Unless you are a hip hop artist, loose-fitting clothes look should be confined to the beach. They look sloppy and slapdash. Instead, experiment with different styles until you find one with the right fit for your body. Double-breasted suits for example should be avoided by bigger men as they can make them look boxy. Shorter men should opt for one-button suits as they draw the eye to the waist - the narrowest part of the body - effectively stretching the body upwards and inwards.

If you must wear a Homer Simpson tie, Hawaiian shirt, Mickey Mouse socks or any other novelty item of clothing, restrict them to the weekend. Instead, aim for subtle, classic styles that will last you for years to come.

You may be wearing the most dapper suit around, but if you are wearing scruffy shoes, you may as well not have bothered. Shoes should be clean, shined, in excellent condition and appropriate for the occasion. And they still need looking after when you're not wearing them; pop a shoetree in them to keep them in tip-top shape.

Trousers should be long enough to cover your socks, ideally covering your heel. Any shorter (or longer) and you'll look like you're ready for bed. Also, make sure they fit well; too big and the material will be drooping at the back (not a good look) and too tight will leave little to the imagination (no thank you!)

Socks should match each other. It sounds simple, but when you're fumbling around looking for something to wear before an early business meeting, it's easy to pick up two mismatched socks and think you can get away with wearing them. You can't. And while we're on the subject of socks, when you cross your legs, they should also be long enough to cover any bit of leg your trousers don't. And, as if we need to mention it, there is absolutely no occasion where it's acceptable to wear socks with sandals. Ever.

First find colours that match your skin tone then match those colours to your suits. A blue shirt generally suits everyone, but go for the right shade - dark blues for dark skin, sky blues for fair skin/dark hair and soft blues for blonds - and it'll look even better. And if all else fails, opt for a crisp white shirt.

If you don't want to look like you spend the nights on a park bench, make sure every item of clothing you wear is nothing less than clean, crisp and wrinkle-free. Always hang your shirts properly and never over dry-clean suits.

There's nothing worse than sticking out like a sore thumb at an event just because you didn't pay attention to the dress code. When it comes to weddings for example, you should never outshine the groom. Wear a linen or cotton suit for summer weddings and a darker wool suit for a winter wedding. Funerals call for dark suits in navy or grey, unless otherwise requested. Leave the Hawaiian shirt at home.

Accessories are all very well but they must match your attire. Belts should be the same colour as shoes, likewise with suits and socks. And always opt for quality. Invest in a stunning set of studs, cufflinks, beautiful silk handkerchiefs or sterling silver collar stiffeners and you'll be able to upgrade your wardrobe for years to come.