You want your pocket square to complement whatever you’re wearing.

If you’re a man who wears a suit on a daily basis, you know that after the tie, the pocket square is the single most indispensable tool for defining a man’s style; it provides that extra punch an outfit needs. It is also useful if you spill something and need to clean it up, not to mention it’s also a great way to flirt with a lady if she needs a handkerchief!

The guide to wearing pocket squares isn’t too different from the guiding principle on how to dress well: you don’t want to look like you didn’t put any effort into it, but you also don’t want to overthink it. This means not picking a random, or even matching pocket squares too close to the pattern in your tie and shirt. Instead, you want your pocket square to complement whatever you’re wearing. Here are three things to keep in mind when styling with pocket squares.

1. How Many To Carry – The old rule of pocket squares says that a gentleman must carry two; one for the jacket’s breast pocket for looks, and another for the man’s back pocket to use. Now days, many men just carry one for looks because they don’t use it as originally intended: to wipe your hands, face or to blow your nose.

2. Color, Pattern & Coordinating – A pocket square can be a pattern or solid color, and as men are becoming more fashionable, pocket squares are becoming bolder and more colorful. The general rule is that a pocket square should complement some color on the tie. For example, if a tie has a pattern with the color red in it, you should consider a solid red pocket square. However, fashion experts agree you shouldn’t match the colors exactly because it makes you look like you’re trying too hard. Instead, choose a color in the same hue or in a pattern with that color in it. If you’re not sure what to choose, stick with a white pocket square; it can be worn with any color tie, making a white handkerchief an essential part of every man’s collection.

3. The Fold – If you do go with a white pocket square and want to give it that extra oomph, consider how to fold it. Just like tying a tie, there are many methods to fold and present a pocket square. Folding it in different ways can give you a unique style that will set you apart from the crowd.

Whatever style of pocket square you choose to wear, just remember attention to the little details can make you go from an ordinary man in a suit to an extraordinary one.

How do you wear your pocket squares? We want to hear from you!

CLEVERFIT is the world’s first precision fit adjustable collar stay. It’s unique patent pending design provides an innovative solution to end decades of frustration. Click here to contact us and check out our video to more about CLEVERFIT.

Photo Credit: Jason Lander

Ask anyone and they will tell you that the single most important accessory for any stylish man is the watch; it’s an investment and an essential piece of a man’s wardrobe. Wearing a nice watch can convey the message of a smart, confident, successful, well put together man. However, how do you pick the right watch for you? Here are a few tips for choosing the perfect watch for your style.

Wearing a nice watch can convey the message of a smart, confident, successful, well put together man.

1. When deciding what kind of timepiece will work for you, take a look at your lifestyle. It is a good idea to have different watches for work and play. When buying a dressier watch, stick to something classic or something that will last a longer period of time than a trendy watch.

2. You should also consider what kind of wrist you have when choosing a watch. In general, men have three types of wrists: hairy, large or thin. This is important to consider when picking out a watch that will suit you.

3. If you have hairy wrists you should avoid timepieces that have a metallic bracelet with links. These can catch and pull your arm hair. Instead, opt for a watch with a leather band such as the Hermés Cape Cod or Anstead Oceanis.

4. If you have large forearms, consider getting a watch with a larger face. Look for something with a diameter of at least 50mm. A timepiece with small or medium faces on large forearms will look out of place and could appear silly. Your watch should stand out and enhance your look. Esquire Magazine recommends trying the U-Boat U-42 Chrono for your hefty wrist.

5. The last type is a man who has thin or small wrists. Just like men with large forearms, men with a thin or small wrist will look funny wearing a giant faced watch. If you fall into this category, consider going with a timepiece that has a narrower watch face, like the 38.5mm Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Calissique’s.

6. Once you’ve decided on the size of watch for your wrist, it’s time to consider if you want an analog or digital timepiece. While digital watches are easy to read, many feel analog watches are classier and give you a more formal look.

7. Finally, and some may say this is the most important part of choosing a watch, choose what kind of mechanics you want in a timepiece. Do you want a battery operated watch, a quarts watch or a mechanical watch?

Digital watches are powered by an ultra-small watch battery and will need changing every few months while quartz watches are analog devices that run on a tiny, vibrating, electrified quartz crystal. These watches keep extremely accurate time (within a minute each year). Mechanical watches (which are some of the most popular watches) are powered by a complex array of gears and springs. These watches can command a hefty price as a result of their superior craftsmanship. The downside to these timepieces is they lose about an hour a year and must be wound regularly.

In the end, it’s really about your preference, but these are all important things to consider when adding a new watch to your collection.

Have you bought a new watch recently? How did you pick it? We would love to see a photo! Share in the comments below.

CLEVERFIT is the world’s first precision fit adjustable collar stay. It’s unique patent pending design provides an innovative solution to end decades of frustration. Click here to contact us and check out our video to more about CLEVERFIT.

Photo Credit: danxoneil

Fashion and style have always been associated with women, but now it’s becoming more common for the average man to be fashion conscious, too. Men are changing their attitude toward their clothing choices and it shows; many men are now swapping out their basketball shorts and t-shirts for khakis and bow ties. There will always be a time and place for casual attire, however, it’s no longer appropriate for every circumstance. It’s important for men to look great for every occasion and the best way of doing that is to develop their own style. Here are a few tips to help him create a fashionable style.

If you want a flashy look think simple but stylish.

1. Listen To The Experts – If you’re having trouble figuring out your style, a good place to start is to take advice from the experts. Too many men rely on their mothers, girlfriends or wives to tell them what looks good, leaving them with no sense of style on their own. Instead, men end up adopting the style their significant other or family member wants them to have. In order to really develop your own look, listen to the experts. Pick up a copy of a men’s fashion magazine like GQ or check out a blog such as MaleStandard.com for ideas and tips. After reading a few articles and checking out the photos you’ll be able to see which looks you may want to try out.

2. Keep It Simple – You want a wardrobe that looks great on you but isn’t over done. Don’t dress like a rock star just because that’s what’s trending at the moment. If you want the flashy look, think simpler but stylish. Try sporting a black striped dress shirt with a white blazer, dark jeans, a unique belt and a pair of stylish shoes. Also, don’t overdo it with jewelry or accessories. Remember less is more; try a flashy watch but nothing else.

3. Simple Doesn’t Mean Boring – There’s a reason black and white paired together is classic; they are simple colors but they make a perfect contrast to each other. Try combining the two with a few textures to liven it up. Consider pairing a white shirt, black tie, tweed hunting jacket and jeans together for a casual look.

4. Mix It Up – One of the things that make iconic fashion designer Ralph Lauren’s style classic yet modern is his ability to mix and match patterns and textures. Don’t be afraid to play with your style. Try pairing a check vest with a stripped dress shirt and even add an animal tie. Just be sure you’re using colors that mesh well together.

5. Don’t Shop Alone – We all know women love to shop in groups; it gives them time to bond and help each other pick out the “right” outfit. Men, however, tend to shop alone. Shopping by yourself could put you at a disadvantage because, while it may seem easier, shopping alone as a man makes you a prime target for a sales people. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if they really feel an outfit suits you or if they’re just saying that to get you to buy the piece so they can make a good commission.

Finally, the best way to find your own fashion style is to experiment with clothes. You need to think outside of your comfort zone and try different types of outfits on to see what might look good on you. So many men are afraid to express themselves through fashion and it holds them back. The truth is once you start trying on different options, you’ll see it’s not only fun, but it could attract that special girl you’ve had your eye on!

CLEVERFIT is the world’s first precision fit adjustable collar stay. It’s unique patent pending design provides an innovative solution to end decades of frustration. Click here to contact us and check out our video to more about CLEVERFIT.

Photo Credit: The Smart Stylist