1. How to dress to impress
Looking like you know what you are doing when it comes to what to wear for a job

2. Good evening. My name is Terrence Fagan
I am a senior International Affairs Major
I worked for Jos A Bank in Cincinnati OH
My goal this evening to impart some of the knowledge that I have learned over the years working in both retail, and in a professional environment.

3. We Tried go get project runways’ Tim gunn… but….

4. The elements of style for the job
The Suit
The Shirt
The Tie
Accessories
How to tie it all together

5. The suit: Where do I get one?
A suit is an investment.
Are you going to be required to wear one everyday?
Off the rack, MTM, Bespoke

6. The Suit: Off the rack, M2M, Bespoke
Off the rack suits are made from one pattern and are targeting a number of body types. They are less expensive but will still need to be tailored.
An off the rack suit can run from $ $1,000.00
MTM means that they take your measurements and adjust them to a pre set pattern.
At a MTM establishment you will be attended to by a sales person trained on how to measure you. The tailoring will be done by someone else and usually offsite.
MTM prices run from $ $1,500.00
A bespoke suit is a tailored made suit. The person who takes your measurements is usually the one putting the suit together. There is no pattern for this suit as it is a unique creation all on its own.
The Bespoke suit can run anywhere from $ $5,

7. The Suits you should have in your wardrobe
In order of precedence:
1. A Blue Suit
2. A Charcoal Gray Suit
3. A Gray Suit
4. Any other suit that fits your style, looks professional, and complements your color.
5. These are also sensible color choices for women as well.

8. The Suit: Getting the perfect fit you wear the suit, the suit does not wear you

9. The Suit: the jacket
Know the difference between a sports coat and a suit jacket.
A suit jacket has a matching pair of pants made of the same fabric and pattern.
Sports coats often have metallic buttons.

10. The Suit: The jacket Find your style that matches your body.
Two button is great for most everybody. Taller people prefer a three button since it covers more of a long torso. A four button is not recommended for an interview.
Have an idea of what kind of vent you want (these are vertical slits on the bottom of the coat. A single vent is more traditional, while a double vent is more modern. There are some suits that have no vents.

11. The suit: The jacket and the proper fit
There are a couple of tricks to see if the jacket is the right size.
Put it on and button the top button (top 2 buttons on a three button). Place your hand in the jacket. You should be able to get it in there but not be able to move it too much while it’s in there.

12. The Suit: The jacket and the perfect fit
If you button the top button and it is snug, look in the mirror. If the fabric around the button is creating an X, then it is too tight.
Take your fingers and extend them all the way and place them against the bottom of your jacket. If you can curl your fingers under the bottom with the seam still touching your fingers then you have a jacket that is long enough.
Your sleeves should lie between your thumb bone and your wrist bone.
If this is the closest fitting jacket and you still can’t get it to fit properly, don’t panic, they can be tailored.

13. The suit: The jacket and the proper fit The Business suit for women
The suit should be well tailored to your figure. This means nothing too tight and nothing too loose.
The shoulder pad should have just enough structure to ensure its shape.
The end of the shoulder pad should come to the end of your arm. If it is too high on your shoulder it may look too small. If it hangs off your shoulder it may look too big and bulky.
The jacket, when buttoned, should go in ever so slightly at the waist and then flair out below that.

14. The Suit: The pants
Everybody has different bodies. Some have long legs, some have short legs.
Most (not all) pants come in a certain waist and an unfinished cuff on the leg.
If you have a big chest and require a larger jacket, the suit’s pants waist may be too big (that can be tailored).
The hem of the pants should rest on the top of your shoes. You can have them hemmed so that there is no break in the crease, a slight break in the crease, or a full break in the crease.
If your pants fit in the waist and they are properly hemmed but still look really baggy, have the legs tailored (pegged). This will take some of the excess fabric out and give you a sharper line.

15. The suit: The skirt or pants and the proper fit The Business suit for women
If you opt for a skirt suit, look for a pencil skirt or something with a slight flair. The skirt should be hemmed to the middle of the knee cap. Anything shorter can be considered too short for a professional environment. Anything longer may look to matronly.
If you’re going to wear pants with your suit, the hem should cover most of the heel on the shoe that you are wearing and should have a subtle break at the top of the foot.

16. The shirt: the fit
Have yourself measured. If you are going to wear a suit often and buy shirts often, then have yourself re-measured if it has been more than six months since you were last measured. This ensures that you are getting a properly fitted shirt.
The proper way to measure for length is from the center of your back right above your shoulder blades over the shoulder and down to the thumb bone.
The proper way to measure for the neck is to measure around the neck.

17. The Shirt: The Collar for your face

18. The shirt: the cuff
Two basic types: buttoned and French (Requires cufflinks)
Buttoned cuff shirts are easier to find and usually less expensive.
If you wear cufflinks, it is advisable that they match the rest of your jewelry.

19. The shirt: stop the parachute effect
Many companies offer a tailored shirt or a skinny shirt. These are shirts that are cut differently so that it offers a more slimming look to the wearer. The shirts are tapered in from the armpit to the end of the shirt to keep excess fabric from bunching up at the pant line.
If you cannot find a tailored shirt, you could buy shirt garters. They are an elastic strap that connects the bottom of your shirt to your socks, pulling them tight.

20. The Shirt: final thoughts
Lighter colors (white, eggshell, pink, lavender, light blue, and French blue) are more traditional and are more commonly used in office during daylight hours and formal events.
Many companies offer a wash and wear style shirt. They are a great investment if you have a busy schedule.
Even with the wash and wear shirt, learn how to iron a shirt. Life happens, and those shirts are only good if they come straight out of the dryer.

21. The Tie: Keep it classy
A good rule of thumb is to have a darker tie than the shirt you’re wearing.
Traditional patterns like stripes or paisley are always a safe choice. You’re work environment may allow you to be a little more whimsical. For example, if you work with children, you may be able to wear something with a cartoon character on it.
Again, know the dress code for where you work, and when in doubt, ask.

22. Accessories Your belt and shoes should match.
Don’t wear a belt and suspenders together.
A pocket square is a nice touch, but it needs to be neat and match your tie.
An overcoat will keep you nice and warm. For men, overcoats stay in fashion for quite a while. Shopping at Goodwill for a coat could save you lots.

23. The care and welfare of your clothes
Find a good dry cleaners. Find a good tailor. If you can find them in the same store, all the better. If you are new to an area, ask your co-workers whom they recommend.
Learn to polish your shoes.
Unless you spill something on yourself, your suit can be worn more than once. Learn how to hang your suit and get some good hangers for them. Same goes for your ties and belts.
Take care of your clothes and they will last.

24. How to save a buck: shopping for the best deals
Know your sizes. Your body does change over time, so get re- measured at least once a year.
Figure out what you like.
Online shopping. Check sales and clearance sections of your favorite web sites.
Outlet Malls/Factory stores. Also, great for finding great deals on shoes.

25. Thank you.