I remember when my father was a young junior executive, I don’t even know if companies have of course you didn’t know; no one watched the show for that many episodes). But in the real world (the real real world, not MTV’s), the only thing people would have said about Mr. Kotter in the Teacher’s Lounge is, “Did I ever tell you about that goofy teacher he’s teaching?” the sweaters?
And back to JR Sure, he was a manipulative bastard, and sure enough, he got shot. Besides, I don’t remember who shot JR, although I do remember that Bobby was dead for a year and they had a funeral and then he came back and it was all a dream, but they never told the people in Knot’s Landing: that he went to his funeral – that it was a dream, and they mourned its memory until they were cancelled. But back to JR, he was the epitome of power (possibly the guy that Donald Trump emulates) and he was rich and powerful and he got the ladies, as they might have said back then, if they weren’t saying he got the girls. or the babies.
And he was wearing real suits.
Of course, no one wears leisure suits anymore. It is, however, a very good example of stupid things that people use because so many other people use them. If you’re baffled by the popularity of the casual suit, then be baffled by just about everything else men wear today that isn’t classic.
Because the classic is what takes you to the finish line, with the big ones and the yachts and the wives that have not been carried away. Or at least the salaries that allow you to buy a new sofa when the dog does something unspeakable to the old one.
The secret: two suits. Dark gray – charcoal – and dark blue. If you only have two suits, you don’t need to venture into the land of brown or light gray or other colors. A variety of shirts (white, light blue, blue and white striped) and a variety of ties (a pair of red or burgundy, yellow or gold).
Shoes and belt must be black. Shop for a silver buckle belt and a simple, elegant watch in a silver-toned metal. All of these classic items can be worn before and after dark.
And while cufflinks may seem a bit more ostentatious, the honest truth is that they are basic. They keep your fists together, for crying out loud! Button down shirts, as convenient as they are, and with the buttoned cuffs they normally sport, are actually casual wear. Who knows? They’re a little preppy, but they’re not something you can wear after 6, so why bother until you’ve got the basics covered?
The general rule of thumb for men’s jewelry is to combine metal with metal. Oh, that’s not what the men’s magazines say, but tell me a CEO of a major company who wears a purple suit with a bomber jacket and baggy pants…
Fine, none. So listen to me, dammit!
Since we’re just getting started, you don’t yet have a good belt with a brass or gold buckle. So make your cufflinks out of silver. The good news is that sterling silver is considerably less expensive than gold, but just as elegant. You can choose a simple engravable cufflink with your monogram or a simple initial. Or choose a classic tubular or sterling knot. There are even medallions for cufflinks, which will earn you significant points with whomever you choose to immortalize in a photo within arm’s reach… your spouse, your children, your boss, Jessica Alba…
The basics, but the classic basics. Your foundation, the rock on which you will build your wardrobe. Get started now and look good for the new year.