How to Dress Like a Gentleman Simple Tips for Dressing for Success
General Guidelines Never expose underwear in public Always wear an undershirt in warm weather A gentleman clips his nose and ear hairs Socks should always match the trousers, not the shoes, belt, tie, or tacky Christmas sweater Hair should be washed regularly Always keep a clean handkerchief
General Guidelines Never wear a belt and suspenders together Your belt should match your shoes Carry an umbrella if its raining When wearing a vest or a jacket, leave the bottom button undone Unless you are a cowboy or a rancher, never wear boots with a suit
Dress Code Black Tie Black tuxedo jacket and matching trousers formal (piqué or pleated front) white shirt black-colored (e.g., onyx) studs and cufflinks black bow tie (silk, shiny satin or twill) black cummerbund to match tie, or a vest dressy suspenders to ensure a good fit (optional) black patent shoes and black dress socks no gloves In summer or on a cruise: white dinner jacket, black tuxedo trousers plus other black tie wardrobe.
Dress Code Business Formal Dark business suit matching vest (optional) dress shirt conservative tie dressy leather shoes and dark dress socks Business Casual Seasonal sport coat or blazer with slacks or khakis dress shirt with optional tie, or casual button-down shirt open-collar or polo shirt loafers or loafer-style shoes and socks
A Gentleman and His Cap Whether it is a baseball hat or a boiler, all caps should be treated the same Caps should be removed in most public buildings, especially houses of worship Does not need to be removed in lobbies, department stores, grocery stores, etc. Should be removed when eating or when making personal contact with someone while inside
Smelling like a Gentleman WEAR DEODORANT Cologne is NOT a substitute for deodorant Cologne should not cause comment among people in a room, it is reserved as a pleasant surprise for people with whom you make close physical contact.
Ties A Gentleman should always tie his own tie Any knot can be used as long as it looks neat and professional Below is how to tie a Half Windsor Check out for more knots
Bow Ties If not careful, bow ties can make you look geeky and dull Bow ties should never be worn with a button down collar A too perfectly tied bow tie can look unreal and ridiculous Most bow ties are bat-wing (tuxedos) but the diamond tip makes the greatest impressions
In Summary Your appearance counts – take time to make sure you look your best