Ok, fellas. Let’s take a look at Jay Baruchel’s get-up at the premiere of his recent film She’s Out of My League. We’ll start at the top.
The Hair: Stylishly frayed – that difficult to achieve “I-just-rolled-out-of-bed-and-threw-on-a-suit” look. It’s working well for the 28 year-old Montreal resident.
The Scruff: Great choice, very in vogue. Also keeps him from looking twelve.
The Suit: Fairly standard, gray pin-striped with a white, collared shirt and black tie. Generally a safe choice, but he walks the razor’s edge where he definitely should not: the fit. Mr. Baruchel should have invested in a tailor, and gentlemen, so should you. (Of course, finding a suit jacket with the right shoulder size is key. There’s nothing a tailor can change if the shoulders are wrong, aside from remaking the entire suit.) Another minor detail is the tie pin. I wore a tie pin once…when I was a Cub Scout. These days, however, it’s best to go with a tie bar. It’s that little something extra that says: “This guy knows how to dress, and he’s cool.”
The Shoes: White Adidas sneakers. Hm…MC Hammer called and wants his kicks back. Unless you’re Robert Downey Jr., or it’s apocalyptically precipitating on your way to the office…do I really have to tell you? Sneakers and suits don’t mix. Please, just say no.
Alternatives: Tie bars can be found almost anywhere, from J.C. Penney’s to Tiffany’s. I recommend trying somewhere in the middle, like Banana Republic or Kenneth Cole. You can find a decent tailor at Banana Republic, too.
As far as shoes go, anything leather in brown, gray or black with rounded toes would be better than white sneakers. I recommend a smooth pair of brown wingtips from Allen Edmonds. More affordable versions can be found at Kenneth Cole, Banana Republic or DSW.
All in all guys, remember that baggy & over-sized (or generally ill-fitting) is so 90’s, and that era hasn’t come back around just yet (10 more years, perhaps?). Invest in a tailor.
Cubicle Chic 