Power-dressing at work may have gone out of fashion with the end of the eighties but thanks to hit US show Suits it seems like it’s all the rage once again. Back for the third series starting this week, its lead character – hot-shot lawyer Harvey Specter (played by Gabriel Macht) is flying the sartorial flag again to champion dressing for success. It’s something the discerning gent should heed when upping the style stakes in the boardroom. Winning in business is great, winning with sartorial style is even better.
Of course Elysium Magazine isn’t one to preach about padded shoulders and garish material patterns. Not at all. Power dressing in 2013 is a more refined affair where slick lines, darker colours and the perfect fit are the most important principles to remember. In Harvey we have the epitome of the modern discerning gent – successful at work, with impeccable style and a winner at everything he does. He has all the qualities to be a quintessential role model for the modern day business man. Let’s take a look at Harvey’s brand of individual style.
The Suit
The idea of dressing for success is not a new one. It is built on the premise that what you wear contributes largely to your success in the professional world. As Harvey said in the pilot episode of the first series “People respond to how you dress so like it or not this is what you have to do”.
Harvey’s tastes in tailoring can be seen as an extension of the language he uses to communicate with others. He wants others to know he’s the boss in any given scenario – often without saying a word, although he is rarely the silent type.
For the discerning gent keen to replicate the same impact and persona you’ll need a bespoke tailored three-piece pinstripe suit in navy or grey. The pinstripe should not be too thick or bold. Jackets should have wider peak lapels and double vents. The fitting of the entire suit is the most crucial in achieving the ‘successful look’ and a good tailor will ensure jackets fit snugly but not tight and trousers just kiss the tops of your shoes rather than break over them.
Brands like Canali, Pal Zileri, Richard James and Ermenegildo Zegna do these types of suits particularly well – Elysium Magazine is a big fan.
The Shirt
It’s probably no surprise to find out Harvey is a big advocate of the bespoke shirt too. His collection is predominately spread collar with French cuffs in plain colours – normally white or blue. Again the fitting of the shirt is paramount – no excess material helps keep the lean look and allows Harvey to shoot half and inch of cuff from the sleeve.
Custom shirts from Saville Row tailors are the best – premium material expertly finished are a sound investment indeed.
The Tie
Harvey is a fan of the wider tie and belittles Suits co-star Mike Ross (played by Patrick J. Adams) for his skinny tie with quips of “Get your skinny tie out of my face and get to work” on more than one occasion. Harvey’s sartorial tie choice compliments the cut of his suit – the broad shoulders and wide lapels work perfectly with a three inch wide tie in a Windsor knot to embody his status of power and control. However the skinny tie works perfectly well for Mike with the slight frame and slim fit suits. This is a matter of choice and will be dictated by your size and build – remember everything needs to look balanced and in proportion.
The Details
To finish of the dressing for success look you cannot forget about the details. Elysium Magazine has long been advising the discerning gent on the importance of accessories such as the pocket square and cuff links. These are essential elements to complete the look.
A belt to match your shoes is another key element – however the belt is merely for decoration rather than functional as your bespoke suit should have trousers than fit perfectly without the need to hold them up. Finally, every discerning gent should have a suitable timepiece on his wrist and Harvey always ensures that he has his luxury watch on – he’s never late for anything.