How Much is Too Much Pattern?

Pattern button down shirts have been coming into men's fashion for the past few years that started of cautiously but is now running with the wind. So, how do you know when too much pattern is too much? 

Simple answer: when it hurts your eyes. 

Everyone tends to start with plaid or stripped shirts when beginning to venture off of the solid colors. 

source: GQ

Cameron from Modern Familiy,
Source: 4.bp.blogspot

And then there's always the floral print that is becoming a classic. But how do you wear floral? Well, the louder you go, the more casual you become. 

This shirt is a great example of a floral shirt you could wear with a conservative suit in the office. A solid conservative suit will balance out the floral print. Keeping the floral print on a smaller scale will keep it from getting too loud. Try to keep in mind the colors you are wearing as well, this shirt is a nice light blue, keeping in line with traditional work shirts. 

Ted Baker Fiftrim Floral Button Down
Source: Ted Baker

The louder the print, the more casual you become. Something to keep in mind when wearing loud floral is to watch when it starts adapting a tropical flavor. Once you go there, you either border or enter the Hawaiian shirt territory; which are great for vacations or if you work at Pixar, but not so much for every day work wear. This shirt keeps an upbeat playful attitude while catering to those who are bolder than someone just entertaining floral. 

source: Gitman Bros, Mon Chou Chou print

What's really growing in popularity are tiny prints and I love them! It's more playful than floral but can still be conservative at first glance due to its small scale. They are also in vogue this season for men but I'm sure they'll be sticking around much longer than that. 

Polka dots are a classic more playful pattern. Most men tend to shy away from this look, thinking it to be more feminine, associating it with children. However, printed shirts are becoming more playful and are allowing men to be less conservative without going overboard. 

Ted Baker Thebosa Shirt
source: Ted Baker

This shirt looks conservative from afar but when you get up close, it's full of fishes!!
Ted Baker Fishbiz Shirt
source: Ted Baker

Now this isn't to say that you can't wear louder shirts full of color or large prints. If you though, just be sure to own it. Don't let the shirt wear you, you better be wearing that shirt and showing it off with pride! 

Cameron of Modern Family
source: AfterElton

Want to know what patterns we have? Thinking about trying to pair a fun shirt with your suit? Take advantage of our Buy a Suit, Get a Shirt promotion! Contact a style consultant at info@9tailors.com

10 Looks We LOVE to See on Men

Valentine's Day is just at the end of this week and the pressure is building. If you don't have a date yet, there's still time to impress that special someone you have your eye on. We have put together a list of items that we love to see gentlemen in. We can't help but do a double take.

Sweater With a Quarter Zipper

It's not something the average guy thinks to get but it gives a polished, mature look. It says, "I'm grown-up and my mother doesn't dress me" - Alex, Style Consultant and Studio Manager

Vineyard Vines, source: bloomingdales

A Well Fitted Button Down With Jeans

It's comfortable and approachable. You're put together without going overboard. - Karly, Style Consultant

Etro, source: nordstrom

Blazer
A blazer just makes just about anything sophisticated.

Look 1: Pair a blazer with a button down and jeans gives the wearer a cool and collected look. It's a man who means business but still knows how to relax and not take everything too seriously. How does your heart not throb while looking at Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto? Aside from them being them, their looks are effortless. 

Chris Pine & Zachary Quinto, source: gq

Look 2: Throwing the blazer on over the jean jacket not only makes everything seem more put together but also gives the blazer an air of edge. It says, you care about how you look but you don't need to follow all of the rules. You decide what looks good on you, not the fashion spreads. The accessories don't hurt either, the pocket square keeps the sophistication of the blazer, balancing the formal look with the uber casual look. 

source: istreetfashion

Patterns
A man who wears patterns just says "fun".

Look 1: Plaid. Who doesn't love a man in plaid? The pattern exudes masculinity without carrying an ax around in the woods with a full beard. Cultural influences has lead us to believe a man in plaid knows how to take care of himself and his environment.

Ryan Gosling, source: totalfilmmag

Look 2: Mixing Patterns. A man who has taken the time to coordinate patterns into his wardrobe pays attention to details. It is bold and difficult to do but extremely attractive when it is well done. It says, not only do you like to have fun, but you know how to fun without going crazy or getting into trouble. 

source: seat14a

Vests With a Button Down

Not many men wear vests so it's always something special to see one. It's dressing nicely without going too formal and looking strictly business. It's gives an air of comfort and makes the wearer look distinguished. 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, source:gq

Crew Neck Sweaters

After all of the plunging v-necks men have been wearing of the past few years, it's nice to return to the classic crew neck sweater. It can be dressed up with a button down underneath it or kept casual with jeans or corduroys. It's a staple in a man's closet (or it should) and nice to see someone so at ease. As much as we love men taking more care in what they wear and paying attention to suit details and pocket squares, they need to have a complimenting casual closet, too. A man who dresses up all the time can come off as being stuffy. A well balanced closet is always best. 

source: new york times

Leather
Leather is another look that speaks to masculinity, jackets, bags and shoes. A leather jacket gives a man a 'bad boy' look automatically. Enough said. 

Chris Hemsworth, source: itsmusicfashionlife

Bow Ties

It's an accessory not every man will venture into. Learning how to tie a bow tie can be frustrating. Learning how to pair it with your everyday wardrobe instead of just wearing it for formal occasions can be daunting. Finding the fun patterns is fun but then matching that up with a shirt you already own instead of buying a new one, that can be just as confusing. However, when a man learns how to wear and tie a bow tie, you know he's a grown-up and not afraid of challenges. *Clip-on ties don't count. 

Pharrell Williams wearing a bow tie and a leather jacket, an irresistible combination. source: papermag

If these looks don't work for you - a good rule of them is to have an approachable put together look. 

Thinking about getting a suit for a special occasion? Contact a style consultant at info@9tailors.com. 

Top Ten Rules for Menswear (According to Us)

There exist many sartorial rules derived from history that dictate how men should approach dressing themselves. Tradition holds certain standards, yet not all men know these intricate details (unless you study up!)

Here's a top ten list of what details the ladies at 9tailors suggest you should memorize, or at least take into consideration:

1. The Hardest Button to Button

• When you have a three button jacket, the rule from top to bottom is "Sometimes, Always, Never." Translation: you sometimes but rarely button the top, you always fasten the middle, and you never, EVER, button the bottom.
• For a two button jacket, "Always, Never."
• For a vest, keep all buttons buttoned, except for the very last. If you happen to wear a belt, you don't want to catch your vest on the buckle so keeping that last one unbuttoned alleviates any pulling on your vest.
• When sitting down, remember to unbutton your jacket to avoid bunching.

2. Three-Piece Suit versus the Two-Piece Suit

• Here at 9tailors, we all favor the three-piece suit. Why? When you take your jacket off, you still have that piece that makes you look put together.
• We all still love a two-piece suit, for the record.

3. Suspenders or Vest

• Typically, we recommend that you do one or the other. You can certainly do both as long as you coordinate them well.

4. Vent Style: Double Vent versus Single Vent

www.offthecuff.com

• We ultimately leave this up to the client, as this is more of a style preference, but we find ourselves most partial to the double vent, as it is trendier nowadays.

5. Pant Opening

Straight leg, image from christonium.com

Slight tapered leg, image from style.com

• Slight Taper versus Straight  Leg. Again, this is different with each individual. We recommend a slight taper for style purposes only, it just looks a bit sharper than a straight leg. 
• Boot Cut: works well with the right boots, but could border a bell-bottom shape. Proceed with caution.

6. Lapel Style

notched lapel

peaked lapel

• Notched is the most classic, and our preferred choice for most suits. However, we recommend you never do a notched lapel on a tuxedo. Not to say, you CANNOT, we just prefer a shawl or peaked.
• Peaked is a more formal look, and looks great on black suits or tuxedos
• Shawl Collar = tuxedo or dinner jacket (a la Hef), although we have taken to doing the shawl on two-button suits as well, it's a nice way to change it up!

telegraph.co.uk

7. Patterns

• Mix and match but make sure not to clash. Always choose colors that will complement each other, not fight over who is louder. A subtle should go with a loud or a subtle with a subtle.  A loud and a loud, well, that's just really noisy, but can be done correctly with the right color schemes and pattern sizes. Reread our "How to Expertly Mix Patterns"

8. Pant Break

primermagazine.com

• Again, this depends upon the client wearing the suit. 
• American fits typically have a full break or a slight break. 
• For European fits, we like a half to no break.
• Super Slim fits, break is slight to nonexistent.

9. Collar Style

• Don't wear a tie with a button down collar. Button downs are typically casual.
• Choose the collar style that will complement the tie-knot you always tie or plan to wear for the occasion you are wearing your shirt. i.e Kent Spread for a bow tie, Midway Spread for a Half-Windsor knot

10. Color coordinate your belt and shoes with your suit colors!

gorgeouslatte.com

• Black suit = shiny black shoes, matte black shoes, black velvet shoes, maybe even bright shoes
• Khaki suit = brown shoes of any shade, cognac, maroon-ish, light brown
• Navy suit = you can wear black but we suggest you opt for a dark chocolate brown if you can
• Gray suit = black or brown, but we prefer brown. With shades aplenty, you have a variety to choose from.
• Brown suit = brown shoes of any variety

There are plenty more rules to follow, but stick with these as your main guidelines and you'll be in good shape, according to 9tailors anyway. Want more tips? Email a style consultant at info@9tailors.com or come by our studio for a design consultation to make your custom pieces today.