Laura Jordan, style consultant and personal shopper, decodes the new style rules for men …
We all appreciate the power of smart dressing, but new hybrid working nuances can pose problems. As a result, there has been an increase in styling services for men. Style consultant and personal shopper Laura Jordan, who runs www.stylesavvy.ie, helps male clients to decode the new style rules.
“With hybrid working, there is a differing dress code for each day of the week. The new directive is to simply dress for your day,” she explains. “Keeping the following style rules in mind will help: BUSINESS FORMAL means full tailoring – jacket, collar, tie and tailored trousers – this is typically a suit. BUSINESS CASUAL means tailoring with some untailored elements, such as a suit jacket paired with a white shirt, no tie, a fine-knit sweater, tailored trousers and casual shoes. SMART CASUAL means half tailoring; a blazer, T-shirt and jeans. Half of the look is “cut”, the other half is relaxed. PERSONAL CASUAL is your style, your way, no tailored elements required, usually a T-shirt, sweater and jeans,” she explains. When building a capsule wardrobe, simplicity is her mantra. “Invest in box-fresh, white organic cotton crew neck T-shirts, try Cos (€19) or Uniqlo. This is a contemporary alternative to a shirt and work under half-zip sweaters, open shirts and blazers.”
Cos t-shirt, €19, www.cos.com
“Next, dark indigo slim-cut straight leg jeans. Standard Denim, €190, at Indigo and Cloth, Dublin 2, are a must as they flatter and are slimming. A pair of minimalist fashion sneakers that are never used for exercise, will add a contemporary edge to jeans, chinos or tailored trousers. Try Axel Arigato, Common Projects or Veja.
Standard denim jeans, €190, at Indigo & Cloth, Dublin 8.
“Chelsea boots, ideally in suede, are the hardest-working item in any wardrobe; try Marks & Spencer, Office, Doucal’s and John Lobb, €1650. A slim gilet adds a layer of warmth under a blazer or wool coat in winter.
Chelsea boots, €1,650 at John Lobb; www.johnlobb.com
“The colour navy has the best mix and match potential (look to Marks & Spencer, Buratti or Pier One at Zalando). Lastly, a smart, buttoned, navy twill overcoat, €259, with a sharp collar from Arket pulls everything together. Hugo Boss, Marks & Spencer, Mango Man and Sandro also have a good selection.”
Buttoned navy twill overcoat, €259, Arket; www.arket.com
She is the queen of no makeup makeup and even manages to make a smokey eye look subtle. When everyone else was going for heavy contour and laminated eyebrows, she continued to promote enhancing your natural features with simple tricks and smart product placement. If you have seen any of her videos, you will notice how little product she actually uses. Even Victoria Beckham commented how surprised she was when she went to remove her makeup after a shoot with Lisa on how little product was applied.