buttoned-up

what's on the forefront for men's current styling? clothier John Meegan (and owner of Top Shelf in south minneapolis) sees the styles taking on a more tailored look with slimmer shirts and ties. the trend evolved when designers began playing with plain-front pants (rather than pleated). This yielded narrower legs, then skinnier ties. the look is trim and fit, fresh and experimental.

1. slim shirts >>custom shirts tailored 1-2.5in beyond the body (traditional cuts are 4inches), make sure there are pleats in the back for when he, ahem, grows out {pictured: Ralph Lauren Purple Label}

2. even slimmer ties >> the most extreme are just 6cm across. got a closet full of fat ties? bring them into a tailor to have them altered! which in turn is probably cheaper than buying a whole new collection {tie collection found on OhBob}

3. wool for all seasons>> a high end Italian manufacturer perfected a technology (called "super-twisting") that makes wool (formally sterotyped as a winter-wear's bff) as "airy as a pair of silk boxers". wool suits in the summertime!

4. 80/20 rule >> stop worrying so much about being matchy-matchy. make 80% of your look conservative and 20% not. get creative. {ties from 3sixteen}

full article is in the Spring 2011 Artful Living Magazine