Polka dots. Know ’em, love ’em (and wear them often). While it may be less traditional than most men’s staple patterns, it has certainly become a powerful pop reached for by stylists. This pattern works wonders in accessories like a silk knit tie or a splashy dress sock, but the real fun starts in broader swatches – case and point: the polka dot dress shirt. Much like any pattern play, scale is the biggest factor. If the dots are too big, we’re looking at a slew of “where’s your clown car?” call-outs. The fix? Micro-dots; as they keep the pattern subtle yet interesting. For our own piece of mind we’ll also mention that said polka dots should absolutely be uniform in color and size. Not too shocking, we know.

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How to wear polka dots in two unique looks:

Dressed Up:

Shirt: Express, $80 | Jacket: H&M, $99 | Pants: H&M, $60

Shoes: Aldo, $120 | Belt: Croft & Barrow, $21 | Pocket Square: The Tie Bar, $10

Socks: Happy Socks, $12 | Pomade: Bumble & Bumble, $27 Watch: Triwa, $200

Dressed Down:

Jeans: A.P.C., $185 | Boots: Clarks, $65 | Socks: Ted Baker, $15

Vest: Patagonia, $99 | Watch: Daniel Wellington, $195 | Bracelet: Miansai, $80

Shave oil: The Art of Shaving, $25 | Razor: The Art of Shaving, $125

Wear it well:

• Don’t be afraid to go all-blue with a suited look. The color will keep it from being too traditional, while the patterned dress shirt will add a break between pieces and add texture.
• With denim, choose a selvedge jean that has a recognizable texture to contrast the shirt.
• Make sure your shirt is wrinkle-free to keep the look crisp and make the pattern stand out.
• Brown accessories will equally complement the blue in a dressier or more casual look.

TELL ME:

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO WEAR MONOCHROME PIECES?

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