Why be concerned with your appearance?

Whether you are a new college graduate or a veteran looking to revamp your existing wardrobe, stylish, well-crafted clothing will always make the right impression. 

Some people say that this is superficial, but how you look and how people perceive you are realities of life. It's a scientific fact that strangers will make up their mind about you on a subliminal/subconscious level within 30 seconds of meeting you. The evaluation takes place quickly and is entrenched in the brain; most people are unaware that they are even doing it.

Your lifestyle is the first thing you must assess when developing your wardrobe. For example, do you wear a suit or do you wear more casual clothing to work? The type of clothing you wear determines your wardrobe's starting point. Keep in mind that building a functional wardrobe will take time.

Here are a few guidelines:

Every man needs a suit; this clothing staple is important. A suit must be fitted to your body to achieve the best look.  Start with a navy or gray colored suit; these colors are classic and neutral. You can also wear the jacket with khakis or jeans to give you a more casual but dressy look. A suit is an item that is worth spending money on; they are symbols of authority and are a great way to make a first impression. Two or three button jackets are classic.

The bottom button of a man's suit jacket is not designed to be buttoned. It was said that King Edward VII started this trend because he was so large that he could not get the bottom button fastened on his vest. His subjects took this as a fashion statement and followed his lead. Even today, most men's suits or sports jackets are not designed to button at the bottom.

A button-down shirt is also very important and can be worn with a suit or separately with slacks or jeans. Choose colors such as white or light blue to give you the most options. Remember this tip when choosing a shirt: the dressier the fabric, the easier it is to dress up.

There is no point in being all dressed up and spending money on your clothes if your shoes are worn or tattered. Shoes are one of the most evaluated elements of a man's wardrobe. They should be clean, shined and appropriate for the occasion.

Get at least one pair of nice dress shoes, preferably in black, because they will match all color pants. Stay away from wingtips and stick to a classic, lace-up shoe.

A leather belt is significant. Whether you despise them or not, they can really pull together an outfit. Look for one with simple hardware that is not too flashy. Remember to always match your shoes with your belt.

Purchasing ties can be difficult. Start with a solid color first, but if solids are not your thing, try a classic diagonal stripe. A tie is where a man can be creative with his wardrobe. Ties should always reach your belt line; a short of a tie will make you look like a rube.

In addition to the tie being the right length, it should be knotted correctly.  All properly knotted ties have a dimple under the knot. Another important fashion tip: tie clips or tacks are outdated.

Jeans and Khakis are the staple of every American wardrobe. They should be long enough to cover your socks. There is flexibility when wearing pants because you can choose to dress them up by adding a stylish shirt or dress them down with a tee or a polo shirt.

Socks should always match your trousers.

Dress slacks are worn when jeans and khakis are not dressy enough. A classic pair of slacks always solves the problem. Get a pair of slacks in a neutral color. Pleats and cuffs are traditional and functional. Pleats let you sit comfortably and cuffs add weight to the bottom of the pant allowing for proper draping and should be long enough to cover your socks. Slacks are at the right length when they have a slight break in the front and are not dragging on the ground.  

Casual shirts consist of polos or button downs and not just tee shirts.

Although you might not be the athletic type, athletic wear is great for those lazy days and those quick dashes to the convenience store where you still want to look stylish and put together.

Keeping these basic clothing items in your closet allows you to add and build your wardrobe to create a style that reflects you and your personality. Keep to basic, classic pieces, but use trendy items to accent and give your wardrobe a fresh look (such as a funky tie).

Rita Guido is owner of Unbelievable Solutions in Westerly. You can e-mail her with your questions about beauty and fashion.