Get the job.
Close the deal.
Get the girl.
What do these three things have in common? The right image.
We all know that first impressions can be influenced by what you wear. Whether conscious or not, people make grandiose assumptions based upon your everyday appearance.
A tie is one of the most influential tools at your disposal. That’s why you always reach for your lucky tie when you are about to close a deal or why the girl at happy hour playfully touches your tie to show she’s interested. Your tie makes a powerful statement and its important to know what image you are projecting.
Red
It’s called the power tie for a reason, and by wearing a red tie you are implying that you mean business. Just like Tiger Woods wears a red shirt to convey dominance, the red tie is a reaffirmation of strength, authority and dominance within the professional world. For a less aggressive approach, switch out your vibrant red for a softer shade of burgundy.
Yellow/Gold
Yellow is the approachable cousin of the power tie. While still conveying authority, intelligence and positivity, yellow is the subtle version of a red power tie. This is the perfect tie to wear for a first interview, because it shows you are confident and not afraid of a challenge.
Blue
Conveying trust, stability and confidence a blue tie is perfect for client facing or public speaking. That being said, it’s no coincidence that politicians and salesmen are frequently seen in blue ties. The lighter blue shade is softer and appears more approachable. A darker shade of blue represents seriousness and matter-of-factness.
Green
This color symbolizes practicality, reliability and implies being down-to-earth. Brighter shades of green will imply that you are balanced, fresh and energetic. For a conventional look, darker shades of green are more appropriate and will imply that you are stable and serious.
Orange
Orange is the wild card of tie colors. A bright orange tie will imply that you are enthusiastic, open-minded and adventurous. It is the perfect tie for making a memorable first impression and creating a sense of excitement within the workplace.
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With the weather slowly warming up, now is the perfect time to transition your dull, winter wardrobe into something a little brighter. Put away the dark colors and heavyweight fabrics and reintroduce a little color into your day-to-day attire. Here are 5 wardrobe essentials we recommend for spring.
The Navy Blazer
A navy blazer is one of the most fundamental pieces in your wardrobe because it is by far the most versatile. Whether you are going to the office, out to dinner, or cruising in your yacht the navy blazer is a great option for just about any occasion. Lighten up a midnight-navy blazer by opting for a brighter British blue fabric instead. The lighter blue is a great way to introduce vibrant colors into your spring wardrobe.
Buttons will also help transform the look of your blazer. For a modern look, replace the traditional brass buttons for a darker mother of pearl button. This will transform the style of your blazer from traditional and preppy to fresh and contemporary.
Light Gray Suit
Just as a dark charcoal suit compliments winter, the light gray suit is synonymous with spring. The light gray works perfectly with soft pastels and bold patterned shirts, giving you unlimited versatility within your wardrobe. To finish the look, wear it with chili-colored shoes and a camel colored belt.
The Sport Coat
A patterned sport coat is the easiest way to incorporate color into your wardrobe. Often made in bold prints, the sport coat blends a myriad of colors in one single jacket. For those who like a little pop of color, change the lapel buttonhole stitching to match one of the colors in your jacket. If you’re going for the casual look, pair your sport coat with a patterned button down shirt that ties in one or more of the colors in your jacket.
Cotton Patterned Socks
It’s time to retire your boring wool socks and incorporate a little life into your footwear routine. The latest trend in menswear is a trim cut slack that (when sitting) highlights your patterned socks. Now that the weather is warm, add some pep in your step by picking up a pair of V.K. Nagrani’s colorful, cotton socks.
Pastels and Prints (Shirts)
Spring is the perfect time of year to sport your plaids, striped, and checked pattern shirts. When it comes to spring patterns, the bolder the better. Color, pattern, and texture should all play a part in foundation of your spring wardrobe. So trade out a basic white shirt for a lavender gingham plaid and embrace the brighter side of spring.
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As we settle upon the last few weeks of winter and await the warmer months of spring, we will undoubtedly combat snow, rain, slush and everything in between. The real challenge comes when you're forced to try and protect your wardrobe from mother nature's wrath. Listed below are a few items that will help safeguard your wardrobe from head to toe.
The Trench Coat
A great way to protect your custom, wool suit from rain and snow is to invest in a quality trench coat. From Humphrey Bogart to Dick Tracy, the trench coat has been a quintessential staple in men's fashion for over 100 years. Origins of the trench coat began during the Boer War for the British military. The goal was to design a coat that not only repelled water, but also kept the wearer warm and ventilated simultaneously. Today, the trench serves the same function and for this reason it is one of the most versatile forms of outerwear. A good tip, is to have your trench coats scotch guarded 1-2 times a year. This will force any water that comes into contact with your coat to bead off rather than soak in and ruin your suit.
Galoshes
Also known as slicks or rubbers, these shoe protectors are worn over your dress shoes and are a great way to salvage your shoes from a treacherous walk in the snow. Sure, we all know that you're supposed to wear galoshes when its dropping buckets of snow, but what most men don't realize is that it is more important to wear them on the day the snow has melted. Despite the absence of snow, the streets leave behind a substantial amount of salt exposing your shoes to a higher risk of cracking and becoming dried out.
Umbrellas
Like any other accessory your umbrella should be an extension of your own personal style. Aside from keeping you dry, it should be sophisticated and considered a completion of your wardrobe. Invest in a high quality umbrella that has superb functionality and a signature style. Davek (yes, we carry them) is known for making top of the line umbrellas that are built to last a lifetime.
Simply by incorporating these weather repellent tools, you're suits and shoes are guaranteed to last and keep you looking great. Not to mention they will help transition your wardrobe from season to season.
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So Fresh and So Clean, Clean
One of the most common questions we are asked at BALANI is how to properly care for a suit. Your suits from BALANI are an investment, and for this particular investment, longevity is key. Sure, wear and tear is inevitable, but there are things you can do to help prevent your one-year old suit from looking like it was purchased during the Clinton administration.
First, only dry-clean your suit between 2-4 times a year. Yes, you read that correctly. The chemicals used in dry cleaning can substantially damage your suit as well as shorten its normal lifespan. Instead, have your suits machine steam-pressed regularly by your dry cleaner; which is a 500 degree blast of steam killing all bacteria, removing all odors and releasing all wrinkles. If you’re prone to spilling, have your dry-cleaner spot clean rather than have them dry-clean the entire suit.
Next, hang your suits on a proper suit hanger and scatter cedar blocks throughout your closet to prevent moths from getting into your clothes. Moths eat through fabrics, leaving large holes in your suits. Fortunately, the oil found in cedar is a natural repellent, and will kill off those pesky moths with destructive motives.
Lastly, for the gentlemen who are very particular, invest in a quality made suit brush. Why bother? Simply put, brushing your suit after each wear can extend its lifespan by a decade. Made from either synthetic fibers or natural animal hair, brushing removes built-up dust and food particles that can get lodged in your suit causing the wool to break down.
Simply by dry-cleaning less, brushing your suit more, and incorporating cedar blocks into your closet, you will drastically increase the lifespan of your wardrobe. Because let’s face it, no one wants to see their investment go up in flames or get eaten by moths. So be sure to protect your BALANI suits in order to get the maximum return: a lifetime of looking good.
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One of the Top 6 Custom Clothiers in the World
Tailored to Perfection
by Carlos Rubin - J.W. Marriott Magazine
Off the rack? No thanks. Made to measure? Only if you're in a hurry. For the truly perfect men's shirt, connoisseurs know that bespoke - a 100 percent personalized product- is the only way to go. Here's six top tailors in six top cities.
Chicago
The Man to Know Sonny Balani at Balani Custom Clothiers
Credentials This family-owned business-Sonny's father Peter trained in London and Milan- has kept the men of Chicago looking sharp for fifty years.
Cost From$125, no minimum order
The Edge Service included cocktails from a fully-stocked bar on premises.
INFO balanicustom.com
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