Here’s One For The Boys

As I sucked my Bic biro, straining for inspiration for this week’s blog, Himself wafted by, a vision of gorgeousness. Now, I don’t have to explain to my female readers the rather strange effect a man in a suit has on us but to my guy readers I say, never underestimate the power of a well turned cufflink. Himself is gifted with the heritage of a good gene pool, Darn it!  He is tall and slim and looks right good for a man of his years. That said his tall frame has given him some trials over the years when shopping. Despite being a stylist, I have come to dread the announcement of the timely demise of his suit collection.Truth be told he’s totally anal about his clothes, there I’ve said it. The mere thought of the ensuing shopping trip sent shivers rippling up and down my spine. Sleeve length is seldom long enough and don’t get me started on the half mast trouser options available. Apparently, according the our retailers, the British man is both short and fat! Not much of a look!

Well, I’m here to tell you that this month’s foray into the retail sector for new suits was remarkable successful and more importantly, comparatively painless. We had immediate success in Next, the Churchill Square staff couldn’t do enough. When the jacket appeared to have a slight fault at the till point the assistant leapt straight on the blower and had an alternative jacket put by at the Holmbush branch.

Desperate to get the hell out of dodge, we arrived at Shoreham, to be greeted by Rachel amidst the heady aroma of brazillian beans (they have a coffee shop on the same floor). She, like her colleagues was boundlessly enthusiastic and was a wonderful breath of fresh air. We exited stage right with the jacket, full of admiration and a new found respect for this high street giant. Job Done!

 Himself’s top tips for City Smart Success.

•  Know your correct measurements, a shirt that fits badly doesn’t work, go to a good mens department where they will measure you correctly.
• Internal jacket pockets carry only flat smart phones  and should be on one side, pens on the other, never together. Car keys are strictly for the front trouser pocket.
• Don’t unstitch the side pockets of the jacket, should they come unstitched, do not feel tempted to use them under any circumstances for that bag of Trebor mints!
• Only have one jacket button done up. If there are three, its the middle one, and if there are two, its the top one.
•  Buy expensive shirts, not expensive suits… A good shirt may last two years and a good suit lasts no longer than a cheap suit.
• Cuffs, about an inch showing, no more no less, always use cufflinks for a more sophisticated edge, not flashy or too bling bling! Keep it calm.
• When choosing a single colour tie pick out a contrasting coloured shirt. In the case of multi coloured ties, ensure that one of the colours in the tie matches, near as damn it, the main colour of the shirt.
• Ensure the thinner end at the the back of the tie doesn’t protrude below the wider end of the front, use the loop at the back to keep the tie together.
• Trousers should only break (crease) once at the shoe. Any more breaks than one and you need a tailor!
•  If you have big feet, don’t choose excessively pointy shoes, shoes with a pattern ie a brogue, break up the length of the shoe.