2. Balance the Scale
When combining checks with checks, or stripes with stripes, the trick is to balance their scales.
Pair wide large-scale patterns with tight small-scale patterns to avoid a “blurring” distraction to the eye.
Alex also introduces a third scale here with the overly spaced stripes on the tie.
Because these extra-wide stripes do not compete with the width of either of the checks, it works well.
I love how the star socks (see top photo) introduce yet another pattern when he sits down.
Featured Items:
- Red mini plaid dress shirt by Michael Andrews Bespoke
- Navy/black check suit by Michael Andrews Bespoke (Cloth by Ariston AR A811/192)
- Navy stripe wool tie by Theory
- 1″ tie bar from TheTieBar
- Navy silk pocket square by Polo Ralph Lauren
- Silver watch by Raymond Weil
- Brown leather wingtips by Scarpe di Bianco
49 Comments Add a comment
This post is tremendously helpful.
Just curious as to what the notch width is on look 4? Looks wide but I may be imagining things.
Thanks.
I think the lapels in that look are 3.75″ wide.
Thx for reading
He needs to learn how to tie a proper knot on his ties. Loose and no dimples just looks sloppy. Got to pay attention to the small details.
Woah Styleblogger! This pattern-matching post is actually pretty helpful.
I was wondering if you could check out this site here: http://blog.albertming.com/
What do you think about it?
Great post,Love the mixtures of the patterns. I have been a fan of your work (blog) for a few months now and I am always telling people to stop by your site. keep up the great work.
Every time I come into MAB, Alex is dressed to the tee. It’s hard to say who is the best dressed out of all the men at MAB but he’s always top 1 or 2. I know as Alex as the guy who always has new shirts coming when I’m there so I’m not surprised to see his great collection of shirts!
Things are kind of bad here…but it.s always a pleasure to visit the web site. First look is great! Simplicity…
Adyna- I know you are a big fan of the site, I’m just curious what is it about this post that you don’t like?
TO: I think she’s referring to her own geographic location (“here”) and the site is letting her escape her situation psychologically for a moment. :)
Ohhh that makes sense. Yeah, I thought the wording was a bit peculiar, but now I see how I mis-interpreted what she was saying. Sorry Adyna! And sorry to hear if things aren’t going well!:( You’re from Romania, right?
I’ve been waiting for this guy to be featured. On another note, hope u guys, ur family and friends are all doing well with the recent events.
Thanks Cam. We’re bouncing back.
Great post but IMO I can’t get behind the last shirt/tie combo. You spoke about paying attention to the scale of your patterns, which I love & follow, but the spacing of the dots is too close to that of the gingham.
I see what you’re saying. I think it works, although we could have probably found a better tie for that look.
Thanks for reading.
Pattern mixing, though sometimes hard for begginers, is one of the most enjoyable games man can have in terms of dressing. Some of the looks might be considered too “matchy”, but, in my opinion, they look so put-together as well as dandy, which shares the trait I often try to achieve in my outfits. Summerising, another great post, which might be a source of inspiration for the readers!
One of the best post ever! Smh…sheesh I need this guy’s closet.
Wow! This definitely rates as one of the illest posts you’ve had in a while, if not ever! I have always been a fan of mixing patterns, and try to do it myself, with some success, but I am not as accomplished as Alex. It can be difficult to find any good advice or examples on the subject since it is so often avoided, or done wrong. Thanks for getting it right!
Peace & blessings
V
Thanks brother. Glad you found this helpful!
This is one of the best looks I’ve ever seen on here – absolutely amazing!!
Which one is your favorite?
Dan,
How did you and the TSB crew make out through Sandy? How about MAB, they are lower Manhattan, correct? Nice to see a post, nonetheless. As a frequent traveler to NYC, it is hard to imagine all the devastation. Hope all is well and keep up the great work!
Thanks Sid. My place by the river in the East Village is still without power, heat or cell service. Got hit hard. Taking refuge in Brooklyn at Alex’s place. Trying to stay on track with the TSB content schedule…
Why no info on source of the garments! That’s an important feature of TSB posts.
Honestly, I’m surprised to see a post at all given the storm. I’m sure the TSB team will update the article in the next couple weeks when the storm has passed.
Is the “Featured” section at the bottom of the last photo not showing on your screen?
Looks like “Featured” got moved to below the post (above the comments), leaving the left column of the page blank…
P.S. Great Post
P.P.S Hope y’all (TSB and rest of New York) get back up and running 100% ASAP!
Gazman – doesn’t look good to me. His combinations are excellent, but the cutaway collar is OTT.
OTT?
I don’t agree, but I think ‘OTT’ is text shorthand for ‘over the top’. I personally dig the cutaway collar and have been requesting it on my custom shirts of late. I especially like how it looks with a contrast collar.
Peace & blessings,
V
Great post, great tips, great story. I love how you always give thought process behind each look. PS, that is one slick bike.
Great style!!!! I need a suit like number 4
Number 4 kills it.
Nah, number 4 is too try-hard. Looks like an Amway salesman who has just made the top grade and on his way to the ceremony. Red stripes on a suit is inelegant.
It seems like you guys feature Scarpe di Bianco shoes A LOT on this site. I have to ask, is this because you all like them so much or are you affiliated with or sponsored by them in any way? Just curious. Nice post overall, some great looks in here!
Yes, I think you need to step up the shoes game, if you want to be sponsored, at least find one with comparable level with MAB suits etc. You can style everything, but bad shoes are bad shoes.
Let’s say a little bit of both :)
Dan,
I think you should be open with readers and let us know who is sponsoring your website or specific posts. I understand that you will tend to feature brands/looks that you like, and that sponsorship may sometimes overlap with personal tastes, but it is somewhat dishonest to pretend that they are completely independent. It necessarily changes what you present or how you present your content, and I think readers should have that information available to them, whether or not it affects how their perception of the website.
Hi Ben,
Thanks for your comment.
The fact of the matter is, I never feature an item on TSB that I wouldn’t genuinely purchase or wear, regardless of any brand relationship or compensation.
In the TSB office we spend a great deal of time turning down offers for products because they’re not items we would genuinely recommend. We’ve always been about authenticity, and that will not change.
Thanks for reading brother.
Simply Immaculate. Legendary TSBmen Post.
Style Beyond Fashion
Very sharp all around!
How tall is Alex? Model measurements would be a splendid enhancement to the site… as you know, so much of this is about proportion!
I second Colin’s request for some info on the featured gentlemen’s dimensions in each post. Being well above average myself (6’8″ 300+ lbs), what works in different ‘size brackets’ is a daily concern to me. I realize most of the features are sporting custom pieces from M.A.B., so ‘size’ wont be your 40R that you’d see in an o.t.r. suit, but a little info would give readers a better perspective.
thanks as always,
V
This is a good idea and I see how it would be helpful. We’ll try to incorporate this going forward, provided featured guests have no qualms with it.
We’re also working on more body-type-specific content…on our list.
Cheers,
Dan
Hey Colin,
I’m about 6’2″ and my weight is around 160-165. Hope this helps and thanks for reading.
The look n. 4 is also my favorite.
Just perfect!
Number 4 – wow!
Wow – probably one of my favourite posts. This bloke truly knows how to wear clothes. Very informative; thanks! One query though; I notice where he wears the super wide spread collars, a lot of his tie – other than the knot – shows; is this ‘stylish’?
It is stylish right now thanks to Italian men who prefer wide spread colors, and rarely stray from the four-in-hand. To many Americans, it looks messy, but it is a personal preference… I usually go double four-in-hand when wearing a wide spread, which shows less of the tie blade, but prevents the Wall Street fussiness of a Windsor.
Alex wears the cutaway collar very well, and I like how he mixes between four-in-hand knots and thicker windsors. Keeps it fresh.
I like seeing a little of the tie under the collar, it’s an unexpected subtle touch.
Thx for reading.