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Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Following last week’s tips about how to wear a tie, my inbox had an influx of messages with many people admitting they were not aware of the rule of the tie.
Ladies and gentleman, with fashion you learn every day.

I met a few guys in the corridor, what surprised me was not their attire, but the correct position of the tie.
A little secret; I was one of the guys who always had a short tie until I learnt the rule.
A gentleman does not disclose his tailor, by the way.

So, last week saw local footballers and legends trading their soccer jerseys for tuxedos and bowties.
Yes, that was the order of the day at the Mana Resorts in Glen Lorne, Harare, for the “Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year” event and it was a red carpet affair.

Just like what they usually say: “Who knew anything good can come out of Nazareth?” Who knew soccer stars can look good in suits. Hahaha!!!

Sports journalists also dressed up for the occasion. But there is always the other side to everything.
Although they looked glamorous, not all of them were on point or had a perfect fit. Maybe we are used to seeing them wearing tracksuits and jerseys.

Some of the stars who rocked the red carpet at the “Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year” include the legendary George Shaya, Prince Dube, Joel Ngodzo, Evan Katema and Moses Chunga, as well as sport presenters Makomborero Mutimukulu and Howard Musonza.

Congrats to Joel Ngodzo for being crowned Soccer Star of the Year, but you did injustice to the suit and hairstyle.
Not that we wanted you to look chiselled in deep wave or bald cut or be the David Beckham. Just give us the clean smart look.

The good thing is that you can get away with the look because of your profession, just like what Khama Billiat did a few months ago with the trendy suit-sneaker combo.

I then agree with the saying that “a well-tailored suit is to women what lingerie is to men”.
You need to ask any woman and she will tell you that a man in a suit is sexier than a man with rippling abs.

If only men paid as much attention to their suits as they pay to their abs, though!
The players looked amazing to me. They were not only soccer stars, but “suit stars”.
It is not merely about donning a suit.

There is so much that goes into wearing one.
It is all about a glove-like fit and attention to detail.

There are some points to consider, if you want to wear a suit, be it for occasion or work — be the gentleman we all waiting to see:

The last button should always be open.

• The last button of your suit is purely for aesthetic purposes. You do not need to bother with it. Keep it open. Always!

Button the shirt at the top

• While you are at it, do ensure that you are not choking yourself out. In case you are, please change the shirt. Or die trying (just kidding!)

If you are wearing a dark suit, a light pocket square is advised and vice-versa.

• While on pocket squares, make sure it is well-ironed.

Never pair a sports watch with your suit

• Just know different strokes for different folks? It is the same with watches.

Do not go overboard with accessories

• If you are trying to look clean and sophisticated, just let your suit do the talking. When it comes to dressing up, less is indeed more.

Shoes should always complement the colour of your suit

• A little mix and match is okay, but refrain from having too much colour contrast.

Socks should always cover your legs

• Please just know that socks cannot be white. Keep them for the field!

The tip of your tie should be at or just before the buckle of the belt

• I think we talked about this last week. A little trial and error can sort this. Practice to perfection!

Even the waistcoat should finish at the belt

• It is also a good way to flatten out your stomach. Well, just a little!

If you wear suspenders, do not wear belts

• The purpose of suspenders is to hoist up your trousers, just like a belt. Donning both is redundant.

The colour of your tie has to be in contrast with your suit

• If it is a dark coloured suit, make sure to get a tie in a lighter shade. And vice versa.

The tie-bar should not be wider than the tie

• It is like wearing trousers too long for your legs. Agreed they solve the purpose, but there is something to be said about aesthetics and visuals too, right?

The top button of a two-button and the middle button of a three-button suit should fall at or above the navel

• This is particularly important for it makes or breaks the entire look.
  I hope this makes sense to every guy who wants to wear a suit.