Even in modern times, men’s trousers have changed – as recently as the 1940s, trousers had no waist sizes and alterations made through the leg length. As a result, they were worn high on the waist, above the stomach, mostly by the use of braces – meaning mens trousers were very baggy.

Today, the many styles and cuts of trousers available can be overwhelming – from moleskin trousers to wool trousers, corduroy to denim. Here are a couple of tips on choosing the right pair of trousers:

Trouser length should cover the socks and slightly drape over the shoes (such as a pair of  brogues or Oxford shoes).  For trousers, men’s belts are the most popular way to hold them up, though braces made a brief resurgence during the 1980s.

Waist measurements should be taken at the top of the hip bone. Make sure you’re standing straight, and don’t pull too tight to allow for eating and sitting room. If you have large hips in relation to your waist, it may be advisable to size up.

Choose trousers that flatter your body shape. Slim men can look great in a pair of moleskin trousers with front pleats that fit perfectly on the hips, preferably with a pair of mens smart shoes. Larger men should aim for wide leg mens trousers with flat fronts to make the leg appear longer. Boot cut trousers are great for shorter men.

Oxford Shoes

The great all-rounder, an Oxford shoe is a style of leather shoe with enclosed lacing. Traditionally constructed of leather, these men’s shoes originally appeared in Scotland and Ireland and were known as Balmorals. The shoe design is often plain but can include small perforations or ornamentation. Commonly availabe as mens black shoes or mens brown shoes (although more exotic colours are sometimes seen), simply styled Oxford shoes are appropriate for the office and semi-formal events; for formal affairs, highly polished are more suitable.

Brogues

Brogues are low-heeled mens leather shoes, and are considered traditional men’s country shoes and look great with casual or semi-formal outfits.

Deck Shoes

These shoes are usually leather uppers combined with a rubber sole. Originally designed for wear on a boat, the Deck shoe style is known for comfort and looks great with a casual outfit.

Loafer

Loafers are slip-on, or laceless, shoes. The most common style has a moccasin-like construction, but variations are common, such as the penny loafer. Increasingly, loafers are becoming acceptable when worn with suits in the office, but more formal occasions require a ‘dressier’ shoe.

Monk Shoe

Monk shoes are laceless and closed by a buckle and strap. This is a moderately formal shoe – less so than an Oxford but more than a loafer, and as such is more suitable for formal occasions.

Chukka Boots

Ankle length boots, Chukka Boots have two or three lacing eyelets for lacing. First popular in the 1940s and 1950s, they are usually made from calfskin or suede. Classy and great as office shoes, or for semi-formal occasions.

Chelsea Boots

Ankle-high and tight fitting, Chelsea boots first came to prominence during the Victorian era. Noted for their elastic sides that run from the heel to the top of the shoe, the Chelsea Boot design originally began as a type of horse riding boot. Once fashionable amongst the mods of the 1960s, they are back in fashion and fantastic for the busier and more demanding working lifestyle.

A formal shirt can be worn not only for the office at formal occasions – it’s versatility makes the formal shirt appropriate for most occasions – with jeans or less formal trousers for a night out, even slightly creased with cuffs up for a stroll along the beach. No matter the occasion, choosing the perfect formal shirt is easy as long as you follow these simple tips.

Choose The Right Size

This is nearly always the first question. Most men do not know what size shirt they should be wearing – this is measured around the thickest part of the neck and also the length of the sleeve, invariably in inches. For neck measurement, remember that 15” is small-medium, 15.5”-16” is considered medium, and so on.

Materials

For a quality formal shirt, find one that’s made of 100% cotton. The highest quality has a 100 yarn count and is made from poplin cotton – these are super fine yarns and up to 100% lighter than normal shirts.

Fit

You want the collar to snugly fit when the shirt is fully buttoned with room for two fingers to comfortably fit between the collar and your neck. Regarding the fit across the shoulders, you should be able to move your arms freely without the shirt pulling. The shirt cuffs should end just below the wrist when your arms are at your side.

Colours and Patterns

Conservative colours on a formal shirt are perfect for the office or for job interviews, although increasing numbers of men are opting for more colourful pinks and yellows to portray a lively image.
A formal shirt in a solid colour is a wardrobe essential, as it is much easier to match with the rest of the outfit, but stripes and checks can also work if carefully matched with a tie.