Dean Week – Day 1 & 2

This week Dean has a client in town. This makes a button-down and ‘client pants’ (as we’ve all come to know dress pants by) a necessity. Overall, not that bad in the style department, but it’s hard to mess up this standard outfit. Here’s how this could be a whole lot better:

First, the shirt is tucked in, which is the most important piece of this ensemble. If you care enough to wear a button-down with dress pants, tuck it in. It looks sloppy otherwise. You gain huge ‘put together points’ if you’re tucked.

Blue shirt. The shirt is at least 1 size too big. Dean has a small waist but he creates a boxy look if the shirt's shoulders and upper back are too big. The shirt will blouse too much out of the pants, and makes him look bigger then he is in the middle. Another downfall: The shirt is buttoned up too much, for my taste. The undershirt is sticking out. Either button to the top and slap on a tie, or loose the second button and put on a v-neck undershirt.

If you think the tie is too stuffy or formal for the meeting, you can always roll up the sleeves with a tie. This automatically makes the look less formal and carries a certain level of swagger. “I care enough about this meeting to wear a tie but I’m rolled up showing you I’m a little too cool for this meeting”. Pulled off correctly, this is a powerful look.

Take a look at the picture of Dean in the yellow shirt. This fits much better on the shoulders and thus slims him down a lot. It easily drops him 10lbs making his waist smaller, shoulders broader and flat out sexier. See how much better you can look when your clothes fit? Get yo shit tailored!

I don't know why he has his eyes closed in each picture. That wasn't planned.

Pants: Not bad. It’s part of a suit, jacket not seen. I don’t love the texture of the fabric or the color, but they are the right length. It could be a richer color.

Side note, when can we all move away from pleats? One is OK sometimes but let’s move to flat front only, even for a suit. Seriously.

Belt: It matches the shoes. Thank God.

Shoes: Dean’s from West Texas so the ostrich cowboy boots are completely on point for this outfit. They show off his personality and look cool enough to wear with dress pants. Not everyone can pull this off, but he can. Also, you can’t go wrong with black.

Overall assessment: This outfit works. The major issue I have with it is it’s forgettable. Except for the boots I don’t remember what he had on. In everything you wear, something should be the standout. You want someone walking away thinking about something you had on. “Those shoes were bad ass” or “I wish I could pull that shirt off”. Yes, guys think about that. Keep it tucked in, pick more aggressive colors and you have a winner.