GQ Rules: 25 Essential Tips, Secrets, and Shortcuts Guaranteed to Improve Your Style... Part 1

Every so often GQ will issue a booklet of advice, usually given away for subscribing. Here's my take on this years with tips on making them work in Pastoral Urbania. (Text in italics are quotes directly from GQ).

1. Buy a two button suit. Assuming you haven't already... This is a direct statement against the three button, which I believe is worn way too much. The three button is better for some body types, but usually makes you look like your trying to mimmick your favorite NBA star.


2. Chances are, you're wearing your suit a size too large. Absolutely... This is why men look like they're little boys. A suit that's too large makes you appear to have ransacked your father's closet. Let someone who knows what they're doing help you and always try the same suit in multiple sizes before purchasing.


3. Put toe taps on your leather soled dress shoes. I always forget to do this... Note to self....
   
4. Matching wood hangers. Plastic is acceptable, wire is uncivilized, and matching wood hangers are perfection.


5. If you're going to own one sweater, make it a charcoal gray v-neck. It goes with jeans, slacks, under a suit, even khakis... You can wear with a dress shirt with or without a tie, with a t-shirt, no shirt.... you get the point.


6. A black J.M. Weston belt works with khakis, jeans, suits, everything. Except that it costs $350 dollars which for most folks is about $300 dollars too much for a belt.
   
7. A dark, slim tie will instantly give any esemble a younger cooler feel. If you've ever tried to pull of a tie with jeans and felt like a dork then the width of your tie is probably the issue. I bought a nice navy tie at J. Crew yesterday about two and half inches thick.
   
8. Your raincoat should be as trim and tailored as your suits.
   
9. Invest in a classic one or two button tuxedo with peak or notch lapels. The reason for this is simple. Buying a tuxedo costs about as much as renting one twice. By buying one you can guarantee a good fit, dodge having to return it quickly, and your bowtie will actually untie.


10. Don't waste money on a fancy lint remover.