Personal Style | J. Kent Ltd.

The Silent Language

Aug 16 2012

There's more to your appearance than your clothing. High quality, well-tailored clothing gives your image an immediate boost, but you can maximize that advantage by mastering effective body language. When others see you, they see your clothes first, then they notice body language; the way you walk, how you sit, what you do with your hands while you talk, and the expressions on your face. All these contribute to their opinion of you. Three key points on body language will steer you toward an image of confidence and self-assurance. Handshake- Check that your handshake is firm but not overbearing. No one likes a weak grip, but they also don't want bruised fingers after a quick hello-and-handshake. Eye contact- Many of us look at people when they're talking to us, but let our gaze wander when we're the one speaking. Eye contact, more than anything else, shows that we're...

J Kent Erickson

Image & Lifestyle

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Seasonal Attire

Summer Fabrics for 2012

Jul 16 2012

Reinvigorate your summer wardrobe with an infusion of updated dress shirts. The fresh colors, textures, and patterns for 2012 offer your summer suit a wide array of appealing options and looks. Shades of summer: Let your everyday white or blue dress shirts take a backseat this season to shirts that simmer with summer color. Try a pale violet or lime green to add pizzazz to your image. Just be sure to wear a toned-down tie, to avoid overwhelming your outfit with color. Get texturized: Your shirt’s texture adds not only to its comfort and durability, but also to its eye appeal. Look for summer shirts that create a great feel, or “hand,” through the variations in the weave that add visual depth to the fabric. Fine patterns: Summer patterned shirt fabrics are going subtle this year. Look for mini-checks or fine stripes to add interest to your seasonal dress shirts. You can keep...

J Kent Erickson

Seasonal Attire

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Image & Lifestyle

Principles Of Graphic Design In Dressing

Jun 18 2012

When composing an image, graphic designers use a few well-known principles to ensure their art is appealing to the eye. Gentlemen can apply those same timeless principles to the art of dressing. Rule of Thirds: Most designers avoid placing the focal point in the exact middle or right on an edge of the image. Instead, it’s placed about a third of the way in from an edge. When wearing a suit, the hem of the coat should reach well below the halfway point to avoid visually cutting your frame in half. Avoiding Fragments: When a design element extends beyond the edge of the image, distracting visual fragments can be formed. Designers enlarge the fragment to avoid jarring the eye. Ensure your collar and shirt cuffs extend an appropriate length past your coat to keep from creating small visual fragments in your outfit. Remember, you are an image to those who see you, and considering the...

J Kent Erickson

Image & Lifestyle

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Accessories & Jewelry

Tie Quality

Jun 04 2012

Ties add more than a splash of color to your work attire - the quality of your tie contributes to your image as well. The next time you're selecting new ties for your wardrobe, make sure they are of long lasting, high-quality workmanship. When measuring tie quality the first consideration is the "hand" or feel of the tie. Check that the fabric feels pleasant to the touch. A scratchy or stiff tie is likely to be of lower-quality fabric than one that simply feels luxuriant. This "touch test" applies equally well to thick and thin fabrics. Next, check the manufacture's tag to see what type of fabric you're holding. Silk or wool ties are generally preferable to synthetics. The natural elasticity of these fibers will stretch better around the neck, leading to a longer useful life in your wardrobe. Once you've approved the feel and fabric of the tie, check the details. Finer...

J Kent Erickson

Accessories & Jewelry

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Image & Lifestyle

Oscar Wilde: Simple Tastes

Dec 02 2011

"I have the simplest of tastes. I am always satisfied with the best." - Oscar Wilde...

Ralph Lauren: How You Live Your Life

Dec 01 2011

"Fashion is about what you wear. Style is about how you live your life." - Ralph Lauren...

William Shakespeare: Apparel Oft Proclaims The Man

Dec 01 2011

"Costly they habit as thy purse can buy, but not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy; for the apparel oft proclaims the man." - William Shakespeare...

Blazer in Blue: Fall 2011

Oct 11 2011

Get more mileage out of your wardrobe with a perfectly tailored blazer in blue. As the economy looks up and colors lighten across the fashion industry, traditional navy blazers are joined by brighter shades of blue, giving a modern twist to a timeless classic. Look for tones ranging from inky, saturated blues to more subtle gray-blues in this versatile jacket. The season’s fresh colors still retain the mix-and-match appeal that makes a blue blazer a wardrobe staple for the well-dressed gentleman. Blue will coordinate easily with almost any trouser color, from cream to brown and from khaki to gray. The neutral blazer also allows a myriad of shoe color options. Consider rich browns and deep burgundies for your leather shoes to add warmth to your ensemble. You can take advantage of the blazer’s ability to support almost any colors by pairing it with a variety of stylish combinations of high-quality shirts and...

J Kent Erickson

Seasonal Attire

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Shirts, Vests, & Blouses

The Versatile Vest

Oct 04 2011

Vests can be excellent mix-and-match wardrobe pieces. Rather than limiting their use to the three-piece suit, use versatile vests as coordinating pieces for sport coats and trousers. Consider having vests personalized to your taste—lapels, pockets, fabric, and fit can all be custom-crafted to create timeless pieces that will give you extra options with your existing shirts, trousers, and coats. Traditionally, vests are made of the same fabric as a jacket or trousers. They can also draw on contrasting colors, or simply use a base color from the jacket or trousers. When creating combinations, keep fabric choices (tweed, silk, cotton, wool) similar enough to avoid an awkward pairing....

J Kent Erickson

Shirts, Vests, & Blouses

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Casual Attire

After-Hours: Casual Wear Style

Aug 31 2011

Looking your best doesn’t end with Friday rush-hour traffic. Even when you’re not working, your clothing choices reflect the same sense of personal style and confidence that makes your business attire remarkable. Whether you’re enjoying a dinner party or a night out with the guys, your casual wear wardrobe sets the tone. Dress for the venue—A downtown hotspot requires a little more glam than video night at your best friend’s place. Avoid baggy or too-tight items—Your clothing should fit well, and offer just enough room to move comfortably. Choose dark blue jeans (not light or black)—Avoid extraneous embellishment or faded areas. Step it up from tees—A well-tailored shirt shows off your unique style. Shoes still matter—Scuffed, faded shoes take away from any look. Limit your ensemble to two or three colors—Any more than that looks garish. When in doubt, go black and white—Nothing beats that timeless contrast. When your business clothing is supplemented with stylish mix-and-match casual wear,...

J Kent Erickson

Casual Attire

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