Dear Sir

It’s been said that it takes mere seconds to determine if a woman is well dressed, but evaluating a man’s duds requires a lot more time and investigation. This is because menswear styles are based on minute details, varying only by degrees each season.

This season’s looks hearken back to the conservative, mid-20th century mode of men’s dress. Tie widths have shrunk to between three and three-and-a-half inches, wingtip and brogue-style shoes are peeking out from under pants cuffs and classic oxford-style shirts abound.

Take a closer look at what makes these menswear items extra special.

1. Ready, Set, Go
A man in the 5580 Boulevard Softshell Coat is ready for dressy get-togethers and laid-back events. Smartly styled polyester fleece with shoulder and cuff tab details blends nicely with a zippered chest pocket.
Fossa Apparel, Inc. UPIC: FOSSA 888-367-7271 www.fossaapparel.com

2. Feeling Bluesy
Stay comfy and perfectly on trend in the 3211 Men’s Long Sleeve Denim shirt. Soft yet durable denim is accented with wood-tone buttons, a button-down collar and left-chest pocket.
Sierra Pacific Apparel UPIC: sierrapa 713-688-4455 www.sierrapacificapparel.com

3. Made To Work
The face of the AFX4000 hooded sweatshirt is made of 40/s-weight, 100-percent cotton fabric, which makes it soft and perfect for screen printing. Inside the shirt is a seven-ounce, cotton-polyester blend prewashed for softness.
Independent Trading Co. UPIC: Trading 949-366-9911 www.independenttradingco.com

4. Hey, Sport
The classic style of the 7075 Sueded Jersey Brushed Back Baseball Jacket is sure to turn heads. End users can make this iconic style their own, though, with many logo-placement options, such as full-back, split-front, left chest and bicep.
Vantage Apparel UPIC: vantage 800-221-0020 www.vantageapparel.com

5. Smart Casual
The classic t-shirt is taken up a notch in the RA5055. High-quality jersey and a tailored fit make it slightly dressier than an average tee.
Royal Apparel UPIC: Royal992 866-769-2517 www.royalapparel.net

6. Weekend Warrior
Get the lived-in, weekend favorite look right out of the gate with the men’s long-sleeve thermal, Style 7014. It has all the cozy comforts, such as micro-waffle weave, rib-knit collar and cuffs and super-soft ring-spun cotton.
Barry T. Chouinard, Inc. UPIC: ComfortC 800-545-6366 www.dyehouse.com

7. A Meditative State
Guys can zone out in the Vintage Zen Full Zip Fleece Hood. Constructed from acid-washed burnout fabric with a silicone finish, dyed-to-match drawstrings and raw edges on all seams, it’s casual comfort at its best.
J. America UPIC: Blanks 866-470-4536 www.jamericablanks.com

8. It’s A Tie
Whether you choose a half or full Windsor, knotting up a tie is a time-honored male ritual. The trick, though, is to make sure it’s a tie worth fussing over. We like the silk Wet-Dyed Ties from KTP Design Company (top) and the Woven Stripe style in custom corporate colors from Buffalo Bay.
KTP Design Company UPIC: SYMMETRY 888-245-1979 www.symmetryline.comBuffalo Bay UPIC: BUFFALO 800-222-8437 www.buffalobay.com

9. Be Free
Look comfortable yet polished in the Men’s Solid Executive Pinpoint Oxford Freedom Shirt. Wrinkle-free cotton, matte pearl buttons and a chest pocket round out the options.
River’s End Trading Company UPIC: LALO0001 800-488-4800 www.riversendtrading.com

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STYLE INSIDER Men’s Fall Fashion Checklist

Two top men’s style bloggers, Dan Trepanier of Thestyleblogger.com and Emmi Sorokin of Amansworldco.com/wordpress, list the trends your most fashion-forward clients will ask for all season.

An Unlined, Softly Constructed Jacket
The perfect mix of casual and formal, this jacket can easily make the transition from weekday to weekend. It looks as good with a spread collar and wingtips as it does with a t-shirt and classic sneakers.

The Not-So-Dressy Dress Shoe
Classic oxford shapes (such as brogues and wingtips) are now available in a wide range of fabrics. Pick up a pair of canvas oxfords with rubber soles, and you have a shoe that feels like a sneaker but looks grown up and put together.

A Manly Knit
Throwing on a chunky, rugged sweater in a hefty knit (such as a shawl-collar cardigan) makes any man look suave, masculine and comfortable.

A Tweed Sport Coat
Rich textured jackets such as cashmere, moleskin and velvet rule the runways, but tweed is the workhorse of the bunch. It’s professional yet relaxed and rugged—perfect with a crisp, white button-down and slacks or a buffalo-plaid shirt and jeans.

A Soft Briefcase
Infinitely cooler than a backpack, soft briefcases go beyond the office. Removable shoulder straps and a top handle turn the case into a weekend messenger bag.