Inaugural Fashion Post

Well, now that I've got this blog set up and running, it's time to make a first post. I look forward to updating this blog regularly along with my opera blog, so make sure to check in regularly or subscribe to get my latest opinions on fashion and opera.

Spring and Summer offer a lot of interesting formal fashions and that time of year is just around the corner (or happening right now, depending on where you are!) Lots of classic options exist, along with a few more avantgarde ideas. I'll address the different possibilities post by post until every gentleman has all he needs to know about summer dress.

To start with the basic dress shirt, the best options for the warmer months tend to be in lighter shades or pastels. The sun catches nicely off of these lighter hues and matches the light, airy feel of summer. Cream also works well as an alternative to the norm as it is subdued yet has with the interest a color brings to an outfit. Standard whites and light blues work as well and may help you avoid breaking the bank to put together "summery" outfits. Many men are scared away by pink. This is by no means an effeminate color and has been worn timelessly by classy men.

The color of a dress shirt is just the first step. Beyond that there are many options to customize your shirt, some more suited to summer than others. First of all, a long-held assumption is that dress and business shirts should be plain. Though some occasions do call for truly plain attire, stripes, checks, and box-checks can add quite a bit of interest to an outfit and give a shirt it's own life. However, I suggest keeping to patterns that don't have a heavy feeling for summer. Another great possibility is the contrasting collar. Crisp white against a light colored shirt helps to bring a bit of spice and interest and also immediately gives the image of a well put together individual.

When considering shirts, a few other options come into play. One big decision is whether to stay with buttoned cuffs or spring for French cuffs. Either option is fine for summer. Cuff links can add interest to an outfit, tie it all together, and be a conversation piece. However, you might feel that cuff links will give your otherwise airy summer out fit a heavy feel. The collar must also be considered. This has always seemed to me to be a personal decision. There are all sorts of options to investigate from different spreads of collars to button downs to tab buttons that combine both. Again, the decision is personal, but for summer I recommend something that looks equally good closed with a tie on and open necked. When it's hot you're going to want this versatility.

Speaking of staying cool, fabrics are important for any versatile, fashionable gentleman. If you can afford it, lighter weight cotton is nice for the summer. Another option is linen. Linen tends to bother many men because it wrinkles much more easily that cotton. This is true, but this wrinkling is understood and expected for linen clothes and emphasizes their sultry summer elegance.

One last note for casual affairs. If you're dressing down for the day, it can be nice to just wear a shirt open necked with no jacket. This will keep you cool and won't look out of place as it might in the winter months when it feels that anything short of a suit coat won't keep you warm enough to function. Short-sleeved shirts and polo shirt can be a good option for a sportier look if your events for the day are appropriate for a look in that vein.

That's all for now, I hope you enjoyed the outlook on summer shirts and I look forward to my next post regarding pants, jackets, and vests appropriate for summer wear. Stay tuned!

Many posts were pulled from: Paul Fredrick but more casual wear can be found at: Search Amazon.com for polo, or Hugo Boss Shirts