The 2024 Rath-Approved Holiday Gift Guide

Elevate your gifting game with my curated collection that suits every style and budget. Whether you’re treating someone to a luxurious splurge, hunting for the perfect stocking stuffer, or seeking a thoughtful gift that’s just the right price, this guide has something for every man. The items below blend timeless sophistication with modern appeal, so that your gift feels as well-considered as it is stylish. From must-have accessories to functional fashion finds, I’ve got you covered. Click the images below for my full gift guide with links to purchase. And if you need further help with your holiday gifting (for men, women or children), contact me.

Stocking

(clockwise from top left)

1. Just in time for the new season of Yellowstone, these socks are an effortless way to bring Western vibes to his look. ($61)

2. Puffy eyes? No problem with this rollerball eye gel. Pro tip: store it in the fridge for extra depuffing action. ($27)

3. He’ll stay organized on the road with these Paravel travel bags. ($28)

4. Travel-ready chess and checkers set from the iconic Pendleton brand. ($26)

Splurge

(clockwise from top left)

1. He’ll stand out from the crowd of black and brown briefcases in just the right way with this beautiful deep green leather carryall from Montblanc. ($2140)

2. Take his solid Succession-inspired cap to the next level with this seasonally-appropriate plaid flannel hat from Loro Piana. The range of colors in the pattern make it effortlessly wearable. ($600)

3. Brown is the color of the season, and this chocolate suede/cashmere hybrid jacket from Ralph Lauren Purple label does not disappoint. ($2995)

4. He’ll stay warm and stylish in this Iris Von Arnim cashmere zip sweater. This versatile piece works over anything from a t-shirt to a dress shirt. ($1495)

Somewhere in Between

(clockwise from top left)

1. Step up his sneaker game with these Nike kicks in a unique and head-turning color combo. They’re perfect for adding personality to everyday looks. ($98)

2. Bring a playful edge to his wardrobe with this super soft dino sweater from Bonobos — proof that cool style never goes extinct. ($69)

3. Every guy needs a good basic brown jeans belt in his wardrobe. This one feels fresh and modern with its brushed silver buckle. ($62)

4. If the cashmere zip cardigan above is too spendy, then try this merino wool version for a polished, budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on style or comfort. ($100)

Fall 2024 Rath-Approved Boot Selections

Fall is my favorite season to style clients. I love the textures, layering options, and, we finally get to incorporate boots! I’ve broken my boot selections for this season down by type: Chelsea, Chukka, Water-Resistant, Laceups, Rugged, and Wild Card. See below for Fall’s essential boots for the discerning gentleman, and here are three points to consider when building out your boot wardrobe.(click the images below or here for specific item links):

01 Versatility matters: Choose a style that suits your lifestyle.

Sleek Chelsea boots work well for business casual, while rugged work boots suit a more active lifestyle. Consider your daily activities, and choose a style that complements your wardrobe versatility.

02 Material selection: Balance style with practicality.

Leather is durable and polished, while suede offers a softer look. For wet climates, consider water-resistant options and/or have suede treated with a water-resistant spray.

03 Invest in quality: Great pairs can last for years.

If your budget allows, invest in high-quality boots. Well-crafted boots not only last longer but also age beautifully, developing character and patina over time, and providing long-term value.

Happy Fall, and happy boot shopping! As always, contact me if you are looking for more tailored personal shopping and wardrobe strategy.

Cheers,
Julie

Case Study: Designing a Tiger Signet Ring

Designing a personalized piece of jewelry is about more than just creating a material object — it's about telling a story. When a client asked me to create a special ring for him, I knew it would be a unique project. This wasn't just about making a ring; it was about crafting a symbol of identity and personal meaning. From the initial sketches to the final touches, each step was focused on bringing that story to life through thoughtful design. 

What my client wanted specifically was a tiger signet ring for his pinky finger. He wanted the design to be classy, sharp and interesting, and for it to be understated, so that it would remain an accessory and not call too much attention to itself.

I started by reaching out to one of my jewelry industry contacts, Adam from James Banks Design. He and his partner Heidi were thrilled to work on the project, so my next step to look for images of tigers as inspiration for the design. I sent several images to my client, and we settled on the one below.

Image unsourced; please contact me if you know the source so that I can give the associated credit.

Once we had the design inspo, we then needed to decide if we wanted the ring to be engraved or carved. See below for examples of each style. Engraved (via Todd Daniels Design) is on the right; carved (via David Yurman) on the left. As you can see, carved designs are a lot more involved. It’s extremely detailed work — like a small, wearable sculpture.

Below is an example of a hand-carved ring the designer did for Timothy Chalamet to wear in the movie Dune. Once we saw this sample, we knew we had made the right call on going engraved because my client wanted a rich, nuanced look.

The Dune ring is beyond cool, but I knew it was too busy for what he wanted. We didn’t need all of that detail on the sides, and I knew he wouldn’t want it to be black, as that would make it pop too much on his finger.

Part of the challenge for me with this project was in coordinating between the designers (who are very visual, like me), and my client. I need to be able to describe a tangible object that both the designers and I could envision, but using words to help the client visualize what was in our minds. This was especially the case because this client is extremely busy and makes fast decisions. So I needed to be efficient and ultra clear in my language to make sure he understood what he was saying yes or no to. That way, he could make the best possible decision to guide us toward our end goal of creating an extraordinary ring that he would treasure.

Above are a few more inspo images the designer sent to me, but we didn’t really vibe with any of them. Sometimes you need examples of things you don’t want in order to dial in what you do want. With these images in mind, we decided that we wanted the engraved style from the lion ring but in the shape of the bee ring from the first set of sample ring images I shared above. Below is the tiger artwork the designer created for the engraver based on our guidance.

Once we approved the artwork, the engraver then created a wax based on that, which the designer then needed to fit to the shape of the ring. And below is the tiger that they carved.

The mold above was so cool, but I was concerned that there was too much fur around the neck, making it look more like a wolf-man as opposed to a tiger. So I asked Adam to reduce the fur slightly. Below is what he and Heidi sent back, which I found much more tiger-y.

The client and I approved the design, so our next step was to select what color gold to use. The design team drew the approved tiger into the ring cad so that we could see it with various combinations of metals for the three components (ring, tiger, and background behind the tiger). Below are the renderings.

Adam told me to ignore the “bumpiness” in the backgrounds behind the tigers in the renderings and also that the tigers would fill the space more in the final version, so we wouldn’t see as much of the background. The rose gold felt too feminine for our purposes, so we narrowed our choice down to the first and third options above — yellow gold tiger, onyx background and white or yellow gold ring.

It was a hard choice between the two though. In situations like this, when a client is on the fence about something that we’re customizing (also rare for this client who is beyond decisive!), I try to come up with verbiage that the client will resonate with to describe how the item will read in its final form. In this case, what I told him was that the yellow gold has a classic feel and a richness about it; whereas the white gold conveys a more modern and youthful feel. (Paul Newman or Steve McQueen would definitely have gone with yellow gold!) With that in mind, the client opted for the yellow gold ring and tiger with the onyx background, for a timeless feel.

Above was the next step, after which the stone would go on, and it would get polished.

In the end, the client was thrilled. In his words, it’s “subtle, elegant, and not overstated.”

From my side of things, it was a pleasure to be able to flex my creative muscles while working with such a talented team at James Banks Designs. They really went above and beyond to make sure the client was happy with the final piece. And the bonus for me was that I got to create something that my client loved, which is what fuels me always. He actually reached out to me years later to ask for another of the same ring to be created, but in rose gold, for his wife. Apparently she wears his ring all the time, so he wanted to get one for her!

Wall Street Journal Asks Julie: Shorts in the Office?

When one of my favorite Wall Street Journal writers reached out to me for my thoughts on whether men should wear shorts in the office, I was excited to share my hot takes. See below for my expanded stance on this, and you can check out the full article here.

I’m a no on shorts for men in the office. It’s just not a good look. Even my finance clients who work in very casual offices in warm climates wear long pants, jeans at the very least. I polled a few long-time clients, and the consensus was no, unless (and this is a big unless!) they're going golfing with clients/colleagues and need to stop by the office to grab something on the way.

If a dress code allows for shorts, tread lightly on going gams-out. Always look to your superiors first before braving an aspect of the dress code that’s new to you. If they’re in shorts, you can try it; if not, skip them. If you’re considering wearing shorts to the office, go with a tailored, straight cut, and a hem that hits just above the knee. The fabric should be crisp so that the shorts aren’t clingy. No sports shorts, no cargos, and absolutely nothing more than 2 inches above the knee. Keep the rest of your outfit polished and smart, i.e., a shirt with a collar, a nice belt, and close-toed shoes; points for adding a blazer. Depending on your line of work, shorts are also a lot easier to pull off in offices where you aren’t client-facing.

Rath-Approved Summer Sandals

Sandals are one of the trickiest things for men to get right. The best ones have the right mix of detail without being overcomplicated by an excessive amount of straps or buckles, or aggressive logos that will transform you into a fashion-victim. When the dog days of summer hit, and you need something dressier than a flip-flop, you’ll be happy you filled this wardrobe gap. In considering what sandals to buy, there are a few key things to keep in mind:

1) Skin tone: a very dark brown or black sandal can look stark against fair skin, so make sure to pick a tone that flatters you. My edit above has a nice range of browns to blacks to denim/other fabrics.

2) Your belt color: what color will you wear most often this summer? If it’s brown, get a similar tone sandal; same goes for black.

3) How many: if your closet and budget allow, you may want a couple of options to work with the bulk of your wardrobe. With more than one option, you can also play with a patterned sandal with colors that work with the rest of your outfit. These from Bode have navy in them which makes them very wearable.

Click here or the image above for my Rath-approved picks this season, and don’t forget to clean up those toenails before slipping them on!

Spring/Summer Fits

Spring and summer wardrobe planning can arguably be tricky because the look has to stand alone without outerwear to hide imperfections. See below for 8 spring/summer fits for a range of different scenarios. Click here or any of the images below for outfit details.

The Office Commute

Solidify your summer style for travel by car or train, and for frigid office a/c. This look is polished and pulled together, while offering comfort for work and time on the road.

WFH

Casual, comfortable, and also easy to run to a coffee meeting or happy hour. This breezy summer casual look will be on regular rotation.

Summer Date Night

Classic, and always relevant, this look is sharp without trying too hard — perfect for any summer night out.

Golf Outing

This look will take you from the course to the club in effortless style.

Dressy Event

For a see-and-be-seen event, you'll turn heads in this elevated and sophisticated Tom Ford suiting look.

Casual Weekend Activities

For a pulled together weekend look, look no further than a simple long sleeve t-shirt, a crisp jacket, shades and social sneaks. This look will take you from errands to a backyard barbecue seamlessly.

Cocktail Party

This look is fresh with its chic neutral palette. The jacket and top will wear well throughout the evening, and the linen will keep you cool on hot summer nights.

Pool or Beach

Monochrome is key to creating a pulled-together, yet laid back swim look. And this look is perfect whether you’re on vacation or hanging at a friend's house.

The 2024 Rath & Co. Father's Day Gift Guide

This year for Father’s Day, I decided to organize my guide by activity for easy gifting. See below, or click the images above and below, for my sartorial selections organized by Dad’s favorite sport or hobby.

[clockwise from top left]

1) He's guaranteed to feel sharp and stay cool on the course in this breathable blue striped polo. $120

2) Sleekness meets comfort and functionality in these MG4+ golf shoes by G/Fore. $225

3) These sunglasses are a must-have for the serious golfer: the lens technology embellishes contours on the green, and each purchase supports the C.T. Pan Foundation. $659

[clockwise from top left]

1) The pattern on bottom (versus all over) and neutral colors give these tropical-themed swim trunks personality without being aggressive. $100

2) Conservative colors in a playful pattern -- this is the perfect hybrid swimsuit for the guy who wants to have fun but not call too much attention to himself. $180

3) A classic swimsuit with a flatteringly clean trouser-style waist band. You can't miss with this one. $275

[clockwise from top left]

1) Inject some fun into his tennis wardrobe with this peppy Nike court t-shirt. $40

2) Smart tennis shorts from Nike will have him moving in comfort -- and in keeping with court dress codes. $65

3) Perfect for tennis on his summer travels, this Tumi racquet case has a sleeve to fit on top of his luggage for easy carrying. $520

[clockwise from top left]

1) A wallet is a great place to play with a pop of color, and this green one from Ferragamo is particularly fresh for Spring. $515

2) Nothing says cool quite like black-on-black accessories, and this Tom Ford belt doesn't disappoint. $553

3) Show him how highly you think of him with this stunning handcrafted fountain pen from famed pen designer Onoto $727

The 2024 Rath & Co. Mother's Day Gift Guide

As my clients’ go-to resource for all things image and style, I’m often asked for gift ideas for the women in their lives. So this year I created a general gift guide, with thoughtful options in a range of price points. Whether it's your mom, wife, girlfriend, or significant other, I've got you covered with the perfect gift ideas, sure to make her feel special on her day. Click each image below for details.

< $100

1) A super soft, slightly weighted, and heavenly-smelling neck pillow for a relaxing evening ritual. $27

2) It is so hard to travel with a hat without crushing it, but this cute clip makes it super easy! She can even clip it onto the seatback in front of her on flights. $59

3) There are a lot of red light masks on the market today, but many of them can result in post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and even volume loss, according to skin expert Mary Schook. She recommends this mask on the green light setting which is clinically proven to brighten skin and heal wounds. $67

$100-300

1) A cute and sweet tank to let her know you love and appreciate her. $100

2) Recommended by skin care guru Mary Schook, the Dermaflash is great for deep cleaning pores and effective application of serums. $109

3) She'll love the combo gift of a polaroid camera and a bowl to put her snaps in. Perfect for the family room coffee table! $179

>$300

1) Let her know how cherished she is for all that she does with this rose gold mama necklace. $2200

2) Feminine and easy-to-wear, this bracelet is perfect stacked with her existing pieces. It’s also robust enough to stand on its own. $10,350

3) A gorgeous and easy everyday go-to earring with just the right touch of sparkle. $11,245

Talkin' Derby 🏇

The Kentucky Derby has always been synonymous with sartorial elegance. This event isn’t just a horse race; it's also a celebration of tradition, refinement, and, of course, impeccable style. To navigate the Derby with distinction and aplomb, it’s key to dress with an eye for both tradition and contemporary flair. Here is where sophistication meets Southern charm. Whether you’re a bowtie, necktie, or no-tie guy, see below for 5 options. Click the images for outfit details, and…saddle up!

Note the mint julep belt above!

The Rath & Co. 2023 Holiday Gift Guide

From stocking stuffers to special gifts they’ll never forget, here are some Rath & Co. favorites for everyone on your holiday gift list.

For men, I’m loving indulgent accessories that fit into his casual lifestyle. For women, you can’t go wrong with festive pieces to fill her closet and luxurious skin care products thrown in for good measure.

 Click one of the images below for my top 12 gifts ideas for men and women!

Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful Thanksgiving.

How to Combat Your Pattern Matching Fears

One of my male clients’ biggest fashion fears is combining patterns. So much so, that I often hear from new clients that they resort to only ever wearing solids because they’re unsure of how to mix and match patterns. In my opinion, that’s completely unnecessary (and unacceptable!). If you’re similarly stuck, try my inverse pattern matching rule. It’s easier than you think.

Above is the before — a white shirt with a burgundy stripe and a solid jacket. Easy and safe. But if you want to take it to the next level, you combine that pattern with a pattern that’s the inverse. So in this case, that would be burgundy with a white stripe. See below for the after.

White shirt with burgundy stripe combined with a burgundy jacket with a white stripe. It’s chef’s kiss and really that easy! Give it a try, and let me know how you do. And if you’re still confused, contact me for a complimentary consultation.

Yours in style,

Julie

How to Shop for Shorts

Image via Forbes.com

I recently spoke to Forbes about men’s shorts. The article features several of my tips, and I dig in further below.

We’re in the middle of summer, not to mention a global heat wave, and shorts are a staple. Shorts are one of those things that, if you execute well, they can make your outfit. If not, they’ll break it.

Here are my additional tips on how to make your summer shorts style effortless and flattering.

Know Your Fit

I like to see the waistband laying neatly flat across the waist with no drooping in the front or sagging in the seat (aka khaki “diaper butt”). You also want to consider the circumference of your thighs in relation to the leg opening on your shorts. They want to be trim enough through the legs where they aren’t ballooning around your thighs, but have enough give that you can walk and sit comfortably. If you have very built thighs, narrow leg openings will be tough both putting on and going from sitting to standing. It’s annoying and uncomfortable having to tug a pair of shorts down if they get stuck on your thighs. So try the sit and stand test before buying. 

Inseam Matters

Inseam is such a big deal that it gets its own bullet point. Think about inseam in relation to your height, whether you’re long- or short-torsoed (and, conversely, have legs that are proportionally short or long for your body), and how confident you are in your legs. As a general rule, the sweet spot for your shorts length is for the hem to hit about three quarters of the way down your upper leg. Most shorts have either a 5, 7 or 9 inch inseam. If you’re 5’ 9” or under, stick with 7 inches or shorter. Any additional length will be too long and look like board shorts on you. For those 5’ 10” and up, you can safely try any of the inseams, keeping in mind that a 5” inseam will be fairly skimpy on you, so it’s important that you feel good about the build of your quads. Keep in mind that lighter colors are less forgiving, so be careful not to push the envelope in a pair of white shorts. Finally, the 9” inseam reads as conservative. It’s also a good choice if you’re lacking confidence in the build of your legs. And don't be afraid to buy long, then hem a pair of shorts in order to achieve your perfect length.

Types of Shorts

-Flat front is a perfect no-brainer and classic go-to. You may turn heads, but you won’t raise eyebrows.

-Pleated reads as conservative and is helpful if you need a little more room for pizza.

-Denim is a tightrope walk. It can be youthful and edgy, or dated and dad-like depending on the wash and cut.

-The meme above always makes me laugh — I think cargo shorts get a bad rap. When pulled off well and fitting in a nicely tailored way, they can be a nice way to mix up your shorts game. The main thing here is to avoid very long or blousy cargo shorts because that can come off as frumpy.

-Drawstring is perfect for vacation-wear because it’s inherently more casual.

-Sweat and workout shorts are for exactly that: sweating and working out. They’re also OK for at-home loungewear.

When and Where to Wear Shorts

During the day is always a safe bet. If you’re considering wearing shorts to a restaurant but are unsure, take a minute to call and confirm whether shorts are acceptable if nothing about dress code is listed on the website. There’s no shame in doing some extra anonymous legwork!

Cheers,

Julie

Grooming in the Time of Pandemic

I can’t believe I just wrote that title, but here we are. While plenty of people have a lot scarier things to worry about than overzealous ear hair, grooming maintenance is a true concern for those of us who are working from home, doing Zoom calls regularly, and just trying to feel good about ourselves. There are no magic fixes, but I do have some tips on how to keep things as tight as tight can be during a pandemic:

• Follow the map: use a trimmer, trimming around your ears and zapping stray nose and eyebrow hairs. Try to stay within the framework of what your barber/hair stylist did during your last cut. You should be able to keep it up fairly well if you do this once or twice a week. Try to avoid over-scaping around your eyebrows, as over-tweezed eyebrows can look like a pair of caterpillars sitting on your head, which I assume is not the look you’re going for.

• Whiten up: if you’re home working all day, my guess is you’re consuming your fair share of coffee. With no routine dentist visits in sight, why not do some at-home whitening? I like Snow, as it’s super-convenient. The LED light plugs into your phone, so you can do it while watching tv, folding laundry, etc. While their customer service/communication is lackluster, the product is very effective.

• Avoid protein powder: I love my morning smoothie too, but many ingredients in protein powder make your hair grow faster. According to James Joyce, my go-to for all things nerdy and hair, “your hair is the waste receptacle for vitamins and minerals in your body. So the more nutrients you pump in quickly that your body can’t use, the quicker it pushes them out via your hair follicles.” Ingredients to watch for are collagen powder, biotin, gelatin, niacin, folic acid, B12, pantothenic acid and chlorophyll, if you don’t want your hair to grow too quickly.

• Wear a hat: Not on your calls, but post-shower. Comb your hair smooth in the direction you want it to dry in, then put on a baseball hat and let it dry that way. That will compact your hair and make it less fluffy looking.

• Use the right product: Opt for a light styling cream, not a pommade or gel. James recommends Baxter Styling Cream. Put it on dry hair to help contain the hair and make it look less voluminous.

• DIY Cut? I don’t think there’s a cut and dry answer (I know, lame double entendre) on whether or not to tackle the at-home haircut. It depends on who’s doing the cutting and her/his attention to detail and previous experience, your hair type and hairline style, among other factors. That said, I have found some good resources online for how to do it if you want to give it a shot. Worst case is you botch it up, and it grows back in by the time we’re out and about again. This tutorial in particular breaks it down clearly and even makes it look easy.

• Get on the calendar: Obviously we don’t know when we’ll be back to life as we know it (and timing depends on your location), but if your salon or barber shop is scheduling or has a reopen date, try to get an appointment on the books. Many salons are already booking appointments following projected reopen dates, and appointments will be more spaced out than before and therefore trickier to get. You can always push it back if need be, but at least you’ll have something for when things do open up.

Until then, stay healthy!

Cheers,

Julie

How to Nail Your Zoom Setup

Now that our primary means of human-to-human contact is across a screen, optimizing your setup is key. You want the lighting to be flattering on your face and distractions minimal. I wrote a post on this a back in 2013, which I’ve gone back and polished up for today’s technology and climate. Below are my updated tips on how best to set yourself up for video conferencing.

• For lighting, natural light behind the camera is best, but if you aren’t near a window, make sure the room is well-lit (video looks grainier when it’s dark) and that no bright lights are shining on you. Also, while it sounds like nice ambience to have a window behind you, if you don’t have enough light in front of you, you’ll be back-lit. That puts your face in shadows. Instead, try to position the light so it’s right behind or next to the computer. If the light is too bright, cover it with a cloth to soften the effect. You can also try ring light which is specifically designed to create a flattering light for your camera.

• Angle the camera so that it’s at eye level or pointing down at you. An upward angle looks awkward and is less complimentary. You can prop your computer up on a few books to get it to the right height.

• Put a piece of white paper or a white cloth on the table you’re sitting at (keep it out of the camera frame). This will reflect flattering light up onto your face.

• Look at the camera, not the screen. It’s awkward at first and takes some getting used to, but to create the best experience for the other user(s), you should be looking at the camera, not the screen. If this is hard, try turning off the window that allows you to see yourself. It can be tempting to check yourself out, but it’s distracting to the other person.

• In contrast to a 3-D meeting in an office or boardroom, on a video call the focus is on you, chest up. So small actions or habits like clicking your pen, chewing on your nails, or rubbing your face/hair are amplified. Try to avoid them.

• Sit up straight. Bad posture is also emphasized on screen.

• Smile — you may feel goofy doing this when you’re not right in front of the other person, but it’s important.

• If you can sit slightly back from the camera, do it. You’ll look better proportioned on screen.

• Plug in your laptop instead of running on battery power, which may default to poorer video or sound quality.

• Try not to adjust your setup during the call, as this can be distracting to those on the other side.

• I know it’s hard with the whole family home, but try to have a clutter-free background and a quiet environment with minimal distractions or interruptions.

• Don’t multitask. The person you’re conferencing with will know when you’re not paying attention, so avoid embarrassment and turn off all other programs on your computer. That way there won’t be any unexpected sounds going off, and you won’t be tempted to look at your email (the other user can hear you typing!)

I know, this is a lot to think about with everything that’s going on in the world right now, but do your best. Once you have a setup that works for one call, each subsequent call will get easier.

What are your strategies for successful video conferencing?

Cheers,

Julie

What's Your Quarantine Style?

I sincerely hope your answer involves pants.

If I had posed that question to you six weeks ago, you would have looked at me like I had twelve heads. But now that we’re all homebound, what to wear for work from home is about as topical as you can get. While it may be tempting to grab a worn t-shirt off the floor and head straight to your laptop, there’s a good case for putting some effort in. And this applies whether you’re on zoom calls all day or not.

One of my favorite style writers, Ray Smith of the Wall Street Journal, recently wrote an article on the topic, in which he quotes my and other image and style experts’ advice. You can check out that article here, and I’ve included my entire list of tips below.

• Overall my thinking on the matter is that we can all be a little more relaxed right now. This is a chance to show our human side and connect with others on that level. Now is a time for relationship-building, and exploring new ways to work together once we come out of this — however that may look. After all, partnerships drive innovation. So connecting with others is paramount.

• I’m using the term ‘neat casual’ (or the more whimsical ‘corona cas’) for the WFH dress code right now. You don’t want your colleagues to be sitting there wondering if today’s wrinkled t-shirt was last night’s pajama top. And you certainly don’t want them wondering what you’ve got it paired with on bottom.

• Stemming from the above: avoid the outfit mullet: business on top, party on bottom. What if you have to jump up to let your dog out of the room during a call? Your underdressed bottom half (boxers/briefs/what-have-you) may have an unintended reveal.

• If you typically wear a suit and tie to work, swap that out for a neat button-up shirt. It’s both realistic and respectful. It would be odd to be sitting in front of your computer in a full suit and tie.

• If your office is more casual, you can wear the same sorts of things that you were in the office — so a non-wrinkled t-shirt/henley/polo in a color that’s flattering to you will work nicely.

• Perhaps more importantly, it’s not just about how others see you. Getting dressed is also for yourself. Wearing pants is good for morale! So even if you’re not doing video calls, take a shower, wash your face and put a complete outfit on. This helps with mood, self-image and productivity.

• If you’re doing at-home workouts, good for you! Make sure you shower up after and don’t just jump straight into work. Doing so will help you transition from one activity to the other. This is important to get you into a productive work mindset since you aren’t physically changing locations.

• Beware of wrinkles, as they can be amplified over video. You don’t need to break out the steamer before logging on, but the fewer lines in your clothes the better.

• Avoid wearing black or white, both of which can wash you out on video. Also, don’t wear the same color as your background, as this can make you look like a floating head.

• Instead opt for colors (ideally solids or non-busy patterns) that flatter your skin tone.

• In terms of grooming, it’s OK to be slightly rougher around the edges than usual. So if you’re typically clean shaven, a little scruff is fine. And make sure to take a look in the mirror before you go online. Is your hair sticking straight up? Jerky in your teeth? Eyebrows crazy? Don’t overlook the grooming basics.

• Overall, use common sense and good judgement based on whom you’re meeting with and what you want to convey.

One of my WFH looks: non-busy pattern and cool tone that’s flattering for me.

Behind the Scenes: Two New Before and Afters

Men's Image Consulting: Before and After

If you've been hanging around here for a while, you've likely seen the before/after pictures of my work. What you may not know, though, is that it's quite challenging to get these pictures together, and the ones that I have posted only reflect a small portion of the results I've gotten with my clients. Many of them (understandably) are private and don't want their pictures included.

For those clients who are open to being featured, getting an accurate before picture that's also high enough quality for web use, is often difficult, not to mention planning a professional shoot for the after shot. But when it does all come together, and the client is up for it, the results are thrilling! I love being able to feature my clients and show off the hard work that they've done to overhaul their image. Even though I'm the image consultant, much of the work is done on the client's part: showing up for appointments, trying on all the clothes, implementing my advice, etc. Image consulting is like a 12-step program: it works if you work it.

So now that you've gotten that behind the scenes, you can appreciate how big a deal it is when the stars align, and I'm able to pull together a before/after I can use. Below are two new before and afters I'm proud to be able to share.

The first one is a tech CEO and father of 3 who lives in the midwest. We started working together in Spring of 2014 (when the before pic was taken), and we've been traveling back and forth to see one another several times a year since. At first it was a complete overhaul; now we're in maintenance, where we touch things up seasonally and depending on what events, talks, etc., he needs to attend or present at. This client is an absolutely fantastic guy, and I've loved every second of working with him (and incidentally, I've now worked with his wife and niece too -- it's a family affair!).The after shot was taken exactly 2 years after we started working together. The first three things we worked on that were the keys to our success off the bat were:

1. getting him into trimmer and better-fitting pants and jackets

2. convincing him that tucking in his dress shirts would actually be more flattering to his build than wearing them out, and

3. getting him an improved haircut that would be more flattering to his face shape and hair type.

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Men's Image Consulting: Before and After

The second before and after is one that my awesome client Michael H. sent me out of the blue one day. Michael is a busy attorney and father of two from the west coast. We started working together in April of 2014, coincidentally about two years ago as well. Even though the pix weren't professionally done, and I wasn't there to style him for the after shot, I was thrilled to get the email from him with the images and thanking me for my help. I don't get all the credit here though -- as you can see, Michael has not only been hard at work transforming his image and style, but he's also lost a ton of weight and gained muscle. He dropped 4 inches in waist size. Michael told me in his email that he laughs now recalling that he had told me his before picture was his best outfit.

The top three elements that paved the way for Michael's success were:

1. demonstrating to him that he had been buying shirts and pants in sizes that were too large for him

2. upgrading his haircut and showing him how to style it and with what product, and

3. teaching him how to dress in a way that was flattering to his height and newly trim build.

Getting results and feedback like this is a true rush for me, and it's the exact reason why I fell in love with the work that I do. I'm a Fixer (with a capital "F") through and through, and I love being able to use my skills to help my clients become their best selves. I always like to say, "it's you, only better."

Thanks so much for reading, and if you're thinking about making a major (or even minor) transformation, don't hesitate to reach out to me.

Cheers,
Julie 

Pro Tips: Jean Tailoring FTW

Men's Image Consultant: How to Tailor Your Jeans

There very few things like a perfectly-fitting pair of jeans on a man (the above British GQ spread of Matthew McConaughey-hey-hey is pretty good proof). And the way you have them tailored -- or not -- can make or break them. I recently did a jean overhaul with a client, and as we were having them tailored, I realized that even though I’ve already written about how to find a great-fitting pair of jeans, it’s also important to talk about the tailoring. 

Men's Image Consultant: How to Tailor Your Jeans

1. When shortening jeans that have any kind of distressing or detailing along the hemline, ask the tailor to re-use the original hem. That means he or she will remove the hem that’s already there, cut the jeans shorter, and then reattach the hem higher up. And you get to avoid that my-mom-hemmed-my-jeans look that distressed jeans get when they're just folded under and hemmed normally. If your tailor doesn't know how to do this, find another tailor.

2. Check the waist — if it gaps when you put a belt on but fits well through the seat and thighs, the waist needs to be taken in. Ideally, though, your jeans should fit well everywhere, so I'd only suggest this for jeans you already own or that are on super sale. 

3. During tailoring, wear the shoes you plan on wearing most often with the jeans. That way, you and the tailor can choose the length based on that. Keep in mind that once you’ve chosen a length based on heel height, you’ll be limited to shoes with the same or similar heel height. If you have a broad range of shoe types (which hopefully you do — if not, here’s my post on the 6 essential shoes every guy should have in his closet), then not every pair of jeans is going to work with every shoe — i.e, you’ll have some that will work with flip flops and flat loafers but not with your dress shoes. So it makes sense to think ahead when having your jeans hemmed as to which shoes you’ll be wearing them most frequently with. And once you’ve decided, make sure you actually bring those shoes to the tailor when you go.

4. Taper jeans that are excessively wide-legged. Elephant leg, as we’ve discussed, is not a good look. It can make your legs look short and stumpy — not recommended! This often happens unintentionally when jeans get shortened — the tailor brings them up without realizing that the new bottom of the jeans is unflatteringly wide. So take a good look at the width of the jeans around the new hemline to see if it needs tapering. Some jeans only need a slight taper to just above the ankles, and others need it almost as high as the knee.Do you have any tips or tricks for how you get your jeans tailored perfectly? Please share in the comments!

Cheers,
Julie

What to Wear for the Kentucky Derby

Even if you're not going to the Derby itself, but rather watching at home or a party, I highly recommend dressing for the occasion. There are plenty of options for Derby gear, suitable for everyone from the most conservative guys to those with a little more style aplomb. Here are a three outfits to consider, from least to most dialed:

Men's Personal Shopper: Kentucky Derby Style

1.) Navy blazer, chinos or shorts, light colored dress shirt, and bright or pastel colored tie or bowtie (extra points for coordinating pocket square).

2.) Seersucker suit or jacket, white shirt, open collar, pocket square (in either a traditional/neutral color like navy or a bright/pastel).

3.) Brightly colored pants, light colored shirt and sportcoat, pastel tie and pocket square.

Men's Image Consultant: Kentucky Derby Style

Hats, of course, an optional bonus ;)

Cheers,
Julie

images via kentuckyderby.com, GQ.com, vineyardvines.com

The One Shoe Type That Works with Almost Any Outfit

Men's Style Consulting: What Shoes to Wear

What would you say if I told you there was one shoe you could wear with just about anything on a daily basis? You'd be all over that, right? It's true. A medium brown lace-up dress shoe can be worn with any outfit except for a tuxedo, a black suit (which you shouldn't be wearing anyway), and shorts. Wear them with jeans, chinos, suits and dress pants.

One of the places I always recommend investing in wardrobe-wise is shoes -- you're better off buying one pair of quality shoes and replacing them as needed every 5 years or so, than a crappy quality shoe that you have to replace every year. When it comes to making the most of your footwear investment, another key to keep in mind is not to wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. If you rotate your shoes, they'll last a whole lot longer.

So if you're going to make an investment shoe purchase, I highly recommend a medium-brown lace-up. They can have a cap toe, no cap toe (see above), or you can do a wingtip (see below).

Men's Style Consulting: What Shoes to Wear

Cheers,
Julie

How to Wear Man Jewelry

Men's Image Consulting: How to Wear Man Jewelry

Man jewelry is one of those things that a lot of guys are curious about but are not sure how to (or if they even can) pull off. I get it -- it's so easy to do it wrong, that it's almost too intimidating to try. Take my long-time client "A," for example, who works for a management consulting firm. When we first started working together several years ago, every Friday when he came home from the office, he'd put on a colorful beaded necklace. This was his way of marking that the weekend had begun and he was transitioning into hip and relaxed dad mode. Only issue was the necklace looked like one of those candy necklaces kids wear (that's actually what I thought it was the first time I saw it -- oops). Not exactly cool dad material. Even though A didn't quite execute, I give him props for trying. Fortunately this problem had an easy solution -- we ditched the necklace in favor of a more masculine-feeling and subdued combination of bracelets that he looked forward to putting on every weekend and that didn't make him look like he shopped for accessories at the candy store.

How can you avoid looking like a casualty when it comes to wearing man jewelry? I've put together the following 8 basic rules for you to follow so you can get it right the first time, plus a few pix from around the web for inspiration.

[Note: for the purposes of this post, I'll only be addressing casual jewelry -- necklaces, bracelets and non-wedding band rings -- as that's what I see guys struggling the most with].

Men's Image Consulting: How to Wear Man Jewelry

1. The less shiny the better. Shiny jewelry can come off as cheesy, so if you're thinking of incorporating metal into your jewelry repertoire, go for darker tones and matte finish. Texture within a piece can also reduce shine and make it more wearable. Bottega Veneta and David Yurman make great textured metal pieces (woven, grooved, etc.).

2. Man jewelry doesn't have to be metal. Consider pieces made of materials like rope, leather, wood and beads for a durable, earthy look. Think masculine shapes -- things like bars, nail heads, hooks, spikes, arrows, anchors, shapes with strong lines and hard angles, and antlers all give off a manly vibe that works well in jewelry.

3. Bracelets > necklaces. If you're just dipping your toes in, I highly recommend starting with a bracelet or two, as opposed to a necklace. It's a more subdued statement that won't completely take over your look the way a necklace does. You can wear one bracelet next to your watch, or a few on their own. And don't be afraid to mix a couple colors or textures, while keeping the overall look tasteful. Once you're wearing it, try not to fiddle. Put it on, then forget about it.

4. But if you're already a style renegade, go ahead and jump in with a necklace. A good length is somewhere between your collarbone and the middle of your chest. And one or two at a time is your max.

5. If you're going to try rings, the most in my opinion a man can safely pull off is 2 or sometimes 3 per hand, and keep in mind the masculine shape element in #2 above.

6. Try vintage. Vintage pieces often have a patina that give wonderful character to man jewelry. Bonus: they can also be good conversation starters. Things that are interesting and look like they have a story to them pique peoples' interest.

7. Keep your build in mind. If you're smaller-boned, go for smaller-scale pieces. Similarly, if you're a big guy, you don't want to dwarf overly-delicate pieces.

8. Don't match...complement. If your watch is black leather with silver-tone metal, then don't pick a black and silver bracelet to wear with it. Try a royal blue instead, something that will work with the cool tones. In general, warm tones (gold, mustard yellow, forest green, eggplant, maroon) work together, and cool tones (purple, royal blue, blue-based red) work together. If you're curious about how to combine colors for the best possible effect, you may want to check out my online style course, Next Level Style, which has a full section on color.

images via GQ, Giles and Brother Instagram