DRESSING LIKE A DUDE ON HOLIDAY

A LOT of guys ask me how to carry off “casual”. It’s a difficult question. Unlike when you are wearing a business suit where it’s just a case of the sharper the better, being casual is almost the opposite: you want it to look like you haven’t bothered. But you have to make sure that you don’t end up dressed like your dad.

So, what are the rules? Well, definitely go for natural fabrics, and by that I mean fabrics that will crease easily, and don’t put an iron anywhere near them – use the tumble dryer to smooth. I personally like the “greigey” colours (anything between grey and beige), they look great with a suntan, and if you want to brighten up and be really on trend, add a coloured belt or bright pair of leather boat shoes – but on no account try to match the belt to the shoes.

You can throw on a casual cardi, or unstructured jacket, even a waistcoat, and you can roll your sleeves and trouser legs up a bit. And that’s it, you’re good to go. However, please don’t confuse this with smart casual. For that you’ll need a skinny tie on your unstructured shirt. And please also note: this look is not for everyone. Sara Hollamby is a business image consultant at workingvoices.com; email sarahollamby@blueyonder.co.uk