Dress to impress and get noticed at night

A guy's guide to dressing well

The majority of young males out for a night downtown have an eye on finding themselves a good-looking girl for the night... or longer.

However, a common sight when walking into any locations in downtown London is a lot of dudes and a comparatively small number of females.When encountering this dilemma, one needs a method to stand out and be noticed, and a simple method is staring them in the face.

Look around a club and you will observe a sea of guys in brandname t-shirts and a pair of jeans, and putting a bit more effort into your appearance can go a long way to getting noticed by the girls who, as every guy knows, put hours into getting ready for any event.

Dan Hasson, owner of Dan Hasson Clothier (320 Dundas St.), has been in the business of making men of all ages look their best for 38 years, and has been in the industry throughout multiple trends in men's fashion. Considering the generations he has witnessed, he said he feels that the current generation of young men are among the least put-together he's seen. “It always surprises me when I'm out for dinner and I see a young lady who has clearly made a great effort toward her appearance, sit down with a man who is in a t-shirt and jeans.”

Having grown up in a time when a well-made suit and tie was considered the standard for male dress, both in business and during a night out, Hasson is devoted to helping men maintain a high standard of Canadian-made fashion that won't cost you an arm and a leg.

“I can guarantee that my shop is the place for the finest Canadianmade suit under $500,” Hasson stated proudly, “but I know that such a price point can be a little intimidating on a student budget.”

A general student night out usually doesn't require something as formal as a full suit, as clubs tend to be hot, crowded, and carry the risk of drinks being spilled, and a pub is often too informal a setting to require such attire. There are ways, though, which can enable men to stand out among the sea of t-shirt and jeans that are often found in popular student establishments such as Jack's and Carey's.

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When asked about the most important item a male student can have in his wardrobe, Hasson's answer was immediate: a dark jacket or blazer. “Any male who wants a simple method of dressing well for any occasion should have a black or navy blue jacket,” he said. Such an item can be used for almost any occasion where looking good for a date is called for, from dates to nightclubs. “When paired with a properly fitting dress shirt and a tie, a nice jacket can instantly class up any outfit that you're already wearing,” said Hasson. “It is an incredibly simple way to enable yourself to stand out from a typical nightclub crowd.”

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When it comes to pants, Hasson recommended two pieces when attempting to bridge the line between casual and formal: a pair of dark jeans and a pair of black dress pants. Whether you're going to a nice restaurant or out to a bar, keeping the lower half dressed in dark colours enables men to easily match nearly any shirts, ties or jackets. “I know that young men enjoy wearing jeans for comfort's sake,” Hasson explained, “but from what I've observed, the jeans that young men are buying are too cheaply made.” While these types of jeans are perfect for general dayto- day wear, Hasson recommended that all young men invest in a $100 pair of jeans, as they will stay looking new for years with proper care.

Shoes
Hasson advised basic, simple, and black when it comes to dress shoes — something that can be used for any occasion. A pair of dress shoes can cost anywhere between $50 and $200, leaving plenty of choices for all budgets.

It is sometimes hard to feel noticed in the overcrowded social scenarios that are so common when going out for a night with friends, especially when it comes to a crowded nightclub. However, with a little bit of effort, a little consideration and a bit of confidence, it's not difficult to dress in a way that will set you apart from all the other guys, and make you the classiest man in the room.