Mens Fashion Tips - Fitting a Dress Shirt

Sometimes bad fitting destroys the beauty of a good dress shirt. Men should learn these few tips to get the appropriate mens dress fit to avoid fitting blunders.

An ideal fit for dress shirt should display a smart and savvy appearance for the man. For a formal event, mens dress shirt should provide a ceremonial effect that suits the occasion. If you intend to create dressy attire, fitting in different parts of the suits should still be suited to give you that dressy feel.

Collar Fit
The main focal point of the dress should start under the mens face the collar. Most dress shirts run their collar size by half inches such as 14, 14.5, 15, and so on

Measuring the right collar size should be based on the neck dimension just below the Adams apple. If the neck circumference is about half inch, then it would be a good idea to get the higher end to prevent too tight collars when the fabric shrinks.

Most men buy dress shirts with too wide collars. Collars ought to be snug around the neck. Snug means that it should not squeeze or give you a choking feeling especially when you bend your head down to touch your chin to your chest. There should be just enough room for your head to move around the neck.

Other way to find out the tightness of a collar is by slipping two fingers between the buttoned collar and the neck. The two fingers should fit comfortably, and this additional space gives room for possible shrinkage after a few washing of the dress shirt.

So the collar fit should not be a perfect fit when immediately tried on and neither should it have more room than the two fingers you slid in. Otherwise the fit in the collar would be inappropriate.

Collar points have to touch the chest when worn with a tie. It should never leave a gap or stick up between the collar points from the chest especially when you turn your head.

Sleeves and Cuffs Fit
There are two lengths of dress shirts in every collar size to accommodate a wider range of arm length in men. Men wearing dress shirts with improper sleeve lengths can actually make a man look funny.

So to achieve a good fit for your sleeve, it is important to check the sleeve length. Proper measurement should run the tape from the centre of the back of your collar to the top of your shoulders then down to the arms and the wrist bone.

An extra inch will allow an extension of about a quarter inch when worn with suits. It will also provide additional fabric to avoid cuffs from pulling back when you extend your arm in any direction.

The proper way of fitting mens dress shirt is to keep your arms on your side and make sure that the cuff ends are slightly further down the wrist bone without gathering to much fabric at the cuffs. Armholes should float over your armpit rather than a tight snug.

Cuff circumference should not allow your hands to slip in without unfastening the cuff buttons. This applies both for barrel and French cuffs. Bespoke dress shirts should have room for a wristwatch and should not fit too tight or snug.

Torso Fit
A good fit around the torso is an important criteria in mens dress shirts. There are different types of cut such as the American, French and English.

American cut is the fullest, next is the tapered look for the French cut and the English cut is somewhere between these two. Whichever style of cut you choose, the most important is to have comfort with style.

Lately, the trend of dress shirt is the tight tapered look. It gives an overall lean and clean feel for slim men. But this is not suitable for everyone and some men do not like its wrapping feel.

Most importantly, a good fit in mens dress shirt should be full but will not cause the front panels to gape open when you sit down. This only shows that the fit around the torso is too small.

The seam that connects the yoke and sleeve should rest just where your shoulders end. If it drapes over it, then the shirt is over sized for you.

And lastly, the tail length should fall just around your crotch are. It should never pull out of the trousers whenever you raise your arms or when you sit down. Proper tug-in is important to prevent looking sloppy and untidy.

Pohl regularly writes in mens fashion. He has over 100 articles published on dress code advice, and mens for men. He is also the founder of one of the Internets premiere Tie Shops: Ties-necktie.com - Weather you are looking to buy neckties or are interested in a mens fashion blog, the site might be worth a visit.

Social Dresses

There are so many types and styles of dresses in the world. How do you know which ones are social dresses? My definition for a social dress is something that is simple, fits well, and is something you like. The dress itself should not be too fancy or decorated because you want to be able to pair the dress with accessories without it looking too crowded. You want to be able to wear the dress to a variety of different places and occasions.

If you buy a very fancy dress to go out to a high end restaurant, you most likely don't want to wear that same dress to go to a work party or a simpler dinner. If you have a social dress you could wear it to many different places and still look and feel appropriate.

There are hundreds of styles and designs in the world; it can be a bit overwhelming and scary. It may be hard sometimes to find a style that's right for you, but if you are like me and don't have one particular style, this is not a bad thing. You can wear different styles and have a lot of fun when you go out. Or if you are lucky enough to have a style that's perfect and says everything about you, that's good too! Now you can get dresses in that style and look fantastic and feel comfortable. Being comfortable is the key to having a good time, and a social dress will definitely help you feel comfortable.

Nur-Khalisah Tanner
http://socialdresses.muxgo.com

A Few Suggestions on How to Dress For a Wedding Reception

The wedding day is a very special day and a little bit stressful too, not only to a wedding couple but also guests who were invited both to the church and to the wedding reception. The most popular dilemma is what to wear. The dress shouldn't be too casual and too attractive. So what to wear to the wedding reception?

Guests should look tasteful, with style not to offend the couple with their dress. That is why they shouldn't be dressed too casual, unclean or too provocative. It's obvious that guests want to look nice - many people will be there with them in the same room! But it is also quite obvious that all of the guests shouldn't look too good. Why? Because we can't outshine the couple. That is why dressing on the wedding might be such a difficult matter.

There are some signs of what to wear on the first thing that connects you with the wedding ceremony and the reception: the invitation. You can read a lot from this small piece of paper - literally speaking or not. There might be a note "black tie" which means that is a quite formal wedding. You might also find there a different type of dressing code which will help you dress appropriately, like for example casual or sport.

More things that you can look at is the type of invitation and the place where the ceremony will proceed. If the invitation has very original fonts with sophisticated ornaments as calligraphy, thick cardstock you will know what it means. And the place. Look carefully at the invitation where the ceremony will suppose to happen. Maybe it is a swimming pool (that kind of place were very popular last years) or a Hilton Hotel. In first case take a swimming suit with you and in the second white tuxedo won't be an extravagance.

The easiest time to get a dress, specially for women, on friends or family wedding is summer time when almost every dress will be accurate. Dresses in all kinds examines well. Of course not too short - most preferable are the ones down to the knees, and if it's a very formal wedding, proceed at the even longer one, like evening wear. But dresses in stripes, colourful with big flower ornaments or really small ones will look great, bring even more sun into the happy day.

There is also something that will rescue not decided guests and match all types of weddings - little black dress for her and a dark suit for him - if he don't have his own, best will be formal hire, which will help avoid to many costs for the wedding that isn't even ours.

Wanna hire a tuxedo or find a suitable evening wear?

What Colour Prom Dress to Choose For Prom 2010?

The style choices for the 2010 prom year are by now quite clear. There's the classic Princess Gown; strapless, nipped in at the waist and A-line to the floor. The Slinky; really suits a hour glass figure hugging the body at the waist, gathering in around the knees and fanning out in a fish tail to the floor and the current favourite - the Short and Flirty; a take on the princess gown, but as the name suggests, way above the knee line!

So once you've selected your style - what about the colour? The obvious thing to say is that it all depends on your own hair and eye colour and Prom Night is not the time to abandon the fashion principles you've worked to all these years! If green was never your colour - it isn't going to be now!! However, as with high street fashion, there are key trends you can work with

The catwalk colours last autumn divided into two camps. Firstly, a range of pastel colours which are particularly suited the Princess Gown style. Top marks here go to Fuchsia and Yellow which really made an impact. The pastel pallet allows the designers to go to town on the detailing with diamante and beading clearly evident on the corset part of the dress. Lacing at the back was also a favourite device

The second colour trend went in completely the opposite direction with dark, bold colours on offer. Midnight Blue and Purple where both crowd pleasers and manufacturers reported that they had sold more black prom dresses than ever before. Unusual, as young prom goers tend to option the lighter colours that suit a young complexion...

This darker colour trend may follow in the wake of the more sophisticated and overtly sexy styles that have seen around for the past couple of years as finally the prom dress moves out of its heritage 'bridesmaid' zone and joins the ranks of the 'red carpet' for 2010

For the more adventurous prom goer there are choices outside of the classic block colours. A number of designers have introduced pattern and floral fabrics as bold alternatives. Typically the style of gown used to show these designs to best advantage is the floor length halter neck. There are some great black and white animal prints and bold geometrics. The florals use large images of flowers often set against stark white backgrounds. The advantage to these styles is that they are not classic prom and can easily be worn for other occasions be that a family summer wedding or dinner out with the man you met at your prom!

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For prom dress tips, he recommends OurProm.net, a weekly newsletter on all prom topics.

How to Dress For a Traditional Summer Wedding

A summer wedding is both enchanting and beautiful especially if it is held outdoors. But as a bride, the hot and humid weather can make you feel very uncomfortable. So, you would not want to select a dress that could make you feel uncomfortable or could end making your wedding day in utter misery. There are many stylish and comfortable wedding dresses options for you to select from.

The typical designs offered in summer wedding dresses include strapless, halter styles, short sleeves, and spaghetti straps. However, you have to make sure is that the weight of the dress does not overheat you. So, this is where selection of the tight fabric becomes important. The fabric, design, length, and decorative details add to the weight of the wedding dress. The weight of the dress, plus the heat may make you feel uncomfortable when you least want it.

Don't get forced into wearing a short dress, because that is something you don't want to wear on your wedding day. You can select a full length gown and have it tailored to knee length. In stores, there are many options for lightweight full length wedding dresses. Wedding gown designers know very well that a bride does not want to curse the dress she is wearing on her wedding.

Try and avoid fabrics such as silk and satin for wedding dresses. They will tend to cling to your body, and thus may make you feel uncomfortable. You can choose a synthetic fabric that looks like silk but is lightweight and will not cling to your body. A ball gown style dress is also a possibility. A lot will depend on the fabric that you select.

If there are any hoops or under skirting to be worn with the wedding gown, remember they will add weight. In choosing an under skirting, choose a fabric that is lightweight and allows the body to breathe. Any beading or ornate detail should also be carefully explored. The lesser the better, it can look beautiful without being heavy.

Remember, trying a wedding dress in an air conditioned saloon and wearing it outdoors are two different experiences. So, be careful, and ask the sales staff as they should be able to offer you very sound advice. Choose cool fabrics as they also make you look beautiful apart from just making you feel comfortable. You will hate to see yourself sweating profusely on your wedding day. If you can get advice from a friend or relative who has been married in summers, then take their advice.

If it's a typical summer wedding taking place indoors, then you can select silk or satin wedding gowns. After all, it's not every other day that you get to wear a wedding dress. You could also choose a blouse, or a skirt with a short jacket.

The typical wedding dress has to be in full length, flowing with silk or satin, and in white colour with a veil. The dress can be decorated with ornate or any other decorative pieces. A lot depends on where the wedding will take place, the wedding reception, any photo sessions, and also on the time of the wedding. If it's a late morning outdoor wedding that will extend to the afternoon, your wedding dress should be light in weight and of cool and non clinging fabric. Also, avoid a wedding dress that needs under skirting or hoops.

Visit this site for extensive range of Tapestry Jackets of best quality at affordable rates

Button Down Dress Shirts and Other Basics for Men

In this economy, just about everyone is on a budget, but regardless of your spending limits, there are certain fashion items that every man should own. With a few basic outfits, you can be ready for a day at the office, a night out on the town, or a casual get-together with friends. Items like button down dress shirts and a good pair of jeans can go a long way with fashion. From these basic items you can build other outfits and accessorize to create a new look.

The first thing every man needs is a suit, preferably in navy, gray, or black. You never know when you'll get invited to a fancy party or perhaps you'll need it for an interview. If you're lucky enough to work somewhere that allows you to dress business casual, you can get away with owning as few suits as possible. Navy and gray suits never go out of style and they look fantastic on every guy, no matter your skin color. Best of all, you can wear the blazer with a pair of khakis or jeans when you don't need to look so dressed up.

White button down dress shirts need to be in every man's closet. White is another classic color that will look good on anyone. I can't imagine a man who doesn't look sharp in a white dress shirt. Don't worry if you can't afford designer dress shirts. As long as it's a nice button down dress shirt, it will do. A button down dress shirt can look good in both casual and formal settings, during the day or at night, with a pair of jeans, or worn with a pair of dress slacks. Throw a sweater over it during the winter and you've got a great new layered look.

One mishap many men make is not matching their belt with their shoes. A brown belt and black shoes is a big no-no. Therefore, always have a pair of black shoes and a black belt to go with it. Just like white, black goes with everything (except brown of course!). You'll get a lot more use out of the black belt than a brown one. Next comes a solid tie. You can own as many styles and patterns of ties as you wish, but have a few solid ones thrown into the mix. A solid tie can go with any outfit (color permitting) and you don't have to worry about mismatching patterns with your jacket and pants.

Naturally, a pair of khakis and jeans are a must-have. Both are fashion staples for casual attire. However, when speaking of jeans, I mean a nice clean cut style. Feel free to own as many pairs of baggy or acid wash jeans as you wish, but one pair should be dark blue and standard length. Another casual item to own is a shirt such as a polo or a simple button down that can easily be layered.

Even if you're not concerned with following fashion trends or being the best dressed, these basic items are ones that every man can wear. As long as they adorn your closet, you'll always be prepared for any occasion and you'll look great too.

FashionShirtUS.com offers designer dress shirts for men, including 100% cotton mens button down shirts and an impressive collection of luxurious silk ties.

What Color Dress Shoes All Men Should Have

What confidence when a man steps into the room dressed confidently right down to his shoes! Color coordinating your suit or men's outfit, with dress shoes does not have to be a mind-boggling process. Not when you have options of basic shoe colors to choose from.

Every man's wardrobe should include these basic dress shoe colors along with a selection outside the basic color dress shoe for those "special occasions". Let's start with the basics of a shoe color wardrobe, as this is the foundation, giving you freedom, choice and class in wearing a good looking shoe every time, with every clothing choice selection.

The most common, basic and classic men's shoe color is black or cordovan a soft fine grained colored leather. That looks good with most suits. The next basic men's dress shoe color is brown. A warmer toned shoe that looks good with tan or brown slacks, even khakis.

Another basic color men's dress shoe is chestnut, a richer shade of brown that resembles a deep wood grain tone. This very classy men's dress shoe looks great with tweed, silk or woven fabrics, in all earth tone colors. White is another classic, though less common, basic men's dress shoe color.

Men's quality, white, Italian leather dress shoes can really set off a nice suit! It's like a statement shoe. It can pull an all white suit with any color of dress shirt together seamlessly for you. It's also a great looking "accent" shoe, too. A black and white coordinated suit looks great. The above outlined shoes are your basics, they are foundational, as well as highly functional, when it comes to what color dress shoes all men should have.

Now let's look at a few of the more "uncommon" color men's dress shoes. These shoes are for those special occasions or when you want to step outside the lines just a bit. Burgundy is an excellent shoe color choice. Burgundy can coordinate with black, brown and even tan as long as you have a burgundy-toned belt, shirt or tie.

Oxblood is another men's dress shoe color choice. It is a more moderate shade of reddish brown that looks good with earth tone suits as well as black suits. Taupe is a brownish gray and does go well with earth-toned suits, giving you yet another uncommon dress shoe color choice.

Now if you really want to knock some socks off, consider purchasing a pair of Italian leather dress shoes in black and white! They look great with a black and white coordinated suit. There are other men's dress shoe color options. These are usually special order items and worth the price for a good pair of quality designed Italian leather dress shoes. All men should have a choice of color and quality in the shoes they wear. Color gives men more options, quality means they will last!

Gregg Hall is a consultant for online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida. Get your brand name shoes at http://www.brandnameshoesplus.com