When it comes to men’s fashion there are certain rules one should adhere to, after all, if the devil is in the details we want to be the most handsome devils out there don’t we?
I started this “Dressiquete” section of the blog right at the beginning – almost 6 years ago -as a way to lay out the basic rules of men’s fashion and give us all (yep, me included) some basic fundamentals with which to dapper ourselves up! After all, you cant start breaking those rules before you know them right? Most of them were really badly written and the imagery was disgraceful ( remember it was 6 years ago) so I’ve decided to jazz em up a bit with a little more details and some better pictures. So here’s the first.
Before I go on let me make it super clear that these are not MY rules, I never made them up and most of them have no recorded history. Much like a good brownie recipe, I suspect they have been passed down from generation to generation. Whether you adhere to them or not is your decision, but let’s try ensure our generation isn’t the first to forget them shall we.
I believe it was Oscar Wilde who declared “A well-tied tie is the first serious step in life”. Now, to be fair, the man was a poet, so he did have a way with words but he was also the original playboy so I see no reason why we shouldn’t believe him. This begs the question “why is it so many men struggle with their ties”? I ‘m not even talking about tie knots and shirt combinations, I’m talking about something far more basic. Length.
The ruling on this is pretty simple: Ties run button to button – that is your tie should cover the top button on your collar and the button of your pants. Now unless your pants have no button, this should be fairly simple. That said, if you’re wearing a tie with track pants (or any buttonless trousers that is) then length is not your problem so more power to you. For those of you striving for ultimate precision, the widest part of the tie should hang at the same height as the upper edge of your belt leaving the tip dangling somewhere down the middle. There is, of course, some leeway here, not much, but some. When in doubt, go longer rather than shorter, I generally like the tip of my tie to juuuuust cover my belt buckle – This is mostly because I hate belt buckles, but still. If you prefer a little shorter, just ensure the tip of the tie is at least touching your belt buckle, please (I have a pet hate for short ties).
The above also applies to straight edged ties, like knitted ties (where the widest part is also the edge) and should at the very least touch your belt buckle.
Now, this rule may be simple, but it’s not always easy to get right and will definitely require a little practice. Prepare for a little frustration, different tie lengths, fabrics, and knots will all play a part in ensuring that perfect button to button length. Remember, if at first, you don’t succeed, TIE, TIE again!!
Okay. Stay Fancy.
After uploading this post I had a few requests for where everything is from, so thought I would give you a breakdown below – keep in mind some of this stuff is last seasons but the stores generally have very similar stuff or I have provided budget alternatives from ASOS.
Look 1:
Sunglasses from Ross & Brown
Tie and Square from Aristocrat Bows N Ties
Blazer from Trenery (similar available here at ASOS)
Shirt from Charles Tyrwhitt
Pants from River Island
Look 2:
Sunglasses from Freyrs Eyewear
Tie and Square from The Tie Bar
Blazer from DS Damat (similar available here at ASOS)
Shirt from Charles Tyrwhitt
Pants from River Island
Shoes from DS Damat (similar available here at ASOS)
What are these blue jean style suit pants?
The grey pants in first post look like the same pants but just grey?
Hey David, the first pair have more of a linen look up close.
I’m going to go completely off topic here, since I’m actually pretty adept at getting my knot and length right. How about some “where to buy” info on every piece in both of those outfits (especially those trousers). Very well put together.
Hi David! Glad you got your tie length sorted! Let me try break down the looks for you. Look 1: Accessories – Aristocrat Bows and Ties. Shirt – TM Lewin, Blazer – Trenery, Sunglasses – Ross and Brown, Pants – River Island, Watch – MVMT
Look 2: Sunglasses – Freyers eyewear, Shirt – Fabiani, Tie and Square – Bows’n’ties, Blazer and shoes- DS Damat, Pants – River Island
To be honest it’s all pretty old stuff (a year or two) so not sure you’ll still find it all online
Great content – wish I knew this long ago!
Thank you JAco. No time like now to get started though! : )
My go to page on the gram whenever i needa break necks. Thanks
Hi Wade, what a compliment! Thank you! Hope you’re enjoying the blog too!
Literally here to show my boyfriend how he should be dressing or im leaving him lol!
That’s so great to hear Nompumelelo! That’s what we’re here for! Let us know if you have any requests! In the menatime, spread the love, I’m sure the other men in your life (or your gilrfreinds lives) would appreciate it : )
I see so many men doing this wrong! Thanks for setting the record straight!
Wow, amazing blog I love to read your every post. I m getting inspired a lot. Thanks for sharing…
Hi Anita, thank you so much for the kind feedback! Happy to inspire!
What an amazing article about dressiquette button to button. You have helped many people by posting this amazing list. Thanks for sharing this information
Hi Subhendu, thank you for the kind words! Happy to hear you feel inspired!
Excellent post thanks for sharing this blog it’s very informative and useful posts. keep post.
Hi Tapas! Thank you for the kind words! Hope you keep enjoying!
That is actually great and useful information. I’m satisfied with just sharing this useful information with us.
Hi Bidjut! So glad you find it usefull and fascinating! Hope you keep enjoying the blog!
What a handsome model it is , got the maximum interest to read because of that reason , though found the article really interesting at the end
Hi Prithvi, thank you so much for the kind words!
This color, style of dress suits you the most.
Thank you so much Pavan!
Thank you for sharing all this useful content with everyone, this article is very good, full quality image.