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Wedding Outfits for Men

5/2/2022

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Wedding dresses for men
  1. Credit: https://www.manhattanbride.com/

​No other culture is so invested in weddings as the Indian culture is.
As they say, in India, it is not just the girl and the boy who marry, but their entire families do so.

With so many cultures and traditions, wholesale inspirations coming from Bollywood movies, and people opening to the idea of marrying into societies and communities different than theirs, Indian weddings have become more elaborate, more inclusive, and much more fun than in the past.
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​The wedding itinerary has many sub-events that precede or succeed the main event. Though there is a laundry list of such ceremonies varying from one culture to another, a few that prominently figure in most are Engagement, Mehandi, Tilak, Sangeet, and Reception. We see many people have added a few more events like prewedding shoots, cocktail dinners, and pool parties to add a bit of urban, western touch to the whole affair.
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What should men wear for engagement
Groom Dress for Sangeet
Credit: sriradhacaterers.com
Credit: https://i0.wp.com/
Sherwani for the grooms
Tuxedo for the grooms
https://www.linandjirsa.com/
Credit: http://www.vekphoto.com/
​All this hustle-bustle adds a lot of complexity for the groom. 
For starters, most men hate shopping for clothes. But this is one occasion when they cannot afford not to shop. After all, their clothes would become part of their memories through photographs and event videos. In most cases, brides finalize their dresses first. It makes it even more difficult for the groom to look for clothes that match or coordinate with the bride's dresses. So, shopping for clothes becomes an all-important chore for the groom's family. To find the best-coordinated pieces, they go from shop to shop and market to market. Since off-the-shelves stores only sell what they have, the quest for just the right clothes continues until the family is tired. Then they end up buying the best-compromised options. Not a great situation, but that has been happening until now.

watch what a recent groom has to say about his wedding clothes shopping experience...

​We, at TailorWear, take this problem very seriously and offer a very comprehensive solution to our grooms, actually not only grooms but all the men in their respective families and their friends.​
​How it works is as explained below:
  1. We meet the groom (and his family if they stay together). The objective of this meeting is to understand their taste, get the references from the bride's side and of course, take the measurements.

  2. We come up with the design options for the grooms and further brainstorm to finalize all the looks. We then drill down each ensemble to different pieces, .i.e, sangeet- kurta for groom and/or for father, brother, etc., or cocktail- tuxedo for groom, or sherwani for groom and clothes for his best men, so on and so forth. Since we have been in the industry for a long time and have worked for the best designers as job workers, we carry a lot of expertise in designing whatever a groom wants for his big day. We have access to some of the best fabric mills from around the world. We call this - "From Biella to Benaras." It means whether one wants the finest Italian material for a classy suit or a tuxedo (click here to see our fabric range), we have that with us. For Sherwani, we have suppliers from all India, places like Surat to Benaras, Chanderi, Bhagalpur, or Kanjvaram.










    ***If you would like to see what have we made for our clients, please write to us below. We will send you a catalogue.

Submit
  1. We meet for the fittings of all the pieces with different silhouettes.

  2. We meet again either for the final fitting (if needed) or start the deliveries of the clothes as they get ready.

​What does this mean for the groom and his family?

Our grooms outsource the hassles of organizing the coordinated clothes to us.
We design their clothes grounds up basis the exact requirement and taste instead of selling what we already have with us. It is a tremendous value for any groom.
We also help other men in the family, i.e., brothers, fathers, and friends, with their clothes. It brings out the best coordination for everyone and looks great in the pictures.
They don't have to step out of their homes for anything.
Since we meet at their residence, they can try out their TailorWear clothes with shoes/jootis or other accessories that they would have bought for the ceremony.
Commitment to time is a very important principle for us. We have refused business if we were full with orders and felt that we won't be able to deliver on time. It means that when our clients place their orders to us, we do all the calendar follow-up and ensure that the pieces are ready on time. It means that the family can focus on all the other activities and planning that a wedding requires.
If you think there is any better solution or something we should do more, to help our grooms outsource their wedding wardrobe and focus on the festivities, we will be waiting for your suggestions. Our mission is to help our customers put their best foot forward. And, which is the most important day for them to look their best than their own wedding!
CLICK HERE to submit any question related to your dressing for any ocassion. We will be happy to help you with just the right advice, with our compliments.
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Spring/Summer 22 trends for Menswear

15/10/2021

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We covered the important pointers of SS20 Menswear Trends in one of our blogs. We continue with the same idea in 2022 as the world opens up.
Post CoVID world needs healing and return of vitality and optimism. The season colors chosen by the experts are on those lines.
WGSN & Coloro, the two leading organizations in the colour forecasting world have chosen Orchid Pink, which stands for hyper-real energizing qualities, as the leading colour for SS22.
The other vibrant colour, matching the vitality of Orchid Pink, that will be popular is Mango Sorbet Yellow. Yellow has been gaining popularity for last six seasons and will continue to be part of the designers palette in SS22.
Butter (Pastel Yellow), Atlantic Blue & Olive Green being the other three colors will provide a counter balance to Orchid Pink & Mango Sorbet thereby opening the range to more sober and elevated appeal.  
While these colors could be seen in almost all the collections, either on the side or as mainstay, most designers continued using pastels, blacks and camel when it came to their menswear collection.
Brown continues to remain amongst the favorites even in SS22.
​
Key Color Trends in SS22 Menswear
Key Colors for Menswear in SS22, Olive Oil, Mango Sorbet, Yellow, Orchid Pink, Atlantic Blue, Butter
Credit: WGSN, world's leading trend forecasting company

Interpretations of Orchid Pink in SS22 Menswear

Pastel Pink Men Tailored Suits, Orchid Color SS22 Menswear Collection
Credit & Copyright (L to R):Alexander Mcqueen (Photo:Vogue Runway), Dior Men (Photo: Vogue Runway), Jil Sander (Photo: Vogue Runway), Giorgio Armani (Photo: Vogue Runway)

Interpretations of Olive in SS22 Menswear

Men Tailored Suits,  Play of Strong & Pastels in Olive Color SS22 Menswear Collection
Credit & Copyright (L to R):Hermes (Photo:Vogue Runway), Ermenegildo Zegna (Photo: Vogue Runway), Dsquared (Photo: Vogue Runway), Belruti (Photo: Vogue Runway), Brioni (Photo: Vogue Runway)

Interpretations of Mango Sorbet Yellow in SS22 Menswear

Men Tailored Suits in Mango Sorbet play and structured shorts, SS22 Menswear Collection
Credit & Copyright (L to R):Hugo Boss (Photo:Vogue Runway), Hermes (Photo: Vogue Runway), Etro (Photo: Vogue Runway), Sandro (Photo: Vogue Runway), Paul Smith (Photo: Vogue Runway)

Interpretations of Atlantic Blue in SS22 Menswear

Men Tailored Suits in Atlantic Blue, SS22 Menswear Collection
Credit & Copyright (L to R):Alexander Mcqueen (Photo:Vogue Runway), Ermenegildo Zegna (Photo: Vogue Runway), Brioni (Photo: Vogue Runway), Giorgio Armani (Photo: Vogue Runway), Kiton (Photo: Vogue Runway)

​Interpretations of Butter Yellow in SS22 Menswear

Butter & Pastel Yellow Color, SS22 Menswear Collection
Credit & Copyright (L to R):Alexander Jil Sander (Photo:Vogue Runway), Paul Smith (Photo: Vogue Runway), Balmain (Photo: Vogue Runway), Ermenegildo Zegna (Photo: Vogue Runway)

Interpretations of Browns in SS22 Menswear

Brown rules in structured tailored garments in SS22 Menswear Collection
Credit & Copyright (L to R):Alexander Sandro (Photo:Vogue Runway), Brioni (above) & GMBH (below) (Photo: Vogue Runway), Bally (Photo: Vogue Runway), Ermenegildo Zegna (Photo: Vogue Runway), Dior Men (Photo: Vogue Runway)

​Interpretations of Black in SS22 Menswear

Black tailored suits, leather jackets and overcoats continued to be staple in SS22 Menswear Collections
Credit & Copyright (L to R):Hermes (Photo:Vogue Runway), Giorgio Armani (Photo: Vogue Runway), Balmain (Photo: Vogue Runway), Dolce & Gabbana (Photo: Vogue Runway), Jil Sander (Photo: Vogue Runway)
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Get your fresh custom clothes without worrying about Corona CoVID19

26/6/2020

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Custom Tailored Clothes during Corona or CoVID19 times

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Our Existing Clients

Step 1: We send the pictures of the latest arrival. Or you can send the pictures of the garment designs that you find desirable. It doesn’t have to be just the fabric. You can ask for collars, pockets, other style elements like piping or special buttons or some different cuts or patterns.

Step 2: We will use your measurements to make the shirt & ship it to you.

Step 3: Wear your new piece after 24 to 48 hours.

No contact, no venturing out or inviting our team and you have your fresh newly designed, custom garment for you to wear in your hand.


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New Clients

Step 1: Contact us and have a video call discussion with your stylist.
He would advise you on one of the two processes: Taking self-measurement under our guidance and a tutorial OR advising you to send your current garment (which we will pick up) after we do a joint evaluation of its fit & capture the modifications to be made in it, if any.

Step 2: We collect the garment & design a fresh one based on our discussions and evaluation.

Step 3: We ship a fresh one as well as your current one back to you.

Step 4: You receive the garment and wear it after 24 to 48 hours.

No contact, no venturing out or inviting our team and you have your fresh newly designed, custom garment for you to wear in your hand.


We have already started traveling tailor business in select cities. Please ask us. We take extreme precautions in coming to your place to ensure the safety of our clients as well as our team.
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Men Clothing & Fashion Trends of Spring/Summer 2020

31/12/2019

3 Comments

 

Men Clothing & Fashion Trends in Spring Summer 2020

Color Trends in Men's Fashion

Fashion Color Trends
Credit: WGSN, world's leading trend forecasting company

​The above color trends chart shows how a few colors who have been ruling the menswear fashion design landscape are changing their avatars over the seasons & years. It also introduces a brand new color "Neo Mint" which enters the scene exactly like how "Millennial Pink" did a few years ago. Almost all the leading menswear designers and brands had these colors predominantly in their SS/20 collections. Naturally this will set the trend for the rest of the clothing industry.   

Spring Summer 20 Dior Men Suit in Neo Mint Color
Spring Summer 20 Dior Men Suit in Neo Mint Color
Spring Summer 20 Louis Vuitton Men Suit in Neo Mint Color
Spring Summer 20 Menswear Louis Vuitton in Neo Mint Color
Spring Summer 20 Menswear Louis Vuitton in Neo Mint Color
Spring Summer 20 Menswear Paul Smith in Neo Mint Color
Spring Summer 20 Menswear SS World Corp Tailored Suit in Neo Mint Color
Credit & Copyright (L to R):Dior (Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com), Dior (Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com), Louis Vuitton (Photo: Filippo Fio/ Gorunway.com), Louis Vuitton (Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com), Louis Vuitton (Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com), Paul Smith (Photo: Filippo Fio/ Gorunway.com)& SS World Corp (Photo: Alessandro Viero/Gorunway.com)

When it comes to the real world of corporate, street-wear etc, it is not always feasibly to show up in a minty overall with a hat. So what do you do? Well, if you are really up to it, you can try out this fresh color on your shirt or a pocket square, maybe in your chinos. The color is refreshing for summers and will keep you with times. It works really well with whites, deep blues & a few other pastel shades. Some examples are given below:

Menswear Spring Summer 20 Neo Mint Color
Credit & Copyright (L to R):Outfit Trends, Lookastic, Pintrest, Lookastic, Pintrest

The other big color trend is the strong presence of Brown & Yellow Family (Cantaloupe, Orange & Saffron Yellow to Khaki). Most of the menswear brands like Canali & Belruti played a lotwith these shades. 
Spring Summer 20 Menswear Belruti Double Breasted Jacket in Brown Color
Spring Summer 20 Menswear Brioni Suit in Brown Color
Spring Summer 20 Menswear Brioni in Brown & Cantaloupe Color
Spring Summer 20 Menswear Canali Jacket in Brown Color
Spring Summer 20 Menswear Corneliani Suit in Brown Color
Credit & Copyright (L to R):Belruti (Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com), Brioni, Brioni, Canali, Corneliani


It is time for men's suits wardrobe to see some browns after a heavy dose of grays & blues in their suits and trousers departments. If worn with whites, blues, pinks and pastels, brown looks very classy. We have a big range of brown family in blends, 100% wool, Linen, Corduroy or Cottons. Do reach out to us. 

Striped Suits & Blazers

Striped patterns in men's suits are making a comeback though it is too early for it to regain their top position. If you already have one and if it fits nicely, do not throw it away. If you do not have one, wait for sometime & let it become mainstream once again to reuse it.

Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Alexander McQueen, Suits in Bold Stripes
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Munn, Bold Stripes
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Burberry, Double Breasted Suit in Bold Stripes
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Celine, Suit in Bold Stripes
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Georgio Armani, Three Piece Double Breasted Suit in Bold Stripes
Credit & Copyright Above (L to R): Alexander McQueen (Photo: Ethan James Green); Munn; Burberry (Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com)
Below (L to R): Celine (
Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com); Georgio Armani ((Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com)   

Double Breasted Suits & Blazers

Another returning trend is the double breasted coat. We have been seeing this style trying to make a comeback for a few seasons. 

Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Paul Smith, Oversized Tailored Double Breasted Suit in Brown & Millennial Pink Combination
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Brioni, Tailored Double Breasted Suit in Browns
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Canali, Tailored Double Breasted Suit in Beige Color
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Celine, Tailored Double Breasted Tuxedo Suit in Black Color
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Celine, Tailored Double Breasted Jacket in Midnight Blue with Metal Buttons
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Paul Smith, Tailored Double Breasted Suit in Ash Grey Color
Credit & Copyright Above (L to R): Paul Smith (Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com); Brioni; Canali 
Below (L to R): Celine (Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com); Celine (Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com); Paul Smith (Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com)

Cross-body Bag or Sling Bag are very big!

If there is one element which is constant in almost all the brands, its the cross-body bag. It is pure androgynous, highly utility driven and safe accessory bag to own.    

Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Belruti, Tailored Double Breasted Suit in Browns with Cross Body Bag
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Dior, Suit in Neo Mint with Cross Body Bag
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Dolce & Gabanna, Tailored Safari Suit Suit with Cross Body Bag
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Ermenegildo Zegna, Suit in Grey & Brown with Cross Body Bag
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Pail Smith, Tailored Suit with Cross Body Bag
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Tailored Suit in Yellow with Cross Body Bag
Credit & Copyright Above (L to R): Belruti (Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com); Dior (Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com); Dolce & Gabbana (Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com) 
Below (L to R): Ermenegildo Zegna (Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com); Paul Smith (Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com); Belruti (Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com)

Printed Shirts

Printed Shirts continue to remain in the center-stage. They only are becoming bigger. Tie & Dye patterns, Floral & Geometric, almost all kind of patterns are being seen on almost all the ramps in SS20. 

Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Valentino, Printed Shirt with Cross Body Bag
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Belruti, Marble Print Shirt with Neo Mint Trousers
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Dior, Marble Print Shirt
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Alexander McQueen, Marble Print Tailored Suit

Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Burberry, Tie & Dye Print Shirt
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Fendi, Printed Shirt
Credit & Copyright Above (L to R): Valentino (Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com); Belruti (Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com); Dior (Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com) 
Below (L to R): Alexander McQueen (Photo: Ethan James Green); Burberry (Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com); Fendi (Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com)

This summer do give a try to short sleeves, bold prints, softest collar, hawai shirts. Of course we can make it for you. If you like some design, anywhere on the net, share a clean picture with us, we can make a tailored shirt in your print for you.

Animal Prints

Animal prints were presented by some designers and they looked cool on the ramp. We too have made shirts in the animal print for our clients. If you find them too bold, a pocket square or a scarf can be still carried. Animal print looks very rich and sophisticated, if carried subtly. 

Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Celine, Animal Print Jacket  & Brown Trousers
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Desquared2, Animal Print
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Dries Van Noten, Animal Print Robe
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Dolce & Gabanna, Animal Print Scarf with Khaki Safari
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Dolce & Gabanna. Animal Print Shirt
Credit & Copyright Above (L to R): Celine (Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com); Desquared2 (Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com); Dries Van Noten (Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com) 
Below (L to R): Dolce & Gabbana (Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com); Dolce & Gabbana (Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com)

Trousers

Many top labels are bringing pleated trousers, high waist pants & loose fitting  lowers. Though the trend is equally strong for sharp fittings. But the point is that no longer flat fronts rule the roost, pleats are challenging their monopoly. 

Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Georgio Armani, Pleated Trousers
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Georgio Armani, Suit with Pleated Trousers
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Les Hommes, Pleated Trousers
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Kiton, Tailored Suit with Pleated Trousers
Spring Summer 20 Menswear, Pal Zileri, Pleated Trousers
Credit & Copyright Above (L to R): Georgio Armani ((Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com); Georgio Armani ((Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com); Les Hommes (Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com) 
Below (L to R): Kiton; Pal Zileri (Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com)

Go ahead, use this information to either plan your wardrobe or at least remain in touch with the fashion world.
If some design or pattern catches your eye, just let us know. We are waiting to hear from you. 
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Dressing for Job Interviews

7/10/2019

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Dressing for job interviews

People choose clothes either for inward reasons like satisfying their creative urge, self-expression or outward reasons like showcasing their lifestyle or generally to impress others. However when it comes to interviews, be it for a job or higher studies selection process, the only purpose of clothes and general grooming is to create a favorable impression in the minds of the interviewers and to help one land the job successfully. Though the interview process is more about discussions based assessment, the first visual appeal is created with clothes, hairstyle and general hygiene.
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In this piece, we will try to lay down some basic ground rules and offer a wardrobe toolkit to the candidates on how to dress up for an interview.

Warning: Long Post Ahead. For the ease of reading, we have divided the post into various sections. Choose whichever section is applicable for you. The tips are not only for the interview though that is the focus. You can use it for your daily work wear planning as well. 

There are various types of interviews and interviewers. Golden rule to remember is that you are not dressing up for yourself but for the interviewers.  Since you wouldn’t know in advance, most of the times, who would be your interviewer, key is to dress up conservatively. 
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​The biggest favor your clothes can do, in an interview occasion, is to present you in the most acceptable way and then fade into the background and let your knowledge and articulation take the center stage.

Entrance Interviews for MBA & other academic institutions, Civil Services, other UPSC and other governmental jobs, Junior Management levels and campus placements


​Expected Candidate Profile:
Learner profile, Well-rounded Personality, Trainable, Knows his academics.
​
Expected Interviewers Profile:
Clothes are the least important area of their concern (usually) as long as you are adequately presentable. They are there to test the candidates on their academic achievements and whether they have the learning ability and capability to absorb and grow.
​
Dressing Theme:
​Nothing ostentatious & flashy, nothing that takes away the attention from what you speak and how you speak, brings out your humility. Even if you come across as a bit naive in fashion and style, it is OK.


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Shirt: Avoid pure white shirt. If it’s old, then it will look yellow and stale. If it’s new, it will either look too bright and flashy or as if you have bought it specifically for the interview. Not good either ways.
Choose a well-worn but relatively fresh shirt. Always pick a light colored shirt & avoid dark color as much as you can. If it has to be striped, then better to have white or very light base color. Avoid checks. Avoid cream or yellow or green color base. Safest is solid light blue.

Tie: Tie is must for this category of interviews. Always have one which is contrast to that of the shirt color, which means dark colored. Avoid loud and large prints. Choose very fine, micro patterns or plain and smooth silk/polyester. Safest base colors are red and dark blue base.

Trousers: Always have trousers in contrast to shirt’s color. Don’t have any pattern on the fabric unless it is very fine. Avoid cotton chinos if you can.

Shoes
: Keep it in black leather with laces. No experiment there.

​Socks
: Match with your trousers. Never wear white socks. Avoid wearing loud colors or prints

Jacket/Suit: Not really required as long as your academics are solid and you are confident about your diction, content and articulation. But its also safe to wear one. If you do, put on a jacket (formal blazer) in dark color, preferably navy blue or black. Keep it simple and without any shiny or flashy skin or element. Even if it is slightly oversized, no one will notice but don’t have it too tight or slim fitted or of course completely ill fitted. 

Bag: You can carry a plastic folder with your resume and certificates, a faux or real leather portfolio bag is equally OK. If you can’t avoid a sling bag, then don’t enter into the room with it hanging on one or both of your shoulders. Carry it in your left hand like a briefcase.

Job Interview for Mid Managerial Level positions in Private or Public Corporations

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​Expected Candidate Profile:
Subject Matter Expert, Team Player with Leadership Potential, Culture Fit

Expected Interviewers Profile:
Have proven themselves within the company and their corporate circle, HR looks for culture, integrity match & future senior leadership capability. Functional interviewers look for good subordinate, team leader and a candidate who is in control and shows enough interest and zeal for the job.    

​Dressing Theme:
Conservative & Safe Dressing, smartly fitted clothes which tells the world that you take interest in leaving a good and professional impression.  

​Jacket/Suit: Jacket is a better option but a classic two piece suit is also a good choice. Three piece, however is definitely overdressing and is completely avoidable. If you plan to wear a suit, then choose only solid colors from either grey, blue or black. Avoid shiny polyester which looks cheap. If you are planning to wear jacket, then you can opt for small patterns on the body fabric but not too big and bold.

Shirt: If you choose to wear a jacket or a suit, opt for solid colors in shirts, like white, power blue, peach etc. You can also opt for checks and stripes depending on whether you are going to wear a tie or not. Tie with a patterned shirt is a tricky subject and needs to be evaluated on case to case basis.

Tie: Though not compulsory (especially when you wear a jacket), ties have been considered to be safe to be worn for formal occasions historically. So you may choose not to ignore them. If you are going to wear a tie, choose something which works with your shirt and is in contrast to the shirt color.

Trousers: Avoid wearing trousers which are of the same color as that of the jacket unless it's a suit set. If you are wearing a dark blue or black jacket, then ash grey or khaki trousers too would look very professional. Keep the fitting smart rather than too tight fitted or too loose. Avoid front pleats. They look very sloppy and old fashioned.

Shoes: Black with laces are the safest

Socks: Match with your trousers. Never wear white. Avoid wearing loud colors or prints

Watch: Standard sized with leather strap is the best but complete steel is also OK as long as it is not too big with a jazzy dial.

Belt: Definitely wear one and match it with your shoes  

Bag: If you are meeting someone in the public place, then a plastic folder with a copy of your resume is good enough. The safest option, wherever you meet, is a smart portfolio bag or formal satchel bag which one would normally carry to the office. Avoid sling bags.


​Job Interview for Senior/Top Leadership positions in Private or Public Corporations

Expected Candidate Profile:
Business & Thought Leader, already established credentials, Professional Pictures/Videos already on the internet, so an impression is already formed.
Expected Interviewers Profile:
Board Members, Peers, Top Head hunters. All of these belong to the same socioeconomic and lifestyle strata as the candidate. They have a deep understanding and vision for the organization’s culture, issues and challenges.
Dressing Theme:
Continuity to your public image, Should look a person who controls the room in a professional manner without appearing too dominating and a potential threat. Having a good exposure without being an exhibitionist or show-off.  Dressing as per your personal taste without losing sight of those who would interview (at least few of their pictures would also be available on the internet if meeting them for the first time). 
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Fabrics, Stitches and Fit should look richer & fresher when seen in person than how they appear in your pictures. Best clothes are tailored. They are made for you. So avoid wearing standard brands with their logos on pockets or sleeves or cuffs etc. You may like to read more about different type of suits here.
Jacket/Suit: Wear a nicely cut dark colored suit on a weekday. If the meeting is scheduled on a weekend, a jacket will work though a suit will do no harm. If it is in a very casual setting, say in a hotel café or a club house, then a sport shirt with smart chinos should also do the job. If you opt for a jacket in any setting, avoid linen and cotton jackets unless it’s a very personal heart to heart kind of discussion than a formal process. Avoid jackets with metal buttons. Always opt for 100% wool material. It is the richest material for suits and jackets and you have arrived! You must read this before buying your next suit fabric.

Shirt: It will be decided depending upon when and where you meet and whether you wear a suit or a jacket.
Opt for only white shirt if you wear a suit. Crisp white shirt looks the plushest. Wear only French cuff shirt with nice cufflinks.
You can try light colored, light pattern shirt if you wear just a jacket.
Never wear shirts which have the colors belonging to the family of yellow and green. Never wear dark colored shirts. Never wear knitted polo shirts.

Tie: Tie is an option for you depending upon your interviewers, organization profile and your own public image. If you choose to wear one, always opt for one which is of pure silk, if not five or seven fold ties. Large or comic prints can be avoided for the interview.
You can avoid wearing a tie with a jacket or if you are meeting on weekend and in a public place. A nice pocket square may add a certain air of suaveness to your jacket ensemble.

Trousers: Well fitted trousers (holds good for jackets and suits too) are difficult to find. If you can find one for yourself, you can solve any problem. A problem solver is what your interviewer is looking for. So try getting the smartest fitted trousers for yourself.

One of the jobs of your attire is to make you look old enough to handle a large responsibility if you are very young. On the contrary, if you are in your 50s or don’t have the best of body frame, your garments’ fit, if it is smart, will assure people that you stay in touch with the latest and keep up with the world. It gets reflected in the trousers (and jackets) the most.

Shoes: Match it with the rest of the ensemble though black or tan with laces are the safest option. Never wear tan shoes with black trousers or vice versa. Avoid slip-ons unless it’s a weekend meeting in a cafe. Definitely avoid open-toe shoes wherever and whenever you meet.

Socks: Match with your trousers. Never wear white socks. Prints can look good but it is safe to be on the conservative side.  

Watch: Standard sized with leather strap is the best but complete steel is also OK as long as it is not too big and loud. Though you can afford to flash a bit of sophisticated luxury in here.

Belt: If you are wearing one, match it with your shoes. If you are meeting in a casual setting, don’t wear formal slim leather belt. You can try braided or belts with stylish (not big and flashy) buckles. You can also try a without-belt look but it will be dependent on many other factors.

Bag: You don’t need to carry any bag or a folder. However a good idea would be to carry a smart looking visiting card case. Also it is important to subtly display that you are putting your phone on silent mode and instead of keeping it on the table, slip that into your jacket’s internal pocket. 

​Dressing for Startup Jobs

​This new breed of businesses has everything anti to what has been written above. That doesn’t mean that you can walk into an interview in shorts and crew neck tees (though we have heard cases where interviewers have done so). It’s always safer to wear a formal shirt and a chino (if not dress trousers). Even if you wear a suit, there is no harm. Worst case, you would hear a satirical comment on your dressing. But it can also be a good ice breaking point to capitalize on. And If you have a good solid content in you, it won’t matter much. 
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Well these are a few very general and the safest tips. However each person, each job, each organization and therefore each problem, is different. If you would like to get an individual advice, feel free to let us know. If you would like to have a corporate-wide session, or consulting or a workshop on grooming and dressing for your sales executive and other senior leaders who face the external world, we carry out such sessions as well.
Women Interview Dressing Tips Blog post is saved for the next time.  So dear ladies, keep a watch. Till then, you may find this piece of some use.
Always remember, dressing or grooming is not everything but it definitely is a very good starting point and First Impression is normally the Last Impression.

To make things simple, we have prepared this quick FAQs for you.
​

How should a man dress for a job interview?

One should wear a blazer irrespective of the seniority of the position one is interviewing. General Manager & above must wear suits. The color of the blazer or suit should be conservative, which means either navy or the darker shades of blue or grey.  If you are wearing a blazer, then wear contrast color trousers, for instance, Blue blazer and steel grey trousers, or a light grey jacket and black trousers, etc.  
The shirt should be white or lighter shades of blue. Avoid prints, but fine-stripes and checks are ok. 
Ties are safe to wear. 
Lace-up leather shoes.

What should you not wear for an interview?

Shirts: Avoid Dark colors, bold prints, stripes, and big checks
Trousers: Any bold patterns, bright colors, poorly fitted trousers, cotton trousers
Jacket/Coat: Casual structure, Ill-fitting jackets, Bright colors, Bold patterns
Accessories: Bold and broad ties, clunky watches, white or contrast socks, any other jewelry, heavy perfume, big buckle belts
​Shoes: Anything other than lace-up leather shoes

What are the best colors to wear for men for an interview?

Shirts: White, Very light blue
Trousers: Black, Dark Charcoal grey, Deep Blue
Jacket/Coat: Deep Blue, Charcoal grey, Black
​Shoes: Black, Deep tan

Is it ok to wear jeans to a job interview?

Best avoidable even if it is for a blue-collar job or in an organization known for its casual dress code unless it is specifically mentioned in the interview invitation letter.

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Dressing For The Rains

28/6/2019

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Monsoons are here, Mumbai! It’s a big respite from the summers but a great hassle for all the professionals who struggle in the peak hours to reach their offices and travel to meet clients, recruiters etc. when its pouring cats & dogs. The concern is how to not compromise on the professional looks & still survive the downpour.

Let’s start with listing down the biggest trouble making elements:​

Clothes & Shoes getting wet & soiled due to puddles, by rain shower of course, or by splashing vehicles

People clamoring for dry space in the crowded areas like trains & metros, dry patches or elevators causing sweat & humidity related issues.

Head getting wet causing cold & related illness 


City infrastructure that lacks smooth and wide footpaths, clean public toilets etc. compound the problems.
Dressing for the rains

Given all this, is there a way of managing our professional outlook as best as we do in say a sunny January day in Mumbai?
Here is our suggestion. The objective is to remain dry and fresh. It not only ensures a great style but also helps in keeping the bacterial infections and feet and body odor away.
Due to the challenges the season offers, we need to maintain two profiles of ours- One, while outside under the downcast sky and two, while in the office or meeting space. Both profiles have to be practical so that you do not miss out on your objective.

​If you are in a desk job, meaning you have to be in the office throughout the day, keep one or two nicely pressed shirts and trousers, a pair of shoe, couple of dry socks, a towel along with a deodorant in the office. While commuting, wear rain shoes without socks, smart & light clothes. Change to your formal attire as you reach the office. It will keep your day bright and happy.

If you have to travel for meetings, duffel bags are the must. They look smart and professional, have a lot of space for pack-able umbrella, shoes, socks, deodorant and a hand towel. Though I strongly abhor sling bags but in this season, even they, slightly bigger ones than those which can hold only a laptop, are also very solid and loyal companions. Wear light rain shoes without socks and change into your formal ones at the venue. Normally all the offices, hotels, cafes, malls, basically all the private properties have a very good utilities infrastructure, so executing this is not difficult at all.
:
​We strongly advice against the following:

​

​Denims: Denim is a bad choice because it is heavy, difficult to clean and hard to dry material. Pack your jeans away during monsoons.
Don't wear denims in the rain
Say No to flip flops during the rains, if you want keep your trousers clean

​Flip Flops: Though they seem to be the best footwear this season, being light and made of rubber, but due to being open ended at the heel, they splatter the water, thereby making the trousers’ rear calf area wet and dirty. Rubber/plastic sandals/floaters which have a back strap are a good design for the rains though. Choose the one that look stylish as well.

​

​Wearing leather shoes outdoors. Unless you walk on the covered designer spaces only, there is no way you can prevent your expensive leather shoes from getting wet. And once they get wet, is the beginning of the end for them.
Pack your leather shoes away till the rains are here

​Avoid whites when outdoors.

​Don’t wear socks when outdoors and when you are prone to walk in puddles and water.

​We strongly advice the following:
A good nylon bag is a very good companion in the rains

​

​Invest in a good spacious stylish duffel/sling bag made of nylon or some other synthetic material that can be used in other seasons also.

​
​Buy two or three very light material knitted polo shirts preferably in basic colors like grey, melange, blue or black color. No fancy prints or designer stitches. Long sleeved would also look great. As long they look enough less-casual and can be passed off as nice moderate uppers, we are good to go.
Wear light breezy fabrics in the rains. They dry faster

Trousers made of light quick dry material are available in good fits. Look for those in standard colors. You can have more than one in say grey or beige. Mumbai being hot and humid city even outside monsoons too, these trousers will come handy any day.

Always carry a deodorant, hand towel and a plastic pouch case in your bag. Try storing your wallet, keys or handkerchief in the pouch case and keeping your trousers pockets empty. Keeping trousers pocket empty is a good style advice on other days as well.

​Internet offers beautiful shoes meant for rainy season or travel. Explore those and buy something which works for your style.
You must invest in clogs & specially designed rainwear shoes
Who says rains restrict your style options
Rain boots are great to look at and very functional

​Use your towel to wipe your feet dry when you reach indoors. It will prevent them from various infections and ensure general health and hygiene.

​Umbrella has, rightly so, become a fashion accessory now. Use the one which offers right functionality to you and works with your style. The long handle traditional style of umbrella looks classy and cool. It comes in various contemporary prints too. However, it is not always practical to carry that if one is using trains or buses or metro. They are long, pointy and would drip water thereby making it very messy. For such situations, packable umbrellas with a zip plastic cover is the best option. They too come in various masculine styles.
Invest in multiple umbrellas. They are a good style accessories and different ones are needed for different usage occasions

​You may have noticed that we haven’t talked about raincoats or trench coats. Raincoats are actually very cumbersome piece of gear in the kind of rains Mumbai witnesses which is intermittent but very heavy. Humidity makes it even a worse choice. Raincoats serve greatest purpose to the bike riders but not beyond bikes.
​
Raincoats are great apparel but don't necessarily work in Mumbai rains, though are good for the bikers
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Banker Gentlemen

1/4/2019

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A Guide to Dressing for the Bankers

​Many organizations have understood the importance of grooming and have used it to their advantage. Almost every professional takes extra care when getting ready for a job interview. However many, be it the employees or the organizations, either take a very superficial approach or completely ignore the importance of dressing and its role in ensuring success in their day to day struggle.
​While we run interactive workshops on “Dressing to Succeed”, to help organizations explore this important aspect, the purpose of this blog is to touch upon certain important aspects of dressing specifically for the Banking Community.   
Best Tailored Suits from TailorWear
​UBS Bank has issued a 21 page dress code guideline to their bankers. It is not just the guideline but a compliance note for the senior management. The document starts with UBS explaining the need of such a dress code. It tells that the reputation is their biggest asset and one of the important aspect of reputation is behavior and “impeccable presentation”. Clothing help achieve this as “Critical Nonverbal Communication” tools. The document not only details what to wear but how to wear.
Bankers, in their professional roles, have to exude the following traits to the external stakeholders, namely their clients, current or future-
Bankers, in their professional roles, have to exude the following traits to the external stakeholders, namely their clients, current or future-

- Sense of security for their clients’ money

- Assurance that they take the right decisions to grow their assets

- Integrity & Ethics required to never cross the fine line that exists between honest and bad money

- Knowledge & updated information on the latest investment opportunities     that comes with traveling, networking & attending money making seminar &   conferences

- Professional Capability of taking timely action
​Now imagine a banker, in an ill fitted loose-hanging trousers, sweaty shirt with a backpack, worn out shoes and disheveled hair as if the gentleman had taken a public bus and struggled his way to meet you (You should also read more on Suit Mistakes Men Should Avoid).
On the other hand, you happen to meet a banker who dons fitted suit, neatly combed hair and who visits you with a smart leather portfolio bag and takes out his proposal papers from a well-organized folder.
​Assuming that every part of the offering which these two bankers remains same, who do you think, you will give your business or at least spare your time to? Well, no need to answer this. It is pretty obvious. And this is the power of dressing or grooming.
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Them?
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or Him?
Let’s break down this topic of dressing into various areas:
​Suit: A two piece on a workday is a must for a banker. Paycheck demands this. A suit is conservatively formal enough to give that sense of security and discipline which money dealings require.  But just a suit is not enough. What kind of suit, is an equally important question. It depends on the position within the bank and also what kind of clients one works with. A rule of thumb can be that the price of the banker’s suits (and shirt) should be what their clients would have spent on, had they bought a suit. Mind you, it is not the style or the fabric but the price. Clients may have a taste for fancy patterns but we are focusing on the price.

Suit for Bankers from TailorWear
A regular banker should have at least 6 suits assuming one will be with the laundry at any given point of time. You should read How to buy Suit Fabric & "Important Points to keep in mind while Buying a New Suit" to know more about the process. 
In terms of the styling, it has to be strictly formal. Darker colors like black, charcoal grey, navy rule the roost. Self-patterns like herringbone or fine Prince of Wales checks in self color are fine but no bold prints, at least not for Monday-Friday workweek. (Check Out TailorWear fabric range here. We bring far bigger collection, when we meet you personally). The fitting has to be contemporary, meaning no over-sized jackets and baggy trousers but neither those ultra slim fit ones. They should be smartly tailored, with just the right cut.
Please ensure that the buttons don’t look cheap or are contrast to the body fabric.
​Shirt: A banker should have at least 10-12 shirts out of which 5-7 should be white. There are various options available within white color. So there are ample choices. 3-5 shirts should be in light blue. Again there are various patterns and shades available here. Keep it light color only. Remaining shirts can be of very light grey or any other color which the bank approves of. 
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Shoes: Two good leather shoes, one in black and one in deep tan are good. Avoid camel color as it reduces the air of formality from the affair. Match your belt with the shoes. If you can, do match your satchel or portfolio bag too.

​Accessories: Ties, though are fading out of the formal dressing scene, but for the bankers, “conservatively formal” is the keyword. So they should keep wearing ties. Ties add some vibrancy to the overall dressing and once should use that to one’s advantage. A good tie is an interesting topic of discussion and can be a good ice-breaker.
Pocket Square though is not necessary but if one is wearing, one should be careful not to buy those economy pack accessories boxes which offer a set of ties, cuff-links and pocket square. The pattern of the pocket square should be different than that of the tie.
If the cuff-links are not of neutral metal but has some gemstones, try matching their color with that of either the shirt or the tie. A cuff-link gemstone with a color outside your clothing palette should be avoided.
​Hair, Tattoos & Other trinkets: The buzzword here too is “Conservatively Formal”. Neat, well groomed hair are a must. So do a no show of the tattoos, if there are any.  Apart from a good solid watch from a genuine brand, one should avoid any bracelet, rings, neck chains etc. 
A ready list of dressing hacks can be read here to get some quick ideas on dressing.

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​Hope the banker readers find this article informative and useful. For any further drill down or detailed discussion, you can write to us at outreach@tailorwear.in
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Spezzato: A concept which you should definitely know about

26/9/2018

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Spezzato

Spezzato: adj. /spe’tːsato/ Broken / Origin: Italy

Spezzato is an advanced dressing technique for the stylish men all over the world. It has been around for a long time but has been acknowledged as a fine art and used by more and more gentlemen only recently.
In this blog, we will not only take you through the concept but also offer you some tips on how to make this Italian idea work for you.

We all know that a two-piece suit comprises a coat and dress trousers. If we add a waistcoat to it, it becomes a three piece. The usual way of getting a suit tailored is to get all these two or three pieces from the same fabric 
(click the link to know more about suits and what works for you).

Spezzato breaks this very rule of conventional dressing and allows mixing of colors and fabric-weaves to create a non-monotonous suit ensemble. 


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Some of the advantages of Spezzato are the following:

By way of mixing, one can make four combinations from just two suits. This means just doubling your suit wardrobe by spending carefully. The best example to demonstrate this is mixing navy suit pieces with the pieces of an ash grey suit.
It breaks the monotony of a regular dress code and offers a creative expression.
It saves the hassles if one of the pieces (usually it is the trousers) wears out faster. The other piece can still be utilized with the appropriate complimenting piece.
Unlike a classic single color/pattern suit, Spezzato suits offer a look which is more dandy, unstudied and relaxed. This can open many doors, provided the combination is chosen carefully.

​So what are some ground rules of Spezzato

Fabric Weave & Design

It is important to have the weave and the fineness of the material of the combination pieces almost the same.  A heavy weave pattern or a coarser jacket material as compared to the trousers material is also well accepted but the reverse may have to be planned with a lot of caution. 

Another vital point is to choose the fabric mix very carefully if both the pieces have to be of different cloth. One can’t wear linen trousers, which is strictly a summer material, with a wool jacket or for that matter a formal wool jacket with cotton trousers. 
Pinstripes and herringbone patterns are normally kept out of Spezzato. They look good only when they run from the top collar of the jacket to the trousers hem. 


​Contrast works best

A safe Spezzato is when the colors and the patterns of the jacket and trousers are a complete contrast to each other. For instance dark colored jacket and light-colored trousers or check pattern jacket and solid plain trousers. Normally jacket is the one which carries the bolder pattern.
 
Fit

When a regular suit is made, the fitting of the coat and the trousers are made to suit each other whether it is a slim fit or a relaxed one. While forming a Spezzato combination one should be careful not to mix two different fits as it will clearly look like an imbalanced mismatch. Always combine garments of similar fit for the purpose.
 
Three Piece

A three-piece Spezzeto suit offers even more possible combinations. So if you apply a little creativity and caution, you can have so many options:

Jacket & Trousers-Color/Pattern A & Waistcoat-Color/Pattern B

Jacket & WaistCoat – Color/Pattern A & Trousers – Color/Pattern B

Jacket – Color/Pattern A, WaistCoat & Trousers – Color/Pattern B

Jacket – Color/Pattern A, WaistCoat- Color/Pattern B & Trousers –
Color/Pattern C

What should you avoid

Pairing a formal jacket with denim lowers or casual cotton chinos. Use coarser threads like tweed or cotton, corduroy etc to work with such lowers. 

Pairing a comfortable fit jacket with slim fit denim or vice versa

Trying to match jacket and trousers of completely different color family or of colors who are too close to each other.


Last Word

Spezzato is a great concept which every gentleman should apply to manage his wardrobe but with a lot of planning. It improves the return on investment and also brings out a stylish flair in one’s personality. However if done carelessly, it has a power to turn an otherwise nice jacket into a part of a shabby ensemble.

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What is a Tuxedo

27/9/2017

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What is a Tuxedo

A tuxedo is an elegant western ceremonial suit for gentlemen.
It has a long history, with enough literature to understand it as much as one wants. This small essay attempts to capture all that you need to know very quickly.
The hallmark of a tuxedo suit is the play of satin (or sherry) fabric along with the usual wool or blended (nowadays) suit cloth. Can there be a tuxedo without satin? Well, there can be, just like there can be jazz music without bass, but for the starters, let us assume that a tuxedo and satin go hand in hand and not without each other

Tuxedo, a western ceremonial wear
There are three elements to a complete Tuxedo Suit; Dinner Jacket, Tuxedo Pants, and Tuxedo Shirt. One can add even a tuxedo waistcoat. But in this blog, we are focusing only on the basics. If you like to know more about Tuxedo waistcoats, please feel free to write to us. 
All three pieces, namely the jacket, pants, and the shirt, have some very distinctive elements that group them as part of the Tuxedo Ensemble and separate them from the other clothing pieces for men.

Tuxedo Jacket

Tuxedo Blazer
A tuxedo jacket is adorned by a beautiful satin collar and lapel. The lapel cut can be of any style, a notch, peak, or shawl. Notch and peak lapel can have a boutonniere hole, not the shawl one, though we have customers asking for a shawl lapel and a boutonniere hole in that. 
A classic tuxedo jacket is always black, but sometime in its history, off-white color made its way. Many people assume this off-white color to be a pure white one. Pure wool does not render itself in pure white color. Polyester (or the blends) offers pure white color for the tuxedo, though it is not the correct fabric, nor is the color right for a sophisticated tuxedo suit. 
Some time in history, wine color too became popular, and now different hues of blue have also become acceptable. 
So in today’s times, the accepted colors for a classic tuxedo jacket are Black, Blue, Wine, and Off White. However, the lapel is always black or white (only for off-white jackets). There are cases wherein people use the lapel color matching with the body fabric color. Well, no one can stop them from doing so, but from the point of styling, the advice is to stick to White for off white jacket and black for all the other three colors.
Nowadays, some fancy patterns like jacquard, etc., have also become quite popular for the body fabric. They look nice since they add a certain vibrance and creativity to the, otherwise, very strict color palette and design.
All the tuxedo jacket buttons are covered with the same satin fabric as the lapel.
We make all kinds of tuxedo jackets in flowing wool and wool blend fabrics. Know more about ordering here..


Tuxedo Shirt

Tuxedo Shirt
A tuxedo shirt is always white and is generally identified by its front panel, buttons, and collar style.
There are essentially two distinct front panel styles:
Pique Bib Panel: An additional fabric paneling covers the chest area around the shirt placket on the front like a sewn bib. It ends just below the fifth button from the top and can be U-shaped or square shaped.
This design generally looks best in french placket style. 
Pleated Panel: This is a more elaborate and decorative style in a tuxedo shirt and stands out due to the pleated pattern it forms on the front. The shirt pleats start from where the neck and shoulder seams meet and cover the front chest. They can go down till the hem or end like a bib depending upon the style preference one may have. 
Boxed Placket looks better in this style of a tuxedo shirt.
Traditionally a classic tuxedo shirt has a separate removable button strip that covers the first four buttons (after the top button) of the tuxedo shirt. These buttons are small, round, and made of black resin. The remaining buttons are standard white or MOP buttons. However, nowadays, many tuxedo shirts are made with fixed buttons. These buttons can be of raisins or otherwise.
 Collars: Tuxedos shirts are paired with a black necktie or a bow tie. For the neckties, a classic cutaway collar works best. One can try the presidential or the hidden button-down collars, but it will depend on the quality of collar making. 
One can opt for either a standard collar or the wingtips for the bowties. That being said, a crisp white classic formal shirt also goes well with a tuxedo jacket since it is the jacket that takes all the attention. So don’t sweat too much. Just ensure that the cuff of your shirt is a square cut French cuff, and you wear nice cufflinks with it.
Tuxedo Shirt Button Strip

Tuxedo Pants

Tuxedo Pants
​Tuxedo pants are generally black irrespective of the color of the jacket. However, Blue Tuxedo Suits have emerged as an exception & can take blue tuxedo pants. The most important element of tuxedo pants is the satin tape or piping running from the waist down to the bottom hem alongside the outer seem. These pants are not worn with belts, or at least they are not to be seen. As it is, the waist part is supposed to get hidden under a cummerbund.

​Well, these all are fine details from the legacy. In today’s world, things have become more relaxed. So if you are not up to it and still have to wear a tuxedo suit, don a white shirt, well-fitted black trousers, and a custom-tailored tuxedo jacket (jacket and trousers made of the same material). You are good to paint the town red.
So what are you waiting for? Reach out to us.
If you would like to know which other suit style is best for you, click this box
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How To Buy Quality Men's Suit Fabric

23/6/2017

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Men's suit fabric
We met a couple recently, who had been visiting various fabric/tailor stores to get best in class, “Italian”, 100% wool suit stitched before they took our appointment. We showed them a lot of fabric which they liked but they had set their eyes on a particular material which they had seen in one of the high end tailor stores in Bandra, Mumbai. They wanted our stylist to source the very same fabric for them. They had made up their mind to get their suit stitched from us. So our team visited the store and interacted with the store manager who claimed it was super 150s fabric which was made in Italy. We could clearly figure that the fabric did not contain any wool. At best it was a very good quality polyester viscose material. It was definitely not from any prestigious fabric mill from Italy or England. How did we come to know, we will come to that later. But the prices being quoted were ridiculously high, higher than the average price of a suit made in 130s VBC (Vitale Barberis Canonico) suit length .

While the couple was taken aback by our revelation, We thought it was an important matter which should be written about & highlighted.


Was this the only store selling fake “Italian” fabric?

Is it something which can’t be caught? Well the answers are below:

This is a very common problem, not only in India but world over, be it Hong Kong, Europe or the US. Shops are flooded with counterfeit fabric & it is very difficult for the buyers to really separate wheat from the chaff. We had a similar experience dealing with a Hong Kong tailor who tried to convince us that they get Reda fabric at less than USD20 per meter in HK. The lab test of their sample showed that it was 70/30 Wool/PV fabric which was being passed off as Reda super 110s 100% wool. A lot of such fabric travels to the world market through China where there are high quality (in producing fake fabric) factories churning out counterfeit fabrics. Since there are no visible checkpoints and it is next to impossible to ascertain the authenticity of the fabric just by looking or touching it, this business is thriving.


So how to avoid falling into this pitfall?
​


First and foremost, buy the fabric or the tailored suit only from a trusted seller. It would have been better if the rates of these fake fabric were lower than those of the authentic ones. At least there would have been a consolation that you paid lesser than what one would have paid for the original. However that is not the case, fake fabrics are being sold at a price which is the same if not higher than the quality suit material. So it’s a double whammy.
There is one way of identifying the original product though this is also not 100% fool proof. All the prestigious mills, be it Raymond, in India or Drago, from Italy, have a selvedge which essentially is continuous running branding at the border of the fabric. It not only mentions the brand name but also the counts and other details. Always check for that. In the incident quoted above, there were just two plain white stitch lines without any brand name which was a giveaway. In case of buying fabric from a tailor, you can check for the selvedge during the first fitting session when the lining is still not sewed (generally selvedge comes on the back, from inside).

Suiting Material Selvedge
Suiting Material Selvedge

There are some top mills, which offer their fabric swatches in their special branded booklets & provide labels along with the fabric which genuine tailors then put on the suit on the inside. While we have seen these two elements too being copied but at least there is something to latch on to than nothing. 

VBC (Vitale Barberis Canonico) Suiting in India available at TailorWear
Drago Suiting in India available at TailorWear

Is it really that important to be so particular?
​
​Yes, there are three reasons

1: You should get what you pay for. If you have paid for superfine, high count Italian fabric, shouldn’t you get that? Why would you like to be swindled? Why should anyone pay for the finest wool fabric & get a cheap polyester?

2: Normally not many people understand fabric. So they go by the suggestion and pitch of the seller. However it can become very embarrassing if the realization comes later in front of others. We keep seeing this happening.

3: Purpose of a suit, more than any other piece of garment, is to enhance your stature. A fake product will show its color in one way or another. Suit being an expensive clothing in anyone’s wardrobe, one wouldn’t like to be at the receiving end more so when one has actually paid top dollars.

We hope you find this information useful. Do let us know what would you like us to write about. You can also ask us any questions if you have or check Quora where Neeraj answers many queries regularly.

Need our help in figuring out your style? We have prepared a thorough guide to help you put your best foot forward. Click the below image to let us know about you and get it absolutely free!
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