A MAN'S GUIDE TO LOOKING GREAT

Looking good is not just a woman's prerogative. Male grooming is an art. A well-dressed man is a pleasure to behold. And it's not merely wearing a trouser, shirt and tie with a good pair of shoes. It is all about the cut, the line and the colour. It is certainly not as simple as it sounds. It's about subtle taste and style.

Before you begin to dress ask yourself this - "What are my clothes saying today?" To have an answer to this, you must maintain a flexible wardrobe. Your dressing must speak volumes about you even before an introduction. At work, your clothes are your means of individual expression and your business facilitator; at home they are your way to wind down.

To begin with have a basic understanding about fashion and yourself. Building a wardrobe is a lifetime journey, not a destination. Your collection must have the right kind of aftershave or cologne, socks, ties, sunglasses, classic accessories like cuff links, timepieces and even the tiny handkerchief, it matters!

A flexible wardrobe solves most of your problem of dressing for work, business meetings or lunch, casual Friday dressing, or even a family gathering. The basic colours worn by all men of good standing seems to be Blue, Beige or Grey. They seem to be the most versatile colours in men's wardrobe.

A man collects and receives countless neckties but five seems like enough (one for each workday). A medium - dotted tie, a striped rep tie, woven tie or an abstract patterned tie are some of the elegant and appropriate ones for any occasion.

Formal wear can have its own mixes and matches. For instance, if you have a formal patterned suit, you can modify it to go with a semi-formal and casual look. Shoppers Stop has a wide range of suits to choose from, footwear, leather accessories, sweaters and watches. They also have a wide display of designer ethnic wear for men. 'Blackberrys' is
the most exclusive of their collection. 'Raymonds' is another famous name in men's clothing.

Of course, if you are looking for some of the celebrated brands in watches like Tag Heuer, Tissot, Omega or Longiness, you can shop at Unity Times at Unity Building or Richfields at Safina Plaza.

If it's Friday, you've got freedom in dressing, of course keeping within the range of acceptable attire at your office. Friday dressing from 'Allen Solly' has an extensive array to choose from for your last working day of the week. It's certainly okay sometimes to wear a sports shoe provided they are a part of the accepted dress code in your work place.

But if you are looking for some formal footwear then you sure can wear Florshim or Gaithonde. Shoes have a way of communicating one's status and the degree of formality of an outfit.

Dressing for the day is like preparing a dish. After all the trouble you take to choose your outfit for the day, don't forget the essentials of your dress recipe, the final touch - the suitably coloured briefcase, the right kind of roomy plush coat - the major garnish to your grooming with care.

Starting your day with a refreshing shower, a clean shave, the perfect attire along with a cool, confident demeanour can make all the difference. And watch heads turn!

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