Dressing up for the weekends

In terms of the types of clothes you buy, investing in pieces that are simple, classic and versatile allows you to not only justify an extravagant price tag (as they will last you numerous seasons without ever going out of style) but also means that the majority of the items in your wardrobe can be mixed and matched with minimal hassle or clashes.

Usually casual wear is about what you wear regularly, rather than on formal occasions, and it is best if it's comfortable. The most common wear for men are shirts. So if your choices are casual shirts, make sure they fit you around the neck and sleeves.

You should be able to fit two fingers comfortably between your neck and collar and when you turn your head the collar should stay still. The cuff should end where your thumb and wrist meet.

Everything else depends on the cut of the shirt and can be altered by a tailour (or yourself). Since shirts are in demand, you will find them in stores all over, starting from Ecstasy, Yellow, Cats Eye, Westecs, Tanjim and definitely Dhaka Republic!

If you have t-shirts in mind then maybe the sleeves should finish mid bicep, whilst the body should be slim through the torso and end a couple of inches below the waist. They work perfectly by themselves with a pair of jeans and boots or can be dressed up with unstructured chinos.

Staple tees in white, grey and navy offer the most versatility. Black is also an option, but it does limit what you can pair it with and only really looks good in the evening. A brief word on Henley tops: as long as they fit you well and are not too tight in the arms, just treat them exactly the same as you would your t-shirt collection.

Add a touch of detailing to any simple outfit by playing around with how many buttons you do up. You can find good, fitted t-shirts in almost all renowned stores, be it Yellow, Cats Eye and of course Dhaka Republic. But the best deals are available at Doja market from around Tk160 to Tk300!

Of course, let's not forget the most important thing: jeans! As always, the right fit is key. For beginners, slim – not skinny – is what you should be aiming for, and don't be too afraid to take them to a tailor to get them just right.

Always own a pair in a raw indigo colour and then possibly venture into grey and black washes, if denim really is your thing. Keep the design simple – no man-made distressing and definitely no logos or words on the back pockets (or anywhere else for that matter).

If your budget can be stretched, go for selvedge as the quality is much better and they will last so much longer. Be prepared to wear them in though. Jeans are available all around the city, starting from the footpaths to stores like Ecstasy and Tanjim. You will find well fitted, comfortable jeans at a good price!

If jeans are not what you are looking for, you can always go with the  options of chinos or trousers. Treat them exactly the same way you would a pair of jeans. Aim for pairs that are a little less and that can be worn formally and casually. Opt for neutral colours like navy, grey and shades of brown and you really can't lose. They look their best when worn with a form of tailoring, such as a suit jacket or waistcoat.

When it comes to fabric, remember to adjust to the season –tweed, heavyweight cottons or corduroy in the winter and linen, lightweight cottons or seersucker for the summer. But, always remember that not all chinos are the same.

Chinos and trousers are rather more comfortable for the weather that we live in and hence are more common as well.

Nobody is dressed well until they are wearing the perfect shoe to go with the outfit because a lot of people I know make the first impression based on the shoes you're wearing. Talking about casual shoes, one white and one black pair of trainers with minimal detailing is all you need, with the neutral colour enabling you to pair them with more formal pieces, if required.Get yourself a pair of neutral boat shoes for the summer and a pair of leather loafers for the winter – your clothing is not the only thing that needs to adapt to each season. Try experimenting with the types of looks you integrate your casual footwear into. As long as the design remains simple, classic and versatile there's no reason why they cannot be utilised in more formal outfits

Photo: LS Archive/Sazzad Ibne Sayed