The word stereotype often has negative or even lazy connotations, but categorisation is the only way we can handle the inordinate amount of information we are bombarded with every moment of every day. As a result, we walk down the street and immediately, subconsciously and unfairly disregard individuality and plonk people into our little taxonomies.
If that all seems a bit bleak, here’s some good news – there’s an incredibly simple way to hack the system and make yourself stand out, a trick I’ve been using ever since I discovered it while studying psychology at university.
The way to make yourself unforgettable is to subvert expectation. Not so much that it’s jarring, and you become the oddball, but just enough that you aren’t entirely what’s expected.
To simplify: dress to impress, but don’t peacock. There’s more good news too – this can all be done on the high street.
Beyond the blue suit
For many people, a suit is a work essential, and I’ll admit, my wife and I might have taken stereotyping a little too far, veering into outright judgmental territory (not proud, but it only hit me while writing this). We play a game called “Estate Agent” – the rules are simple: spot the man in the drab blue suit and label him an estate agent.
Maybe this is my way of atoning for those judgments, but hear me out – that silly game actually proves a point: estate agents who don’t wear that suit will stand out when they come to value my house, and I’ll be more likely to hire them.
Jim wears a pure wool suit, £230, Marks & Spencer, Cotton shirt, £395, Turnbull & Asser, Leather shoes, £215, Bobbies
Now, to avoid blending in with that estate agent blue, I wouldn’t suggest avoiding the colour altogether. Blue is a versatile option that will serve you well. Instead, focus on the cut and pattern.
When it comes to cut, Marks and Spencer offers styles that you don’t typically find on the high street: the slim fit, a more contemporary tailored fit (my go-to), or a looser regular fit. You can also choose from single-breasted, double-breasted, peak lapels, notch lapels, flap pockets, patch pockets, textured fabrics – and now, the subject of my next tip: pattern.
Patterns with purpose
Done right, a patterned suit (or separates) can help you stand out in a sea of uniform, shiny polyester. Options like houndstooth, puppytooth, chalk stripe, pinstripe, check, plaid, Prince of Wales, and herringbone are just a few of the possibilities. With so many choices, it can feel a bit overwhelming. If you’re unsure about how to pull it off, start simple: wear the patterned suit and keep the shirt and tie understated.
Jim wears a wool rich pinstripe suit, £390, Marks & Spencer, Wool and silk blend tie, £95, Mr P., Cotton shirt, £65, Hawes & Curtis, Leather loafers, £225, Russell & Bromley
Mixing patterns can easily turn into a visually chaotic mistake, but here’s the general rule: wear one large and one small. If your suit features a bold, larger pattern, choose a shirt or tie in a smaller pattern that pulls a colour from the suit you want to highlight. It’s high-risk, high-reward – getting it wrong can make things look mismatched, but if you get it right, you’ll definitely stand out and be remembered.
Smart-casual, but smarter
For those men that don’t have to wear a tie to work, don’t hang up your suit just yet because you can soften tailoring with knitwear. We’ve all seen the classic, “suit jacket, Oxford shirt, chinos and trainers” combo, and it works – it works so well in fact, that everyone does it and it has become the smart-casual trope. So, in the interest of defying such ordinariness why not deconstruct a suit in a more considered manner? A merino polo from Uniqlo or cashmere crewneck from M&S in a similar tone to the jacket can show some sartorial know-how while others in your office may verge on the side of dull.
Jim wears a cotton corduroy jacket, £449 and linen cotton blend trousers, £195, Oliver Spencer, Cashmere jumper, £99, Marks & Spencer, Leather shoes, £315, Grenson
Sartorial switch-up
Going the opposite way and ditching the suit entirely could also be a shrewd method of standing out. You don’t have to appear sloppy just because you’ve decided not to wear a suit jacket – if it’s intentional and considered it can be a breath of fresh air. Reiss have a few gorgeous suede jackets at the moment, and pairing them with a plain t-shirt (or shirt, if a collar is required), some tailored trousers from NN07 and a pair of Chelsea boots like these from Russell and Bromley or some derbies from Grenson can be an intelligent way of appearing stylishly proficient without overdressing. This kind of look is one I turn to all the time because it’s effortless, elegant and you rarely feel like you’ve misunderstood the dress code, yet you still look distinctive enough to remain memorable.
Jim wears a Suede jacket, £398, Reiss, Supima cotton t-shirt, £20, Marks & Spencer, Wool trousers, £325, Sunspel, Leather boots, £245, Russell & Bromley
Some things to consider when wearing it, though: jackets like this are cropped around the hips, so it’s crucial to get the trousers right – otherwise, your body can end up looking out of proportion. Wearing them too low on the hips can make your legs look short and create an awkward no-man’s-land around your middle. The sweet spot is just below the bellybutton, as it’ll lengthen your legs and create a clean divide between your torso and legs, without the risk of unsightly T-shirt overhang between the top and bottom.
Tailoring tips
While we’re on the subject of trousers, it’s important to make sure they’re the right length. Too much bunching at the bottom will undo the work you’ve done at the waist and make your legs appear dumpy. Keeping them neat with either a single break to soften the silhouette, or no break at all, will help you get the most out of your legs and prevent the outfit from looking too casual. If they’re too long when you buy them, your local alteration service will be your best friend.
Jim wears a wool jacket, £298, Reiss, Cotton shirt, £65, Hawes & Curtis, Paul Smith Wool and silk blend twill tie, £120, Mr Porter, Virgin wool trousers, part of a suit, £995, Luca Faloni, Suede shoes, £205, Bobbies
Not everyone is a gregarious extrovert, but no one wants to be overlooked and forgotten right away, or have their uniqueness ignored. When it comes to the workplace, standing out – just a little – can truly be one of the things that makes you more than the sum of your parts.