To walk in style is not enough – we have to walk in comfort. The easiest way to make a winter boot, shoe, non-athletic sneaker or dressy heel comfortable is with some form of insole, heel cup or orthotic.

These marvelous inventions can cost you anything from $3 at your local drug store, to around $50 if you have them custom made. I’ve found both ultra cheap air foam insoles and pricier gel versions just as effective – your fussy feet will quickly let you know which they prefer.

Check out specialty stores (e.g. Dr. Scholls  and SuperFeet), drugstores and footwear stores. You might be surprised at the range of solutions available to you. Ball of foot cushions, massaging gel heel cups, diabetic insoles, tri-comfort orthotics and dress-fit high heel insoles are to name but a few.

Personalized fit insoles (SuperFeet) and dress-fit insoles for high heel shoes (Nordstrom).

Insoles that target the ball of the foot and the heel (Dr. Scholls).

Whether you shop designer wear or chain store fashion, the zip-front knitted top is a must for gents both for this season and the ones to follow. This item is essentially a long sleeved knitted cardigan (jersey or knitwear) with a front zipper that zips through from top to bottom. Variations on this style will determine it’s appropriateness for causal, smart casual or business casual dress codes.

The zip-front cardigan is a win for gents because it is…

• Practical – it is easy to put on and take off, and doesn’t mess up your perfectly scruffy hair in the process.
• Comfortable – it’s in a knit which is always soft, stretchy and warm.
• Versatile – depending on the styling, the zip-through top can be worn over T’s and collared shirts, and underneath jackets/blazers.
• Flattering – the vertical statement of the zip creates the illusion of a longer and leaner line, thereby acting forgivingly over the tummy area. Styles that have “a double zip” (a zipper that has 2 sets of zip tabs) allows the bottom zip tab to be pulled up as well, creating a slimming effect over the midsection.
• Diverse – the item is available in many variations – raglan or set-in sleeve, turtleneck or hood, knitwear or jersey, plain or printed and casual or smart.

Zip-through-tops should have a fairly snug fit and should end above the crotch point. If they are baggy you’ll loose that slimming effect. There is scope for gents to have a good assortment of this item in their wardrobe. It’s going to be around for a while.

Macy’s, Nordstrom and Banana Republic have a good selection of zip-front cardigans.

Undergarment T: a neat, form-fitting short or long sleeved t-shirt that’s found in the underwear area of a department or chain store.

It is not an outerwear garment and should not be confused with one. The T usually consists of combed cotton (richer and softer then normal cotton) and sometimes a percentage of lycra for added comfort. Its neckline is high, narrow and immaculate. It can have either a cru or V-neck and is available in a range of colours. White is the most popular and versatile colour; but black, grey and blue are close seconds.

It’s an essential item for men all year round because it is:

• Practical – it soaks up perspiration and prevents unsightly underarm patches. It’s also an extra layer for warmth.
• Comfortable – it’s nice to have a soft and stretchy knitted item close to your body before you add a shirt, pullover, sweater or outergarment T.
• Pristine – it makes you look neat, well groomed and put together – it’s like a “finishing touch”.
• Interesting – it adds an extra bit of interest to an ensemble as a layering garment.

Plain outerwear T’s bought in the clothing sections of stores do not do the same job. They aren’t as soft, fitted or pristine-looking which is precisely the point. Undergarment T’s should always be worn underneath collared shirts, styled knitted T’s, sweaters and other knitwear items. If you live in North America – Banana Republic has the best assortment.

Here are undergarment Ts from Banana Republic layered underneath shirts and knitwear. The neat, high neckline is an important part of the look.

Vancouver (Canada) is as good a shopping destination for gents as it is for ladies. Bearing in mind that boys need to buy better, my selection of top shopping destinations for gents is a little more high-end then those for ladies. “Throw away” fashion is not for men who need to hold on to their items for more than a season. Quality is therefore of utmost importance.

Hot shopping spots for gents in Vancouver:

• Mexx – A trendy Dutch based chain that caters to the contemporary yet practical and sophisticated man. The Dutch are officially the tallest people in the world and as a result, pant lengths and top lengths are a bit longer then the norm. Their smart casual items are especially strong.
• French Connection – A British-based high fashion chain store that offers an urban and edgy lifestyle of clothing. The quality is superb and the look outstanding. I was most impressed with what I saw there this season, and their service was excellent. 
• Esprit – A German-based commercial chain store that offers excellent contemporary casual basics with a sporty flavour. Shirting and knitwear are especially good here.
• Hudson Bay – A Canadian-based department store that is not unlike Macy’s in the US. Their basement level is an absolute goldmine for menswear, featuring affordable brands such as Springfield (Spanish), Code Bleu (Canadian) and Point Zero (British). There is a lot to see and the risk of becoming overwhelmed is high. But bargains are plentiful and it’s well worth a look if you have a bit of time.
• Aldo’s & Feet First – Good places for mainstream shoe selections. Fashion sneakers and casual slip-ons are in wide assortment.
• Club Monaco – A Canadian-based high fashion chain store that offers trendy clothing for gentlemen who are fairly slim. Cuts are narrow and styles are hip. It’s a nice place to shop if you enjoy flirting with fashion.
• Harry Rosen – An ultra swanky Canadian department store for men. It offers the best in branded merchandise such as Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein and Armani. It covers all lifestyles from suiting to casual wear, and is my number one shopping hot spot for gents over the age of 30 who are happy to spend a bit extra. Their merchandise is modern, sophisticated and distinguished. The staff, like their clothing, is impeccable. Your shopping experience will be a beautiful one.

All of these stores are either on or within walking distance of Robson Street. Have fun shopping in this super city.

Another frequently asked question: what should men wear on their feet when they are wearing shorts? Well, unless they are engaging in a sport and are wearing the appropriate gear, wearing white terry cotton sports socks and sneakers with shorts is completely unacceptable. And – notwithstanding the fact that it is done all the time in western and northern Europe – wearing any form of sock with a sandal and shorts is also taboo.

There are only 2 stylish options:

• A pair of sandals, thongs or mules without socks
• A pair of fashion sneakers with “invisible socks”

Invisible socks are socks that cover your foot alone. They lie below the ankle bone and barely peek out from above a sneaker. The result is the comfort of a sock without looking like you are wearing one.

Please inform any gents that you know who seem to be struggling with this issue – they might be grateful for the information!

Mules and thong sandals from Kenneth Cole. WrightSock “no show” socks for sneakers. All are available from Zappos.com.

If you live in the Northern hemisphere, you may have noticed that retail stores are full of autumn merchandise. The first item that retailers tend to replenish going into the winter season is jeans. The best assortment of size, length, wash and style is available right now. This does not only hold true for women, but for men and children as well.

Some stores will offer denim specials at this time of year, to help move huge volumes that have been bought in. If jeans for the family is on your shopping list – now is a good time to buy them.

Women are fortunate when it comes to dressing for warm summer weddings and occasions – breezy dresses and open toe sandals without hose is perfectly acceptable attire. Gents, on the other hand are expected to swelter in shirt, tie, jacket, socks and closed shoes unless otherwise stated on the invitation. Are there cooler dressing options for men for formal occasions? This has been a frequent “Ask Angie“ over the last few weeks.

Unfortunately, if the dress code is formal, men will still have to bring a dinner jacket, and wear socks with dressy shoes. They can, however, drop the tie:

• The Prada look: An ultra trendy look of black pants, black pinstripe shirt, black jacket and no tie. Alternatively, try an iridescent navy, brown or burgundy shirt instead of a black pinstripe one. As long as the ensembles’ palette is dark and monochromatic, they’ll look formal enough. Tom Cruise often wears this look on the red carpet. It’s a super look for formal evening functions.
• The light suit and bright shirt: A tan suit with any brightly coloured shirt usually works best for this look. It’s always festive to wear a bright colour in summer which makes this ensemble especially suitable.

Dressy collared shirts will allow gents to look formal enough without ties. With a spot of luck there will be air conditioning as well.

The Prada look from Nordstrom, and Light suit with bright shirt from Macy’s, both formal, but without ties.

Men are rarely required to wear suits to work every day – “business casual” has become the norm. However, every so often gents are faced with a formal dress code and don’t know what to do. Hiring a tux is one way out, but not always called for.

Men’s’ suiting, and the trims that go along with it can be pricy – how does one go about making this investment if one wears suits infrequently? Here are some guidelines on the “one suit wardrobe” for gents:

• Colour – if you have a “once a year” suit requirement, invest in a charcoal grey single-breasted 2 or 3 button suit with flat front trousers to match. Buy it in heavier weight wool. You’ll be able to cover all your bases with this option by dressing it up or down. If you are blonde and very fair, consider dark navy instead of dark grey - this might be more flattering. If you like, a subtle self-colour pinstripe is a more current option.
• Brand – suit prices can range from $400 to $2000. My recommendation would be to buy nothing cheaper than a suit from Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers or J. Crew if you are budget conscious. In this way – you will be guaranteed an optimum level of quality (after all “boys need to buy better”). If you have more to spend, consider Hugo Boss, Joseph Aboud and Armani Collezioni.   
• Black suits – it is not necessary to have a black suit in your wardrobe. Black suits are for funerals, ultra formal occasions, tremendously trendy events and gangsters. They are often inappropriate for anything else unless you have the knowledge on how to wear one correctly.
• Shoes and trims – you’ll need to match your suit up with a narrow black and “finer in appearance” leather belt and formal shoes - preferably with a bit of sheen. Rubber soled loafers will not do. A white dress shirt is conservative, but a safe and professional option. If white is not your colour – opt for French blue. You cannot go wrong with a tie that has a small geometric print or bold diagonal stripe. You’ll be able to mix and match your shirt and shoes with your jeans, which will make it easier on your conscience when you invest.
• White t-shirt – it’s a good idea to wear a white “undergarment t-shirt” under your dress shirt (bought in the underwear area). It defines the colour of the shirt that you are wearing and soaks up unsightly armpit perspiration (instead of your shirt).

Your suit, shirt and tie requirement will change as your need to wear formal suiting increases. Once your wardrobe extends beyond a single suit you can afford to get more daring and trendy. How to spend your money wisely and how to build a stylish suiting assortment will be topic of many a blog entry to follow!

On the left, charcoal grey wool suits from Calvin Klein and Alfani (available at Macy’s). Safe and professional options with white dress shirt and diagonal stripe tie,  or with French blue dress shirt and geometric tie. On the right, a slightly more stylish option: charcoal grey wool suit with sheen from Hugo Boss (available at Nordstrom) matched with pale grey dress shirt and geometric tie.

Women’s fashion changes significantly from season to season. Men’s fashion does not. For women to buy “throw away fashion” that lasts for a season is perfectly acceptable. This is not the best idea for men.

Let’s look at the typical wardrobe:

Women’s wardrobe – has a high turnover of a wide, yet shallow assortment of clothing. “Wide” in the sense that women have many different types of clothing in a variety of styles. “Shallow” meaning that there is barely a style that that is duplicated in their wardrobe.

Men’s wardrobe – has a low turnover of a narrow, yet deep assortment of clothing. “Narrow” in the sense that men have fewer types of clothing to choose from. “Deep” meaning that with each type of clothing, there is lots of duplication of style. Just consider the number of near-identical collared shirts that the average man has in his wardrobe.

Since men’s fashion has a longer life, men keep items for longer. It is therefore important for them to be discerning about quality by shopping at better-end chain stores (e.g. Banana Republic) and department stores (e.g. Nordstrom) for premium products (budget permitting of course). Hence: “boys need to buy better!”

I see this fashion faux pas every day – ladies and gents wear their pants too short. So what is the perfect pant length? Pants, jeans or trousers need to skim the surface of the ground when you stand up straight – anything shorter is bad style. Covering up your shoe, but allowing your toes to peep through will elongate your leg and make you look slimmer. This is flattering for any body type, at any age and any height. That’s why it is stylish to keep those pant lengths perfect.

What do you do when you have everything from ultra flat flip flops to 3-inch heels in your wardrobe? You need to commit to a length. You won’t be able to wear the same pair of pants with your ballet flats and your high heels. You’ll need to have an assortment of pant lengths if you have an assortment of heel heights.

Can your pant hems sweep the street while you walk? This is not a good idea for fancy slacks, but is absolutely fine for jeans. They’ll simply fray a bit at the bottom which is actually perfectly acceptable style for both men and women! You’ll therefore find jeans more versatile if you buy them long enough to start off with.

Are you worried about covering up your gorgeous shoes and feet? You might not see your shoes when your pants are at the correct length; but your pants will creep up when you walk and sit and everyone else will be able to see that you have super shoe sense too!

These are all great pants from Nordstrom. The two pairs of jeans on the left are the right length. The pants on the right are stylish, but their length isn’t - both could be slightly longer.