ARTICLE SERVICES            Reprint this article     Print this article       Send as an e-mail     Send Feedback       Post a comment       RELATED STORIES   Society luminaries attend Fila Polo Cup Bullish relaunch for iconic beauty brand Choosing perfume for your man GALLERY 1 2 3 4 5 Next   Zoom    MIXED MEDIA Combine different yet subtle prints and textures for a cool summer look. Bench paisley long-sleeve polo, P699.75, and sneakers, P899.75; A/X shorts, P4,450; Gap white long-sleeve shirt, P995; FCUK hat, P1,950; Springfield grosgrain belt, P795. Photography Aldwin Aspillera Zoom    CHECKMATE. Classic pieces such as a checkered top, jeans and a light coat look up-to-the-minute when worn with a bright-colored tie. Steve Allan checkered long-sleeve polo, P6,250, from Rustan’s; Gap coat, P5,850; Zara tie, P1,950; Traffic sneakers, P2,999. Photography Aldwin Aspillera Zoom    REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE Channel James Dean and play mysterious tough guy in leather and hip, colorful jeans. Bench white polo, P429.75; Zara red-orange jeans, P2,450; CK patent jacket, P19,087.50; Topman leather tie, P795; People Are People patent sneakers, P2,499, and leather cuff, P249. Photography Aldwin Aspillera Zoom    PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ. Look like a modern-day dandy in a three-piece suit in soft, heather gray. Topman gray blazer, P6,395, pants, P3,195, and vest, P2,795; FCUK tie, P1,990; Tuck long-sleeve shirt, P1,490, from The Ramp; People Are People shoes, P2,999; Springfield shades, P895. Photography Aldwin Aspillera Zoom    VESTED INTEREST. Wear your typical walking shorts and basic top with a vest and masculine leather sandals for added style. Dean and Trent long-sleeve shirt, P500, and vest, P900, both from The Ramp; Bench shorts, P599.75; Traffic sandals, P2,999. Photography Aldwin Aspillera Action Start By Ruel S. De Vera Associate Editor MY father is many things—engineer, businessman, intellectual—but he is also something rare: a connoisseur of bad action movies. Th ...More 10 reasons to watch the UAAP opening weekend Hope in uncertainty Wear your school spirit–but in style Let Hero tackle the swine flu panic I am no Michael Jackson fan PWU’s Renaissance woman marks milestone French delights Inner beauty Cervical cancer: ladies’ malady Cures for post-acne mark, dry feet, cellulite More Stories » Showbiz and Style Why a bachelor like me chose to adopt Elevating the ‘toyomansi’ barbecue Instant noodles are not balanced meals Oils that help remove body toxins Deep-fried foods lower body energy Documenting heritage Wife nags husband about past infidelity Running the marathon for a healthy lifestyle Doña Maria is perfect for ‘bagoong’ rice Be practical–but keep the style Showbiz and Style Singer-actress a glorified ‘yaya’ Miley says no to dad Billy Ray’s dream King of Pop may be viewed in glass casket Lessons learned from Jackson’s tragic tale I am no Michael Jackson fan Interesting stories about Michael Jackson Global fans won't beat it from Jackson thrill ‘Sad' Madonna plans Jackson tribute Diet collapses, now out of danger 10 reasons to watch the UAAP opening weekend Great moments to remember ‘Katrina, Aljur deserve a break’   Showbiz and Style Most Read RSS Buencamino Photography & Associates Look for: Erwin Buencamino /Ana Marie Pia Tel.No.: +632.535.5360/+632.7172513 Mobile: +63.917.5410141 Katmar Industrial Center Fans and Blower Specialist L2F Parkhome Commercial Complex, Golden Gate Ave.,Muntinlupa City Tel. 809.7723/986.8026/842.8171 Fax. 842.8171 Email. ding_kitmar@yahoo.com  OTHER COLUMNS Emily's Post : Is he ready for a relationship? / Emily A. Marcelo Purely Personal : Order of Malta Philippines joins pilgrimage / Josephine Darang Lotus Pond - Bismark : Inner beauty / S. Bismark Street Smart : PWU’s Renaissance woman marks milestone / Mandy Navasero Medical Files : Let Hero tackle the swine flu panic / Rafael Castillo, MD Discovery : Hope in uncertainty / Massie Santos Ballon Without Batting An Eyelash : Designers inspired by Bombay Sapphire / Maurice Arcache

MANILA, Philippines—Listen up, men.

Here’s a little primer to help you dress with more style. Clothes make the man now, more than ever, especially in the workplace.

First impressions last, and how you package yourself can determine how others will assess you in the workplace—say, in a job interview or meeting with clients, on a night-out with friends.

To move with confidence, have a wardrobe that’s fashionable and that suits your personality and lifestyle. Clothes are your means of personal expression, within the bounds of appropriateness and dress codes.

Bottom line is, you can look fashionable while showing your unique sense of style. You don’t have to be gay or a metrosexual to be well-groomed and dressed impeccably.

Our tips:

Update your wardrobe by going through your closet and removing things you don’t need. Throw out those ratty socks and underwear. If you haven’t worn an item for at least a year, give it to charity or a garage sale.

Clothes that are well-cut and simple in design make strong statements.

Wear the right size of clothing. If an item is too loose or too tight, you can’t create the right proportion. If your clothes don’t fit right, have them altered.

Dress according to your body type. Thin men can wear tight-fitting styles, while those with a bit more weight or a beer belly can’t. Taller men can wear loose clothing while shorter men should wear streamlined pieces cut close to the body. And generally, a one- or two-button single-breasted jacket is more flattering than a double-breasted one.

Dress according to your age. Although there are hardly any rules and boundaries nowadays, a 45-year-old man in baggy jeans and bling is a turnoff—even if that’s your personality.

Follow dress codes. Casual means you don’t have to wear a suit or jacket but must still dress nicely. Semiformal requires a dark suit. Black-tie optional means you can wear a suit or a tuxedo, while black tie requires that you wear a tuxedo.

Dark colors such as black, navy and gray are safe options for men. But try to inject a pop of color to show your personality.

Black belt equals black shoes. Brown belt equals brown shoes.

To bag or not to bag? It’s a personal choice, but anything smaller than a laptop computer may look feminine. Invest in a leather satchel you can sling over your shoulder or across your body.

Accessorize with care. Less is more, but if you must wear those rings and bracelets, try not to mix metals. Match them with your watch and belt buckle, if possible. Keep those beaded and leather pieces for more casual outfits and occasions, and wear your chain necklaces inside your shirt.

Little extras such as sunglasses are much-needed final touches. Aviators look good on most people. Pocket squares that can be worn with a blazer (no tie), or cufflinks are also dandy touches.

It’s a no-no to wear expensive clothes with cheap accessories. Invest in quality accessories to dress up wardrobe staples.

Stuck in a time warp? Time to buy a pair or two of slim-fit, straight-leg, non-pleated pants that can make you look longer and leaner.

Invest in the following wardrobe basics: a dark slim-cut suit; a crisp white shirt; a tie; straight-cut denims; non-pleated, straight-cut pants; a white T-shirt; a woven collared shirt; a good watch with a steel or silver strap that will match anything in your wardrobe.

Shoes make the man, too! Make sure yours are clean and in good condition. Invest in the following: a pair of black lace-ups you can wear with a suit or jeans; sneakers; driving shoes or moccasins; a masculine pair of leather sandals.

E-mail the author at afashion@inquirer.com.ph

• Society luminaries attend Fila Polo Cup
• Bullish relaunch for iconic beauty brand
• Choosing perfume for your man

• 10 reasons to watch the UAAP opening weekend
• Hope in uncertainty
• Wear your school spirit–but in style
• Let Hero tackle the swine flu panic
• I am no Michael Jackson fan
• PWU’s Renaissance woman marks milestone
• French delights
• Inner beauty
• Cervical cancer: ladies’ malady
• Cures for post-acne mark, dry feet, cellulite
• Concept of ‘greenovation’
• Designers inspired by Bombay Sapphire
• Dualtech’s few good men
• ‘Dinuguan’ and other food finds in Bulacan
• Boosting immune system through VCO
• Instant noodles are not balanced meals
• Nuvali up for int’l green certification
• Deep-fried foods lower body energy
• What is it like to be in a trance?
• It’s ‘Camsur’–and it rocks
• Former Dominican teachers ‘blessed martyrs’
• Wife nags husband about past infidelity
• Power of natural forces
• Riverine food and reviving the Pasig
• Doña Maria is perfect for ‘bagoong’ rice
• Cebu school marks inaugural with concert
• Pampering for men on Father’s Day
• Heritage in the balance in old Transylvania
• Must-haves for men this season

• Emily's Post :  Is he ready for a relationship? / Emily A. Marcelo
• Purely Personal :  Order of Malta Philippines joins pilgrimage / Josephine Darang
• Lotus Pond - Bismark :  Inner beauty / S. Bismark
• Street Smart :  PWU’s Renaissance woman marks milestone / Mandy Navasero
• Medical Files :  Let Hero tackle the swine flu panic / Rafael Castillo, MD
• Discovery :  Hope in uncertainty / Massie Santos Ballon
• Without Batting An Eyelash :  Designers inspired by Bombay Sapphire / Maurice Arcache