Shoes should match the belt

DIEGO LUNA | BUSINESS EDITOR | THE USD VISTA | @diegotothemoon

Gentlemen, I fear that many of us have forgotten how to dress appropriately. Our female counterparts make it look so easy and seamless.

Heck, we’re young! We should begin to explore and experiment with what is appropriate to wear and what is not.

My favorite word is versatility, because it invokes a sense of spontaneity and originality. No one wants to look the same 365 days a year, so let’s change it up dudes.

The time to invest in the purchasing process is just as important as the things we buy. Of course, I am not asking you to go on an expensive shopping spree to Fashion Valley. There are cheaper alternatives that solely rest on our judgements to accept certain clothing items as timeless or as commodities.

Take for instance, the tie. It’s timeless, classy, and asserts a bold statement. After your business is done you may comfortably roll your sleeves one-quarter of the way up, loosen up your tie, but keep your shirt tucked in. This a practical reaction and an enticing social gesture.

The key to mastering how to dress in your 20s can be summed up in three simple yet meaningful words: know your environment.

Keep in mind, the first impression is the last impression.

Intuitively, I’d like to share three simple tips with all you gentlemen that you can apply today that you and your employer would probably appreciate. Since business casual is what I wear the most, I can probably talk about my own style the best.

No. 1: Make sure your clothes are neatly pressed. Guys this is important, you cannot iron a shirt while wearing it. No. 2: Learn to look after your shoes, because those light brown $200 Steve Madden wingtip dress shoes are light brown, not hickory-burnt gingerbread brown. No. 3: Be comfortable in whatever you choose to wear, and try not to always follow trends and don’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone.

All in all, the goal is to embrace change and be comfortable while doing it. A gentleman practices sprezzatura so that he can get it right, and for goodness sake, your shoes should only match your belt.