Matching Your Tie to Your Dress Shirt
When choosing a tie to wear with your dress shirt, it is easy to fall into the trap of matching the tie exactly with the shirt. For example, a black tie with a black dress shirt. But rather than looking for an exact match, pick a color that is complementary to the shirt. To achieve the perfect pop of color, set a warm color against a cool color. In a patterned tie or shirt, choose one color to use as the visual contrast. The key is to not appear matchy matchy.
Wearing the Wrong Belt Color
The rule of thumb for choosing a belt to wear is to match the color of the belt with the color of your dress shoes. If you are forgoing dress shoes for a more casual look, pick a belt that has a more casual look (i.e. thicker versus a thin dress belt). It is important to also consider the finishes of the belt and shoe.
Wearing a Tie with a Short Sleeve Shirt
Unless you are trying to channel Dwight Schrute’s Office style, wearing a tie with a short sleeve shirt is difficult to pull off. Although it would be hard to notice this style mistake when wearing a blazer or sport jacket, wearing this look alone can give off major dorky dad vibes. In the age of hipster cool, if you really insist on giving this look a try, keep the fit of the shirt slim and the tie thin as well.
Square Toe Shoes
There is something about shoes with a blunt square toe that screams the 90s and it is an awkward and clunky style that should have been left there. Opt for a shoe that has a more streamlined look with a more pointed toe that will add to your style profile.
Not Tucking in Dress Shirts
Men’s dress shirts are made with a longer hem for the functional purpose of being tucked in. Tucking in the shirt will allow for a more put together look that is appropriate in the workplace and other formal settings, especially if the shirt is long enough to cover your butt. If you cannot stand the idea of tucking in your shirt in all occasions, the length of your dress shirt should come up about the midpoint of your butt.
Too Many Buttons
When it comes to buttons, you don’t want to unbutton too many buttons (unless you are going for the sleazy guy in the club look) when it comes to your shirt but there are also rules to buttoning up your suit jacket. If there are two buttons, only do the top. And if there are three buttons, you have a few options: top button only, middle only or both the top and middle as long as the bottom button is not done.
But in all fairness, fashion and style are all about pushing the boundaries on what is considered acceptable and what you like individually and being able to express yourself. So take these so-called rules with a grain of salt.