Men’s Style Tips for Saturdays & Sundays
Office neckties and briefcases come off at 5PM on Friday, but that doesn’t mean your style should take a couple of days’ break as well. You don’t necessarily have to make a choice between comfort and fashion; you can get both, as long as you know how to pick out your stuff. Looking sharp is a 24/7 job, as you never really know when something – or someone – important might come knocking.
Weekend Style Essentials
Just like with the rest of men’s fashion, the whole range of options largely boils down to a few key items. Fortunately, most of these key items are also pieces that you should have gotten already, or should plan to get sometime in the very near future.
A sports jacket in navy blue, charcoal gray or olive green should be one of the first items on your list. This less dressy brother of your everyday suit jacket is a perfect investment since wearing one automatically dresses up any outfit. It’s not necktie dressy on one hand but it’s enough to wear to cocktail hour or a dressy lunch over the weekend.
The knitwear section is also worth a visit, especially during the winter months. Dark knits have the uncanny ability to dress up and add depth to the most blah of outfits. For really cold weather, a cable knit adds both texture and interest to create a really savvy look. Crew necks are the way to go for a classic, all-American look, while v-necks offer a more fashion-forward alternative that lets you show off a necktie at the same time.
Denim, by popular belief, is the relaxed option for the weekend, but real style-conscious men know better. Khakis and cotton pants in neutral tones give you the same amount of comfort but with a much higher level of sophistication involved.
Propriety, Propriety
Good style is largely about knowing when to wear which pieces; a suit and tie might be the gold standard of formal men’s fashion, but you wouldn’t wear them for going out to get chips at the supermarket. All of the pieces above can be turned into dressy casual outfits at a moment’s notice, but you also have to see when to break out your full-on suit.
Lunches at that classy bistro or breakfast at the hotel restaurant can make do with these kinds of convertible looks because they only need you to be dressy. Once the dress code turns into ‘formal’ territory, however, you have no choice but to shed these casual options in favor of more traditional ones like a two-piece suit and necktie. For formal events, a shirt and chinos simply won’t cut the mustard.
Variety, Variety
You may have noticed that the classy weekend wardrobe also tends to get boring. V-neck sweaters and chinos are very rarely exciting, especially when considered individually.
The secret of any combination of pieces is to throw a print or some bright color into the mix. It’s unexpected and individualistic, while at the same time prevents too much of any solid-on-solid matching. It sort of forces your outfit to stay within bounds of ‘interesting’.
When a suit and tie are too much for going out (let alone staying in) over the weekend, a set of classic style pieces is always the way to go. A bit of variety should tone down the preppy vibe or the J. Crew aspect of the look, but the overall effect of effortless elegance should always be present.
Other Suggested Readings by The TieKing:
Matching the Striped Tie
Mens Smart Casual Attire
Your TieKing – Your Place for Finest Desinger Ties