This column is the first in a two-part series on men’s fashion. Check back soon for the second installment.

Some guys find it challenging to skillfully put together a stylish shirt-and-tie combo. However, there are several guidelines that make the dressing-up process a whole lot simpler.

The dress shirt

A crucial part of a man’s wardrobe is, of course, the dress shirt. Wearing a $15 shirt with a $200 pair of slacks will look silly, so shirt purchases must be done with thought.

When searching for a dress shirt, unaware of brands and designers, simply go by the feel of the material; opt for 100-percent cotton shirts. Higher-quality shirts are much softer and do not wrinkle too easily. In addition, they are easy to iron and last long.

One indicator of a good shirt is the buttons. Buttons that are clean and show no signs of weakness can characterize a shirt of high quality. Another aspect of dress shirts is the cut; there are many different cuts, ranging from the classic fit to a slim fit.

I recommend that guys who are in good shape opt for slim-fitting shirts. Slimmer fits may help show one’s physique, and they are also more comfortable. Slim-fitting shirts are the most common cut for most designer brands, making them very easy to find.

A new style of shirt that has recently become popular is the non-iron shirt, which requires no ironing and does not wrinkle easily. This shirt appears to be a very convenient shirt, and I would recommend it for those who loathe bringing out the ironing board.

Finer shirts are available for reasonable prices at Banana Republic and Calvin Klein, or for more money at higher-end labels like Hugo Boss and Armani Collezioni.

Plaid or patterned shirts seem to be “in” again and look much more appealing than the average white or blue collared shirt. To get this modern look, I suggest shopping for Hugo Boss or Ledbury shirts.

The tie

Now for the part of a man’s wardrobe that can reveal the most character: the tie. A good tie can say a lot about a man, just as shoes can; a tie can change the tone of a suit from business to casual. There are not a lot of principles for buying a tie, since most purchasing decisions are based on personal preference. However, there are a couple of important rules for wearing a tie.

Rule 1: A tie should never go past the belt buckle, period. It may be above the belt buckle for a more modern look, but never below.

Rule 2: The wider the V-opening on the suit, the larger the tie knot. So, in most cases, more professional attire requires the larger Windsor knots. For more casual occasions, you could get by with a basic knot.

More expensive ties usually last longer, and their color does not fade. Expensive ties are also softer and somewhat thicker. As far as the makers and preferred brands, it is entirely up to your personal preference. Jerry Garcia makes very wild and fun designs which can add color to a bland suit, while more modern and sophisticated designs are available from Alfani and Banana Republic.

The sport coat

The sport coat is the article of clothing that finishes off the formal outfit. Like slacks, a high-quality jacket will be made of wool, which makes the jacket breathe better and last longer. Higher-quality jackets also have smaller arm holes and are more form-fitting than traditional jackets.

Most jackets have two buttons or three, but there is the occasional one-button jacket. With two-button jackets, the bottom button should always be unbuttoned — no exceptions. With three-button suits, the same rule applies. There is no discussion about it.

When it comes to color, black and navy are always great for more formal occasions. However, grey suits can be used for both casual and formal occasions and can appear more modern and trendy than the usual black or navy.

Bright shirts such as yellow or salmon look very nice with a grey suit, creating a good contrast between the dreary grey and the glowing business shirt.

For a more sophisticated look when wearing a shirt and tie, try to match a plaid shirt with a solid, skinny tie. Although colors such as purple and pink may appear somewhat feminine, they make a guy look fashionable, and can make you stand out in a group of men wearing the typical black suit and tie.

The watch

Some men might want accessories — namely, a watch — when dressing up. In fact, a watch is the one article of jewelry that says a lot about a man. Not everyone can afford to shell out $30,000 for a grandiose Rolex, however; a cool, simple design usually works best. Without all the gold and silver, I suggest a simple, black leather strap watch. Brands like Kenneth Cole, Calvin Klein and Perry Ellis carry these designs.

Now that you are familiar with these tips, I hope dressing up will be less of a daunting task and more of an opportunity to express your personality.

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