Get the job.

Close the deal.

Get the girl.

What do these three things have in common?  The right image.

We all know that first impressions can be influenced by what you wear.   Whether conscious or not, people make grandiose assumptions based upon your everyday appearance.

A tie is one of the most influential tools at your disposal.  That’s why you always reach for your lucky tie when you are about to close a deal or why the girl at happy hour playfully touches your tie to show she’s interested.   Your tie makes a powerful statement and its important to know what image you are projecting.

Red

It’s called the power tie for a reason, and by wearing a red tie you are implying that you mean business.   Just like Tiger Woods wears a red shirt to convey dominance, the red tie is a reaffirmation of strength, authority and dominance within the professional world.   For a less aggressive approach, switch out your vibrant red for a softer shade of burgundy.

Yellow/Gold

Yellow is the approachable cousin of the power tie.  While still conveying authority, intelligence and positivity, yellow is the subtle version of a red power tie.   This is the perfect tie to wear for a first interview, because it shows you are confident and not afraid of a challenge.

Blue

Conveying trust, stability and confidence a blue tie is perfect for client facing or public speaking.   That being said, it’s no coincidence that politicians and salesmen are frequently seen in blue ties.   The lighter blue shade is softer and appears more approachable.   A darker shade of blue represents seriousness and matter-of-factness.

Green

This color symbolizes practicality, reliability and implies being down-to-earth. Brighter shades of green will imply that you are balanced, fresh and energetic. For a conventional look, darker shades of green are more appropriate and will imply that you are stable and serious.

Orange

Orange is the wild card of tie colors.   A bright orange tie will imply that you are enthusiastic, open-minded and adventurous.  It is the perfect tie for making a memorable first impression and creating a sense of excitement within the workplace.

With the weather slowly warming up, now is the perfect time to transition your dull, winter wardrobe into something a little brighter.   Put away the dark colors and heavyweight fabrics and reintroduce a little color into your day-to-day attire. Here are 5 wardrobe essentials we recommend for spring.

The Navy Blazer

A navy blazer is one of the most fundamental pieces in your wardrobe because it is by far the most versatile. Whether you are going to the office, out to dinner, or cruising in your yacht the navy blazer is a great option for just about any occasion. Lighten up a midnight-navy blazer by opting for a brighter British blue fabric instead.   The lighter blue is a great way to introduce vibrant colors into your spring wardrobe.

Buttons will also help transform the look of your blazer. For a modern look, replace the traditional brass buttons for a darker mother of pearl button.   This will transform the style of your blazer from traditional and preppy to fresh and contemporary.

Light Gray Suit

Just as a dark charcoal suit compliments winter, the light gray suit is synonymous with spring. The light gray works perfectly with soft pastels and bold patterned shirts, giving you unlimited versatility within your wardrobe. To finish the look, wear it with chili-colored shoes and a camel colored belt.

The Sport Coat

A patterned sport coat is the easiest way to incorporate color into your wardrobe.  Often made in bold prints, the sport coat blends a myriad of colors in one single jacket.  For those who like a little pop of color, change the lapel buttonhole stitching to match one of the colors in your jacket.   If you’re going for the casual look, pair your sport coat with a patterned button down shirt that ties in one or more of the colors in your jacket.

Cotton Patterned Socks

It’s time to retire your boring wool socks and incorporate a little life into your footwear routine.  The latest trend in menswear is a trim cut slack that (when sitting) highlights your patterned socks.  Now that the weather is warm, add some pep in your step by picking up a pair of V.K. Nagrani’s colorful, cotton socks.

Pastels and Prints (Shirts)

Spring is the perfect time of year to sport your plaids, striped, and checked pattern shirts. When it comes to spring patterns, the bolder the better.   Color, pattern, and texture should all play a part in foundation of your spring wardrobe. So trade out a basic white shirt for a lavender gingham plaid and embrace the brighter side of spring.

The Trench Coat 

A great way to protect your custom, wool suit from rain and snow is to invest in a quality trench coat.   From Humphrey Bogart to Dick Tracy, the trench coat has been a quintessential staple in men's fashion for over 100 years. Origins of the trench coat began during the Boer War for the British military.  The goal was to design a coat that not only repelled water, but also kept the wearer warm and ventilated simultaneously.   Today, the trench serves the same function and for this reason it is one of the most versatile forms of outerwear.  A good tip, is to have your trench coats scotch guarded 1-2 times a year.   This will force any water that comes into contact with your coat to bead off rather than soak in and ruin your suit.

Galoshes 

Also known as slicks or rubbers, these shoe protectors are worn over your dress shoes and are a great way to salvage your shoes from a treacherous walk in the snow.   Sure, we all know that you're supposed to wear galoshes when its dropping buckets of snow, but what most men don't realize is that it is more important to wear them on the day the snow has melted.  Despite the absence of snow, the streets leave behind a substantial amount of salt exposing your shoes to a higher risk of cracking and becoming dried out.

Umbrellas

Like any other accessory your umbrella should be an extension of your own personal style.   Aside from keeping you dry, it should be sophisticated and considered a completion of your wardrobe.  Invest in a high quality umbrella that has superb functionality and a signature style.   Davek (yes, we carry them) is known for making top of the line umbrellas that are built to last a lifetime.

Simply by incorporating these weather repellent tools, you're suits and shoes are guaranteed to last and keep you looking great.  Not to mention they will help transition your wardrobe from season to season.

One of the most common questions we are asked at BALANI is how to properly care for a suit.   Your suits from BALANI are an investment, and for this particular investment, longevity is key.  Sure, wear and tear is inevitable, but there are things you can do to help prevent your one-year old suit from looking like it was purchased during the Clinton administration.

First, only dry-clean your suit between 2-4 times a year. Yes, you read that correctly. The chemicals used in dry cleaning can substantially damage your suit as well as shorten its normal lifespan. Instead, have your suits machine steam-pressed regularly by your dry cleaner; which is a 500 degree blast of steam killing all bacteria, removing all odors and releasing all wrinkles. If you’re prone to spilling, have your dry-cleaner spot clean rather than have them dry-clean the entire suit.

Next, hang your suits on a proper suit hanger and scatter cedar blocks throughout your closet to prevent moths from getting into your clothes. Moths eat through fabrics, leaving large holes in your suits. Fortunately, the oil found in cedar is a natural repellent, and will kill off those pesky moths with destructive motives.

Lastly, for the gentlemen who are very particular, invest in a quality made suit brush.  Why bother?   Simply put, brushing your suit after each wear can extend its lifespan by a decade. Made from either synthetic fibers or natural animal hair, brushing removes built-up dust and food particles that can get lodged in your suit causing the wool to break down.

Simply by dry-cleaning less, brushing your suit more, and incorporating cedar blocks into your closet, you will drastically increase the lifespan of your wardrobe. Because let’s face it, no one wants to see their investment go up in flames or get eaten by moths. So be sure to protect your BALANI suits in order to get the maximum return: a lifetime of looking good.

Tailored to Perfection

by Carlos Rubin - J.W. Marriott Magazine

Off the rack?  No thanks. Made to measure? Only if you're in a hurry. For the truly perfect men's shirt, connoisseurs know that bespoke - a 100 percent personalized product- is the only way to go. Here's six top tailors in six top cities.

Chicago

The Man to Know Sonny Balani at Balani Custom Clothiers

Credentials This family-owned business-Sonny's father Peter trained in London and Milan- has kept the men of Chicago looking sharp for fifty years.

Cost From$125, no minimum order

The Edge Service included cocktails from a fully-stocked bar on premises.

INFO balanicustom.com

Getting the perfect shave requires the right tools, preparation, and technique. To avoid the classic shaving pitfalls, i.e., razor burn and those pesky ingrown hairs, simply, incorporate the following steps into your daily routine.

Step 1: Shaving Tools and Products

Using a quality razor blade is fundamental for getting a close, clean shave. Whether you prefer 3 blades or 6, make sure that you replace your razor with a fresh one every 2-3 weeks.

Shaving cream is as essential as the razor you use. Make sure your shaving cream has a glycerin base, e.g., Truefiit & Hill 1805 Tub. The glycerin base will help trap moisture and hydrate your skin as you shave.

Step 2: Preparation

Preparation is key. In order to open the pores on your face and soften the hair follicles, always shave after a shower or apply a hot, damp towel to your skin prior to shaving. To avoid nicks and cuts, apply a dime size amount of pre-shaving oil to your face and massage thoroughly into your facial hair.

After you have applied the pre-shaving oil, use a stiff badger-hair brush to apply the shaving cream to your face in a circular motion. This helps retain water and preps the beard by raising the hairs on your face.

Step 3: Shaving Techniques

A razor should always be drawn in the same direction as stubble growth. This is referred to as shaving with the grain of the hair. By doing so, you help prevent ingrown hairs and skin irritation. It is also important that you keep the razor well rinsed, so that the blade doesn’t get clogged.

Start shaving by your sideburns and then work down toward your chin and neck. Make sure your free hand is holding the skin taut while you shave. For the more prominent parts of your face, i.e., chin and jawbone, be sure to use the middle part of the blade.

Once you finish shaving, apply cold water to your skin to close the pores. Finish by lightly patting on an alcohol-free aftershave, e.g., Truefitt & Hill 1805 After Shave splash, to sooth the skin.

By completing these 3 simple steps, you will be sure to get the best and cleanest shave possible. Step up your shaving game, and come to BALANI for Truefitt & Hill’s collection of shaving products and accessories!

5.) Ski jacket. We cringe when a man takes great care to choose the fine fabric, thread color, silk jacket lining, and tie pattern, only to throw on his old coat over it to head into the wintery weather. Guys, the last thing you put on going out the door is the first thing people will notice, and you’re most likely to meet someone new when out and about. Don’t cover up your impeccable sense of style with a coat that doesn’t match what’s underneath

4.) Gym shoes. This should go without saying, but think again when throwing on a pair of sneakers with slacks and a sports coat. They’re made for exactly what their name implies: the gym. If you don’t want to scuff up your dress shoes during the commute, invest in weather-proofing techniques or a nice pair of stylish black boots. And if there’s still some confusion on proper shoe care, check out how to keep your shoes kickin’.

3.) Baseball cap. The go-to baseball cap may work for casual Sunday sports viewing, but leave it with your jeans and t-shirts when dressing for work or going anywhere other than a sports bar. If you crave something fashionable to compliment your suit, go with a more stylish hat like the fedora or invest in a nice pair of sunglasses.

2.) Casual jewelry. Men should tread lightly when it comes to wearing jewelry with a suit. Your best bet is to aim for elegant simplicity: a nice watch and stunning pair of cufflinks. Anything that involves wood, beads, hemp or plastic shouldn’t come anywhere near your suits. If you want to add a little color or character to a neutral suit, look to bold or patterned pocket squares, ties, shirts and vests.

1.) White socks with dress shoes. If your sock drawer contents haven’t changed since college, it’s time to do some shopping. While socks stay invisible much of the time, they can provide a wonderful compliment to the fabrics in your clothing. Flashing a little color or pattern when sitting down shows you’re serious about your style.

On the next generation of Balani
Sonny Balani, owner: I got involved [with the business] eight years ago. I have an investment banking/trading background. I grew up around the business and had no intention in going into this at all. I think my dad asked me once when I was 16, and I just said “No way.” And he just kind of dropped it. And then around 2003, I came around and saw a potential here. But I really wanted to make it a place where I would want to shop. I wanted to bring a little more hospitality into it. A lot of times people think about custom clothing, and they think of it as stodgy and stuffy. We’re the opposite of that.

On the Balani customer
Sonny Balani, owner: Most of our clients are type-A-ish. They dress well and put a pretty high value on their appearance. Everything from the banker guy to a younger guy who likes a slimmer fit. We have full bars [in each room], so you can kick back and have a Scotch after work...Once we made a custom Halloween suit for a guy who wanted an exact replica of the Joker suit. We also do a lot of weddings and a lot of engagements. A lot of brides are buying the experience for grooms.

On added touches
Ricardo Bucio, manager: The inside of our jackets is really cool. Most tailors won’t offer you a lot of choices in linings, but we do. And there aren’t any extra fees for the additional perks. That way, you don’t have to keep calculating what the cost is going to be, and you can really enjoy the experience. On the pants—most people love this part—is a grip guard, so your shirt doesn’t become untucked. Over the years, Mr. [Peter] Balani (pictured, far left) has added different details to make the clothing more durable. The front of the shop also offers ties, cuff links and socks to complete the look.

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We break down the top five things that every custom tailor should have.

5. Custom experience. Your individual experience at a tailor shop is just as unique as the garment itself.   The appointment should be relaxed and stress-free, with everything at your   fingertips: fabric swatches, design examples, full-length mirrors and an expert tailor to guide you through the process.

4. Tradition of excellence. A great tailor should have a long-standing reputation of quality and craftsmanship, with a rich history in custom tailoring. Creating a hand-made custom suit requires a great deal of skill and client service that spans generations.

3. Awards and recognition.   An excellent review from a publication or online review from a current client is one   of the best testaments to a tailor shop’s expertise.

2. Outstanding client relationships. A custom tailor must understand your personal and professional goals, and then   help you craft your style to achieve them. The best-dressed men in the world (e.g.   Cary Grant, Sean Connery and George Clooney) always had a tailor close by who kept them looking sharp.

1. The finest quality.   Nothing else matters unless you walk away wearing your new favorite suit. The best   part about going custom is knowing that every detail of your wardrobe is perfectly   hand-tailored—from the lining pattern to the thread color—for you and you alone.