Blazin' away: Five ways to update a classic

Blue Harbour's dandyish tweed blazeris just the right side of countryfied and the orange lining is a beautiful touch. €199 at Marks & Spencer

Zara's burgundy slim-fit blazeris a traditional shape in a very modern colour. Team yours with dark jeans and a plain tee or a sharp white shirt. €79.95

Magee's indigo blue blazeris a real showstopper - its clean lines and slim-fit sleeves will suit everyone, and the purple lining is sumptuous.€325 at Arnotts

If there's one thing to be said for the Italians, it's that they give great fit. This blue-grey Etro check blazeris ultra stylish without being off the wall. €730 at Brown Thomas

River Island's cowl neck blazer won't be for everyone, but it's a nice way of experimenting with an otherwise stale style. €107.50

A reader writes...

Dear Rosemary,

I’ve been working in a formal office environment for a number of years and have always worn the same type of clothes: dark, plain or striped shirt and tie with black slacks and black shoes. Can you recommend any changes to make my look more contemporary?

Kevin, by email

Dear Kevin,

The office can be one of the most sartorially hazardous situations, and treading that fine line between formal and boring is always a challenge. A uniform such as your pinstriped shirt and tie with below-the-waist black can be a tempting way to make the mornings fairly straightforward, but it does take the fun out of getting dressed for – let’s face it – the majority of your days.

Start by moving a little bit outside your current colour palette. Instead of black slacks and shoes, why not think about navy or royal blue trousers with brown shoes? Zara does a great line in affordable men’s tailoring and their slim-fit trousers look much more expensive than they are. (Wearing slim fit trousers is a great way of looking very put-together while still keeping some breathing room in terms of colour selection.) If you’re feeling even braver, burgundy and forest green are great trouser choices, and will go with a brown shoe.

For footwear, Topman is a good option and Arnotts also has a well-edited menswear selection (don’t bring your mother).

As far as shirts go, you know by now that you can’t go far wrong with a pinstripe, but pure white is more chic and can look very modern paired with a plain, coloured tie.

If you don’t want to rebuild your wardrobe from scratch, stick to your pinstripe shirts and mix up your ties with paisley and floral numbers – Marks & Spencer has a great selection that fall in below €30.

The key is to think of subtle ways to change an existing formula; it works for a reason, but we can always benefit from some simple changes.

The case for slim-fit jeans

IT’S A TERM that often turns off even the most fashion-conscious of the male species: “skinny jeans”. Reminiscent of emo boys and teenage guitar-players, skinny jeans call to mind the Arctic Monkeys before they got cool and, more recently, Frankie Cocozza (right) from this year’s X Factor. But don’t let these overgrown teenagers turn you off; slim fits are the new black and can smarten up even the most casual outfit.

The important thing about slim-fit jeans is not to go too small but, also, not to go too big. Too small and you’re in danger of showing off too much in, well, the crotch region; too big and your jeans will hang below the line of your underwear, which, unless you’re a professional skateboarder still living in the 1990s, is not a good look. Try on a size above and one below your usual size to make sure you’ve got the right fit.

Shoe-wise, the key is not to be afraid to embrace the size of your feet – slim-fit trousers should and will narrow at the ankle, with the result that feet will look larger than you’re used to, especially if you’ve been stuck in the early-noughties bootcut rut. Converse with slim jeans can look great teamed with a slick blazer, while winkle-pickers (that’s pointy-toed brogues, see right again) add a retro/mod feel.

As with anything to do with fashion, confidence is key; if you rock the look with a swagger, you’re more than halfway there.

Star buy

The big news this season at Arnotts was the arrival of US accessories brand, Coach – and it’s not just for the girls. This legacy courier bag, left, is made of the softest, buttery leather – and puts the man into manbag. €395 at Arnotts

Read Rosemary’s fashion blog, Fash Mob at irishtimes.com/blogs

E-mail your queries to rmaccabe@irishtimes.com