Dressing down for work...

Now and then we all prefer to dress down for work. This originated in the United States, and reached the UK in  the late 1990's because of American companies such as major accounting giant Arthur Anderson; he made a huge deal about the psychological advantages of linking work and the weekend. Those of us that experienced the development of dressing down for work, it was a significant change, and most men found it frustrating as they had always concealed there casual wear from fellow workers to save humiliation, and had continually chosen the trusty simple suit.

Not so, for Racing Green's fans. We know how it's done and we like what we see in the mirror. And we'll be showing you what we think in a couple of weeks, when we review casual dressing, in time for the Christmas outings.

However, that's not the purpose of this message. In fact we are putting pixel to paper in support of THE SUIT.

Evidently it takes only SIX SECONDS for someone meeting you for the first time, to form a first impression and everyone knows 'first impressions count'. That's why we love our smart clothes as much as our casuals. Here at Racing Green we don't think that you need to have an assortment of casual clothes that blurs and morphs into a formal and professional suit. It's definitely better to have a good clear separation between your casual garments and your work and occasional wardrobe.

Most people may think that all suits are considerably the same, but we can ensure you that not all suits are equal. The actual design and the fit of the suit are crucial to the final impression. You wouldn't dream of going to work without having a wash or a shave, therefore why should your suit look like you simply just got out of bed.

Here are a few tips, to make sure that one of your most expensive items of clothing does the job its intended to do:

1. If you've had a suit for more than a couple of years, it's probably time for a change. Look at it in the mirror and if it looks as though the lapels have dropped and the shoulders are tired, then it's time for a change. Check the trouser pockets and if they look like you could strain vegetables through them, replace urgently - and this time buy a second pair of trousers with your suit, so you can "rest" a pair and get more use from the outfit. We sell tailoring as separates, so it's as simple as changing the quantity when you add to the basket.
2. Check your size and fit. For a ready made suit, this mainly involves your chest, waist, sleeve and leg lengths. We offer different lengths, so you should be able to get a close fit and if you really want to get it perfect, there are tailors who can even tweak the length, to suit your shoes. Important: - Don't kid yourself about size. We all change shape and a tight fitting suit will look tired in no time at all. A suit should be both draped & tailored on the body. It's not built to hold you in.
3. Never wear dirty shoes. This borderline criminal activity, for the Racing Green man and if you ask any influential man or woman, what is the most obvious sign of good grooming, they will tell you - The Shoes. Clean and in good condition. The good news is that we have an amazing brogue that will speak volumes about your taste and breeding. If you don't own a pair, then try some. They will make you look good and feel even better.
4. Keep a good assortment of shirts and replace them when they get tired. If you wear a shirt once a week for work, you should expect to replace it after six months. That way it won't look discoloured and buying a fresh new one will liven up your suit. Most of us take our jackets off most of the day, so your shirt's the thing that people see. Keep your shirt collection moving.
5. One final thing - The Tie. Do you go with or without? The answer depends on the occasion. Open neck is great, if you have the right shaped collar (and we do)- cutaway collar is best, but if you have a more formal meeting, a review or a job interview - WEAR A TIE. It's a symbol of respect for the occasion and the person you're meeting and it will not go unnoticed. The smallest item in your wardrobe, with the biggest impact.

Its tough in the workplace at the moment. There is a lot of competition for jobs, promotions, even just keeping your profile high at work has never been more important. Don't take cover at work, come out fighting. If you have a job interview, you need to look like the Number One Candidate. Fortunately we have everything you need and to make it even easier we're offering you a tidy 30% discount off our formal collection. We could write pages to describe our suits and shirts, but the only way to feel whether they are made for you is to put them on. Please let us know what you think.