Details – a recurring motif in men’s style and fashion. It’s all about the details. Details
have the ability to transform an ordinary canvas into something
conversation worthy. Whether it’s adding custom details to your clothes
or unique accessories to your outfit the end result is certain; when you
focus on the details, you’ve got what it takes to create a work of
sartorial art.
Making the move from broad strokes to fine details
is a great way to think about your stylistic progression. As mentioned
in our Three Things to Remember
post, a staple of well-fitting, classic pieces should always form the
foundation of your look. If you think of your outfit as a sculpture,
consider a flattering foundation of trouser, shirt, jacket and shoes as
your marble. Once you have a solid foundation, you can
chisel in those fine details with statement pieces that proudly speak to
who you are and to the lifestyle you want to lead.
Your jacket or blazer is a wonderful place to start. We’ll break it down for you below…
First, it’s important to mention that details come
in two forms: a) Material Details b) Structural Details. Today, we’ll
address the former.
Material details can be added or subtracted from
your look. These most notably include accessories like ties and pocket
squares; they are non-permanent additions to any outfit. You can use
material details as a way to create your own expressions – creativity is
your friend when you mix and match your colors and patterns. Further,
using these types of details bolsters the versatility of your foundation
garment.
Here’s an example using a classic staple like a Solid Cool Gray two-button jacket. This classic piece is simply the top half of an ever so versatile gray suit,
but also pairs nicely with jeans or chinos. There are a couple of
places where you can begin adding details on the jacket. One of our
favorite places, of course, is the lapel.
Think a cuff link’s only place of residence should be within the French cuff of your shirt? Think again. Maybe your cuff link wants to see and experience more of the world, just like you do. If
you have a functional boutonniere (which we recommend you always have),
you can give one of your allegiant cuff links a better view, up closer
to where you view the world. By using a traditional
accessory in a new way, you’ve injected a wealth of personality into
what may have otherwise been considered a “standard” outfit. You’ve also
given new life to the cuff link itself. Whatever your choice, this simple but bold move is compliment-worthy.
You’ve now definitely defied the rule that a cuff link can and should only be worn in the cuff of your shirt. Feeling a bit more rebellious now or just silly? If it’s the former, let’s keep rolling. If it’s the latter, lay down and take a nap. But what else can we do with the functional boutonniere? How can we be even more creative? We can stick other non-conventional things through it of course. Look
around your room; go through those seldom visited desk or dresser
drawers for any miscellaneous items that could potentially serve as an
accessory. We gave it a shot and here is what we came up with:
What is that in Warren’s boutonniere? It looks like a piece of colorful string. It is. It’s a string-knit bracelet with an unknown and mysterious origin. We stuck it through the boutonniere and looped a simple knot so it would stay put. Stylish win? You decide. The
point is that we’ve figured out a way to take something otherwise
useless and turn it into an element of sartorial authenticity. There’s no reason you can’t do the same.
Fresh flowers are another great addition, especially if you are
attending a more formal event or even a summery outdoor luncheon. Now,
we’re not talking a prom style rose, but rather a bud that is a bit
unexpected, one with some character that you happened to spot on a walk
through the park, or in our case, plucked from a planter in the middle
of Park Avenue. If the flower has a
light fragrance even better, spring is here and the warm weather will be
sure to attract closer interactions. Just slip the stem through your
lapel button hole and fasten using a straight pin and you are all set to
go
Let’s continue with our seasonal theme. If
you want to take advantage of spring but frolicking through the meadows
of Central Park in search of a real flower isn’t really your “thing”,
another contemporary look we love are knit crotchet flowers.
This once vintage item has been revived with new breath and we can’t
get enough of it. Lapel flowers come in a variety of hues and can be
used to pull together different color complements in an outfit. They are
also great for bringing together color points from various parts of
your outfit. For example, those pink striped socks have bit more meaning
now that you’re wearing a pink knit crotchet flower. By coordinating
these two details you will create a look that flows from head to toe,
creating that elusive “ahhh, well done” component of style. Who knows? You might even receive a round of gentle golf claps from passersby.
While material details are at once affordable,
interchangeable, and fun there are also other ways to add details
directly into the design and construction of your garment. These are
what we consider to be structural details. We’ll tell you more about that in part two, coming soon. Stay tuned!
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