Fare Bella Figura - Make A Good Impression, Be A Sharp Dressed Man, Episode #85

Fare Bella Figura - Make A Good Impression, Be A Sharp Dressed Man, Episode #85

I run my own soft skills training franchise business in Tokyo and many years ago, I decided to dress for success. Each day I consult my schedule and that day's work content drives my sartorial choices. Before I head out the door every day, I check myself in the mirror and ask, "Do I look like one of the most professional people in my industry".

Today I had an American Chamber event at the Tokyo American Club and I wanted to look both approachable and professional. I chose my Zegna blue/grey Trofeo silk subtle pinstrip single breasted suit with notch lapels, flap pockets, double cuffs and over the calf blue socks. The silk in the suit gives it a great hand and it feels luxurious. The Winchester style shirt was custom with fabric from Lanvin, white collar, white French Cuffs, a set of culfflinks matching the pocket square and had a narrow subtle Bengal blue and black alternating stripe.

Some believe you cannot have more than one stripe going on at the same time. That is partially true and it all depends on the sizes of the stripes. The stripe in the shirt and the stripe in the suit don't compete too much with each other, because they are different stripe sizes. I didn't but I could have even chosen a striped regimental tie too, as long as it had a very large stripe and not too many small stripes in the tie.

In this case, I added my new Brooks Brothers London Dot navy tie with a Four In Hand knot to try how this would work with a striped shirt and pinstripe suit. I like the double Windsor knot because of the symmetry, but chose the Four In Hand because of the thickness of the London Dot tie.

Some also believe you cannot combine dots and stripes and again partially true. It all depends on the sizes of the stripes and dots. In this outfit, the overall contrast between narrow stripes and dots just works, without there being too much competition between the different elements. The navy base in the tie makes a strong break from the stripes in the shirt and the white dots are big enough to make the required contrast, without being too big and so overwhelming.

The silver corporate badge was from Dale Carnegie, the pen my black and gold Mont Blanc, the business card holder from Lanvin, the watch my reliable rectangular 30mm Longines S30 EFCO with a black dial, stainless steel case and bracelet.

The high shine black shoes were Oxfords by TLB Majorca from the Artista series with a Goya last using french boxcalf leather from the D'Annonay tannery.

This shot was taken in the Wintergarden in the Tokyo American Club in Azubudai.

If you want to accelerate your proficiency in Leadership, Communication, Sales, Presentations or DEI, there is only one place operating at the highest level: Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training.? Click here (https://bit.ly/3Tn4Sjh) to LEARN MORE

Contact me at [email protected]

Head over to www.dale-carnegie.co.jp and check out our Japanese and English seminars, workshops, course information and schedules and our whitepapers, guidebooks, training videos, podcasts, blogs.

About The Author

Dr. Greg Story, President Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training

The bestselling author of “Japan Sales Mastery” (the Japanese translation is "The Eigyo" (The営業), “Japan Business Mastery” and "Japan Presentations Mastery" and his new books "How To Stop Wasting Money On Training" and the translation "Toreningu De Okane Wo Muda Ni Suru No Wa Yamemashoo" (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのは止めま and Japan Leadership Mastery (under translation).

Dr. Greg Story is an international keynote speaker, an executive coach, and a thought leader in the four critical areas for business people: leadership, communication, sales and presentations.?He leads the Dale Carnegie Franchise in Tokyo which traces its roots straight back to the very establishment of Dale Carnegie in Japan in 1963 by Mr. Frank Mochizuki.

He publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter

Has 6 weekly podcasts:

1.?????Mondays -??The Leadership Japan Series,

2.????Tuesdays – The Presentations Japan Series

Every second Tuesday - ビジネス達人の教え

3.????Wednesdays - The Sales Japan Series

4.????Thursdays – The Leadership Japan Series

Also every second Thursday - ビジネスプロポッドキャスト

5.????Fridays - The Japan Business Mastery Show

6.????Saturdays – Japan’s Top Business Interviews

Has 3 weekly TV shows on YouTube:

1.?????Mondays - The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show

Also every Second Thursday - ビジネスプロTV

2.????Fridays – Japan Business Mastery

3.????Saturdays – Japan Top Business Interviews

In the course of his career Dr. Greg Story has moved from the academic world, to consulting, investments, trade representation, international diplomacy, retail banking and people development.

Growing up in Brisbane, Australia he never imagined he would have a Ph.D. in Japanese decision-making, become a 39 year veteran of Japan and run his own company in Tokyo.

Since 1971, he has been a disciple of traditional Shitoryu Karate (糸東流) and is currently a 6th Dan.

Bunbu Ryodo (文武両道-both pen & sword) is his mantra and he applies martial art philosophies and strategies to business.

?