Tips For Men's Formal Wear

If you want to be a shark in the boardroom, you have to act like a shark, think like a shark, and dress to impress. DAYMOND JOHN, founder/CEO of the revolutionary FUBU clothing line, brand strategist, star of the ABC reality show, SHARK TANK (which launches its second season in early 2011), and author of THE BRAND WITHIN, talks about the power of personal branding which, including style and fashion, and dressing at the executive level.

Daymond offers the following tips on how to look your best, from a business formal environment, to business casual attire:

  

BUSINESS FORMAL

• Black suit with a slight sheen or tone on tone.
• White or cream shirt preferable with French cuffs
• Never, never wear short sleeves or button down collars.
• Tie with small pattern or plain, tastefully coordinated.
• Well shined black leather shoes with coordinated black leather belt.
• Watch or cufflinks should not be ostentatious.

AUTHORITATIVE

• Navy, black or charcoal suit preferably with a fine pin stripe
• Double breasted presents itself as the ultimate in authoritative, power look accompanied with vest.
• White or light colored blue shirt. If the suit is plain wear a striped shirt.
• French cuffs - very appropriate. Never wear short sleeves or button down collars.
• Strongly contrasting tie; plain, small pattern or stripe. No picture or large design
• Well shined black leather shoes with coordinated black leather belt.
• Jewelry that is elegant and not ostentatious.
• White pocket square.

CORPORATE DRESS

• Season appropriate suit, sport jacket or blazer and pant.
• Medium to light colored shirt with a suit, dark blazer or sport jacket.
• Button down collars are fine.
• Coordinated tie.
• Black or dark brown shoes well polished with matching belt.
• Tasteful jewelry that is not ostentatious.

BUSINESS CASUAL

• Sport jacket or blazer and dress pant or softly structured suit.
• Consider wool, microfiber or even silk. Textured fabrics are great.
• Patch pockets as a nice casual touch.
• Knit top or open collared shirt. T-shirts with dark jeans in raw denim.
• Long sleeves shirt worn with no tie with shirt tucked in.
• Leather shoes with coordinated belt.
• Tasteful jewelry that is not ostentatious.

CASUAL

• Semi casual slacks with a pressed crease in wool, microfiber, cotton or cotton blend.
• Knit top or open collared shirt polo shirt or T-shirts.
• Leather shoes with coordinated belt. athletic shoes, boat shoes, etc acceptable.