How important is what we wear?

Many people do not realize the importance of how they dress; for some, it is just a matter of putting on some clothes and walking out the door. In a job interview, the candidate who is selected for the job is the one who is perceived to be the best candidate, even though that person may not actually be the best candidate for the job. In this world we live in, it is all a matter of how well you display yourself which determines your success—whether it may be in your career, romance or influence over others.

The way you dress is more important than you may think. Researchers have come up with some scientific evidence to support the notion that what you wear really does make a difference in how you influence the world around you. It's a scientific fact that people make judgements about you in less than 30 seconds. Since 80 to 90 percent of your body is covered by clothes, what you wear makes a significant statement. Therefore why not take advantage of this knowledge to enhance and control how to present the best image of yourself.

Start by buying the correct size for your clothes, this may seem like something which is generally understood, but the truth is that many people actually buy clothes which are far too big for their body. Try on clothes from different brands which you like until you find one that really fits you well. View our 'bad fit, good fit' and 'fit - pants' posts to understand how they should fit.

Stock clearance

I realized that it was especially difficult finding beautiful slim ties in KL, as a matter of fact it is hard finding anything really desirable down here—no D&G store, no Krispy Kreme doughnuts, no Playboy magazines. Oh well anyway back to as I was saying, I then decided that since I could not get a hold of sharp looking slim ties in the market, I had to search for other alternatives.

As of today, I have been wearing slim ties for years and I'm pretty sure that there are guys out there who face the same problems as I did. Therefore I've decided to share my findings.

These selections are some of the finest and are made in Italy. They are acquired straight from the factory and have not been branded which means they do not come with hefty price tags.

Brand new
100% silk
Length: 150cm / 59"
Width: 6.5cm / 2.5" at widest
RM50 each (free postage)

Email: admin@forthemodern.com

A1. - SOLD

A2. - SOLD

A3. - SOLD

A4. - SOLD

A5. - SOLD

A6. - SOLD

Tie length

Back to ties, the tip of the tie should hit the waistband of your pants, not pass it. Once your tie length goes beyond that line—it's too long, period.

The right shoes

There's a simple rule when wearing shoes—wear the right shoe for the right purpose. In other words, running shoes are meant to be worn when running, basketball shoes are meant to be worn when playing basketball, futsal shoes are meant to be worn when playing futsal. For casual outings, wear proper shoes which are meant to be worn on the street. Here are a few examples:

By Lacoste

By Topman

 By Cole Haan

By Adidas

By Nike

Go sockless

When wearing your shorts, skip the high length socks, please. You don't want to walk around looking like an old grandfather. Instead, go for the sockless look as shown in the picture. It goes practically with every kind of casual shoe—sneakers, loafers, slip-ons, you name it. Purchase a few pairs of "no show" socks, these socks will be fully covered by your shoes, giving you this simple yet stylish look.

You may just get as much attention as Pharrell Williams.

Fit - pants

Lets talk a bit about how pants should properly fit:

1. A well fitted pants should sit comfortably below the waist without needing a belt.

2. The pants should be cut higher so there isn't too much excess cloth hanging (this also helps elongate the legs).

3. Square through the hips, slim through the thigh—it should be trim and not look like you're wearing baggy jeans.

4. The hem should fall just at the top of your shoes and cover your socks when you take a step. Ask your tailor for a single break.

GQ Rules: Building your business wardrobe

Shirt & ties - Choosing a shirt collar

Make sure you have these three collar types in your business wardrobe. And know how to pair them. Not all suits and ties go with all collars. Here are the three basics: