Upscale Gent

Whether you’re buying your first suit or just updating your wardrobe, the question of whether you should buy a suit with one, two or three buttons will likely be one of your biggest dilemmas. Your lifestyle, body type and the trend factor of the garments themselves all play a role in determining which style of suit you’ll want to shell out the cash for. To ensure you’re purchasing the right suit for your body and your current wardrobe needs, we’ve broken down the rules for the who, what, where, and when of wearing one-button, two-button or three-button suits — of the single-breasted variety.

The three-button suit
Best for: The three-button suit is an excellent option for men taller than six feet because the buttons on the jacket reach higher up on the chest, making it more comfortable and visually appealing on taller men. The three-button suit jacket is also an option for waistcoat enthusiasts.

Trend factor: A three-button suit has a ‘60s-mod feel to it. Accordingly, it has recently made a comeback with several influential designers showing three-button suits in their fall 2009 collections. Although they are not as timeless as their two-button cousins, three-button suits are relatively trend-proof — so long as you purchase a classic-cut model.

How to wear it: The recent trend for wearing three-button suits has been to fasten the top two buttons, but this can make the lapels on some suits appear unusually short, and you run the risk of appearing somewhat awkward. If you don’t naturally have an abundance of confidence, close only the middle button for an elegant look. Whatever you do, never close the bottom button; doing so will distort the drape of the fabric. Additionally, though you will never do up all three buttons because it will create a stiff look, you should be able to close the buttons on a good suit without pulling or stretching the fabric.

When/where to wear it: Three-button suits are a good alternative to two-button suits for office wear, particularly if you’re looking to stand out slightly from everyone else in the style department.

The two-button suit

Best for: The two-button suit is the universal standard because its frame-lengthening properties complement virtually all builds, and it has an enduring, classic appeal. If you have a short torso, two-button suits are also the best way to go.

Trend factor: An impeccably tailored two-button suit that lacks unnecessary extras is timeless, so it won’t ever go out of style. However, you’ll want to replace it every five years to make sure your look stays current. If you don’t own a suit or you only keep one at a time in your closet, a two-button suit is a must for you.

We continue to demystify the two-button or three-button suit dilemma, and even talk about the one-button suit

How to wear it: Only fasten the top button on the blazer when you want to wear your jacket closed. Some modern versions of the two-button suit feature buttons that are positioned higher on the jacket to create a compromise between two- and three-button suits. These contemporary models can be especially flattering, so pay attention to details like button placement when you’re shopping for your suit.

When/where to wear it: If you’re buying a ready-made suit rather than having one custom-made, invest in a two-button suit because it’s really hard to go wrong with this style, even when you’re searching for an inexpensive option. Two-button suits are appropriate as work wear as well as for more formal occasions.

The one-button suit
Best for: Men with lean frames who want to appear stylishly sleek should check out one-button suits. However, avoid splurging on this suit; if you already own several two- or three-button suits, you won’t wear the one-button suit as often.

Trend factor: Hugely trendy at the moment and for fall 2009, one-button suits have made a huge resurgence in popularity. If you’re contemplating buying one, bear in mind that they are not appropriate for all occasions and you may be much more limited in terms of where and when you can sport this suit.

How to wear it: When you’re standing up, the button on the blazer should always be fastened. To avoid an unsightly drape, the reverse is true when you’re sitting down. Also, be sure to choose your shirt and tie combination wisely when donning a one-button suit because the low break of the jacket means more of your ensemble is on display.

When/where to wear it: Think jazz-age smooth and break this suit out when a swish evening of picking up glamorous women in glittering nightclubs is in your future. In short, this suit is one you wear for pleasure to appear smoking hot and incredibly suave at the same time, and not because a dress code requires you to wear one.

Whatever suits you
Particularly if you’re not fond of suits, shopping for one can be a harrowing experience. There are so many factors to ponder, beginning with how many buttons your blazer should have. Now that we’ve demystified one-, two- and three-button suits, you know that your lifestyle, your budget and your body type all play a role in determining which direction you should take when it comes to suits. We’ve taken you one step closer to getting the perfect fit, all without even having stepped foot in a shop.

Today and tomorrow, Jetsetter.com, the new flash sale site specializing in travel, is offering exclusive Super Bowl packages including rooms at the hottest hotel in town, tickets to the Super Bowl (club access available) and access to the best parties.

Offering a 20% discount (off market price) on select packages, Jetsetter’s Super Bowl sale begins on Sunday, January 24 at noon and ends on Tuesday, January 26 at 8pm EST

Gilt MAN offers its sports memorabilia sale until 9am tomorrow, January 26.

1969 Jets Autographed Helmet – Gilt Price: $668, Original Retail: $908 (26% Savings)

The 1969 New York Jets were a team for the ages. They finished the regular season with an 11-3 record and beat the Raiders 27-23 in the AFL Championship game. The Jets went into Super Bowl III with a number of offensive weapons to go along with Joe Namath including fellow Hall of Famer Don Maynard, George Sauer, Matt Snell, and Emerson Boozer. Despite being 18-point underdogs to the NFL champion Colts, the Jets had the utmost confidence, especially Namath who boldly predicted a Yankee were going to win the game. The Jets went on to win Super Bowl III 16-7; it was the first victory for the AFL. This New York Jets helmet has been hand signed by 24 members of the 1969 NY Jets team including: Al Atkinson, Bill Baird, Ralph Baker, Randy Beverly, Emerson Boozer, John Elliot, Cornell Gordon, James Grantham, Dave Herman, Winston Hill, Jim Hudson, John Curley Johnson, Pete Lammons, Bill Mathis, Don Maynard, Carl McAdams, Joe Namath, Gerry Philbin, Randy Rasmussen, Paul Rochester, John Schmitt, Matt Snell, Bob Talamani, and Bake Turner. A Steiner Sports Certificate of Authenticity is included. Included glass display case with mirrored bottom and cherry-wood base. Approximate measurements: length: 11″, width: 11″, height: 14.25″.

Peyton Manning Autographed Colts Helmet – Gilt price: $558, Original retail: $820

Peyton Manning will surely go down in history as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game of football. His accomplishments are staggering. A Pro Bowl choice every year since he stepped onto a NFL field in 1998, Manning set a NFL single-season record in 2004 with 49 touchdown passes and has thrown for nearly 40,000 regular-season yards in his career. Manning raised the bar even higher in 2006, when he led the Indianapolis Colts to the Super Bowl Championship and won SB MVP honors. Peyton Manning has hand signed this official Riddell full-size Revolution-style Colts helmet, the same kind Manning wore during SB XLI. A Steiner Sports Certificate of Authenticity is included

Hate to sound like a broken record guys. But Gilt Man is running a 36 hour sale on one of the top five denim makers in the US today. Get there and get there fast or you will miss out. The hottest designer jean, bar none!!  I already checked it out and I am talking 50% off and more. And up to date styles,  not two year old, been there did that!!!

Seven For All Mankind @ Gilt Man

Here’s my personal invite to you all. Start your New Year looking fine. Just click on any of the links I left for you and become one of the few “In the Know” fashionista’s, at prices you’d pay for freaking Levi’s.

Seven at 50% off NOW!!

It may seem like one small step for your wardrobe, but a perfect pair of jeans takes your style one giant leap forward. Seven for All Mankind knows that, crafting indestructible denim in a wide range of shades and cuts; here you’ll find jeans that are dark and slim, dirty-washed and bootcut, and light and relaxed-fit. Seven’s cool take on casual wear goes beyond denim, too – check out the distressed leather jackets, striped hoodies and tailored oxford shirts.

Gilt Man

Gilt Groupe now introduces GILT MAN For men only! Why not shop where the “in” fashionista picks their goodies. And up to 70% off. This is not a paid advertisement either!! Go save money, dress like you have money and keep that money in your pocket.

Gilt Groupe provides access, by invitation only, to men’s, women’s, home and children’s coveted fashion and luxury brands at prices up to 70% off retail.

Gilt Man

Each sale lasts 36 hours and features hand-selected styles from a single designer. All sales take place only online and our full collection of merchandise is always available at the start of the sale, so be sure to sign in early.

Chase away the chill at our Cold Weather Sale today on Gilt! How do fashionistas face down subzero temps? We prefer to see it as just another reason to pile on the accessories. So check out the black velvet riding cap by Eugenia Kim. And scarves with bows and skulls by Yarnz look just as chic inside as they do out. But if you decide to ditch winter after all, a cashmere travel set from White & Warren is a must

Recent addition to the Gilt Groupe is the introducing of the fashion industries bible Vogue

At Vogue, we don’t believe high fashion always requires a big investment. Every month, our editors scour their markets for brilliant, ready-to-wear looks for under $500 to feature on our “Steal of the Month” page — and now you can shop the look (and everything that goes with it) with Vogue’s Shop the Issue on Gilt Groupe.

GILT MAN ROLL OUT VIDEO

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For most of the readers to Upscale Gents,  I am and have been a professional men’s image consultant for many many years. Basically I show and teach men how and what to wear and how to shop, as most of us men are not to fashion conscious. Actually most men are apathetic to what they choose to wear.

The same cannot be said about the fairer sex. Why is it the malls of our great nation are devoted to almost an 80% occupancy of women’s clothing stores. Men might have two or three stores to choose from. Dress is just not important to us. Why is it important to women and not for men?

During my career I have seen the dumbing down of America’s Men’s Dress Code in the workforce from the obligatory suit and tie, to a tee/polo shirt and jeans during office work hours.

This is truly a shame and one that doesn’t look to revert in the near future. Our job requirements have been upgraded to include all employees must posses a minimum educational standard. That standard consists of earning a Bachelors of Art or Science and in many cases a Masters, in order to collect their first paycheck.  So why do most large and small employers have no minimum dress code standard? They use to back when the economy was thriving. Maybe there is a correlation, maybe not.

To walk into a job interview in a pair of sandals and shorts would be considered suicidal, but hell, once they hire you stick that suit back into the rear of the closet, whence it came.

I feel and have always felt, that when I  interact with a professional person, his or her first impression tells me a lot on how I will come to feel and trust that person. There are still a few professions that a suit and tie is still the standard. For example

If I happened to be standing in court in front of a judge or jury, you bet your sweet ass my consular will be in a suit and tie. Can you imagine trying to win your case being represented by aperson in a Ed Hardy Tee, a torn pair of True Religion denim jeans and sporting a pair of new Converse? And the real kicker is that the above mentioned wardrobe would cost the same as wearing a custom made suit by Hart, Schaffner and Marx, the very same suit that our President wears. It Just Doesn’t Make Sense!

Dressing well doesn’t mean fancy or over-the-top. It means tasteful simple. The dress casual person, who works diligently at his chosen profession do better then his counterpart who is dressed in a well made suit? I doubt there are any statistics that support this question on either side.  But I can tell you the difference on how a man feels about himself when he leaves me after a consultation donning a new suit, shirt and tie. He feels confident, he feels better about himself and those around him without a doubt look at him in a different light. Being in a suit shows others you respect yourself, therefore without a single word being uttered, those he comes in contact with will give him that same respect back.

The only thing a man has in his wardrobe that conotates authority and respect is a suit. The only thing close to a historical measurement of class and civility is a suit. The name in and of itself “suit” has one meaning that is derived from a “suit of armor”,  the one thing a man wore to defend himself against his enemy during ancient battle.

Imagine visiting the Queen and witnessing the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace with men in polo shirts and khakis or seeing the most holy Pope without the Swiss Guards in their flamboyant display of dress. I know I am taking this to the extreme, but come on folks what has happened to our innate sense of decorum.

When a man can roll out of bed and pick out the days wardrobe without even opening his eyes. Remember men are lucky if they can coordinate colors that match, let alone take an extra minute to inspect their pants to be without holes.

Of course there are many professions where putting on a suit is ridiculous, and in some cases down right dangerous. I am not talking to THAT PERSON. I am imploring the other 50% or more of men who have the ability and the position to dress appropriately.

Guys,  start a reverse trend and instead of having a Casual Friday, (which turned into casual everyday), start off Monday with that very same suit you got hired in. See what happens. See the comments that are made to you.

I know your employer would not mind, hell he might even remember your name now. I know your clients will surely approve of your new look. And most of all the women you come in contact with, will come to appreciate you more. But ultimately the person who will gain from this will be you. See if maybe, just maybe, you can make a difference one button at a time.

Man Over Board