shave, cologne or mouthwash isn’t too overpowering. Never chew gum.

To conclude, when you dress for a first date make sure you don’t under or overdo it. Always dress in clothes that are neat, clean and ironed and make sure you leave your ‘crazy clothes’ in the cupboard.

A first date is a time to get to know the object of your affection and to establish a solid relationship based on mutual respect so don’t get too tied up in what you are wearing but do make sure you create a lasting impression!  Good luck!

We all know the feeling; you’ve just finished college or university and have landed a spiffy new job at a top firm. Perfect, or so you think until you realize you have absolutely nothing to wear. As if a limited budget wasn’t bad enough you also have no idea what a suitable wardrobe is. Don’t worry, starting a new job is the ideal opportunity to start learning how to get the most out of your new budget and one way to get noticed by your admines and colleagues too. Dressing well says you know who you are, what you want and where you’re going – all qualities sure to get you that promotion in future. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to build a solid wardrobe for your new job (of course you can apply these principles to a casual wardrobe too!).

Step 1 – Understand Dress Codes

Even though business and professional dressing is a lot more flexible today that it was when our grandparents and parents were first starting out there are some principles that haven’t changed. Dressing appropriately for your environment is one of them. If you are unsure of what is appropriate dress for your new job look at what our admin and other staff members wear to get an idea of what the accepted dress code is.

Don’t be shy to ask your new employers what the dress code is and find out if employees tend to dress more casually on Fridays and wear slightly more professional clothes for client meetings.

Step 2 – Buy Only The Clothes You Really Need

Now its time to build a solid wardrobe based on your office dress code. On your shopping trip lean towards basic and conservative items and leave the accents to the accessories like belts and ties.

Obviously it’s not very realistic to buy two weeks of office wear on a limited budget. However, if you buy good basic items and learn how to mix and match items and colors you can get away with relatively few items.

Here are the essential items men will need to build a solid wardrobe:

Step 3 – The Basic Business Wardrobe

Suits for Men

You will need at least one, preferably two complete business suits. You probably have at least one in the cupboard, so buy one more in a different color. Stick to plain, dark colors, like navy blue, black or dark gray. If the weather in your area is very variable choose one suit for cool weather and another to wear if it gets very warm.

Blazers and Pants for Men

You can get away with two or more semi-casual pants and blazers in most offices. These can be worn with or without a tie on Fridays or to business lunches or every day, keeping your formal suits for meetings with clients or presentations. Buy pants and blazers that can you can mix and match, thus creating several different looks.

Again choose dark colors like gray or navy and choose durable fabrics that are easy to wash and care for as you may wear them on a daily basis. Choose pants with belt loops rather than without them as this will enable you to create a slightly different look by using different belts.

Shirts

Your choice of shirts for a solid wardrobe should be relatively plain. This is so that you can mix and match them with all your business suits and blazer-pants combinations. Start with blue, white or grey shirts and if your budget allows, one or two striped shirts for variation.

Choose comfortable cotton or cotton blends that are easy to launder, won’t shrink or wrinkle against your body and iron easily. Choose slightly thicker shirts for winter wear, where you will also be able to get away with darker colors.

Dress Ties for Men

Here you can be a little more creative and choose styles that suit your taste and personality as long as they aren’t too flamboyant. Buy as many as you can afford, preferably one for every day of the week and an elegant one for extra special meetings and presentations.

Buy different colors and designs but make sure that they all match or tone with both your business suits and pants-blazer combos. Choose at least one or two plain ties as well for times when you need a more generic look.

Shoes and Socks

Here, too you can get away with a little pizzazz but a word of warning, always choose comfort over style for a solid wardrobe and buy the best you can afford, after all you will be wearing them all day. Make sure your shoes are genuine leather and have a comfortable, long-wearing sole.

Take a look in your local store or go online to see what they latest trends in footwear are. You can get away with just two pairs of shoes but three would be better.

Stick to basic colors for a solid wardrobe, preferably black or brown and choose styles and colors that match all you other clothing items.

Your socks should ALWAYS suit your clothing and be clean and in good condition. People do notice your socks, in case you were wondering! Never wear sport or white socks with your business wardrobe!

Step 4 – Men! Know How to Wear Your Solid Wardrobe

Mix and Match your outfits to create a new look for each day. Spend some time trying on your clothes to find looks that work and are unique. Do this by rotating shirts, shoes and belts or sweaters.

Layering is a great way to ensure a slightly different look that adapts well to after-work or lunchtime entertaining. Try a striped collared shirt under a dark blue blazer or v-neck sweater if your dress code allows it.

Try to alternate the outfits so that you don’t wear the same thing each Monday or the same combination of clothes too regularly.

You can build a solid wardrobe for casual wear in much the same way, using the tips and suggestions above. Just dress down your choices for a smart-casual look. You will find that some of your shirts can double up as lounge shirts and if you choose wisely you can use your choice of shoes for both formal and semi-casual looks.

If you build a solid wardrobe that suits your environment, personality and above all your budget you’ll never look dull and are sure to always have something stylish to wear.

1. Busy palettes

A printed tie on a printed polo shirt can be very excruciating for those you work with. Similarly, avoid clashing colors you might think are trendy and fun. Always wear light-colored shoes with pale pants and tops and dark shoes for dark clothes. When people start wearing sunglasses in the boardroom while you’re making a presentation, it’s probably time to rethink your colors and patterns.

2. Ill-fitting clothes

A shirt that’s too tight will emphasize your bulges even more, especially when those bulges are not in the right places. In addition, even if you’re working out and are more muscular than the average guy, wearing shirts that are too tight aren’t sexy. They border on “tacky.”

Clothes that are too loose and baggy won’t hide your physical flaws, either. They’ll only make you look shoddy. For dress pants, the hem should end at the top of the heel, but for jeans, the hem can reach the heel’s bottom. Socks also shouldn’t be seen while you’re walking.

3. Loud and wrong-sized ties

If you want to be taken seriously at work, keep away from neckties with those cartoon character prints or beer mug graphics. When it comes to tie length, when tied with a Windsor, a Pratt, a St. Andrew, or any other knot, the triangular point at your tie’s wide end should just barely touch your belt buckle. Go for wider ties if you’re heavy set. Slim guys can get to buy slim ties again – they’re back in fashion.

4. Comb-Overs

Okay, so this may be better than wearing a toupee. But even Donald Trump’s millions is no excuse for his comb-over. Keep a short cut instead and embrace the way you are.

5. Strange facial hair

I don’t think there’s been a serious survey ever conducted on whether women really find goatees or Zapatas appealing. If you decide to keep a mustache or beard, at least keep them trimmed. Do away with soul patches (that tiny patch of hair under the lower lip) and go to a salon to take care of your unibrow.

6. Backpacks and fanny packs

They were very useful in college, but there’s no place for backpacks at the office – unless you’re having a sleepover in your cubicle or going mountain climbing the next day. Even fanny packs are a thing of the past. Sorry guys, but your only options are messenger bags and briefcases.

7. Ponytails

Okay, so it looks good on Antonio Banderas, but not everyone can pull a ponytail off. If you want it long, keep it at an Ashton-Kutcher length. Otherwise, maintain a safe, classic short cut.

8. Too much bling-bling

If women are warned against this fashion no-no, then all the more should men be aware of this faux pas. Too much jewelry can make you look like a drug kingpin or a time-warped punk rocker. You can make do with a simple dress watch. Reserve the chunky gold bracelets and other body piercing jewelry for night outs.