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MeyMey’s Guide to the ultimate corporate MAN

by MeyMey (April 9, 2007)

Once, in an era of blah fabrics and shapeless suits, men wore white and blue collared shirts to work in the corporate world. Today there are no rules, only philosophies, customs or trends, which vary from style to style. There are strong points and advantages to an uptight looking man in a business suit (although I’m going to show you the many more advantages happening in-the-now!).  A man in a standard, accounting firm type suit maintains a practical and disciplined look in his code of dark jacket and blue or white collared shirt.  However, if you ask me, (and let’s face it, you’re reading this column so you’re asking); that suit also acts as a definite assault on taste.  Most of you Bay Street and Wall Street types used to be pretty conservative dressers but you’re sharpening up and I thank you kindly for this.  However, I will proceed and give you some words of advice for the purpose of this week’s column.

Off the top let me say this; colors, stripes, textures, patterns…they all work!  If you know how to pull them off, of course.  Do not try and be someone that you’re not.  Do, however, try and be someone a little daring and unconventional.  When a man dresses up for work and looks and feels great (more importantly feels great), he gets the job done.  He’s more efficient and productive than a slob and that’s a fact.  Put on some great cologne, jazz up that suit, add a textured tie and you’re good to go.  A splash of color and not too much, a hint of pizzazz but not over the top (pizzazz can be found in super cool accessories like a great Prada belt or Rudsak briefcase), and of course, a great pair of shoes (for advice on proper footwear, check MeyMey’s must haves).

Suspenders, although they are not wrong, neither are they really cool in most cases.  I say most because there are some instances where suspenders can in fact look quite sharp.  It takes a very confident and “in the know” man to pull off a pair of suspenders; otherwise they just look old man-ish and just plain horrendous.  Most trousers today are tailored to sit at the waist (though they often hang unacceptably below it).  But when a pair of well tailored pants fit well, suspenders don’t make much sense and serve purely as a decorative element. Trousers, although made to fit at the waist are being made even lower waisted- for that ballsy yet fit corporate man who likes to accentuate his strong points (not only at his desk if you know what I’m saying;).  In these cases, again leave the suspenders at home.  But of course, suspenders, like fountain pens and bow ties, can be pulled off brilliantly by men with natural ease and cultivated taste.

French cuffs are a pretty slick, jazzed-up look. They structure one’s suit beautifully, and furthermore, cuff links are a gentleman’s only legitimate outlet for what a thug may call bling. Unfortunately, many men of today seem to believe that the plainness of dress indicates some sort of desirable simplicity. Whatever! As if wearing only white button-downs expresses a lack of vanity and righteousness. It is a sad fact that I have yet to see London, and almost embarrassing as a stylist because it is known and observed by anyone who spends time there, that the Brits put more effort and imagination into getting dressed than their North American counterparts. Perhaps they are surer of themselves and at peace with their sexuality. Or maybe it’s simply the beauty and class of dressing like a gentleman. Whatever it is, it’s quite all right for you to bring some of it back with you ‘round these parts.  So get on it!

So again boys, my work here is done.  I make it pretty simple for you and I give you the basic fundamentals of what a real man should aim (appear) to be.  I don’t expect you to become overnight fashion connoisseurs, but follow my by-weekly guide to what a great looking man should be, and you’ll be on your way.    …..………..Your Stylist Truly, Meytal.

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