Dress | the-dapper-gentleman

CASUAL DRESS

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Top

A casual top should be a defining characteristic of an outfit. This is where bold colors and patterens are acceptable. But take it with a grain of salt. It should make a positive statement, not a negative one. In addition, cotton or wool is a preferred fabric choice because of its breathability. Basically, it keeps you warm when it's cold and cool when it's hot. Asid from basic colored T-shirts, which are a must to any wardrobe, here are a few items that are very versatile and functional.

Sweaters

Nothing screams gentleman like offering a girl your sweater. So be a gentleman and wear a sweater. There are two basic types of sweaters" pullovers and cardigans. Cardigans are a buttoned or zippered version of a pullover. Try to stick with solid colored sweaters. Both cardigans and pullovers go great on their own but can be easily spiced up with a collared shirt underneath. Try lighter, more fitted versions in cotton or light woold, like cashmere, for fall and spring weather.

Henley

The Henley shirt is typically a short or long-sleeved collarles shirt. Its defining characteristic is a simple two to five button placket starting at the neck. This is a nice change of pace from the typical t-shirt. The look tends to be much more casual than others.

Flannel

Flannel: the garb of lumberjacks. Recently though, it has become a very popular style and is a great functional shirt that can be worn for work or play. Flannes is defined by the thick colored plaid pattern and is a great look for many outfits. It is typically made of cotton and wool but occasionally a synthetic version can be found. Try to veer from synthetic shirts and pants.

Bottom

Pants are not supposed to make as much of a statement as they should be durable, versatile, and comfortable. Try to let your top do the talking and your bottoms compliment them. A proper fitting pant is also a must. Try not to let the pants be too baggy. Remember that a Dapper Gentleman is always neat and trim in dress.

Jeans

Jeans are the workhorse of any wardrobe. If there could onle be one pant in a wadrobe, jeans would be the choice. Loose jeans are a good choice for manual labor or camping, but most other casual events call for a more fitted jean. Jeans should, overall, be fit to your legs. That is, a slight taper down the leg and a loose but form firring cut. Dark jeans are the best choice and appear dressier than lighter ones. The most importnat rult in jean shopping though is to steer clear of jeans that have holes, made to look warn, or fraying seams around the pockets and leg opening.

Corduroys

Corduroys are typically made of cotton. They find their distinct cord pattern when the cotton fibers are twisted together and sewn parallel to one another. Corduroys are a great alternative to jeans because they breathe much better than denim. In addition, they are occasionally a little more formal than a typical jean, making them a very versatile pant. Corduroys should be worn like you would wear jeans. In order to make a look more formal, corduroyd can be paired with a sport jacket very easily.

Shoe

Shoes can almost be categorized as an accessory. The day when shoes were brown or black is over and has now given way to a style that appreciates the cold appearance of shoes. When shopping for casual shoes, go for something eye catching, almost as the talking point of your outfit. Most of all, make sure the shoe is comfortable because gentleman only look as good as they feel.

Canvas Sneakers

Canvas is a heavy duty cotton or linen which is most notably used as painting mediums. Canvas is not only good for painting, it is fantastic for shoes. The natural fabric allows for a breathable shoe that is also very comfortable. A good canvas sneaker is a great addition to any wardrobe because of it ability to dress down outfits all by itself.

Chukka or Desert Boots

Chukka boots were originally popular in the 1940s and 1950s but they have recently made a huge comeback. They are extremely versatile and able to be worn with a variety of outfits. In addition, chukka's can occasionally be used in a business casual setting. They are typically made from leather or suede. Because of this, proper care must be taken in order to make the material last. Waterproofing for both is advided as well as occassional shoe oil application for leather.

Accessories

Accessories are the items in every wardrobe that a gentleman would need during the day or make it unique. This can range from watches all the way to a pocket knife. Accessories are the eye catching piece of an outfit or the functional must carry at all times item. Go for quality when shopping for these.

Belts

A belt is really a nust for any outfit and it isn't just to hold those pants up that are a little too big in the waist. It's important to have a good casual brown or black leather belt and one neutral canvas belt. Canvas belts are somewhat of a current trend and should be purchased with care; neutral colored belts are always a safe bet. As for the leather belts, having the ones that can have interchangeable belt buckles can be useful. Belt buckles aren't just for a Texas Ranger. They are a great way to quickly change the look of the belt.