Dressing the Man

As Reachel so eloquently stated "One cannot fashion an empire without outfitting all its constituents, especially one's partner in power." After a recent shopping trip with the Dr, it didn't take me long to assess what works and what doesn't work when dressing your man for summer. Here are a few of my tips -

1. Khakis & Linen - done properly these can be your man's best friend. I prefer the wrinkle resistant variety [less work for me - better look for him]. To ensure a crisp appearance, make sure they break properly and fit snuggly in the hip/thigh/butt region. Avoid all regular or relaxed cuts and opt instead for a slim fit. Dockers makes a fantastic wrinkle resistant khaki and I can confirm that after sitting/standing/walking for an entire day, the pants were wrinkle free!

2. Shirts - Please avoid the short sleeve dress shirt and tie look. All dress shirts, even summer versions, should have proper sleeves (men, you can roll them if necessary). In this case, the Dr chose Gingham for it's versatility. While it is commonly considered casual, when paired properly it can work as well in an office environment as it does left open on the weekends. To avoid the down-home country feel, ensure the gingham print is tiny and the collar / cuffs of the shirt are properly pressed.

3. The polo - Stay away from darks or neutrals. Choose a bright colour that brings out the colour of your man's eyes, or defines his dark features (the Dr. opted for pink - yay!). Again the fitted polo is versatile and works well for the office, the golf course and on weekends. Steer clear of anything baggy or too long, and opt for something slim through the trunk and bicep region.

4. Socks - Leave the sweat socks at home and choose something funky like Paul Smith or Duchamp. The right socks can add that extra punch to any outfit!

5. The ribbon belt - To avoid the frat-boy appearance, ensure the belt has a touch of leather on the buckle, the loop, and the ends - preferably brown.

6. Shoes - Brown Leather Driving Loafer. Enough said.

7. Accessorize - Aviators and proper brown leather sandals are classics and will last your man through many a summer season to come.

Wardrobe Review :: The Rules

Welcome to my closet. These 13 items of clothing* are the pieces that I find myself reaching for time and time again and always know I will feel fabulous in. They are as follows:

1. Nanette Lepore 'Jungle Cheetah Print' dress 2. Lida Baday tafetta skirt & Gap cardigan 3. Old Navy dress 4. Byron Lars Beauty Mark dress 5. Paul & Joe 'Despira' coat 6. Gap Trouser jean 7. Kate Spade 'Coralee' wedge 8. JCrew / Joe Fresh cardigan 9. Moth/Anthropologie 'Wisteria' cardigan 10. Burberry 'Crinkled Tafetta Dress' 11. Lida Baday 'Tartan Flare-back' dress 12. Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Wonderland Blocks' top 13. Teenflo 'Kennedy' dress.

I routinely pair my favorite pieces with jackets, skirts, blouses, vests, trousers and cardigans that I have bought over time. These pieces are not shown above because they make up a standard capsule wardrobe {the less exciting but essential pieces we all need to own}. Add in my collection of vintage accessories and outerwear and I’m ready to go!

It is a rule in our house that we only buy what we truly love. While this means I’ve had to give up my trendy H&M skirt obsession, I now have a wardrobe that I continually reach for and always feel like a million dollars in. How do I determine what I love v. what I like? No matter the price of the item, I always think before I buy {it helps if you e-browse before you step into a shop.} If I am smitten with something, I will make a mental note of it and wait. If I am still thinking about it a week or two later, I will go back and try it on. If it is still in stock in my size and as good as I remember, I buy. The final test is whether or not I wear it within a couple days of bringing it home. If I haven’t worn it within a week of purchase I re-evaluate and will return the item if necessary.

I’ll discuss accessorizing in my next wardrobe review. In the mean time, I’d love to hear about the rules you follow when stocking your own closet and how you make clothing work for you on a daily basis.

*It was a list of 12 items but then I bought the Burberry dress. I just know based on the shape, the cut, and how I feel when I wear it that it's going to be a piece that fits on this list.

Instant Classic - Sartorialiste of the year, 2007

Year after year, this photo by the ever famous Sartorialist remains my favorite example of true & effortless style.


When I look at this picture I try to imagine the type of clothing this woman owns, and what her overall wardrobe looks like. Is it a manageable capsule type? Is it vast and catalogued? Or does it look like mine - a collection of many fabulous pieces, but lacking in cohesiveness and clarity?

I think it might be time to do an honest appraisal of my wardrobe.
Stay tuned...