The Top 10 Fashion Faux Pas When Dressing in Suit & Tie
Below are the worst fashion mistakes men make when dressing in suit and tie. Learn how to avoid these common office fashion Faux Pas.
#1: Bad Fit
Men’s Fashion is all about proper fit. Wearing a suit or shirt that doesn’t fit simply looks wrong. To avoid this #1 Faux Pas make sure to try on a suit before you buy. If you order online then make sure you know your exact sizes. Things like sleeve and trouser length can be altered without any difficulty. Waist and shoulder area are much trickier and any alteration in this area will be much more expensive! The Tips: find a suit that fits on shoulder and waist, then take it to a tailor and alter sleeve and pant length.
#2: Wrong Style & Cut
Wear a cut and style that flatters your body type. If you are thin and tall then go with a European cut. Heavier set men are advices to go with a less tapered American cut.
#3: Poor Care
A suit and shirt should be wrinkle and odor free. A suit that is wrinkly will look sloppy and will make a bad impression when meeting clients, peers, or interviewing for a new position. To avoid this Faux Pas: Never wear a suit two days in a row but hand on a quality hanger in a well ventilated area. Pants should be hung longways with the cuff facing up.
#4: Poor Mixing & Matching
Mixing and matching suit, shirt, and ties is quite simple if a few rules are followed. Nevertheless, everyday I spot men dressed in outfits that simply don’t go together. You don’t have to be a fashion expert to notice that something just doesn’t look right. My Tip: Stick to simple and classic colors. The best suit colors are navy, gray, charcoal, and tan (in spring and summer). The best shirt colors are white or light blue. When matching different patterns make sure that each pattern is different in size and style. For more information you may also want to read: What Colors Look Good on Me? as well as our guide on Shirt and Tie Combinations
#5: No Clue of Seasonality
Wearing a pink dress shirt and a tan colored suit on an overcast autumn day just doesn’t fit! Reserve lighter and fresh colors for the sunny days in spring and summer. Tan and linen suits should only be worn in the spring and summer season. The same is true for pastel colored dress shirts and Mens Ties.
#6: Poorly Tied Neckties
This is one is especially painful for me. As a tie aficionado I pay extra attention to a perfectly tied necktie knot. Make sure that the knot is centered between your collar, fills the gap between the collar, and does not show any of the narrow end of the tie. In addition the tie should end near the center of your belt buckle. For more information you may also want to read our guide on Tie Knot Styling
#7: White Socks
This one should be the #1 fashion Faux pas! White socks are for the gym! Match your sock color to your pants. Socks ranging from gray to black match the same family of colored suits. Beige, tan, and brown socks look best when paired with suits in any shade of brown, olive, and navy. Brown socks should only be worn with brown dress shoes. Blue socks look nice on navy suits.
#8: Wrong Footwear
A suit should be worn with dress shoes. Although fashion magazines often times show men dressed in slim fitting suits, skinny ties, and Converse, this look is considered a Faux Pas in a traditional business setting. Brown shows look great with brown, olive, and navy suits. Black shoes are excellent for suits in gray to black as well as navy. Keep your shoes clean and nicely polished!
#9: Backpacks Over Briefcase
If you dress in classic suit and tie then a briefcase or leather messenger bag is the only option. Backpack or brightly colored messenger backs will throw off your elegant and professional business look.
#10: Novelty Ties
Another personal nightmare for me are Novelty ties. The only exception for so-called “big picture” ties are special holidays. If you want to wear a tie with an American flag then only do so on 4th of July. Other acceptable days for novelty ties are St Patricks Day and Fathers Day.
Other Suggested Readings:
Guide to Dressed Down Mens Fashion
Successful Fashion for Young Men
Your Mens-Ties.com Team