Well, here we are – January 2018. The beginning of a new year and a great time to think about how you’re going to dress to impress over the next 12 months. To help you do exactly that, everyone at HKT has put their heads together and come up with a list of 18 key pieces and style tips for our customers. So without further ado (posh words for let’s go on with it), feast your eyes on these essential bits of kit and some top-notch advice.

  1. Bespoke royal blue blazer

Everyone has a blue blazer, right? It’s one of the most versatile pieces of clothing you can have in your closet. But not everyone has a blue blazer that’s been tailor made and which fits perfectly. If you’re going to make a made-to-measure splurge on one item this year, we say go for this.

  1. Goodyear welted shoes

The shoes maketh the man. And Goodyear welted shoes maketh the well-dressed man. Long cited as the hallmark of well-made shoes, the Goodyear welt is a technique which dates back to 1871. In very basic terms, it involves a ribbon of leather running around the edge of the shoe upper to hold the component parts together. The result is a shoe that lasts for decades, not years, and has an ageless quality and style.

  1. A watch upgrade

Seriously, you tell the time using your iPhone? This year, leave that sort of behaviour behind and make an impression with a high-quality Swiss-made watch that exudes sophistication. We’re thinking a timepiece by Tissot or Christopher Ward, or if your budget stretches to it, Audermars Piguet or Rolex.

  1. Made-to-measure white shirts

If you work in an office, you probably wear a white shirt more than any other piece of clothing. Sure, you can get some decent shirts from the high street, but nothing fits – and feels – like a handmade shirt. So treat yourself to a few bespoke basics that’ll improve your working week significantly, We Promise!

  1. Go slim not skinny

It’s time to leave those skinny fit jeans and pants behind and go for something that actually offers you some comfort and movement below the waist. Now, we’re not saying you should start wearing parachute pants like MC Hammer. Instead, go for slim fitting jeans and pants that create a strong silhouette and feel good to wear.

  1. Dark jeans

If you don’t own any dark colored jeans (black or indigo), then 2018 is the time to buy this key piece of clothing. They look really great with a blazer and tee, equally good with just an Oxford shirt or polo, or simply wear them with your favorite light-colored T-shirt and sneakers. Perfecto!

  1. Look after your shoes

We’ve already told you that the shoes maketh the man. But what’s the point of buying some stylish footwear if you’re not going to look after them? Take a leaf out of our book and make sure you give your shoes a good polish and buff at least once a week. To help you do this, take a look at this video and grab yourself some stockings!

  1. Classic cufflinks

Look, we’ve all made mistakes when it comes to cufflinks. For the suave man about town, novelty really isn’t the look you should be going for. Instead, choose simple, classically designed cufflinks that are not overly ornate. Going classic will also make sure your cufflinks match lots of your shirts.

  1. A custom made grey and blue suit

If you’ve already got a grey suit you love, make sure you’ve got a blue handmade suit in a similar style. Or if you’ve got a great blue suit, then get a similar one made up in an exquisite grey material. These are essential pieces you’ll wear many, many times over the years, because they’re great for work and events such as weddings. That’s why it’s worth spending a little extra cash on something bespoke that will help you look your best in loads of different settings.

  1. Custom plain tees & Custom Polos

Another staple that you can wear in many different situations is a plain tee or polo. In particular, white, black and charcoal tees and classic color golf polos are super versatile and carry you from a casual day to evening effortlessly. Pair with some stylish flat-front trousers, tailored shorts or your new dark jeans.

  1. Tailored tuxedo

Okay, so you maybe won’t wear a tuxedo that often, but when you do, you’ll really want to look a million dollars. Having a made to measure tuxedo created that fits your physique perfectly is definitely money well spent. But what style, color, fabric and accessories should you go for? For the answers, check out our previous blog on tuxedos.

  1. Personal suit lining

The style and fabric of a typical grey, navy or black suit can only go so far in telling the world a little bit about yourself. That’s why we really encourage our customers to choose a material from our vast range of suit linings that projects something about their personality. This could be anything from a unique message, to a playful image, to a sophisticated repeat pattern.

  1. Fine leather wallet

A man’s wallet speaks volumes about who they are, so take a look at yours and make a judgement whether it’s right for you. If it isn’t, we strongly recommend that you invest in a good quality leather wallet that exudes quality and will develop a great patina over time. Also, think about your daily life and what you actually need from your wallet. More and more, we carry less cards and money around with us because our smart phones can do so much nowadays. With that in mind, think simple, small and classic.

  1. Blocks of color

One of the definite fashion trends for men in 2018 will be color blocking. This means wearing a number of garments in different, and often vibrant, colors. Now, getting some color blocking into your life may sound like something you’re going to struggle to do, but that really doesn’t have to be the case. You could ditch the white or grey work shirt for a couple of days a week and go for something with more of a wow factor. Or how about adding a cobalt blue or orange sweater to your wardrobe. These look great with tailored dark pants or jeans.

  1. Single pleated pants

As we talked about in our Pleated vs Flat front blog, single-pleated pants are very much on-trend at the moment. As well as creating a stylish ‘working week’ look, you can also wear them with sneakers and a tee on an evening or weekend to create an über cool appearance. Get yourself a pair now!

  1. Classic topcoat

As you may have guessed from many entries on this list, we love versatile clothing that can look great in a formal and a more relaxed setting. This is exactly why we’ve included a classic topcoat as one of our 18 key pieces for 2018. When the temperatures are low, an elegant and simple wool topcoat can not only be used to sharpen up a suit, it can also dress up jeans and sneakers too.

  1. A classy, punchy tie

This entry ties in with our entry at number 14: blocks of color. Because if you’re going to buy some new ties this year, go for solid colors (not patterns) that really pack some punch. Also, take the time to look at the shirts you own to work out which colors will best complement them.

  1. Be a gentleman

Okay, so this isn’t a style tip as such; it’s a philosophy that all men should adopt in 2018, especially in the wake of the many sex abuse allegations that came to light in 2017. This year, do your utmost to treat all women with respect, and never forget to make the women in your life feel extra special, whether by cooking them dinner, buying them flowers, or offering to do some childcare at the weekend so they can chill out.

So there you go, our 18 key pieces and style tips for 2018. We hope you find them super helpful for the next 12 months. And as always, don’t forget that you can always book in a free style consultation at HKT by contacting us on 770-458-8682 or team@hktclothiers.com

Have a great 2018, and we look forward to welcoming customers old and new to our store throughout the year.