fashion advice

The First Suit to Buy
The first suit you purchase is an important investment piece. Choose a current but classic style so that you can wear it for a variety of occasions - it also won't become dated as quickly as a more aggressive, trendy style. The best choice of colours are navy blue or black in a plain or textured fabric, to give you maximum flexibility. Select a single-breasted, two button style with either centre or side vents. The suit pants should be flat front, with no cuffs. Dress up your suit by wearing a shirt and tie, or make it work for casual dress by pairng it with a sport shirt, or a light weight knit top to suit the season.

If a suit is too formal for your needs then a blazer or sportcoat is a good choice. Here, again, a two button style with centre or side vents is the best choice. You can wear your sportcoat with dress slacks, casual cotton pants or jeans. A sportshirt or knit top creates a look that will take you just about anywhere.

Black Tie Basics
If the phrase "Black tie" sends you running for cover, it's probably because you don't know exactly what you should wear - or even how to wear it!

You do need to wear a tuxedo, but with all of the choices available, it's hard to know what to choose to go along with it. The good news is, the choice is yours and you really can't go far wrong. Choose a classic tuxedo style and then youreither a cumberbund or vest - the latter is a more current style, but the cumberbund is always a classic. You can choose a wing tip or laydown collared shirt, whichever you like, though the wing tip shirt tends to be best worn with a bow tie and the laydown collar with a regular tie. Today's look in formal wear is most often a regular tie and vest, along with a laydown collar shirt.

Finish off the look with a pair of patent leather shoes in either a lace-up or slip on style and you're ready to dance the night away!