The Natty Man

Natty Man Capital of the World: Florence

I can more than entertain arguments for New York, London, Paris and Milan.  But in my humble opinion, it's Milan's more mellow cousin to the south, Florence, that is the nattiest city in the world.

One need look no further than THE Sartorialist himself, Scott Schuman, for proof.  Here are a few of my favorite Fiorentini from Scott's blog.

Agree?  Disagree?  Where are the world's nattiest men?

What to Wear to a Job Interview

This will be the easiest post I ever write:  You should ALWAYS wear a suit [without exception, regardless of how everyone at the company dresses, regardless of what your buddy on the inside tells you, regardless of how you feel that morning].  Just because Steve Jobs and Bill Gates dress like this, doesn't mean you should on the big day.

Of course, it's what you do with the suit, and everything that goes with it, that makes your look appropriate for the particular situation.  Things to consider:

• The suit:  Slim cut?  Pin-striped?  Well, are you interviewing at an advertising agency or a bank?
• Your tie [yes, you WILL wear a tie EVERY time]:  Color?  Print?  Skinny? Your tie is your best way to make a statement - just don't make the wrong statement.
• Accessories:  Timex?  Rolex?  Iron Man?  Pinky ring?  Depends … well, never a pinky ring unless you're interviewing to run with Tony Soprano's crew.
• Grooming:  Clean shaven?  Five O’clock shadow?  Full beard?  Whatever you're comfortable with, but you can NEVER go wrong with clean shaven.

Agree with me that a suit and tie are mandatory?  I'm open to debate.  Any other tips?

Dress Codes

I know this isn't terribly popular, but I don't mind dress codes.

Well, truth is I've never actually looked at a dress code [therefore I've never actually adhered to one - at least not intentionally]. 

I always figured it's pretty simple ... leave the shorts and flip-flops at home.  And since I've always been partial to the necktie, no one has ever challenged my 2-3/week blue jean habit.

Good dress codes are not handbooks filled with inane rules like thou shalt not wear dungarees.  Yet that's what most of them are [from what I'm told].  Bottom line: 

1. Be aware and respectful of your surroundings - your bosses, your clients, your colleagues.  If you're smart enough to be in the job, you should be smart enough to know what's appropriate/not.
2. Pick your battles.  You'll never win the argument over the T-shirt with the inappropriate language, so why use even the smallest bit of political capital arguing for it.
3. Keep them guessing.  Do things like wear a suit on Friday* - throws the dress code purists off your scent.

*There's an agency called the Barbarian Group that's enacted Formal Friday.  Brilliant!  This is a recent shot from their blog.  Check out their Flickr set for more images.

Introduction to The Natty Man

I know what you're thinking, so let's get a few things out of the way ...

Natty - Neatly or trimly smart in dress or appearance.  I love the word - the way it sounds, the way it's spelled, what it means.  Thanks to Alan Wolk for resurfacing it recently.

I do not - I repeat, do not - consider myself a particularly natty man.  I'm just an everyman [with everyman finances] who appreciates the neater, trimmer and smarter things in life ... if at times from afar.

If Scott Schuman's Sartorialist is the Aston Martin of fashion blogs, then I aspire to be the BMW 3 series.  Somewhat accessible, but still a little aspirational [and a sporty performer].

As with my other blog, Flagged For Follow Up, I have no master blueprint.  I'll see where my inspiration and reader feedback takes me.  I hope to be equal parts observationist, curator and occasionally turn you on to something new.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you're back soon.