Men, Time To Style Up

Jan 07, 2004

Dressing rightly for the right occasion matters a lot. It is crucial for men to improve their style sense as this improves your image. Anthony Ogalo, the marketing manager and fashion expert of Wina Classic has this to say:<br>

By Denis Jjuuko
Dressing rightly for the right occasion matters a lot. It is crucial for men to improve their style sense as this improves your image. Anthony Ogalo, the marketing manager and fashion expert of Wina Classic has this to say:
“Because of globalisation, the corporate culture has changed. It is not all about business. Emphasis is put on who is carrying out the business, and how they are dressed matter.”
He adds: Grooming is putting on the right clothes for the right occasion at the right time and right place. A dinner suit will not be right for the office,” Ogalo explains. He says the quality of the clothes does not matter. “The label is useless if you are putting on clothes that are not right for the right function.”
So, when you go to work in an expensive wing collar shirt, you are sending out a message that you are not groomed and do not know what you are doing. “Such a shirt has to be worn with a bow tie. There is no way out,” Ogalo further explains. Below, we give you the tips on dress code.

l For a business function: The ultimate business suit is a pin stripped one with a plain shirt and a matching necktie. Lace up shoes are the ultimate for business functions. A plain dark-coloured suit with a plain or stripped shirt is also okay. It does not matter whether the jacket is a two or three button one. Double-breasted is still okay if you have the right body shape and height for it. For effective grooming, you must know the shape of your body.
l The briefcase: It has to be the same colour with the shoes.
l Formal occasions/wedding: A dress suit and shirt is okay. Waistcoats are fine.
l Dinner/Cocktail: In Uganda, the culture of dinner suits is still very low due to the expenses involved, and since Ugandans want suits they will wear often. Nevertheless, a dinner/cocktail suit has to be of dark colour. A bow tie is the ultimate but a necktie is also fine.
l Jackets: Jackets with more than three buttons are for the ‘dressy’ people and not for business. They are fine for outdoor occasions.
l Dinner shoes: No lace up shoes. It has to be plain leather shoes. Rubber sole shoes are not for dinner.
l Shirts: A short-sleeved shirt does not go with jackets. (It can only be for sport jackets). Natural fibres like cotton are the best shirts.
l Neckties: The tip of the necktie must touch the belt. Beyond or below is not for a groomed gent. A black tie does not go with a white shirt unless it is a wedding or a funeral (though the Americans have revolutionalised it. A well-groomed man does not release his necktie in public. You rather remove it. When released, it means you do not respect the people you are talking to.
l Socks: White are for the tennis court. Never put on white socks unless you are going for sports. Socks must always be matched up with the trouser, necktie or shirt. They must cover your shin so that when you sit and the trouser is extended upwards, the shin is covered. Socks must be of natural fibres like cotton and wool. Cotton is preferred because it is light with the ability to absorb sweat. Wear them once and wash them to avoid smelly feet. Avoid polyester.
l Unde-rwear: Briefs and boxers: Know your size. When underwear lines are seen crossing your bottom, just know that you are committing a crime. The colour of your briefs or boxers does not matter. White is pretence. A dirty person will not wash it after he has worn it once.
l Vest: It is nice to wear because it absorbs sweat but wear it once and wash it please. Never recycle them.
l Watch: Plastic watches are for schools and sports. For office and other functions, metallic or leather are the ultimate ones.
l Belt: Nothing can beat a leather belt. The belt must always match with the shoes. Jean belts are thicker and bigger (11/2 inch wide). For dress clothes, they have to be smaller (one inch or less).
l Colognes: Bad body odour annoys people. It can only be pleasant to your wife if she has said so. The best fragrance is the fresh fragrance of yourself. If you are to wear perfumes, do not wear one everybody will notice. Such perfumes are rude. Imagine entering the office and everybody notices that you have arrived before they even see you. Such perfumes are for outdoor functions. Do not mix perfumes on the same day. This might be irritating to yourself and others. Women are culprits of this because they do not want their colleagues to easily identify the perfumes they are wearing. Colognes are suitable for work and after 5:00pm affairs. Deodorants help you beat odour.
Do not put colognes or deodorants on clothes but on your body. On clothes, it will evaporate and stain them. Stained clothes portray a bad image.
Ends

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