The Casual Dresser
Today, clothing is accessible, but things weren’t always this way. This consequence of modernity is a benefit to consumers and casual dressers everywhere. Increased accessibility has blurred the line between casual and formal wear. The casual dresser has an endless supply of combinations readily available to him, mixing and matching pieces from all points on the scale of formality. The result is a comfortable look, one that reflects propriety and respect, yet the freedom of personality, all within the realm of modern casual wear.
Shirt: American Eagle
Tie: JoS. A. Bank
Sweater: Abercrombie & Fitch
Gray Corduroys: American Eagle
Boat Shoes: Sperry Top-Siders
Shirts and Sweaters
There are only a few general guidelines for matching a shirt and a sweater, assuming you are working with simple patterned shirts and solid colored sweaters. (Also, though I think it goes without saying, as many a girlfriend has commented, never match patterns with patterns.) On the safe side, blues and whites are great for shirts, and any darker color for the sweater, such as navy, gray, black or maroon. To be a bit more daring, expand the sweaters to other colors and wear bolder patterns on the shirts.
There’s a fine line in terms of contrast between the shirt and the sweater, or for all pieces, in fact. Too little contrast is plain, while too much is visually confusing and displeasing. I’d always err on the side of caution, though a trustworthy second opinion is handy.
Matching a Tie
The necktie today serves solely as a decorative piece, though one may argue that a tie also serves to neaten up the neck area of a shirt. Wearing a necktie should never be uncomfortable. As a general rule, if turning your head from side to side shifts the knot, then the tie should be loosened to the point where a finger can be easily placed between the collar and the neck. In terms of size and width, the tie should reflect the size of the person, not contrast it. Full width ties, for example, are not for me.
As for matching the tie itself, if the sweater or shirt features any sort of logo, a general rule is to match the color of the tie to that logo. Otherwise, another easy complement is a tie of a darker or lighter shade of the color of the shirt or sweater, respectively. A solid black tie is also an easy match, but also carries a distinct weight of sobriety. A lightly patterned black tie, then, is the safest option and, in my opinion, is a tie to always have handy.
Patterned ties are a different kind of beast. The pattern should contrast with the shirt, never complement it. Stripes on stripes, even if perpendicular or light, are an odd look, though light diagonal stripes provide a more pleasing contrast. Geometric patterns on stripes also do the trick, as displayed on Singh. To be safe, solid ties on patterned shirts and patterned ties on solid shirts. To be very, very safe, solid ties on solid shirts. As is the case for all pieces, though it may seem obvious, uncertainty is best remedied by a more certain alternative that does just as well, if not better.
