Taking a vested interest in sweaters

As we spring forward into warmer weather in North America, the cottons, linens, silks and lightweight wools take center stage. Comfort is king, and style should follow accordingly.

When you assemble your comfortable outfit for work, bring the suit jacket or blazer for good measure. Should you decide to leave the jacket home, take a windbreaker for the evening cooldown.

However, during the day, when workplace air conditioning makes for a cooler environment than what you prepared for outside, a windbreaker becomes the practical solution but a less stylish one in the office. Keeping the suit jacket on ensures a professional appearance, but it is subject to wrinkling when sitting (especially if the jacket is cotton and/or linen) or it can become too hot to wear over time (silk and/or wool).

So ... what's a happy medium to wear when you find yourself a little too chilled out at your desk?

A cotton sweater vest can improve your comfort zone. It adds a layer of warmth as it breathes with you. I recommend conservative colors to start. Cable patterns, for example, add a level of subtle elegance to the overall look.

In other words, you'll look smart. Not necessarily bookish, mind you, but with the right color and the right fit, a sleeveless cotton vest is a versatile item in your sartorial repertoire. For instance, with a solid-color, cable-patterned sweater vest and a contrasting golf shirt, you'd be country club material.

Over the years, I have picked up cotton vests from a variety of retailers. The most traditional looking has to be from Brooks Brothers, without fail. Same goes for Joseph A. Bank. The Bobby Jones line also has a selection of eye-catching sweaters. Not least, the Polo Golf lines offer traditional and contemporary looks.

Other designers that I've come across that offer sweater vests include Nautica, Orvis, and Banana Republic.

And so, if you wish to maintain your cool look while minimizing the risk of catching cold indoors, a cotton sweater vest will garner significant Style Points in your favor.

Making stylish statements off the cuff

To be sure, a gold watch, a diamond ring or other such forms of "bling" can certainly catch eyes and turn heads. Few accessories, however, have the potential to represent a man's sense of flair as cuff links.

I don't know about you, but it seems that cuff links have gone underappreciated over the years. They are indispensable for wearing shirts that have French cuffs, but they can be obscured underneath a jacket sleeve. When the jacket is removed, the cuff links may be visible, but the design that may have drawn the wearer to purchasing them might be less easily admired by others from a distance.

The sartorial role of cuff links cannot be underestimated, especially during one-on-one situations. From shaking hands at an introduction to a job interview to a dinner date, cuff links can generate significant Style Points.

The options are many, but here are some fundamentals:

Decide how much you want to spend. Precious metals, of course, will be more expensive than non-precious ones. Also, some designers cost more than others.

A wardrobe staple: Have a set of polished black cuff links that's part of a set of studs for a tuxedo. These cuff links will go with anything.

Take a look at the shirts (and ties) that are in your closet. This will help provide a range of ideas of what you're looking for when you coordinate your ensemble.

Don't be afraid to have fun with your selections. Cuff links do not have to be functionally monochromatic fasteners. Like ties, cuff links come in myriad designs.

Some of the most fun designs I've seen have come from London-based boutiques. Two examples are pictured above. Davies & Son of London's Savile Row makes colorized versions of American quarters from all 50 states. At right, from Paul Smith, is a striking design that dares to be different.

Other British retailers, such as Duchamp and Dunhill, offer very appealing, high-end options.

Of course, a reputable jewelry store will have cuff links that command top dollar. But those who have finicky tastes, consider a visit to an antique store. There's a better chance you'll find one-of-a-kind items that may not necessarily cost an arm and a leg.

So, if cuff links are your thing, choose wisely. The right set can be the missing link that makes for a smart presentation.

Substance Meets Style: Choosing a Cologne

Just as a power suit can quickly reflect a man's projection of confidence; the right cologne can amplify his masculinity.

Cologne can be regarded as a power tool. Too much of it can be a turn-off for anyone whose olfactory senses become overwhelmed. Too little defeats the purpose of having purchased the cologne in the first place. (In other words, one can just stick to Ivory soap. Can't go wrong there.)
For optimal results, go to any department store and talk to the personnel who will gladly assist you. Sample different fragrances on strips of paper before spraying on yourself. Otherwise, you will become an amalgam of scents that could confuse your decision on one of them.

Do not hesitate to ask a woman's opinion -- independent of the salesperson's -- about a cologne you are considering. This will narrow down the choices quickly.

Currently, my top five fragrances are:

Dunhill Pursuit

Eau de Cartier

Kiton Black

Paul Smith Extreme

Versace

And then, after trying numerous fragrances before tying the knot and having kids, here's a safe bet: It's that all-time classic -- Old Spice. It never gets old. Your spouse, your daughters will not complain about your maturing scent as you age gracefully.

But until then, young men, the above cart comes before the horse. Find the scent that works for you. Hopefully, the rest will follow.