Researchers have found that the appeal of red clothing is not a myth.  According to an article in Psychology Today, when a group of male test subjects were shown pictures of an attractive woman dressed in either red or blue, they rated her as more attractive and desirable when she was wearing red.  When the same test was repeated with a group of women, a man who was wearing red as opposed to blue or green was selected as being more attractive and sexually appealing.  This was true for test subjects from four different countries representing both Eastern and Western cultures.

The study found a fundamental difference between why men and women find red clothing attractive.  Men think that red makes a woman more physically attractive.  Women on the other hand think that a man who wears red has more power and prestige.   Throughout history, the color red has been associated with male power.  In ancient Rome, the most powerful men were known as coccinati, which translates as “ones who wear red.”  The association between status and the color red could also explain the custom of wearing a red “power tie” for important business meetings.

The results of these studies suggest that you should consider adding some red to your wardrobe if you want to increase your sex appeal.  For men, a red dress shirt will make the biggest impact.  If you don’t feel that bold, try a white shirt with red stripes or a red tie.

Picture credit: Esquire

• Always iron a shirt when it’s slightly damp.  This can be done by removing the shirt from the dryer before its completely dry or using a spray bottle to dampen a dry shirt.  You can also use steam from the iron to dampen the shirt while ironing.
• Consult the shirt’s care instructions for the correct heat setting for your shirt’s fabric.  Begin by ironing the shirt collar, starting with the underside and pressing from the collar points to the center.  Repeat on the inside of the collar.
• Drape one of the shirt’s shoulders over the end of the board.  Iron the yoke (the strip of fabric between the collar and the shirt back) from the sleeve to the center back.  Iron flat any pleats on the back of the shirt.  Repeat for the other shoulder.
• Lay a sleeve on the ironing board and iron the inside and outside of the cuff.  (Iron around buttons with the tip of the iron to avoid damaging them.)  Iron the sleeve flat, beginning with the back and then ironing the front.  Repeat for the other cuff and sleeve.
• Iron each shirt front from top to bottom and then iron each side of the back.  Finally, iron the shirt placket being careful to iron between the buttons.
• Check for any remaining creases or wrinkles and use steam if necessary to smooth them out.

After your shirt is ironed hang it on a wooden or plastic hanger to keep it wrinkle free.

To ensure that your formal attire makes the best possible impression, here’s more information about the fine details that are traditionally associated with black-tie.

• Tuxedo.  A completely correct tuxedo includes a single-breasted jacket that fastens with a single button and has a peaked or shawl satin-faced lapel.  Tuxedo trousers should be made from the same fabric as the jacket and may be pleated or flat front.  The trouser side seams are usually covered by a narrow band made from the same fabric as the jacket labels.  The tuxedo jacket and pants should be tailored to provide a perfect fit.
• White shirt.  The classic black-tie dress shirt is bright white with a pleated front and French cuffs that are fastened with cuff links.  A dress shirt with a plain front and with black studs in place of buttons down the front is also acceptable.  Most tuxedo dress shirts have a spread collar but the more formal wing-tip collar is also a popular choice.
• Bow Tie.  The classic neckwear for a black-tie event is a butterfly bow tie or narrow bow tie.  The tie should be self-tied (never pre-tied) and should be made from fabric that matches the tuxedo lapels.
• Waistcoat, Cummerbund, Suspenders.  Tuxedo pants are never worn with a belt; if they need tightening, dressy suspenders should be worn.  The waist of the pants can be covered with either a pleated cummerbund or a waistcoat.

Some men choose to substitute a black suit for a tuxedo at black-tie events.  This is becoming more acceptable in some circles, but is not recommended unless you know your host and are sure your suit won’t offend.

(Picture from RalphLauren.com).

• A classic suit in gray, black or navy is the first basic essential for your wardrobe.  Take care to select a style that suits your body type and then have it tailored for the perfect fit.
• A white custom dress shirt is a timeless classic item that belongs in every man’s wardrobe.  This versatile wardrobe staple can be worn with everything from a suit to jeans.
• A sports coat in a solid color is another versatile wardrobe item that can be worn for a variety of occasions.
• A solid-colored tie can be worn with a suit or dress shirt.  You may decide to buy several ties in an assortment of patterns, but make sure you have at least one in a solid color.
• A black leather belt with a silver buckle can be worn with dress pants and jeans.  A brown belt is also a good investment, or look for a reversible belt that’s brown on one side and black on the other.
• Black dress pants can be worn with a white or colored dress shirt and optional suit jacket or sports coat.
• Khaki pants are a go-to wardrobe item for work or social events.
• White t-shirts can be worn with jeans or under sweaters and dress shirts.
• Black dress shoes and black socks are expected for suits and formal attire.  It will be worth your money to invest in a good pair.  You may also want to buy brown leather shoes.
• Jeans are worn everywhere these days, so make sure you find at least one pair that’s comfortable and good-looking.
• Polo shirts are a good alternative to a dress shirt or t-shirt, casual without being too casual.  Good polo shirts are available from a variety of designers (including Lacoste and Ralph Lauren) and in a rainbow of shades.

Here are some quick fashion tips for short men.

• Pants that are too long will emphasize your height.  Always buy the correct length or have your pants tailored to fit.

• Shirts that are too long should also be avoided.  Your shirts should not fall below your crotch when tucked in and should be slightly shorter when worn tucked out.

• V-neck shirts will make your neck look longer and create an illusion of greater height while turtlenecks will have the opposite effect.

• Stick with straight ties which create a vertical line rather than bow ties.

• Avoid long hair since this tends to make the neck look shorter.

• Outerwear like jackets and coats should be in proportion to your height.  Avoid jackets that fall beneath the hip and coats that are longer than mid-thigh.

• Light-to-medium weight fabrics in darker colors can make you look slimmer and taller.

• Dress in coordinated shades of the same color, such as charcoal slacks with a gray shirt.  This is a well-known trick used by fashion designers to create an illusion of height.

• Vertical stripes and pinstripes are another way to extend the look of your body.

• Consider height-increasing footwear such as shoes with thicker soles or insoles or lifts that can be inserted into regular shoes.

No matter what you’re wearing, remember to maximize your height with good posture.  A slouched stance will make you look even shorter.  It’s also to your advantage to stay trim and fit.  Carrying extra weight can make you look short and stocky.

Cotton is the most popular natural fiber due to it’s advantages over other fabrics which are include breathability, comfort and durability.  Egyptian cotton is grown in the rich soil of the Nile River Valley and is recognized as the finest cotton in the world.  What makes the Egyptian cotton superior to other cottons are the fibers of the cotton plant.  In Egypt’s hot and humid climate, cotton fibers grow to an exceptional length.  Egyptian cotton’s fiber length (referred to as “staple”) earns it an ELS rating (for Extra-Long Staple) and is often reffered to as ELS cotton for this reason.

Long staples give Egyptian cotton greater strength and uniformity.  ELS cotton transmits moisture away from the body, making it a supremely comfortable fabric for dress shirts and other articles of clothing.  Also this cotton’s high absorbency trait allows it to retain bright and vibrant colors when dyed.  Clothing items or bedsheets made from Egyptian cotton may initially feel very crisp, but the fabric ages beautifully and will grow softer with repeated washings.

An additional benefit of Egyptian cotton is that it is an environmentally-friendly textile.  It is picked by hand, a process which is very gentle on the plant fibers.  The organic growth process and low use of pesticides makes this soft luxurious fabric the primary choice for people with sensitive skin.  Organic cotton is also hypoallergenic as it rarely causes an allergic reaction.

Photo credit : greenconduct

A significant amount of crop management is needed to produce ELS cotton. It is extremely labour intensive and requires a particular soil and a very specific climate which is only found in certain places in the world. For this reason ELS cotton is grown only in limited quantities and is quite expensive.  As a result ELS cotton is used exclusively for luxury fashion garments and high end bedding.  When shopping for high-quality cotton garments with an ELS rating, consumers are advised to look for authenticEgyptian cotton.

Solosso Fine two-ply Egyptian cottons

Unconstructed Tailoring – Skinny tailoring that has been popular in recent seasons will give way to a looser and less-fitted silhouette.  This can be seen in Ralph Lauren’s sack suits, which are characterized by a boxy jacket lacking the front darts found in more fitted suit styles.  Duffel coats and top coats by Paul Smith and other designers are also less fitted with a more rustic look.  Drop shoulders and pants that are loose or flared are additional details that are part of the more relaxed trend in men’s tailoring.

Ralph Lauren

Thick Knits – Cashmere and wool sweaters featuring chunky cables and traditional patterns are one of the newest trends for the season.  These classic sweaters can be worn layered over white or colored dress shirts or turtlenecks.  Fair Isle and Nordic sweaters with intricate hand knit patterns appeared this season in the collections of Robert Bastian, Junya Watanabe, Raf Simons and several others.  One of this year’s trendiest cold weather accessories is the tubular knitted scarf, a detachable cowl that provides the warmth of a wrapped scarf with far less bulk.

GANT

Rich Textures – Combinations of suede, tweed and fur are part of the continuing 1970s fashion trend.  Shearling outerwear (sheepskin combined with leather or suede) can be seen in designs by Gucci, Roberto Cavalli and Ferragamo.  Corduroy is making a comeback this season, seen in wide wale pants from Louis Vuitton and full suits from Gucci.  Cord pants are a versatile winter substitute for denim, especially for more casual looks.

GANT

Tonal Dressing – This simply means a lack of contrast between pieces that are worn together.  Lighter and darker shades of the same color are combined to create a unified look.  Dolce & Gabbana did this especially well with gray and black striped sweaters worn over gray pants.  Outfits consisting entirely of shades of gray or brown will be especially popular this season.

Dolce & Gabbana

For all but the most casual weddings, a suit, dress shirt and tie are appropriate.  If the wedding is black-tie, you are expected to wear a tuxedo, white dress shirt, bow-tie and cummerbund or waistcoat.  For a formal wedding, a black or navy blue suit will not be out of place.   For less formal weddings, dark pants with a white dress shirt and sport coat can be worn.

When picking out a suit to wear to a wedding, look for fabric that’s appropriate for the season – wool and cashmere in dark colours for fall and winter, cotton and linen in lighter shades for spring and summer. Make sure the suit is properly tailored for a perfect fit and pressed before the wedding.

A long-sleeved dress shirt with French cuffs and simple gold or silver cufflinks is required for almost any type of wedding.
For all but black-tie weddings, you can express your personality with a colourful tie.  Avoid clip-on ties and always knot your own tie for a wedding.

Never overlook the importance of the proper shoes and accessories for weddings.  Don’t make the cardinal mistake of wearing athletic shoes to a wedding; leather dress shoes or loafers are the correct choice.  Finally, select a leather belt that matches your shoes.

Dad jeans, also known as Barack Obama jeans.  Stonewashed high-waisted jeans were a trend of 1980s and they need to stay there.  Look instead for form-fitting medium-rise dark denim jeans.

It's a "Don't"

Running shoes.  Save these for running and working out.  Leather lace-ups or classic sneakers are a better choice for all other occasions (Unless your name is Steve J.). Have a look for “sportive” leather shoes which are more casual but still give that stylish touch.

Socks and sandals. This never looks right.  Either lose the socks are wear shoes instead of sandals.

It's a "Don't"

Flat collars.  When you wear a suit without a tie, don’t let your dress shirt flatten beneath your jacket.  Buy shirts with crisp collars that have collar stays.

It's a "Do"

Saggy slacks.  Folds of fabric around your ankles are just fine with skinny jeans, but too-long suit pants or slacks don’t cut it.  For a more polished look, visit a tailor and get your pants hemmed.  Request “no break” and banish the sagginess.

It's a "Don't"

Baggy suit.  When your suit is too large you can end up looking like a kid playing dress up.  The rule of thumb when buying a suit is to find one that feels slightly too small and then go up one size.  This will give you a suit that is fitted but not too tight.

It's a "Don't"

Short sleeves and tie.  Unless you live in a tropical climate or want to look like Dilbert, avoid wearing a tie with a short sleeve shirt.