Home » Fashion »  Male Style »  Fine Feathers, Fine Birds Overall impressions are established within the first few minutes of a meeting. So, before you launch your campaign, assess your wardrobe.

You should have a few appropriate "classic" outfits.

Use your clothing to project a personality that fits the situation and the company to which you belong. As a general rule, when it comes to dressing for business, a "straight-arrow" look works.

For a meeting, most men will do best if their suits are properly fitted and conservative.

A balanced wardrobe will ideally include a navy blue suit, a darker grey and a charcoal pinstripe. High fashion and extreme styles are not suitable unless you are in one of the "glamour" industries. Wallet, credit cards and other paraphernalia should be kept in a briefcase. This latter practice is more common among top executives. By the way, allow 5" from the top of your thumb to the end of your sleeve. 5 1/4" if you wear cuff links. Don't let tailors persuade you to take longer sleeves!



Clothing must fit properly. This is particularly true with suits, which sometimes slowly shrink with dry cleaning. Be prepared to go back a number of times for alterations, and make sure your pants cuff barely touches your shoe.

As for your shirts, solid colours are recommended, with white and blue being traditional and safe preferences. Wear these colours to meetings and presentations.

The fit of your shirt deserves special mention. If you have gained a significant amount of weight, you may be wearing your collar too tight.

A well-fitting collar makes a tie a pleasure to wear for the entire business day. The fit of your cuffs is also important.

The most popular shirt over the years has been the 100% cotton long-sleeved, pointed-collar business shirt. Generally speaking, you will want to avoid short-sleeved shirts unless you live in a warm climate. A word of caution: Be sure that the front and collar are not rippled. This will give you a "sloppy" image. Those who wear cuff links should make sure they are simple. A gaudy look is likely to be perceived as a negative.

Why not buy a few ties for your job? Ties can be fun and can give you a unique look. To a great extent, this element of your wardrobe is a matter of preference. For most people silk ties are best. Be sure you don't select a tie that is too flimsy. It should have adequate backing for you to look your best.

Pattern, polka dot, and club ties have declined in popularity. The brighter, more contemporary geometric and floral designs also come in a wide array of vivid colour combinations that are in good taste.

Above all, be sure your tie is clean and fresh in appearance. Bow ties do little to enhance an image of assurance.

Your shoes should be well polished. Slip-ons are increasingly acceptable but traditional shoes are still preferred.

Don't underrate accessories.

Your watch should be light or medium in weight. Belts and buckles should be conservative. Socks should be over the calf in length. It is not necessary to have a handkerchief tucked in your breast pocket, but it can be a nice touch. The handkerchief you carry should be clean and pressed. A wallet and briefcase show a lot about a man. Bulging wallets and oversize briefcases can detract.

For those of you who are overweight, clothes can cover up just so much. Lose some extra pounds if at all possible. If not, stand up straight, sit tall and be yourself. Carry yourself in a way that creates a look of confidence and authority. Remember, when you want to climb the corporate ladder, the people you meet socially can be instrumental in helping you land an attractive new position.