Men Styling Guide- Formal Wear-Casual Wear-Accessories-Grooming

Living in a metro? If yes, then suit up, because fashion race is dynamic and ever changing. Today’s Indian Gentleman no more cares about the traditional way of looking at a man’s dressing and is willing to experiment with a multitude of clothing options His liberally loaded closet competes with that of his woman’s.

This vouchercloud e-book brings together the latest trends in Indian men’s clothing. It guides you on clothes, footwear and accessories to meet any occasion, day or night, formal or informal. This ebook will serve as your makeover guide for the urban Indian youth who has a passion for fine dressing.
Go ahead, dive into the fashion ocean for men.

A gentleman, in colloquial India, has always been a man with a particular look.A man dressed in suit, boots, tie & a hat. The term has been used umpteen times in movies with good effect.The suits and boots, however, went on assuming cooler form, with newer designers bringing in a wide array of colors and fabrics. Casuals too became equally important. Formals or casuals, the Indian man is liberally experimenting with his outfits.

We have moved 15 years into the new century. The Gentleman of India 2015 comes out to be one of the finest versions of what he used to be.

Let us have a sneak-peek into how much his dressing has evolved, where he is going, how particular he has become about his outfits, how meticulously he is planning each of his look for different time and occasions.

For those who think that a suit is just a suit, this guide is just any guide.However, for those who are ready to settle only for outfits and accessories which are fit for purpose, smart, and suit their body shapes, this guide will prove to be a godsend. You are reading this guide itself means you are looking for the best fit. Let us,then, align ourselves with time and see what is in vogue.

FORMALS - MONDAY MORNING

The very first thing anyone would notice when he sees me, the Gentleman of 2015, is the color of my
suit. Colour thus makes the first impression for him. Many factors go into suits color selection. I can do
with either charcoal grey, navy blue, or black suits whatever the occasion is. They are generally there in my wardrobe.

I MUST CHOOSE THE CORRECT COLOR
The very first thing anyone would notice when he sees me, the Gentleman of 2015, is the color of my
suit. Colour thus makes the first impression for him. Many factors go into suits color selection. I can do with either charcoal grey, navy blue, or black suits whatever the occasion is. They are generally there in my wardrobe.

WHAT'S MY FABRIC?
Fabric quality is measured by its thread count. Distinguishing broadly, a suit with a higher thread count is finer, but one with a lower thread count generally lasts longer. If my budget allowed, I would have selected suits with a count of 300 or more. They look as well as fit better. Since my budget allows only one or two suits, I choose a thread count of around 180.Usually, I check whether a fabric feels right and will be comfortable to wear by rolling the material between my fingers and thumb, and it has given me good judgment of the cloth.Fabric is the first thing I check while picking up a ready-to-wear suit. For your information, the moststylish is a 100% wool suit, as wool is natural and breathes well.

MY SUIT WEIGHS PERFECT!
I perform constantly, whether I'm in an interview, a managers' conference, or a social event. I feel like a soldier, and so my suit feels like an armor. I have also observed that people respect a good suit. My armor,therefore, needs to be of a weight that suits my frame without putting unnecessary pressure on it.I decide on the type of the suit to be made into after looking at the weight of a fabric.
7oz -- 9oz: Lightweight. These are ideal for all hot climates.
9.5oz -- 11oz: Light to Mid Weight for transitional seasons.
11oz - 12oz: Mid Weight. Perfect for almost every season, barring a couple of months. I can safely
keep a lot of them in my formal wardrobe.
12oz - 13oz: Mid Weight, but a little heavier for warmer climates.
14oz - 19oz: Heavyweight. Great for the winters. Not required very frequently

SUIT UP

The whole idea of this meticulous research about a suit is to feel flattering, sophisticated, and
stylish. A properly cut suit therefore is my topmost priority while purchasing it as it is going to save
me time and money later.
Here's a brief about the appropriate sizes of jackets and trousers, which go with a suit. A particular
number describes the size of a suit, and with it is a word describing the length. For instance, a 44
extra-long for a large jacket.

Jacket sizes
Short Size - for height 5'7, sleeves up to 32 inch
Regular -for 5'8 and 5'11, and sleeves 32-33 inch
Long - between 6'0 and 6'2, sleeves 34-36 inch
Extra-long - Taller than 6'2 with sleeves longer than 36 inch

Sleeves

My coat isn't perfect unless my sleeves are of the appropriate length. To check, all I have to do is let my arms hang loosely. It's perfect when the sleeve hem hangs up to my knuckles, revealing exactly 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm)of my shirt cuff when my arms are extended out in front.

Coat sizes
Similarly, the length of a coat is determined based on a person's height, so I can make out the size simply from the size of my shirt.
Short Size - for height 5'7, sleeves up to 32 inch
Regular -for 5'8 and 5'11, and sleeves 32-33 inch
Long - between 6'0 and 6'2, sleeves 34-36 inch
Extra-long - Taller than 6'2 with sleeves longer than 36 inch

Trousers
When I look down at my trousers, I call them a perfect length only if they are hemmed evenly with the heel of my shoe, gently breaking on the top of the shoe, instead of draping or bunching.I'm an average Indian male and getting a customized suit is a big investment for me, so I take time finalizing it.

Armholes
I am pretty careful about my jacket's armholes and I ensure that they are comfortable, and loose enough to allow full range of motion.



TROUSERS

The best thing about men's formal trousers is that they work for multiple occasions, whether it is an interview, conference, daily office work, or even an evening event. When I choose formal trousers, I usually first take into account the length, fit, and style.

Cloth
According to my research on trousers, wool or wool-blend is the most commonly used cloths for trousers. Silk, cashmere, and synthetic fabrics are the other textures available. Heavier fabrics give me a smoother drape and a neat hang, but then they make me really uncomfortable in summer.

Trouser Fit
My comfort level in formals and thus my appearance and body language is largely influenced by the fit of the trousers. I think it's always good to have trousers which are slightly larger than measured, rather than keeping them uncomfortably tight.I choose from a variety of cuts to suit my moods and body shape:
- Slim-fit formal trousers
- Boot-cut formal trousers
- Standard-cut formal trousers

Leg length
I consider this as the most critical factor. I mustget it right. Trousers, if they are too short, give
me a half-mast appearance. Lengthy trousers, on the other hand, bunch over the shoes and make me look unsophisticated.The standard sizes mostly are:
- Short leg - 30 inches
- Regular leg – 32 inches
- Long leg– 34 inches




SHIRT

I am the fashion conscious man of 2015. Formal shirts are one of my weekday wardrobe's most
integral part. I love shirts, especially its variations over the time. Observing the best shirts and
experimenting with them, I have concluded that a shirt of particular fitting, texture, and colour
adds character and individuality to the man wearing it.


FIRST: COLLAR

Small, but the collar is a prominent feature of a formal shirt, and can't be overlooked. A carefully curated ensemble can go waste if a collar is not properly made, as it not only indicates the formality of the shirt, but is also almost at eye-level. Collars are of club, tab, and contrast types.More prominent types are:


SECOND: CUFFS

THIRD: FITTING
The shirts in modern times are already sized - small, medium, large. But I prefer to keep my exact measurements ready, particularly the necks. Ideally, one finger should fit comfortably between the collar and neck. Around the torso too, the best fitted style is practical as the shirt ballooning above the waistband makes me feel unappealing. About the cuffs, I follow the general rule that they should just touch the hinge of the wrist or protrude about half an inch from the jacket sleeve.


TIE

Now, you wonder how I, the Gentleman of 2015 India, who dresses so meticulously, tie my tie. I
found it an absolutely unproductive and useless piece of cloth. However, I realized as I grew up, the beauty of the elongated pieces of silk and the purpose it served. Aesthetically, a tie covers a shirt's buttons and emphasizes the versatility of the wearer's body:
- making it look taller
- add a sense of luxury and richness
- add colour and texture to the outfits
- complete the overall look

Here's a tip or two on how I buy a tie with the perfect colour, size, width, and style.

Cut on the bias First of all, I need a tie that is cut on the bias otherwise it turns round instead of going down straight. To check, I take the narrow end of the tie and hold it up in the air. If the tie goes down straight, it is cut on the bias. If it turns round, I am not buying it.

Quality I make sure the tie does not have any loose threads, particularly the first 20-30 cm of the wide end since this is the part that is visible to others. Length The length must fit my height. I prefer it a bit longer, though I am not tall, since I like tying larger necktie knots. I try the tie on and see if its wide end reaches my belt.

Width This is subtle, but the narrow part of my tie must be slightly smaller than the
height of my collar, so it covers the tie completely at the back of my neck.Colour My wardrobe shouldn't be without a solid navy, burgundy or grey tie. A solidcoloured tie with a white shirt is a classic combination which will never be outdated. A solid black tie can also be an asset. It's good for my daily formals as well as for an elegant evening.



CASUALS ON A FRIDAY

Casual doesn't mean an absence of creativity or style, it means tuning your good taste in clothing to the occasion. This means you look damn good, no matter what you're doing, says American traveler and blogger Jeremy Reeves.Casuals are not easy to decide. I may look like a dork with clothes too nice for a normal house party, just like it would be going to a posh club in a plain t-shirt and shorts. So it's always good to add those extra elements to make my casuals stylish. That is why, as Reeves puts it, it's always good to be overdressed than underdressed.

JEANS

It's Friday, the casuals' day, after a week full of formal dressing. The first and foremost part of casuals is jeans, which I can wear out with friends, on dates, at family dinners and to parties. Earlier,it was easy to shop for jeans. Mostly blue or black, with 5 pockets; they either fit or they didn't. It was fine.Now, I have all kinds of choices. Now, my fit determines how I look.

FITS
Slim Fit: Slim does not mean skinny. It should only slightly hug the thighs, knees, and calves, loosening up near the ankles.

Straight-Leg: I need a touch of stretchable here, as this fit feels close in the thighs, but looser in the knees and calves.

Classic: This allows my thighs to breathe. The only hitch is the loose fit below knee gives my jeans a bell-bottom effect. I beat this by opting for a length with about an inch-and-a-half break or just roll up
the cuffs a bit.

Relaxed Fit: The roomiest of all the options, to look my best in these, I take care that the jeans sit snugly at or just below my natural waist, which is right above my hips.

The closure & the pocket: I prefer a zipper than a button fly. It's a lot easier to live with. Pockets, I like only when they look cleaner and less fussy, or free of overt ass-branding

COLOUR/WASH
- Classic: An inky blue rinsed with cold water or bleach. I reserve for more casual sportswear.
- Vintage: To give a jeans a pre-distressed look, minimal rinsing so the cloth fades a little and lightsands at the seams, knees, and thighs.
- Dark rinse: Almost dry, treated with a soft hand and some variegated shading usually in the thighs and the knees. This dark, inky blue works just as well with a blazer as it does with a windbreaker.
- Raw or Dry: This is when denim is unwashed, untreated, and rough to the touch.

T-SHIRT

One thing I must tell you that t-shirts with real style are out there. Only you should know where to look for them. According to my research on this, here are the best ones you can buy.
Let me give you the two most favorites of India's 2015 Gentleman
- The '70s Ringer Tee, a simple but evergreen design and always relevant colours.
- V-Neck, aligning well with my Adam's apple, but is well above that strapping chest of yours.


ACCESSORIES

WALLET

No better way to make an impression than paying out of a nice-looking wallet. It helps me show off no matter where I am - a date, drinks at the bar, or dinner with business clients. I'll tell you, the newest wallet styles which any man would fall in love with instantly.

WATCH

There are people who don't care to buy or wear a watch. But there are those, like me, who love watches and are particular about wearing them right. I will now tell you the five things I consider when buying a watch.You must consider, Budget , Brands, Dials,Case, The precious two, read more about it in full guide.



SHOES

Though men will be men and may not want to collect too many shoes, I feel that as a gentleman, I should own at least five pairs of shoes.
- I dress to impress, add polish from head to toe. My formal look is not completed only with a clean and scuff free shoe. I like it simple and classic, with an understated captoe.
- The next one that decks my shoe rack is a pair of biker boots. And I believe that I don't need to be an adventure-seeker for this.
- The weekends are relatively easy and relaxed, but that doesn't mean you should care less about dressing up. When wearing casuals, you can put together with a pair of old-school sneakers.
- A step up from a sneaker is the business casual shoe, which is not quite formal. I keep two pairs of these -- one in black, one in brown. Just to break the repetition of style, I keep a laceup and a loafer.
- I keep a good black slip-on in black for day or night. These are also very comfortable for travel.


GROOMING

I am preparing to take a leap into 2015. I take pains, unlike the man of yesteryears, to groom and look my best at any occasion. I have created my own capsule of quick grooming.Want to know?

- Dry Shampoo: A thing which is increasingly becoming my favorite. It gives lank, greasy hair a new lease of life, freshens them and absorbs excess oil when I don't have time for a shower.

- Skin Perfector: It moisturizes, reduces oily shine, minimizes pores, and helps disguise the signs of fatigue.

- Blemish Banisher: This little concealer helps me in dealing with untimely spot or mystery red patch.

- Anti-Perspirant: An under-arm savior, this one is designed to not leave marks - even on black garments.

- Breath Freshener: Rich food and dehydrating alcohol together give me a bad breath. An alcohol-free pocket spray definitely helps.

- Repair Cream: I slap on this little night cream just before I hit the sack.

- Shower Gel: I really need one of these to give me a wake-up call. I only need to ensure that it contains citrus oils and black pepper, which stimulates the senses and boosts circulation.

As a concluding tip, I must tell you that however modern a gentleman becomes, and however minutely he suits up, he is incomplete without perfect etiquette. Being nice and respectful is an accessory that goes with – naah, must -- every outfit. All my effort on dressing up goes down the drain without perfect manners.
So friend, wear your best manners while you suit up. Don't Forget to check The complete Men Clothing and Styling Guide on vouchercloud

Have fun!