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A SUIT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE OLD-FASHIONED AND BORING. HERE ARE SEVEN RAZOR-SHARP OPTIONS THAT WILL HAVE YOU LOOKING AND FEELING LIKE A MILLION BUCKS (WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK).

BOSS Black pinstripe suit, $895, dress shirt, $75, and trench coat, $595; Robert Talbott windowpane-print pocket square, $75; Best of Class by Robert Talbott silk knit tie, $85; Martin Dingman "Wallace" shoes, $350

Calvin Klein pinstripe suit, $500, and dress shirt, $68; Banana Republic pique-stitch tie, $60

TIP: Refresh your corporate look with a dress shirt in a subtle pastel color (like this Calvin Klein textured pink shirt). It will help you stand out in a potentially cookie-cutter world.

Faconnable pinstripe suit, $695; Calvin Klein dress shirt, $68; Jack Spade silk tie, $95; Johnston & Murphy "Henley Venetian" shoes, $215

Perry Ellis pinstripe suit. $595; Calvin Klein dress shirt, $68; Robert Talbott pocket square. $75; J.Crew "Canepa" knit tie, $50: Martin Dingman "Carlo" gloves. $225

TIP: Be sure to have a tailor properly alter your suit and, especially, your jacket. When your arm is straightened, the sleeve should end at the center of your wrist--no higher--with approximately half an inch of your shirtsleeve visible beneath the cuff.

Claiborne three-button suit, $475; Izod dress shirt, $40; Jack Spade wool tie, $95; Robert Talbott windowpane-print pocket square, $75; Martin Dingman "Garcon" belt, $125

Left: Kenneth Cole New York shadow-striped suit, $595; Michael by Michael Kors dress shirt, $50; Jack Spade wool tie, $95; Pantherella for the British Apparel Collection pindot-patterned socks, $35; Johnston & Murphy "Henley Venetian" shoes, $215. Right: DKNY pinstripe "Soho" suit, $820 (sold as separates); Calvin Klein dress shirt, $68; Robert Talbott polka-dot-print pocket square, $75; J.Crew narrow "Westberry" repp tie, $55; Calvin Klein loafers, $120

TIP: A pinstripe suit--whether it's gray, blue, brown, or black--will always erase unwanted pounds and add the appearance of height. (The subtle, vertical lines will elongate and slim the body.)

Photography by Dean Isidro

Styling by Kimberly Kelly

COPYRIGHT 2005 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning