Personal Style | J. Kent Ltd.

Colors to Complement Your Skin Tone

Jul 28 2011

Choosing clothes that complement your skin coloring doesn’t have to be stressful—it just takes a small investment of time and energy. You can start making great color combinations by using just a few simple steps to make educated choices. Whenever possible, view potential clothing purchases in natural light, usually through a window. The fluorescent lighting in most offices can distort a fabric’s true color. Gather shirt swatches in several shades of the same color. Hold them up under your chin while you look at yourself in a mirror. When a shirt makes you look either worn out or discolored, set that item aside. If you’re not sure how a color makes your skin look, listen to your instinct about whether you like or dislike the color. We tend to like tones that look good on us. When you find several selections that make your skin look healthy and robust, group them together. Once...

J Kent Erickson

Image & Lifestyle

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Patterns & Textures

Checkered, Checked, Checks (& Balances)

Aug 26 2010

Many businessmen hesitate to choose checked shirts, keeping to the more traditional solids and stripes. However, with foresight, there is no need to avoid this wardrobe-extending choice. When choosing a checked shirt, the choice of tie pattern can be critical. The tie's print, whether solid, striped, or patterned, should complement the shirt print by offering a visual change of pace. Pairing similar patterns, whether both are large or both small, in tie and shirt can create a feeling of heaviness. Instead, try out combinations with alternating patterns. Tightly-checked shirts require a larger tie pattern, while large checks can support a small, busier print. Colors can be similarly brought into balance. Rather than limiting your choices to single shades of colors, harmonize the tones. The "seasonal" color scheme may help you decide if a certain red or blue is compatible with your shirt and suit tones, as fall or summer colors naturally complement...

J Kent Erickson

Patterns & Textures

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Seasonal Attire

Summer Wardrobe

Jul 31 2010

The blustery days of spring turn into a distant memory when the weather warms up. And your warm winter suit, so helpful a few months ago, can soon seem too heavy to wear. Keep your cool this summer—without losing your professional look—by crafting a summer wardrobe with style. Your tools? Summer wardrobe-worthy fabrics in wool, linen, silk, and cotton. Wool can still be your wardrobe’s best friend during the sun-friendly months. Simply keep to lightweight versions (look for tropical or summer weight fabrics) to retain the breathability of wool’s natural fibers without the warmth of the winter weights. Linen fabrics offer a looser weave than wool, which lets air circulate to keep you cool without compromising style by dressing down. Minimize your linen suit’s wrinkles by tailoring the fit to your shape. Baggy trousers and an oversized coat will wrinkle more than a suit that moves with you. Silks and silk blends drape beautifully...

Detailed to “Suit” You

Jul 22 2010

We’ve all heard the phrase, “the devil is in the details.” It’s true that the details—whether in business dealings or business attire—can make the difference between success and failure. Most businessmen wouldn’t dream of presenting a business proposal without careful attention to the details. Applying that same level of care to a business wardrobe is just as important. The niceties of a suit can create the impression of success or failure, competence or irresponsibility, strength or weakness. We can help you craft a suit that conveys the impression most suitable to your needs. The choices on details are seldom “right” or “wrong,” but rather points on a sliding scale. For example, using a Windsor half-knot on your tie looks heavier than the trimmer four-in-hand knot. Cutting squared suit shoulders creates a more solid look than the closely fitted silhouette. Your custom-tailored suit is shaped not just to fit your measurements, but to create...

J Kent Erickson

Suits

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