The clothes make the man: trends that can elevate your business style.

AuthorBiton, Adva
PositionLiving Well

Most people are intimidated by fashion. Looks constantly fall in and out of favor, and understanding the best fit for your body can seem maddening.

Still, your style is the first thing people will notice when they meet you. Do you look professional and put together? Do you look like you care about your appearance? First impressions are everything--there's even a psychological phenomenon called the "halo effect," a cognitive bias partly caused by perceptions of attractiveness. That is, the more visually appealing a person is, the more likely other people are to think they've got plenty of other good qualities.

If you're a man in need of help on your style, there's no reason to go it alone. Bespoke suiting company True Gentleman, LLC, based in Salt Lake City, has stylists willing to go to a client's home or office in order to best recommend styling tips for them. And, if that's too big a step, try some of the following tips:

Suiting

Invest in a bespoke suit. While bespoke suiting can cost in the ballpark of $1,500, it will last far longer, fit much better, and look better on you than a suit you buy off the rack. "You can give it your character, rather than relying on Hugo Boss or Nordstrom suits," says Trapper Roderick, president of True Gentleman, LLC. "Even if it's the same color as the guy next to you, the fit, the liner, the button thread colors are all different."

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Custom suits are tailored to fit you perfectly, avoiding any split seams or bagging areas, and are constructed from full canvas, which is much more malleable and longer-lasting than the half-canvas (or even glued fusible interlining) off-the-rack suits are made from.

When it comes to patterns, go for solids for a conservative look--but other patterns, such as a windowpane, houndstooth or a subtle plaid, are making a strong comeback. For jackets, a wide peak lapel is currently en vogue.

Pocket Squares

Add a pocket square to your suit when you want to stand out. If you have a bespoke suit, get a pocket square made from your liner, says Roderick. Do not wear a pocket square...

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