Today, so many boys and young men are growing up with absent fathers or fathers who were never taught the finer points of dressing up.  When they are children, it is easy to deck our little man out in the latest labels and happening styles.  It is much more of a challenge when are our boys become men and attend their first formal affair such as the prom, a cotillion or prepare for that first most important interview and then, of course as they operate in the business world.

There are many schools of thought about modern dressing in the workplace as less formal in nature than 20 years ago.  It is a fact that we have gone through a cycle of leaning toward khaki slacks and polo shirts in the workplace and may well still be happening in smaller cities and towns.  However, in the big city, a classic, well fitted suit, shirt, tie and shoes speak volumes about the wearer’s position in life today, aspirations for tomorrow and seriousness of intent when seeking a job in the highly charged and competitive male world.  In fact, it is oft said that one should dress not for the job one has but for the job ones aspires to have.

So, whether you find these rules useful in helping your husband plan his next step up on the corporate ladder, or to help your son to look his best on the next special occasion, (or you are just trying to punch up your own look), – here are 10 simple (and classic) rules for men's dress to help you along the way. 

1.  The most expensive suit in the world means nothing when the shoes are old, scuffed and too worn.  Own and wear a nice pair of black, all leather shoes.  Brown shoes are suitable for warm weather, or out in the country but have no place in any formal event (weddings, prom, etc.).  In fact crown shoes have no place in events ocurring after 6.p.m.  While on the subject of shoe color, unlike women’s proclivity for matching shoes to outfits, men should not wear colored shoes other than black and brown.  An important rule of thumb regarding shoes is to avoid gray shoes altogether, only wear sandals to the beach and tennis shoes for…well, for tennis.

2.  The more formal the occasion, the darker your socks should be. Socks should always be a bit darker than the pants, slack or trousers. , please remember white socks are strictly for sports.

3.  Socks should be worn to the knee or just below to avoid exposed calves. Showing hairy legs when sitting is funny at best, looks sloppy and unfinished and is definitely not sexy.

4.  Wear a belt or suspenders (braces), not both.  Whatever your body type, no one needs both.  Worn together, they simply look funny - bordering on clownish.

5.  A matched set consisting of a nice silk tie and handkerchief, while a lovely gift, is all too pat and boring when worn together.  Avoid wearing the matching pieces together,  Rather, choose an elegant contrasting pocket silk to your tie instead (for instance, a solid color hankie using one of the colors in the tie).  You may do the opporsite with the hankie and a plain tie.

6.  Long sleeved shirts are more formal than short sleeves.  Wearing a tie is more formal than an open collar without a tie.  So, do not wear a short sleeved shirt with a tie.  To look intentional and pulled together well, the look should be either formal or informal, not a mix.

7.  Jacket sleeve length is an area where it is easy to look sloppy or elegant.  Avoid jacket sleeves that are too long or short.  Ideally, when standing erect with arms at your sides, jacket sleeves should end at least half an inch above the edge of the shirt cuff (or, half an inch of the shirt cuff should show beyond the jacket sleeve).

8.  If it is getting late and your tie is driving you crazy...unbutton your collar and remove the tie.  Do not simply unbutton the shirt and loosened the tie while continuing to wear it.  The look is sloppy and looks incomplete.  Take the tie off and unbutton the collar (creating a complete and intentional shift to from formality to informality).

9.  Avoid wearing tie clips or pins on your tie in formal dress circumstances.  Some modern day “Beau Brummels” do not believe in tie embellishment at all, preferring the elegance of simplicity.  However, love them or hate them – no tie jewelry should ever be worn with formal wear.

10.  Wear an undershirt under your shirt.  If it is warm and you prefer not to have the extra layer under your shirt, be sure to keep your jacket on.