Description of the man's business suit. The dress and manners of a business man. Men's business style

Many men have to wear a business suit to work. These clothes are an indicator of good taste and respectability, therefore, special attention should be paid to the choice of model. Let's figure out how to choose a men's business suit and accessories for it.

It must be said that the history of the men's suit dates back to ancient times, since for many centuries it was men who were engaged in all matters, and the woman was exclusively the keeper of the hearth.

The costumes were originally lush but uncomfortable. Men's clothing acquired a more familiar look towards the end of the 19th century, but then the costume consisted of many items. In addition to a frock coat, trousers and vest, it includes a top hat and seals.

Over time, fashion changed, clothes became more and more practical and comfortable. With the outbreak of the First World War, splendor and impracticality went aside, clothing becomes functional and more comfortable. The coats are replaced by a shorter version of clothing - a jacket. In addition, paramilitary uniforms are in fashion - service jackets and breeches.

In the 1920s, at the height of fashion, patent leather shoes, in addition, the option of a plaid suit is gaining popularity. The next decade was remembered for the "uniform" of gangsters, consisting of a black suit with white stripes with wide lapels, straight trousers and a wide-brimmed hat.

In the harsh 40s, many people were not up to fashionable delights, but after the end of World War II, elegant models with fitted jackets and a slightly extended shoulder line and trousers with cuffs became popular. But the colors were calm, only a thin, inconspicuous strip was allowed from the prints.

Despite the rebellious character of the 60s and 70s, the business suit for men remains extremely conservative. But in the 80s, suits of unusual colors come into fashion, of course, extreme finishing options, like sequins were not used in business fashion, but the most unexpected colors are used.

Since the mid-90s, models have appeared in men's fashion that were previously found only in women's fashion. For example, tapered and slightly cropped trousers, narrow and elongated lapels on tight-fitting jackets. Unconventional prints are used, for example, uneven stripes, jacquard patterns.

In the modern world, more conservative decisions are in priority, the costume is becoming more traditional and strict.

Business Etiquette

The sleeve of the shirt should be slightly longer than the sleeve of the jacket, the cuffs should protrude by about 1.5 cm.

Shirts should be chosen in plain colors, the presence of a print in a thin strip is allowed. Shirts with other types of prints cannot be used. A shirt for a business suit is chosen light, but not necessarily white. Light blue, light tea rose, light steel are acceptable.

In winter, many men wear underwear under their shirt. But this should not be a T-shirt, as its collar will protrude under the thin fabric of the shirt.

It must be remembered that clothing reflects and emphasizes individuality, characterizes a business person as a person. The decision to apply for a job depends on the appearance of the applicant. If he is dressed improperly, then he can hardly count on success. The choice of clothes is determined by the field of activity and position: for example, the clothes of bankers are distinguished by conservatism, which is not welcomed in creative circles.

"They are greeted by their clothes, they are escorted by their minds," says popular wisdom. This rule is very often ignored by many people. However, consciously or unconsciously, we judge others by their appearance.

The office environment imposes certain requirements on the appearance of a business person. In the world of fashion, a certain concept has long been formed - "business suit". He, of course, takes into account the latest trends and fashion trends, but at the same time remains to a certain extent strict and conservative.

The appearance of a business person is one of the leading factors of success, since for a potential partner it is the appearance (suit, hairstyle, attributes) that testifies to the degree of reliability, respectability and success in the affairs of a particular businessman. Only those who are well-dressed and well-combed, who have a sense of taste and proportion, are credible.

In everyday situations, wear a thoroughly cleaned and ironed suit with a light-colored shirt and a matching tie. It is best if the daytime work suit is gray, light gray, dark blue.

The cuffs of the shirt should be about one centimeter visible from the sleeves of the jacket with the arms down.

During the day at work, club style is quite acceptable. Most often it is a navy blue blazer with shiny buttons.

The collar of the jacket should fit snugly around the neck.

The collar of the shirt should be visible from behind a little more than one centimeter.

With daywear, it is not at all necessary to wear a scarf in your left breast pocket, but if you decide to wear it, it should be immaculately clean, that is, it should not be used like a regular handkerchief.

Keep the handkerchief unfolded in your trouser pocket.

Do not put a pen, pencil, glasses, hairbrush and other items in the upper outer pockets of jackets and jackets so that they look out.

In winter, as a rule, ties are tied in deep and dark colors, in summer - light and bright. It should be remembered that the dominant color of the tie must match the color of the suit. -

Socks should be black or blue to match the color of the suit. Needed: white silk scarf, white handkerchief in the left breast pocket.

According to classic etiquette guides, the tuxedo is worn during dinner at home or at an informal dinner at the house where you are invited.

In any case, the dress suit is not worn before 18.00.

A ring is practically the only piece of jewelry that a man can wear. But even the ring should have its purpose - it is either a wedding ring or a signet ring. In the United States, the wedding ring is worn on the ring finger of the left hand. All men's rings are also worn on the little finger of the left hand so that it does not hurt during the handshake.

A man can also wear a gold tie bar, gold cufflinks, or a gold watch bracelet.

It should be noted that the main rule that one must strive to follow when choosing a business suit in all its components is the general impression of neatness, accuracy and even some pedantry in clothes. This should make your partner think that you will be just as careful in your business.

Thus, we can use our image to achieve the most favorable impression with others even at the stage of acquaintance, when there is no opportunity to show our intellectual and other abilities.

According to some studies, 55% of the impressions we make on other people are determined by what they see (skin and hair color, appearance, posture, facial expressions and gestures, facial expressions, the nature of eye contact); the remaining 45% of impressions are determined by what people hear (semantic load of speech, its tempo, voice pitch, clarity of speech, pronunciation, etc.).

Of course, a specific situation requires appropriate decisions, but there are general ethical rules, adhering to which, we will be adequately perceived by others, and our image will work for our career and for the overall positive image of the organization that we represent.

Even very high-quality, expensive and fashionable things can look tasteless if you do not observe the condition of style unity.

Typically, clothing depends on lifestyle and place of work. In industries such as finance, law, politics, accounting, consulting, wearing formal clothing is almost mandatory. Much more freedom is allowed in the media or advertising.

A tie requires special attention in a man's suit. His choice depends on the color, pattern and fabric of the suit. Bow ties are accepted only on official occasions.

A tie is not needed for a sports shirt, as well as for woolen shirts. Of course, the tie must be tied neatly and correctly.

It is recommended to wear a white shirt for especially important and festive events. The tie can be any, but preferably not flashy colors. A solid black tie (if it is not uniform) is worn only in case of mourning.

In a formal setting, the jacket should always be buttoned (the bottom button of the jacket is not buttoned). In a buttoned jacket they enter the apartment of friends, the theater, a restaurant, a meeting. For performers from the stage, the rostrum, the jacket must be buttoned. You can unbutton your jacket while sitting at the table or in the auditorium.

The desire to express your individuality (and this can be done first of all with the help of clothes) and at the same time maintain certain standards, requires finding the exact line between the desire to express oneself and conformity to the environment.

One of the most important accessories of a general business suit is shoes. Therefore, in no case should we forget about its quality - old sloppy shoes can spoil the impression even of a quite decent suit. What's more, expensive, well-groomed shoes can divert attention away from cheap clothing.

If a person has a well-groomed appearance, then he seems to radiate positive self-esteem, which automatically increases the chances of being highly appreciated by others.

The need to appear at work outwardly neat and well-dressed every day is due to the fact that colleagues and bosses tend, as a rule, to extend your outward neatness to work qualities, such as responsibility, decency, commitment and accuracy in business.

In addition, the observance of the rules of etiquette of external appearance speaks of a person's respect for the people around him.

The appearance of a business woman

If a talented man can make a career, even with a bad image, then for a woman it is almost impossible.

The key factors that make a positive impression on others are:

elegant clothes;

hairstyle;

thin makeup;

impressive accessories.

Of course, a fashionable suit is not a guarantee of fast promotion, but if a woman is devoid of taste, her chances are zero. Practice shows that many women lack taste in choosing clothes.

The reason for this is a lack of necessary knowledge. Usually women form their style through trial and error, which can be too much. It is risky to rely on the opinion of others, since advice is given with pleasure, as a rule, by people of little competence.

A woman enjoys much more freedom in choosing the style of clothing, material and color of the fabric than a man, whose clothing in most cases is of a uniform cut.

This allows a woman to choose such styles of clothing that best suit her individual taste and fit the characteristics of her figure. It should be remembered that a good style of clothing should emphasize the merits and correct the existing figure flaws.

A conservative suit was and remains the main item of a business woman's wardrobe.

When going for an interview at a company whose business area is unfamiliar, a suit with a jacket without lapels should be suitable, it should be dark blue or gray.

Business dress code rules for men seem stricter than similar rules for women. But this is not due to some kind of gender bias, but to a smaller choice of toilet parts that, in principle, men use in their wardrobe. In addition, in men's business style, in contrast to women's, there is absolutely no jewelry, except perhaps for an expensive watch.

There are 10 rules for choosing clothes for men in a casual business style for working days.

I. Men's business dress code assumes the use of long-sleeved shirts under jackets and suits, even in summer. An "empty" sleeve and a bare wrist in the bell are extremely obscene! (A short sleeve shirt is only allowed on vacation or at the service - no jacket!)

II. A T-shirt is required under the shirts (this is a question of both hygiene and decency - nipples and hair growth should not show through the shirt).

III. In the daytime, it is extremely inappropriate to choose ties from the latest fashion collections to match clothes for men in a casual business style. Playboy bunnies or Venus de Milo can have the opposite effect of what you want; their time is evening, the address is youth clubs.

A tie to a business suit should always follow the rule: it is darker than a shirt, but lighter than a jacket. (The machinations of the fashion industry are not for serious people, and certainly not for daytime and work events!)

IV. Business man's socks should match trousers or shoes! In formal business style of clothing for men, shocking or contrasting colors of socks are unacceptable. In the world of business relations, the socks of a decent gentleman always cover the ankle high (no matter how low the chair he sits on) and fit snugly against it (without pinching the leg, which is unhealthy).

V. In the cold season, business style for men also regulates hats:

a hat is worn only with a coat (in one tone);
caps and berets are worn with a cloak;
fur hats with earflaps - with sheepskin coats;
knitted hats and baseball caps - with jackets.

Vi. And how to dress a business man in the hot season? In summer, the shades of men's suits (even formal ones) brighten noticeably. The fabrics of such clothes for men in a strict style become lighter - summer mohair, linen, cotton, strict denim.

Vii. In the light of the sun and decency, shoes must also "brighten"! Light suits with black shoes and shirts - Armani's “gangster” proposal made to men over a decade ago (and inexplicably loved by Russian gentlemen and residents of the southern regions) - are not accepted by good taste in the business world.

A strict dress code for men regulates the selection of shoes of light and medium brown shades for light suits in the warm season of the year, belts and cases to match them.

VIII. Hopefully, true gentlemen will not have to be reminded of the importance of personal hygiene (but perfume should not be overused).

As you can see in the photo, in the business style of a man, the tidiness of a suit is always implied:

The gentleman's hair and cheeks should also always be neat (even with long options - the hair and beard are formed!).

IX. Never forget about the little things. Watches, cufflinks, glasses and even lighters are best kept in the same style. Cases and briefcases, shoes and belts should be matched together in an ensemble: they should suit their owner in size and shape, as well as suit his wardrobe.

X. What should a business man look like on Friday, the eve of the weekend? On this day of the week, etiquette allows for a looser form of clothing, but basic decency should be adhered to.

On working days, men are quite free in their choice and can use casual clothes, of course, personal status and professional responsibilities are important. The options that sysadmins, graphic designers, or conductors can afford are not suitable for educators, lawyers, or bank account managers.

Formal dress for men in casual ensembles allows for the presence of knitwear and the absence of a tie.

At this informal level, suits in a cage, herringbone, large stripes, corduroy or linen suits, tweed and suede jackets are good.

Shirts can have bright stripes or cells, they can be darker or brighter than formal options.

Boots, respectively, from the same everyday theme - loafers, yacht shoes, moccasins.

Common clothes for men in a strict business style (with photo)

In the generally accepted business style of clothing for men, the dress code is strictly regulated and for formal events. However, not all official daytime events are held at a high formal level (such as inaugurations, ceremonial and anniversary meetings, opening of conferences, forums, etc.). For formal events, invitations must be marked with dress-code:

Black Tie (Formal, Official)
Bb - Business Best
Btr - Business Traditional

The strict business style of men for Black Tie suggests:

Suits of a high level of perfection made of very good fabrics - dark blue or dark gray shades, possibly very thin stripes.
Men's business style of clothing involves plain shirts - white, ecru, light shades of blue, gray, steel. No pocket! Double French cuffs for cufflinks are required. Cufflinks for daytime events are only modest, laconic.
Men complement suits in a strict style with a spectacular tie made of natural silk - plain: blue, burgundy, dark mustard, etc. (but not black!) Or in small dots (preferably jacquard weaving). Diagonal ties work well for business formats.

Pay attention to the photo - the strict style of clothing for men allows single-breasted vests from the main fabric of the suit:

A pocket square is welcome.
Oxford shoes (less often Derby shoes) with parquet (leather) soles - varnish is possible, the color of the shoes is black or maroon.
The belt is selected to match the boots.

Austere business dress for modern men

The transitional time in business etiquette is 17: 00-20: 00. During this time interval, events of a medium formal level, of a non-strict nature, are held, as a rule, on light solemn occasions: openings, presentations, premieres. The organizers expect guests to respect the rules of decency and a certain degree of dressiness in appearance.

Dress-code marks typical for a non-strict business format:

Black Tie Invited (tie welcome)
Black Tie Optional (tie optional)
A5 (AfterFive - after five)
Semi-formal

Dress-codes of the strict level Black Tie (Formal, Official, Bb), characteristic of highly formal events, are almost never used during the transitional time - at least until 19:00 - since it is extremely rare to arrange events of such a strict format in this time interval.

For events from 17:00 to 20:00, the man has a large selection of costumes!

A perfect suit with all the important details (they just disassembled them in the daytime men's Black Tie above). There is also an addition in the colors of the costumes - more shades of blue and gray, brown color is possible and patterns in both narrow and chalk stripes - they are slightly wider, slightly shaded - like a chalk trail on the cloth.
Tuxedo - fully equipped.
Also, in the modern business style of men for the transitional time of day, a classic club blazer is welcomed - a dark blue double-breasted suit. This is a very smart topic. (Variants in color are possible.) Trousers for him choose gray or dark beige (black is bad form!), Stripes are possible.
Velvet jackets are always in active fashion, these are very beautiful options! A deep navy or chocolate brown jacket paired with a matching shirt shade is always a win-win and elegant look for such festive, but not strict events.
A large selection of elegant ties. Straight, familiar styles for us - with drawings of foulard and paisley or machine anchors for a club blazer. Scarves and ascot ties.
And only for a tuxedo - a bow tie or a plastron - under the obligatory special dress shirt with a bow-collar!
For a more romantic look, a modern man who prefers a business style of clothing can replace a tie with a vest and beautifully put a shirt collar - both with a suit and a tuxedo, but with the latter - only in an artistic space!
In a business style of clothing, men for this time of day should have shirts with cuffs for cufflinks. Moreover, double French (effective and dense) are preferable to single Viennese cuffs.
Shoes "Oxford", or very high quality "derbies", or excellent loafers, shoes are matched to the ensemble of a suit - on this "celebration of life" different color shades look good - mustard and burgundy.
And remember that a man is not fully dressed without a pocket square in his jacket pocket.
In the absence of dress-codes in the invitation (written or verbal), men can choose whether to stay in a daytime "work" suit or change into a more elegant ensemble - subject to all the rules of decency, indicated as "rules and requirements of etiquette" at the very beginning of this Topics.

Casual business clothing for men

The time for formal events corresponding to 20:00 (or 19:00) is equal to Black Tiel. For men, this rule remains the main one: a respectable suit (dark blue, dark gray) or a tuxedo.

Pure Black Tie rules for men:

1. Suits of a high level of respectability - dark blue or dark gray shades (not black!), Possibly with very narrow stripes.

Suits are complemented with a spectacular tie (plain or speckled, or a medium-sized jacquard foulard pattern is possible). Diagonal pattern - for day format only!
Pocket square.
Belt to match the shoes - "Oxford" on a parquet (leather) outsole.
Shirts in a free business style, men should choose good quality, white or light shades, with French (double) cuffs for cufflinks. Cufflinks can be large and spectacular - masterpieces of jewelry art (as opposed to the events of the working day!).

2. Tuxedo, which requires:

Trousers with a single silk stripe. Classic tuxedo trousers with a high waist, with a special belt - with fasteners, without belt loops (men like this style very much - it slims, gives a tight silhouette, and is very comfortable).
Special tailored shirt in white, with a small bow-tie collar and double cuffs for cufflinks. Elegant cufflinks.
A wide belt (cammerbant, worn on top of the waistband of trousers, the folds are oriented upward) or a single-breasted vest (its bottom button is not fastened).
A bow tie of the same color with a belt (black, dark blue, gray, less often burgundy - better without a pattern). Or a tie-plastron - it is worn only with a single-breasted vest - black or made of the same fabric as the plastron.
A pocket square for a tuxedo is white, so the whole ensemble of a tuxedo is black and white. Or, the shades of the plastron are repeated in the shawl color (or bow tie, if you choose its colored version).
Lacquered boats or "Oxford" shoes (lacquer is better).

Business dress for men has a number of features. It was created so that a man could look decent at work or a business meeting. Each representative of the stronger sex can choose an image from this style.

Today we will talk about how this style differs from others. Let's see which clothes are business style. What are some images for men. We will also discuss what can be worn by overweight men and how they can hide their overweight.

Men's business style contains a minimum of things and accessories. All clothes are discreet and you need to pick up some accessories for them. In this image, the watch is of particular importance. They must be expensive, as they are used to assess the taste of a man and his financial condition.

If a middle-aged man has a business style, then he should testify to the responsibility and reliability of a man. Such images must necessarily look neat and expensive. This style does not pursue fashion, it pursues only one goal, all things must be of high quality.

The attributes of this look are shirt, tie and suit. Sometimes business dress for men can be without a jacket, but then you need to put on a vest. In some cases, you can just walk without a jacket and shirt. When choosing a suit, it is important to remember that it must be comfortable and, at the same time, fit well on the figure.

Advice! The collar of the shirt should protrude two cm from under the jacket.

Official

Officially, business style implies that a man must have a formal suit, shirt and tie. This is the image you should have when going to an official meeting. Sometimes it is also called business style. A man should not wear unnecessary accessories, all clothes should be restrained and strict. This style will not tolerate experimentation and unusual looks.

Do you like formal style?

YesNot

Business casual

The business casual style is a little different from the usual business style. A man who wants to have such an image must correctly combine 10 items of clothing. This style allows the stronger sex to experiment. The peculiarity of the business casual is that if a man cannot combine all the elements of clothing, then it is most likely that he will look ridiculous.

What kind of clothes are we talking about?

Two-piece suit... It should be of plain and smooth fabric.
... A classic shirt should fit a man perfectly. With this style, a man can take off his jacket, so his shirt should be perfect.
Shoes. The most versatile option for this look is brown lace-up shoes.
Blazer. You can wear jeans and a turtleneck under it.
... Such a sweater can sometimes replace a jacket.
belong to everyday business clothes.
ideally replaces a shirt.
Polo. Such a shirt must be worn by a man wearing this style.
... You can tie under this image.

Although it may seem that casual is not the style of men's business attire, having a business look does not always mean looking formal. This style requires exquisite taste from a man.

Important! At different times of the year, business casual looks different.

Office

Office style is considered one of the most difficult. Each element of the image should complement each other perfectly. Oftentimes, offices have a specific dress code to follow. Such looks can consist of a jacket and a light blue shirt. From time to time, the color scheme of the dress code may change.

It is important to remember that fashion trends do not always match business style. Accessories in this case should be very discreet or completely absent. The look can be complemented with a leather or suede bag over the shoulder.

Choosing clothes for obese men

When choosing clothes for obese men, you need to remember that the most important task in their case is to hide all the flaws. To do this, you need to choose not very fitted clothes and avoid things that visually enlarge the man.

It is very important that any clothing is the same size as a large man. No need to try to pull the figure. Try to choose simple models of suits so as not to focus too much attention on your figure. Give preference to lightweight fabrics.

Expert opinion

Helen Goldman

Male stylist-image maker

Overweight men need to replace the belt with suspenders.

Also, such men should choose shirts with a shark collar. Only large pieces of jewelry should be purchased as an accessory. They emphasize the strength of a man, which earns others respect.

Shoes and accessories

Leather classic leather boots are ideal for a business look. This is a versatile shoe option. Only a tie can decorate the whole image. If a man picks it up correctly, then he may no longer need to wear other accessories.

You can take a business-style backpack or briefcase as an accessory. When choosing them, it is important to remember that they should not be too massive and crowded. Also, don't forget about cufflinks and a tie clip. Remember that a man's business hairstyle should match the look.

Photo selection of fashionable images

To better understand what a business style looks like, it is better to look at a selection of ready-made images. You will see what are the options for this style, how to combine clothes and combine colors. Business style does not always have to have a strict suit, it combines different things of this style.

How to choose the right clothes?

In addition to the fact that all clothes should be of the same style, a man is obliged to pay attention to how she sits on him. Any properly selected clothing can hide all the flaws of a man. Therefore, try to decide which image will suit you personally.

Particular attention should be paid to accessories, as there should not be too many of them in a business style, but they play a key role. Also, skillfully combined colors always indicate a good taste of the stronger sex.

Business success depends on the competence of a business person, his professionalism, activity and many, many other factors. Some of them affect the achievement of the desired result directly and directly - knowledge of the matter, experience, but now we are not talking about them.

Indirect factors also affect success, and the appearance of a business person is precisely the factor that also determines the effectiveness of business relationships, success in business contacts and contributes to the creation of the necessary working atmosphere.

Appearance and manners are what the business partners around him see and evaluate immediately, while the proposed transactions have not yet been discussed, while the draft agreement is not yet on the table.

Each professional group of people has its own unwritten code of conduct, manners, appearance - civil servants, actors, students, etc. Businessmen also have a certain style of dress and manners.

Observing the meeting of the board of directors, employees serving the exposition of their companies at the fair, business meetings, etc., it can be noted that the overwhelming majority of those present are dressed in "one key": approximately the same color of a suit, a similar pattern on the fabric of a tie, similar manners.

General characteristics of the style of a business man: conservatism (since the business sphere is almost not subject to random influences); moderation, i.e. there should not be too sharp color contrasts, overly pretentious styles of clothes or shoes, etc.; impeccable neatness and tidiness, since a casually or crookedly tied tie, dirty shoes, a wrinkled shirt create the impression that the wearer of such clothes is undemanding to himself or does not respect others. There is an assumption that he is also undemanding to himself and in the performance of contracts, and will also be disrespectful to the interests of partners in the business sphere.

The Western business world differs from the Russian one (among other things) also by the fact that when negotiating agreements, transactions, etc. takes into account how the partner is dressed, what are his manners. One detail, in the opinion of some, may be insignificant, for example, a stale handkerchief, a torn jacket button, can negatively affect the outcome of negotiations.

A business man should look:
confident;
solid;
business;
elegant;
trustworthy;
not devoid of taste;
reliable;
decent;
neat.

The main type of men's business attire is a three-piece suit.

The quality of the fabric of the suit determines how long it retains its shape, how long the "arrows" on the trousers keep. Desirably, the fabric is made of "dry" thread, i. E. strongly twisted. (Such fabric stays dry for a long time when exposed to rain.) When choosing a suit in a store, it is enough to squeeze the edge of the product in your hand for 1-2 seconds; by opening your hand, you see how wrinkled the fabric is: if it instantly took its previous form, i.e. it is not wrinkled, which means that the thread is well twisted, but if there are bruises on the fabric (traces of creases), the thread is poorly processed, such a suit by the end of the working day will look wrinkled, and this gives the impression of untidiness.

The length of the jacket floor in a modern suit of the world of business is up to the first phalanx of the thumb down.

Jacket sleeve length - up to the wrist.

Dark blue is stricter and therefore more formal than gray. Psychologists say that he is not remembered because he is neutral. Therefore, a dark blue suit can be worn more than once a week, accompanied by different shirts and ties. Another nuance of dark blue: it makes the complexion of its "wearer" healthier, more blooming, as it casts a reflection on the face of the color that is the component in blue - pink. This does not mean that a man becomes rosy-cheeked and looks like a bouncy boy scout, no, he just looks healthier, and this is important, especially if a large part of a busy working day is already behind, which results in fatigue; in addition, the condition of a cold or psychological stress from an unpleasant conversation with a colleague or management that just happened may not be the best.

The gray color is psychologically softer, "warmer"; a business man in a gray suit looks pleasant, friendly, conducive to conversation and communication.

There is one "secular" rule: the darker the color (the color of whatever is desired - clothes, furniture, etc.), the more aristocratic it is. This applies heavily to gray: a dark gray suit will look more expensive - regardless of the true price, and a light gray suit will look cheaper.

Separately, it should be said about the black color for the men's suit. It is a must-have color for evening business receptions and mourning ceremonies. The authors of modern Western reference books on business etiquette do not object to this. But the opinions on whether black suit is acceptable for everyday business setting are very contradictory in the same sources. However, nevertheless, the scales lean more towards the point of view, which consists in recommending the use of the black color of a man's suit as a sign, a symbol of the solemnity of a business event, regardless of whether it is accompanied by positive moods (business reception) or negative (funeral ceremony) ...

For a business suit, colors such as burgundy, brown, marsh green, etc., are excluded, they should be left for clothing intended for leisure (club, out-of-town walk).

The color intensity of the fabric of the suit is deeper in winter and less in summer.

A striped fabric suit is allowed, but the strip should not be too wide or sharp, contrasting.

Can a jacket be worn in one fabric and pants in another? Yes, you can, but it is imperative to check how the jacket and trousers are combined in color, pattern and texture of the fabric.

A striped suit makes the figure slimmer, so it is preferred by those with a clothing size over 54.

Checkered fabric can also be used for a man's suit, the requirements are the same - the check should be even less noticeable than the strip.

On business men of the 90s, plaid suits are much less common than, for example, on business men of the 20s.

Bouclé and tweed suits are allowed, but such a suit is not worn in its entirety, a bouclé or tweed jacket with trousers made of dyed fabric and smooth texture is required.

It is appropriate to note here that in general the ability to combine in clothes not only color, pattern, but also the texture of the fabric can be considered a talent.

A jacket, as an element of a suit, can be single-breasted or double-breasted - at will. A double-breasted jacket is usually preferred by overweight men, as it makes the figure slimmer.

Elements of a sports style, such as patch pockets, are not allowed in a men's business suit; military style, such as epaulets; hunting and club style.

Modern business suits and even corduroy jackets (this is a fabric for leisure, sports, hunting), velvet, and leather are unacceptable. Note that the requirements for business clothing change not only century after century, but sometimes more often; For fun, you can point to the business suit of the Marquis - a civil servant who holds the post of Minister of Finance at the court of Louis XIV: velvet jacket, velvet "culottes" ("pants") up to the knee, white stockings, etc.

Separately, it is worth touching on the issue of tailoring technology for a man's suit. In world practice, it is considered very prestigious to wear suits made with a large share of manual labor. The fact is that the seam made on the arms (this especially concerns the seam connecting the collar of the jacket with the back and shelves, as well as the seam along the edge of the sleeve) is softer, better repeats the shape of the human body, which, as you know, does not have right angles and absolutely straight lines. A suit with a large number of seams made by hand (on a mannequin, of course) fits well, "like a glove", and a person feels free in it, like in jeans and a jumper. However, a handmade suit is expensive. In addition to the high price, such suits are distinguished by high quality - both fabrics and tailoring. Western image makers claim that such a suit can be worn for ten or even twenty years - subject to timely cleaning, periodic breaks in wearing and repair of worn parts (we are talking about the lining and other internal elements of the suit).

We consider the requirements of business etiquette for modern clothing, without going into history or trying to predict the future in this area.

Are the slots on a business suit jacket appropriate? Yes. There are different rules for this in different cultures: the so-called English jacket - with two slots, American - with one slot, European - without faces at all.

The jacket is usually worn buttoned, but the bottom button of a single-breasted jacket is not buttoned to give some leeway and comfort when sitting down.

However, in the latter case, the jacket can be unbuttoned altogether.

A double-breasted jacket is always buttoned up.

A business suit, like all the clothes of a business person, is in line with fashion, but in moderation; extravagance in business clothes, especially for men, is unacceptable.

Business suit trousers can have a cuff, but it can be absent - at the request of the "owner".

The length of the trousers in modern business clothes: in the front, the trousers are pulled over the shoes with a small fold, and in the back they reach the beginning or the middle of the heel.

The crease of the trousers should be well ironed.

Trouser belt - only made of genuine leather, dark color; with a modest buckle - no "lion" and "wolf heads".

A shirt (and not a shirt! - since, strictly speaking, the term "shirt" is unofficial, the norms of speech culture require the term "shirt") - made of thin cotton, sometimes with the addition, almost imperceptible, of synthetics - for less creasing, always light colors - white, light gray, light blue, light sand shade.

The color of the shirt, of course, should be in harmony with the color of the suit.

The collar is classic, traditional.

On the shirt, as well as on the jacket, elements of a sports or military style are also not allowed - shoulder straps, patch pockets with folds and yokes; let's say, however, one modest patch pocket - usually such shirts have the manufacturer's logo (i.e., the word trademark) on the pocket.

The shirt sleeve relies on 1-1.5 cm to "look out" from under the jacket sleeve.

An important piece of clothing is a handkerchief. It should be, like a shirt, light tones - white, pale gray, etc., but in no case "farm" colors - deep blue or red, in a bright check.

A second handkerchief (besides the one intended for immediate use), spotlessly clean, is kept as a reserve "just in case." It can be offered to a woman if necessary, it is convenient for them to remove a speck from an eye, etc. However, it should also be periodically changed, since, even being unused, the scarf after a while becomes stale.

A tie is an element of clothing that practically does not solve any functional problems.

The color (or colors) of the tie should be in harmony with the color of the shirt and suit.

Drawing on a tie, a geometric pattern is desirable - a strip of different widths, polka dots, small squares, etc.

Since the tie is the most striking and therefore noticeable detail of the toilet, let's talk about the drawings in more detail.

The safest solution in choosing a tie pattern is to choose a solid color tie. The fact is that such a tie goes well with any shirt and any suit. Therefore, it is advisable to have more solid-colored ties in your wardrobe - blue, dark red, dark gray, light gray, etc.

Recently, polka dot tie has been very popular. However, there is one subtlety: this pattern looks more elegant if the polka dots are placed on the fabric not strictly "along the line", i.e. each pea is located approximately (not exactly) at the same distance from the others. And the second subtlety - the peas should be small: the smaller, the more sophistication and refinement in the pattern of the tie fabric.

A tie with diagonal stripes of a color in harmony with the main field of the tie is very good for a business suit.

Classic patterns on a tie, such as rhombuses, squares, circles, are also appropriate.

The approximate width of the tie (on average) is the same as the width of the side of the jacket, i.e. if the sides of the jacket are wide, the tie should not be narrow, and vice versa.

The length of the tie is determined by the fact that it must cover the belt buckle of the trouser belt.

Ties with floral patterns, newspaper text, figures of people and animals are undesirable and generally unacceptable - such ties are appropriate on vacation.

There is such a requirement: in terms of color intensity, in the first place - a jacket, in the second - a tie, in the third - a shirt.

How many suits should a modern business man have? As much as you like! There is only a lower limit - at least three: for everyday wear, you can recommend gray and blue, for special occasions - black. However, with such a small number of suits, you can expect them to wear out quickly, and in order to avoid the impression of being worn in clothes, you will have to buy new suits more often, which ultimately will not allow you to save on a business wardrobe.

In our opinion, if we take into account the pace and rhythm of modern business life, the need for frequent transport movements, long waits at airports due to flight delays, climatic and weather disasters, as well as the almost endless working day of a businessman, the number of business suits should not be less ten - for all seasons. And this is the minimum, since for some time some costumes are being cleaned, some have their buttons torn off or they are simply bored with their owner.

Since, as you know, trousers wear out and acquire a not quite "fresh" look earlier than a jacket, it is reasonable to purchase a suit with two pairs of trousers, some of which may differ slightly in color intensity or even be of a different color, but in harmony with the color of the jacket.

There is a rule that is usually adhered to in Western business circles: a businessman, a business person should not appear at work in the same suit for several days in a row - it is desirable that this does not happen even for two days in a row - otherwise, one of the colleagues may express guess he spent the night away from home!

Shoes - low shoes, color - only black. Dark brown is allowed, for example, in summer, to a gray suit. Shoes - only with laces (no buckles, "tongues" and "Velcro"!), The sole is thin, leather or from a substitute, but always without a welt, which is appropriate only in street shoes. Business man's shoes can be in line with fashion, but should not contain trendy elements; in general, a certain touch of conservatism is desirable, as in the entire appearance, as already mentioned earlier.

Shoes made of suede, lacquered (it is for evening business receptions), crocodile and snake leather are not allowed in the business world.

Socks are the most important piece of clothing. Their color always repeats the color of the shoes, and the color of the shoes, as you know, is black.

Colored drawing on socks is unacceptable, it can only be textured.

Outerwear should match the suit in color and texture of the fabric, so that at the moment when a business person takes off his raincoat or coat, there is no disharmony in the clothes.

The hat (maybe a cap) is in line with fashion, but in moderation.

A scarf is that element of a wardrobe that can be bright (white, red), but should be in harmony with all other clothes, but can also be very modest in color. Takes as a headdress in business attire is unacceptable, as well as a hand-knitted scarf.

A raincoat or coat may well be fashionable, but it doesn't have to be trendy.

In outerwear, as in a suit, features of a military, sports, etc. are unacceptable. style.

The color for outerwear is preferable gray, black, blue.

The umbrella is black.

Accessories - a bag, a business card, a wallet, a folder or a case, a case for glasses, etc. - preferably from genuine leather, but not from the skin of a snake, crocodile, etc.

The color of the accessories is black, dark gray, no bright colors.

The ring must be expensive, massive; if it is not possible to have an expensive ring, in no case should it be replaced with a cheap one - it is better to do without a ring altogether.

Note that a wedding ring is not an adornment, it is a symbol of marital status.

Let's talk separately about cufflinks and a tie pin.

Strictly speaking, they are not adornments, since they carry a definite functional load. However, being decorated artistically, they also serve as decorations.

It is recommended that the cufflinks and tie pin form a single piece of design, i.e. set. They should not be too large, pretentious, should be made only of natural materials - silver, gold, mother of pearl, precious, semi-precious and semi-precious stones (diamond, amber, tiger's eye, etc.).

Plastic cufflinks and pins, etc., are not allowed. materials imitating natural stones.

Perfumery and cosmetic products used by a business man should be of the same name (one "line"); odor should be kept to a minimum, even if these are products of an expensive and fashionable perfume company.

The hairstyle of a business man is fashionable, but in a moderate expression; for example, if it is a hairstyle with long hair, then it should not be longer than the top of the shirt collar at the back.

An earring (earrings) in the ear is absolutely unacceptable for a business man.

Modern business etiquette also negatively refers to the beard and mustache as elements of appearance.

Some companies even provide for this in the Internal Regulations: "Wearing a beard and mustache is allowed only if it is due to a doctor's certificate (that daily shaving is contraindicated for the skin). But in this case there are restrictions - the beard must be trimmed carefully, and the tips of the mustache are not below the corners of the mouth. "

The requirements of cleanliness, neatness and neatness are imposed on the hands of a business person. Nail polish is not acceptable.

Clothes for business receptions, as well as everyday business ones, are distinguished by conservatism and adherence to traditions.

For all types of receptions starting before 7 pm (working breakfast, breakfast, cocktail, etc.), a one-color suit of a dull tone is recommended; the closer to evening, the darker the suit.

For business receptions, the beginning of which is scheduled for 7 pm (or later), it is customary to wear a dark suit; it could very well be a black suit.

More elegant clothes for an evening reception - a tuxedo; this is usually indicated on a separate line in the invitation. The shirt is white, the tie is of a dull color or a bow tie. The color of the tie should be in harmony with the color of the suit.

Shoes - black low shoes, for the tuxedo - patent leather shoes.

If the reception takes place in the summer, then dark colored shoes of a color in harmony with the suit are allowed for a one-color suit of soft tones.

It should also be reminded that the color, density and texture of the fabric of the suit must correspond to the season and climate of the region.

Sporty style

A business man, in addition to his usual daily activities and participation in business receptions, goes in for sports and attends various sporting events and clubs.

For this, clothes are used: a suit for a week-end and a suit of a sports type.

A suit for the week-end consists of sports-type trousers (from corduroy, other loose fabric - boucle, tweed) and a jacket or pullover that replaces the jacket. The shirt is also of a sports type - colored, checked or with another pattern. A tie may be missing, since it is not very compatible with such a shirt, but if you try, you can pick up a tie (which is not worn with business clothes) in the form of a narrow lace, leather, etc. The shirt can be replaced with a light sweater called a turtleneck.

Shoes in this case, in addition to leather, can be suede, corduroy; the style of the shoe is sporty (for example, the line of moccasins on the shoe emphasizes its non-business character). Week-end clothes are widely used for trips out of town, excursions and other events held during business meetings and negotiations.

In the same cases, a tracksuit can be used.

The jacket of such a suit has a sporty style, for example, four patch pockets with folds, a belt-strap at the back; the fabric is quite thick (boucle, tweed, corduroy; leather is allowed).

Trousers are made of a single-color fabric that matches the color and pattern, i.e. smooth texture. The vest is monochromatic, since the jacket is made of loose and variegated fabric. But the vest can be replaced with a pullover or jumper. If his collar is high enough and fits snugly to the throat (turtleneck), a shirt is not required. In other cases, a shirt of matching colors is worn, but not necessarily only white or light; the shirt can be rich in shades. The tie is missing.

A trouser belt can have decorations in the form of metal and other patterns on the belt itself, as well as in the form of a massive or curly buckle.

Shoes - sports, it was mentioned above. Socks - to match the shoes, but drawing on the socks is allowed, and not only in the form of stripes, but also in the form of figures and similar ornaments.

A suit for a week-end and a tracksuit are widely used in business life, since business meetings and negotiations are often accompanied by sports events - playing golf, tennis, etc., trips on excursions, out-of-town picnics, barbecues etc.

In the appearance of a business man, the following are unacceptable:
short socks that leave part of the leg bare when a person sits cross-legged;
stale handkerchief;
half-torn buttons;
crumpled suit;
stale shirt;
crookedly knotted tie;
unshined shoes;
hand-knitted vest;
hand-knitted scarf;
stale hat ribbon;
bright, flashy colors of clothing details;
color contrasts in clothes.

In conclusion, it should be said about the style of clothing.

Style is the most elusive, difficult to define, but the most important characteristic not only of clothes, but of the whole appearance. You can give the following definition of style: style is the correspondence of color, texture of fabric, style and similar details of a business suit to the nature of a business event (meeting, work at an exhibition, banquet), weather, personal characteristics of a person (height, weight, eye color, hair etc.), in addition, individual parts of the toilet (shirt, suit, raincoat) must be in accordance with each other - in style, cut, color, texture of the fabric.

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