Urban Dudes

Alternatives to the Classic Black Suit

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of - dressing up for an important meeting? A black suit. You have to get ready for a friend’s wedding: a black suit. You have to attend a Christmas or New Year’s party: a black suit. Well, the classic black suit is, indeed, classic but replacing it with other options is what you need to add excitement to your wardrobe and life. Listed below are alternatives you can choose from to avoid wearing your black uniform.

Jackets

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While all types of jackets cannot be a replacement for a tux, we are talking about dinner jackets or velvet jackets that have a rich fabric feel and a tux-like look. Choose from colours like cobalt blue or grey with a turtle neck shirt and well fitted trousers for a formal occasion. It is the right balance of sophistication and cool.

Patterns and Prints

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It’s not always black or white in the fashion world. Get blazers with patterns like stripes, checks, polka dots even if you are the retro kind. Opt for colour combinations that are not too loud with a white or black shirt and bow tie. Patterned waist coats are also a great way of adding a fun element to your outfit keeping the suit a single toned colour.

Colour Coding

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From sea green to bright orange and pale yellow, explosive colours will add an extra edge to your style. Suit up in one of these upbeat paints and keep everything else simple i.e. your shirt, shoes, accessories etc. Balance out your look and with this lively style, you’re sure to have a fun-filled evening!

Shine Away

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A classic silvery silk vest to go with your tux or silver tie will add a sparkle to your attire. Cufflinks of semi-precious stones will up your luxury quotient without making you look like a Christmas tree. You can also select a greyish silver suit if you like to shine on. Metallic hues go great with formal events.

Retain the Suit, Change the Style

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There are ways you can change your look completely by adding bits and pieces of fashionable accessories. To break the colour, add a red coloured silk pocket square or a shiny blue bow tie hanging lose instead of the regular way of wearing a tie. Try these simple easy to follow style alternatives and the black suit will crave your attention soon enough, what with several other options to choose from.

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The Perfect Suit for You

Men come in all shapes and sizes—skinny, fat, tall, short—and all of them have a question on their minds every morning,


“What type of clothes should I wear?” And when it comes to suits, the confusion further escalates, as it is hard to find a perfect fit. For every body-type, there are different rules. Read on:


Short-Heighted Men

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Challenges: Well, they are short, and that more or less is the challenge. Short legs make the best pants flop in a very clumsy manner. There is confusion over the length of lapel to flaunt.

Solution: Whether or not you admit it, nothing would look better on you than short-length suits. The cuffs will further give an elongated appearance to your arms. Perhaps you haven’t realized it till now, but being beltless will make you look taller. It goes without saying that you buy a pant that fits. Also, wear shoes that are slim.

Tall Men

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Challenges: One would often see taller men getting over ambitious—oversized suits, long pants, ties that are too slender. More than making you look flamboyant, they make you look feeble.

Solution: You are blessed with a great height, carry yourself with panache. Go for lighter colours if you have a slender shape. The best you would look in is a two-buttoned suit is with a tie with some extra width. Don’t show too much cuff. Pointed shoes on long legs? Well, no! Rounded shoes are most recommended for lanky men.

Broad-Shaped Men

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Challenges: Hard to find clothes that fit the neck as well as body? The pants are worn too high, and not surprisingly so. If overweight men do not wear the ‘right suit’, it gives them a very shoddy appearance.

Solution: First and foremost, wear a coat with square pockets. This will help you divert the onlooker’s eyes to your chest, instead of your belly. You should prefer plain shirts, as chequered shirts would least likely look good on you. When it comes to shoes , choose a pair with a considerably bigger and more solid sole.

Men With A Good Built

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Challenges: Oh yeah, don’t live in a fallacy that sturdy men look good in whatever they wear. The fact that they have broad shoulders, the shirts that fit them well end up falling short on their trunk. This often prompts them to buy oversized ones.

Solution: Buy low collar slim shirts if you don’t want them to look awkward on your torso. Go for jackets with two buttons. Just like someone with a larger size, well-built men must also wear solid shoes.

Finding suits that fit your personality isn’t hard if a proper thought goes into buying them. Dressing nice is a combination of lot of things, make sure you get most of them right. More than anything else, make sure you sport a smile to add to the charm of the attire!

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Trends You Should Avoid in the Monsoons

Monsoon fashion can be tricky and your entire wardrobe needs to be assessed when dressing for the rains.

You don’t want your patent leather shoes to discolour or your hair to get frizzy. Shoppers Lifestyle tells you about certain fashion faux pas during the monsoons that you should totally avoid.

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· The first and most important rule during the monsoons is to not get out with anything that is not waterproof or water resistant. Materials like leather suffer serious damage during the rains which is almost irreparable. Replace your leathers with loafers or sandals that can withstand the weather.

· Umbrellas are kind of necessary, only they need to suit your style. Don’t walk around with a colourful print in your hand. Your pinstriped suit might not appreciate the colour. Go for a plain black umbrella with a brown handle.

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· The same umbrella rule goes with your over coat to protect you from getting wet. Keep the colours for after work, while use neutral coats in shades of grey, black or beige that can well enough cover you till your knees. Shorter jackets do less for your dryness, so go for a nice long coat that will keep you clean and dry.

· Waterproof bags are naturally important but avoid carrying ones that are transparent and display everything that you hide in your bag. This rule is especially for those who carry confidential documents or money to work.

· Avoid wearing lighter shades of denims and go for a washed out look instead, to camouflage with the rainy weather. In fact if possible, avoid wearing jeans at all. They weigh you down when wet and take mighty long to get dry. Save yourself the effort and go for linen and cotton pants.

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· Shirts too should be worn in darker shades and cool materials like cottons and prints are preferred over plain ones.

· Socks have been an integral part of your life, but give them a break during the rains. You don’t want to be in wet socks and eventually catching a cold. Go sockless and let your feet breathe.

· Keep all your ‘expensives’ away from the puddle – your watch, your leather shoes etc should go into hibernation for 3 months. Replace them with waterproof watches.

· Monsoon fashion is all about looking good while being comfortably dry, minimal clothing that is protected from the rains does the trick.

· Lastly, go for a haircut and get a clean trimmed look. A cool hairstyle for the monsoons makes all the difference.