For the Boys: What should he wear to the party?

It’s the day of a party – my outfit is planned and ready to go, right down to the lingerie.  My Sweetheart?  Not so.  He is entirely apt to wait for the moment he emerges from the shower to ask what he should wear and this would be approximately twenty minutes before our scheduled departure.  The answer will invariably be something that is not yet ironed, at the cleaners, or is otherwise unprepared. 

This is what normal, average not-so-metro men do.  And bless them; they can usually get away with it.  But sometimes they do need to dress it up a bit, especially those guys who tend to the jeans and polo uniform and hate dressing up beyond that.  The hardest occasion for them?  That event we call dressy-casual – it’s too formal for them to wear their uniform look but does not require a suit. 

So, here are some ideas:

• For cold weather: layer a cashmere sweater over a dress shirt, or wear a cashmere sweater with a polo collar, a pair of wool or wool blend slacks.  Go with a black and/or grey palette for a dressier evening look, and wear your good watch.
• For warmer weather: a short sleeved silk shirt – (Tommy Bahama does some nice ones that aren’t totally Hawaiian shirts and feel casual yet dressed up), linen, tropical wool or other tropical blend slacks, loafers or nice deck shoes.
• Everything in between:  A casual but nice jacket –  cashmere, tweed, corduroy, even leather or velvet paired with a long sleeved dress or dressy casual shirt – in a pattern perhaps (be bold!) and in a cut that will look well if you get warm and remove the jacket.  Pair with medium wool/blend slacks or even a chino in a darker color (keep these new and crisp, not rumpled or faded, please)
• For shoes, you can play it safe with an oxford, or a loafer.  If you are feeling a bit more adventurous I think the refined yet rugged dress boots look really good.  Make sure which ever footwear you select, that they are polished and in good condition.

Boys – the most important advice, and you will hear it from me often, is to always get the best quality garments you can afford.  This is especially true when it comes to dress and dress/casual clothes.  Good quality will last and look better, longer.  If you buy high quality garments in classic cuts and colors that are tailored to fit you well you will always look sharp and be ready for that next event!

Bring on the Bling – its New Year’s Eve!

 

 

New Year’s Eve is just a few days away – what are you going to wear? 

A big trend right now, perfect for celebrating, is sequins.  Sparkly, shiny and in many many incarnations for day and night, special occasions and just feeling special.  Sequins are stepping out beyond the runway moment – those amazing dresses we all admire in the fashion magazines and then wonder where on earth do real people WEAR such things!

So just how do you wear sequins if you aren’t headed to the Oscars?  Easy – pick a single sparkly piece and pair it with classic basics.  Here are some easy ideas:

• Going dressy – give your little black dress some zing –  add a fabulous sequined clutch in a bright colour or thrown on a cardigan with sequined embellishments.
• Feeling bold – a sparkling black pencil skirt in all over sequins makes an amazing statement – pair it with a simple silk tank and some strappy sandals in classic black.  (Hint: Don’t go too short or you will be making another statement entirely!)
• For something a bit more casual but still festive pair a sequined tee with flowy pants or a tunic with leggings. 
• Dress up jeans (nice ones, please) with that same sequined tee or the beaded cardigan over a simple tank.
• Not brave enough to go all out but still want a little sparkle – a pair of sequined embellished shoes, like these flats, will dress up basic black, brown, even denim!

Keeping the overall lines and accessories simple works best – too much gets to be really too much when you add sequins to the mix.  You don’t want to compete with someone’s Christmas Tree. 

For New Year’s Eve we are off to an adult and kids party – so I want to be festive but not TOO dressy.  I am wearing a black Lafayette 148 sequined tee top with a pair of black wide-legged trousers – add my black and silver ballet flats and a smooth silver clutch and voila!  Very 30’s film star. 

So, what are you doing for New Year’s Eve and what are you wearing to do it?

Hello world!

Hello my darlings…I am BACK!!!! 

Those of you who used to see Fashion Patter on the Something To Wear website will remember my ramblings, for those of you who are new – greetings!

As the name implies, the focus is on fashion and always having Something To Wear.  I will blog as the mood moves me –  sharing my thoughts on current trends, fashion events, stores and designers, as well as ideas and how-to’s so everyone can look amazing.  The vision – to inspire style and make fashion accessible to everyone.  

If you have a specific fashion challenge you want help with and don’t mind sharing I would be delighted to take it on!

So join me as we find fabulous!