Often times when people hear the word “suit” they associate it with words like “fancy”, “all dressed up”, and/or “business”.  There are so many different ways to wear certain suits.  Today I’m featuring two out of the three pieces of my my go-to light navy Super 120s Alton Lane suit, the ultimate versatility suit.

Sometimes I like to “casualize” a suit, if you will.  What I mean by that is pairing it with the right pieces in order to dress it down.

SHIRT: A navy gingham shirt is typically known as a more relaxed fabric, something you’d wear on Cape Cod or any given weekend around town.  I paired my custom Thomas Mason x Alton Lane navy gingham shirt with a full spread collar to dress it up a bit.

TIE:  The silk knit tie with the square bottom is the epitome of a casual tie.  It’s not something you’d wear to a board meeting but it definitely provides a casual elegance of sorts.

VEST:  As the weather warms up, I like to wear a vest and leave the jacket at home.  A vest provides the suited up feel without the warmth of a jacket.  Fits nicely under a trench coat as well.

WRISTWEAR:  A leather watch band, as opposed to metal, can be so easily dressed up or down. It really softens up any look.  I dressed the watch down today by pairing it with a homemade wooden beaded bracelet and a leather twisted double wrap bracelet.  I like to match leathers, in this case tan with tan.  If you can afford that Rolex then go for it, if not, the Bulova I’m wearing will also give you the time and date.

FOOTWEAR:  Dark burnished tan (again, I like to match leathers) double monk straps, aka “dub monks” are hands down the best shoes to dress up or down.  You can wear these with jeans on a Saturday night at Trade or with a 3-piece suit to close a deal at that Monday morning meeting.   Hint:  you’re better off wearing visible socks to that meeting and not the ones I’m wearing today.  ; )

Stay Dressed,

Chris

The 3-piece suit does not get the play it deserves.  It’s hands down one of the most versatile pieces a man can own.  Here’s why:

The 3 piece suit allows for 7 different looks:

1) All 3 – pants, vest, and jacket.  Ideal for a cold, Winter day.

2) 2 – pants and vest only.  Perfect when you’re getting down to business and still want to feel suited up (shirt and tie – cufflinks optional) or when it’s 80 degrees out and you want to leave the jacket behind.

3) 2 – vest and jacket.  Wear it with a pair of dark denim and a crisp white open collared shirt on a Saturday night.

4) 2 – pants and jacket.  Instant classic.

5) 1 – vest only.  Dark denim, pink shirt, with or without a tie.

6) 1 – jacket only.  If it’s a navy suit, wear it with a patterned dress shirt and a pair of grey wool trousers.

7) 1 – Pants only.  Wear it “business casually” with a shirt and separate blazer.  Tie optional.

So whether it’s at Alton Lane Boston or anywhere else (I don’t recommend Joey A. Banks, even if they’re offering 19 free vests for the price of one and a free cell phone) for that matter, consider adding a 3 piece suit to your arsenal.  Make sure the vest fits snug – the way it’s supposed to.  You’ll thank me later on the compliments you receive.

Best,

Chris

Baby It’s Cold Outside.  Time to grow up and stop sending mixed signals this Winter by wearing your Patagonia or North Face ski jacket over your suit.  Are you going to the office or to the mountains?

The answer: the Topcoat.  A custom made Topcoat compliments a suit so nicely and can also be worn with jeans and a sweater on the weekend – when headed to your favorite dining establishment.

By booking an appointment to come see us at Alton Lane, you’ll have the unique ability to choose the color, fabric, fit, pockets (e.g. a chest pocket to hold your gloves, eyewear, or pocket square), lining, piping, buttons, button placket, venting, monogram and more.   Made of cashmere/angora blend, you (and her) will love how soft it is.  Trust me.  

I can’t think of a better time of year to press refresh on yourself, than early January.

For me that means kicking off New Years Day with some Homme Improvement and of course, some new underwear.

As far as the home, there’s not a better feeling than cleaning out the basement, some new paint on the walls, and hauling the Christmas tree to the curb.

As far as fitness, I’m no “January Joiner” and  I’m thankful to remain healthy enough to continue my progress and sign up for another triathlon this Summer.

When it comes to fashion, what better time of year to kick off a new look – whether 

it’s an entire “Closet Rehab” or just a new shirt, blazer, or suit at Alton Lane‘s 91 Newbury Street, Boston location.  So don’t be afraid to try something new this year, you’ll be amazed at how awesome you will feel, both on the inside and the outside.

Stay warm, stay refreshed, stay Dressed.

Cheers,

Chris

Here’s how to cleanly lace up your dress shoes -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnRpDHAZDXI

It’s the finer details that separate the men from the boys.  It’s the attention to detail that gets you noticed - in all the right ways and by all the right people.

There are very few accessories that men can sport.  A watch, wedding band, tie bar, collar stays, cuff links…  One of the often most overlooked accessories for men is the Pocket Square.  Whether you’re wearing a suit (with or without a tie) or a blazer (with or without a collared shirt), a Pocket Square can make all the difference.  Unlike the aforementioned accessories, our 40 large Pocket Square Collection is available to you for only $20.00

A Pocket Square, by our terms, is a 10″ x 10″ handkerchief that is placed in the left chest pocket of your suit.  It adds some much needed color to your khaki, grey, black, navy, pinstripe, seersucker, or pink suit.  It provides the perfect amount of fashion forwardness without being overbearingly loud.  Chic and modern yet classic and timeless.

There’s some confusion around how to fold a Pocket Square.  I’m here to help.  You can neatly fold it in 90 degree angles and iron it flat so that it peaks out of your pocket like this.  Alternatively and more effortlessly, you can pinch the Pocket Square and pull it down into the base of your pocket and it will blossom out like this.  Do yourself a favor and stay away from the pre-folded pocket squares…those are equivalent to wearing a clip on tie.

A majority of our Pocket Square offering is made from cotton.  Unlike polyester, cotton holds its shape and won’t “go to sleep” in your left chest pocket.

We offer a large array of fabrics, colors, patterns, and solid Pocket Squares.   Being from New England, my favorite is Blue Anchor and looks sensational when paired with a navy blue blazer or a seersucker suit.  I also like the a Pink Cougar when paired with a grey suit.  Don’t be afraid to put the FUN in FUNeral and rock our French Quarter Pocket Square the next time you don your black suit.

We’re helping you stand out from the crowd and rise above the rest this Spring.  Chances are the left chest pocket of your suit jacket or blazer is empty handed.  Keep it company with a Pocket Square.  Our Pocket Squares are one size fits all (10″ x 10″), so regardless of your height or weight, we have one that’s right for you. 

I started this company to show men that getting Dressed can be fun and that colors can be your friend.  Be original this Spring and Summer.

Stay Dressed.

All the best,

Chris – chris@dressedbycc.com – please feel free to ask me any questions.  I reply…very quickly.

The night before Thanksgiving…a high school football game…carving of the turkey….Black Friday…putting up the Christmas decor…class reunion…Cyber Monday…holiday parties…work parties…yankee swaps…a trip to Chicago to see the Patriots play the Bears…a pajama party…a Monday night shopping outing with the father and the godfather…post work beers (just because it’s the holiday season)…Christmas Eve with the in-laws…Christmas…returns/exhanges to the mall…a New Year’s Eve wedding…

The above entails my next 6 weeks and I couldn’t be more excited.

One big question enters my mind….what am I going to wear?

So many happenings, so little time.  I despise the mall.  I love to shop online.  Shopping online is rewarding in and of itself.  I enjoy the anticipation of a package arriving at the door.  Just for reading this blog – enjoy promo code “FFF” for free shipping (no minimum purchase) until 12/31/10 at http://www.dressedbycc.com

This holiday season, I’m going to give my two cents to the Salvation Army and to you. 

1. Tuck your shirt in.  It’s a much cleaner look.  Feeling a little overweight and think that leaving your shirt un-tucked will make you look thinner?  Sorry sir, you’re wrong.  Instead, opt to tuck your shirt in and throw a sweater or a cardigan over it or a proper fitting blazer.  Just make sure the blazer has 1 or 2 buttons (not 3 or 4) and is the proper length and the sleeves are not too long – making it look like you borrowed it from your father.

2. Don’t be afraid of a necktie this holiday season.  The holidays come once a year.  There’s no shame in honoring them with a tie.  Make sure it’s a narrow tie, not a skinny tie, a narrow tie.  By narrow, I mean it should be 2.5 – 3″ wide at the widest point.  Gone are the days of 3.5″ wide ties.  Less is more.   I recently took six of my 3.5″ wide ties to my local seamstress and had her dial them in to 2.75″ wide at the widest point.  Two friends introduced me to http://www.thetiebar.com  and http://www.tiecrafters.com 

3. Red and green are great.  You’re going to see those colors everywhere in December, for years to come too.  Step a little outside of the box and reach for navy and/or gold.  For example, a navy suit with a gold necktie and a white oxford.  Or a navy blazer with gold buttons and a gold pocket square.

4. Wrap it up and tie the look together with a scarf.  It’s my favorite part of living in New England and experiencing all four seasons. Scarves aren’t just for women either.  They make a great gift or keep it for yourself.  Best part…..you can share it with your spouse!

5.  For more casual cool weather affairs, we’re offering The Menley.  It’s a great layering piece…under a sweater, under a blazer, or by itself.  It gives warmth without the bulk, again, less is more.

Have a safe and sound holiday season.  A wise man once told me, the man makes the clothes, the clothes don’t make the man.  Go for the gold and stay Dressed.

All the best,

Chris

Chris@dressedbycc.com

http://www.dressedbycc.com