Wardrobe Basics For An Executive

Follow Suit
Business suits are the trademark clothing for a successful executive. Remember these tips, before you spend a small fortune on getting getting your suits tailored:
• Two to three suits in safe colors like gray, navy, and burgundy will ensure that you aren’t ever stuck when it comes to a formal dinner with an important client.
• Look for classic colors and patterns that are easy to match and accessorize with.
• Go go for fabrics that are not easily crushed. Avoid linen, gentlemen!

Dress Up Your Shirt 
• Formal dress shirts in light colors will go very well with your dark suits.
• Ensure that your wardrobe has at least ten to twelve shirts.
• A few dark colors, a few light ones and a few striped or patterned shirts - and you’re all set for business!

Accessorize Right
While ties convey your professionalism and work ethic but there’s no need to stick to the boring safe ones. use these tips while purchasing your ties and other accessories:
• A bit of flash - good! But don’t go wild with cartoon characters or animal prints.
•  Your ties should reach the middle of your belt buckle. Short ties and ties that are too long are a big no-no.
• Buy ties in interesting patterns, shades and prints to bring some character to your executive wardrobe.

Shoes
Other wardrobe touches you need are two pairs of leather shoes- black and brown, and two leather belts. Remember - no flashy belt-buckles, and no experimental shoes! I once knew a man who wore bowling shoes under his suits for work. Trust me, he didn’t get very far in his line of work.

Casual Fridays
If your organization has casual Fridays, then invest in two to three fitted, casual shirts in less traditional patterns, a couple of cool sports jackets and two smart sweaters for the winters. Pair these with casual chinos, corduroys, twil trousers or a good pair of blue denims. Casual slip-ons and a good belt will complete your look. These should hold you in good stead when it comes to looking good on casual Fridays without sticking to boring formals. [source]

Tips for Wardrobe Maintenance

Working experts have a penchant for buying business cloths and accessories but few know the art of wardrobe management. Quite like experts mange their activities in the office, it would be vastly valuable if they can do some “wardrobe management”.

CLEANING

• Pants made of cotton, cotton-poly blends, or denim - such as chinos, poplins, and twills – may be machine-washed and tumbled dry on low setting. Use a warm iron if needed.

• Corduroy pants should be folded inside out previous to washing.

• Cotton shirts can be machine-washed and –dried. Be sure to remove the shirts from the dryer before they are 100 % dry.

• Most rayon and linen shirts are either dry-clean-only or hand-wash items.

• For most part, sweatshirts should either be hand-washed or expertly dry-cleaned, based on manufacturer's suggestions.

• To eliminate a spot from a silk tie, first steam it. Then dip the skinny end of the tie in a excellent spot-remover solution. Use the skinny end to quickly rub the spot, moving towards the weave.

• When everything else is not fails, save your spotty silk ties and wear them under sweaters or sweater vests.

PRESSING

• To brighten up creased trousers, you will require a press cloth and a spray the water bottle. Sprits the area to be pressed, cover it with the cloth and press – one leg at a time – using the proper material establishing on your iron.

• Keep cotton shirts damp until ready to be pressed by spritzing them carefully with the water and rolling them firmly in a bath towel. Use a warm to hot iron for 100 % cotton, and a little bit lower setting for cotton blends. Do not press over buttons as it is likely to cause damage.

STORAGE

• Take away the belt from the pants and empty the pockets. Crease at the center front and center back and also hang the pants from base hem and on a hook that is exclusively made for pants.

• Never hang a sweater. As an alternative, lay it smooth in a cool, dry place.

• Sweaters should not be covered in plastic, as this will trap moisture. Natural, breathable air storage boxes bins are a better bet.

• In the off-season, wool sweaters should be stored with mothballs or cedar chips.

• Always store your ties untied, and stay away of simply helping to loosen your tie and pulling it over your head, which can create a lasting dimple in the silk.