Dressing like a real gentleman without breaking the bank
Words: Alex Woodhall
Style is an interesting thing, easy to spot, difficult to define and often even harder to afford. As the adage goes, “money can’t buy you class”, but it can bloody well afford an army of Savile Row tailors, stylists to the stars and a barber charged with maintaining an immaculate barnet. The oft-labeled “best dressed” men on the planet take full advantage of the sartorial benefits a healthy bank account brings, as the likes Messrs Beckham, Gandy and Redmayne will attest to.
It is, however, possible to join the pantheon of the stylish without selling your soul to the devil; or your waking hours to your boss, for that matter. A considered list of favoured brands, a degree of aesthetic nous and this guiding hand from The Gentleman’s Journal will get you started on joining the discerning elite.
The suit
David Gandy, menswear maven, notable waistcoat wearer and tailoring and tie devotee. A fixture at any fashion event, a certified member of the industry cognoscenti, few men pull off quintessential gentleman’s attire quite like the man credited as Dolce & Gabbana’s muse. Yet with a face that photogenic, comes an eye-watering wardrobe. In the picture above, Gandy’s strutting in a Thom Sweeney suit, the Mayfair men craft some impeccable garments, but naturally they come at a price – well worth the investment if you can stretch to it.
Take the look above though and you can, in effect, recreate it at the cost of the original’s lapels. For suiting on a budget, ASOS are a tremendous first port of call. Their range is extensive, the fit contemporary and the range encompassing – you just may have to spend a bit of time filtering though it.
ASOS Slim Wool Rich Suit, £125.00
The trick with suiting on a shoestring is to steer clear of anything too shiny, the hallmark of many a schoolboy’s first or prom suit. Avoid the gleaming tailoring by opting for a piece that is heavy on the natural fibres – ideally wool – as this slim fit suit is, and at the cost of just £125.00 for both halves. Achieve a precision fit by taking it to your local tailors (most dry cleaners offer the service) to bring a bespoke element to your off-the-peg.
The shirt
Uniqlo Easy Care Slim Fit Broadcloth Long Sleeve Shirt, £24.90
For shirts, Uniqlo rival the best in the business. From smart to casual, their slim fit broadcloths are more than affordable, yet of premium quality and cut. Considering how easy it is to burn through shirts when you’re wearing them daily, Uniqlo will be a welcome break for your wallet and allow you to keep up with the stylish set whilst maintaining a roof over your head.
The tie
Marks & Spencer Pure Silk Spotted Textured Tie, £19.50
Like your suit, circumvent anything too shiny when it comes to neckwear if you’re shopping with some constraints. A bit of texture will bring depth to a look, standing up against the shirt but back from the suit. There are a plethora of brands out there on the high street that supply ties at a reasonable price, they may not be hand rolled but with the right attention to detail, they’ll look just as sharp. Look to match the width of your tie to your lapel size, nothing noticeably wider or slimmer for a more put-together appearance.
The shoes
Herring Haslemere Brogue, £125.00
Footwear is almost always worth paying a little more for, but that doesn’t have to mean hundreds to thousands of pounds. If your budget can stretch to it, a Goodyear welted shoe will ensure longevity and can be refurbished when needed so they could theoretically last a lifetime. If the Christmas splurge / London house prices / the price of petrol mean you’re watching the pennies, then Herring have a superb range of timeless leather shoes that are outstandingly good quality.
Images: Main: Tommy Ton // Body & Featured: Abdel Abdulai
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