Tag: style guide

Valentine’s Date Night Style Tips
It’s that time of year once again – Valentine’s Day is upon us! If there’s one evening of the year when guys are expected to really step up and make an extra effort in the style stakes, it’s Valentine’s.

Whether you’re spending the evening with a long term partner or heading out on a nerve wracking first date with someone new, you want to make a fantastic impression with a suave and stylish look. Here at Ties R Us we’ve put together some top tips to keep you at the top of your game this Valentine’s.

Keep it comfortable

No, we definitely don’t mean rocking up to a fancy dinner date in your slouchiest joggers and trainers! Dress to impress, but make sure you feel relaxed and comfortable in whatever you wear – the key here is to feel as good as you look. If you feel uncomfortable it will translate through your body language and make for an instantly awkward date. Here are some key things to consider;
- Is your outfit you? That is, is it something you would usually wear? While it’s always good to be a little adventurous, don’t stray so far from your comfort zone that you’re left feeling unnatural and uncomfortable.
- Do your clothes and shoes fit well? Accessorise with a belt if needed, and if your shoes are new wear them around the house before your date to make sure they’re broken in.
- Are you going to be too warm or too cold? Be practical here – if you’re taking your date to a cosy, fire lit pub then ditch the wooly jumper and scarf, or similarly if you’re heading out to a bar terrace make sure you have a coat to hand.
Dress for the venue and occasion

While a leather jacket and high tops combo may go down a treat in a bowling alley, it won’t quite hit the mark at a fancy bar or five star restaurant. Similarly, turning up to a pub for some casual drinks in your best suit and tie may make for a slightly awkward evening!

Think about where you’re going and how other people there will be dressed. If possible, scope out your venue beforehand (whether in person or online) to get a feel for the place and which looks may work well. Remember, however, that people will be making extra effort with their ensembles on Valentine’s Day. Perhaps consider what you would wear to your venue on a regular evening and step it up a notch to suit the occasion – so if you would usually wear your best polo shirt opt instead for a button up shirt, or switch out your jeans for a pair of smart chinos.

Mix in formal elements to perfect the smart casual look

If you’re still unsure what to wear this Valentine’s Day, play it safe with a smart casual look. Smart casual outfits are hugely versatile, work for a variety of different occasions, and show you’ve made an effort for your date.

The smart casual look is easily achieved by mixing in elements of formal and casualwear. This could be a crisp shirt paired with a pair of chinos rather than suit trousers, or even smart jeans with a suit or blazer jacket and stylish skinny tie.

Colours

For a classic and sophisticated look stick to a neutral colour palette with touches of colour worked throughout. Use greys, white, blacks or navy blues to create a base, then soften the look and add a romantic edge with coloured accessories such as ties, scarves or pocket squares.

While subtle pastel shades and pinks are perfect for the day of love (we love this pink and white polka dot pocket square!), avoid red unless you want to become a total Valentine’s cliche!

Suiting up? Try a tonal look

If you’re heading down the formal route this Valentine’s Day, keep it fashion forward with a tonal look. The tonal trend is set to be huge in 2017, and involves choosing one key colour and working variations of it throughout your outfit – so for a formal look, your suit, shirt, tie and pocket square would all be various shades of the same colour.

The key here is to use subtle layers and complementary shades to break up your outfit – avoid anything too bright unless you’re planning on rocking the children’s television presenter look! Shades such as grey and blue are perfect for this trend, and working in texture, for example with a textured tie, is a fantastic way to provide much needed contrast between pieces.

Patterns

Whether you’re making an impression in a suit or sticking to a more casual look, patterns are the perfect way to bring your look to the next level. A pattern adds a playful, softer touch to any ensemble – perfect for Valentine’s!

If you’re keeping it casual this year, choose a patterned shirt or accessorise with a patterned scarf. For a more formal getup, opt for patterned accessories such as pocket squares and ties. Floral and paisley patterns are ideal for a Valentine’s date; a floral tie adds a romantic edge to your three piece suit, while a paisley pocket square tucked into a blazer pocket brings a refined and ultra stylish edge to a smart look.

Shoes

No matter how much time and attention you put into your outfit, if you get the shoes wrong it will all have been for nothing! Shoes show attention to detail – even the most dapper of outfits can be ruined in an instant with old, scuffed or dirty footwear.
- To step it up for an ultra formal look, keep it traditional with a pair of sleek Oxford or Derby shoes.
- It’s Valentine’s – leave the trainers at home! For a smart casual look that your date is sure to appreciate, opt instead for loafers, boat shoes or boots.
- Brown brogues are a perfect, failsafe choice for a number of Valentine’s occasions. Classic yet with a modern, stylish edge, a pair of brogues look as great with your best pair of jeans as they do with a full suit.
Accessories

Accessories really can make or break an outfit. Whether it’s finding the perfect watch to complete your outfit or pulling everything together with a stylish belt, finishing touches play a key role in your overall look.

For a smart casual look, step it up with a patterned pocket square, a stylish scarf or a luxury timepiece. For a formal look, go the extra mile with a pair of elegant cufflinks or a statement tie pin.

… Remember;
- If in doubt, keep your look simple, understated and sophisticated. Wearing something outlandish and over the top may make a bad first impression.
- If you’re heading out to a luxury restaurant or fancy formal event, be sure to check for any dress codes. There may well be a black tie or white tie requirement – you don’t want to ruin your evening before it’s even begun by turning up in the wrong outfit!
- Make sure all your clothes are clean and ironed well ahead of your date to avoid any last minute panics.
- For further inspirations, whether for a date, special occasion or simply stepping up your day to day style, be sure to check out the full selection of men’s ties, bow ties and formal accessories at Ties R Us!
9 February 2017
What To Wear On New Year’s Eve: A Men’s Style Guide

When it comes to parties, there really is nothing quite like New Year’s Eve. Whether you’re seeing in the new year in a laid back pub with a group of mates, spending time with family, going wild in a club or attending a super swanky party, getting your look right is important. Wherever you’re going to be when the clock strikes midnight, here at some handy guidelines to help you begin 2017 in true style.

Casual

For a casual NYE event when you just want to be comfortable all night long, nothing beats the classic jeans and t-shirt combo. Choose any tee to reflect your personal style, be it plain, patterned or branded. Team with a cool pair of trainers and layer a bomber jacket over the top for an ultra chilled out style.

When to wear it: a casual house party, down the pub with friends or a relaxed outdoor event.

Semi casual

Do you have a New Year’s Eve bash where a casual look won’t quite make the impression you’re looking for, yet a smart casual look will be a little too much? If so, a semi casual look is your new best friend! Think a nice pair of jeans and smart shoes or loafers with a relaxed shirt or polo shirt. This versatile look works for a number of events – it is slightly more dressed up than casual but is still comfortable, with a laid back element. A semi casual look can be perfectly completed with an on-trend jumper, or a smart jacket or coat if you’re seeing in the new year outdoors.

When to wear it: a club, party or night out, or a meal and drinks with friends.

Smart / casual

Ah, the ever tricky smart casual look! The difficulty most people have with this dress code is it can be relatively vague – however, this can be used to your advantage, allowing you to go as formal or as casual as you please. Generally, we’d recommend keeping it simple with a plain shirt – white, black or a very pale blue are perfect. You can pair this with trousers or smart jeans, depending on the level of formality you want to achieve, and a blazer or cardigan (again, down to personal preference). For a dapper edge, add a tie or bow tie, or alternatively opt for a pocket square with a casual fold to finish the look.

When to wear it: a more formal meal, a family affair or sophisticated drinks.

Formal

It goes without saying that for a formal New Year’s event you should dress to impress in a suit, tie or bow tie, cufflinks and pocket square – the whole shebang! If the dress code is simply ‘formal’ you can have some fun with coloured or patterned ties and accessories. However for a black or white tie affair, stricter rules are generally in play. For a black tie event be sure to wear a tuxedo and a plain black tie (the clue is in the name!). A white tie event – the most formal of all formal events – calls for a black jacket with tails, sharp white shirt and a white bow tie.

When to wear it: an ultra formal party or charity event.

23 December 2016
What to Wear to a Job Interview
When it comes to a job interview, what you wear will have a huge impact on both your performance and how the interviewer perceives you. The right outfit will not only make you look more professional, but you will feel more professional in it and therefore act more professional – giving you a better chance of acing the interview!

General Rules Of Interview Dress

Of course, what you wear will depend on where your interview is. As a general rule of thumb we’d recommend sticking to smart attire – it is advised to dress for an interview as your boss would dress day to day. Avoid jeans, t-shirts and trainers unless you’re fully confident that a casual dress will be appropriate. For most a full suit and tie, or at least a shirt with a smart blazer, is the way to go.

When it comes to your suit and tie, simple, muted colours work best. Your tie should complement both your suit and your shirt – often it is easiest to stick to a plain white shirt and choose an understated, plain coloured tie. Avoid loud colours or over the top patterns; whilst these may make an impression, often it will be the wrong one!

Choosing Your Tie

Men’s Satin Electric Blue Tie

If you’re wearing a smart jacket and a white shirt often your tie will be the only source of colour in your look. Colours have been proven to have a huge impression on how others perceive you, so it is important to get this right. Again, think about the job you are going for. For example, generally red can be seen as too aggressive and over-confident for an interview, however if the role is sales or commision based this may work in your favour. Similarly, whilst orange can be seen as too playful for a more serious role, for a creative, media based interview it can be appropriate.

As a general rule however, we’d always recommend a blue tie for an interview. Of all the colours, blue gives a calm, professional, confident and reliable impression that is perfect for any interview situation.

Finishing Touches

Once you’ve selected your outfit, you need to think about the finishing touches. Opt for black or brown smart shoes (brogues are perfect) and make sure they’re clean and polished. It is vital to always be prepared ahead of an interview – ensure you’ve selected everything you’re going to wear and have it washed and ironed ahead of time, as any extra stress on the morning on your interview may impact negatively on your performance.

Finally, make sure your hair is cut and styled professionally and that you’re freshly shaven (or any facial hair is neatly trimmed).

So, if you have a job interview coming up and you’re wondering what to wear, always remember these top tips…

What should a man wear to a job interview?
- Stick to smarter attire – avoid jeans and trainers unless you’re confident that casual dress is appropriate.
- Choose a smart white shirt and an understated coloured tie; blue works perfectly in professional situations.
- Opt for black or brown dress shoes.
- Be prepared. Ensure clothes are ironed and shoes are polished ahead of time.
Follow all these tips and you’ll arrive at your interview well prepared, looking great, and all with the confidence you need to impress any prospective employers!
10 November 2016