Dress Code:
The New Rules of Casual Style FOR MEN

  1. Casual does not mean old. Casual is an updated, comfortable look.
  2. Dockers are not updated casual. If you must have a khaki, make it a chino.
  3. Shoes are still the most essential item of the casual look.
  4. Workout shoes must never be worn without workout gear. Trendy, fashion tennis shoes are necessity for anyone who plans to be active in casual wear.
  5. A velvet blazer is a nice compliment to a pair of jeans on a night out.
  6. Jeans are the “it” of casual wear. You can wear them anywhere, so invest in them.
  7. T-shirts are best not depicting the 1999 Super Bowl. Instead, try a t-shirt that has a unique emblem depicted on it.
  8. Casual can look sophisticated. With the right casual ensemble, you demand attention.
  9. Vertical striped-button downs are much too overdone in the nightlife seen. To stand out, steer clear.
  10. Instead, try a merino wool sweater with an updated t-shirt underneath.
  11. Leather belts are best left for business, For casual try a fabric or cloth, colorful belt.
  12. Casual is crucial to a man’s closet. Update it often.

Joanna Van Vleck's:
Top 10 wardrobing tips

  1. Define your style, and continue to refine it over time. This is your fashion DNA: what you love, what makes you feel comfortable, what expresses you, and what reflects the right message. Stay true to this, and the wardrobe will follow.
  2. Understand your body type, proportions, best silhouettes and colors, textures and scale. Whatever your shape, know that there are clothes out there that can really flatter you, and you should never settle for less!
  3. Don’t go on fishing expeditions. Know what you are shopping for. Be specific, not rigid.
  4. Go to the right store-not necessarily where the sales are, but where they have clothes in your style. Know what stores suit you.
  5. Look for fabric and fit first, then color, then price.
  6. Think outfit, not item. Put each piece in context of your closet. This means, know what’s in your closet. If you fall in love with a piece that can’t be worn with other pieces you own, pass it up.
  7. Get help. If you are not with Joanna, tell the sales people what you are looking for and ask them if they have it. It saves a lot of time.
  8. Love it or leave it! If it’s not a WOW, don’t commit.
  9. Insist on fit. Get alterations then and there if possible. Don’t buy too small or too large.The most wonderful garment ever created won’t look good if it doesn’t fit.
  10. Buy the best you can bring yourself to afford, especially in core items. You don’t need a lot of stuff when you have the right stuff. Concentrate on fewer, better pieces

The Dos & Don’ts of Van Vleck Style:
These are must have weekly emails about the dos and don’ts of Van Vleck style. To subscribe please email a request to Joanna@vanvleckimage.com.