What the hell, I'll chime in.

I'd say blue would work on you. A nice navy with a soft pin stripe (slim guys can wear them too) in a 2 button probably with a slightly lower than average gorge. It's a pretty traditional "English" cut. You see the likes of Hugh Grant wearing that cut. Get the suit properly tailored. It is easy to spot off the rack fit and finish. I really dislike oxford shirts and don't own one, nor do I own wing tips. You can have the gent that fits you pick out your tie or you can get a fairly modern pink/light blue stripe or solid (all silk, don't get those acrylic blend ties). It will make just enough of a statement while bringing out some color in your face or your eyes. Obviously, if you tend to get a little flushed don't wear the pink. White shirt is the safe bet if you're new at "dressing" yourself. I prefer a more modern square toe lace up from Kenneth Cole or the like. I agree with leaving the bling behind, and if you don't own a dress watch, pick one up. I'm also a proponent of french cuffs, though you might not be ready for that. If you go that route, a very understated cuff link will go a long way in leaving an impression of success and savvy.
If you really want to have a put together look, find a good tailor in your area that makes a nice suit. Nothing beats bespoke. And pick up a suit brush and brush the coat every so often. And avoid dry cleaning too frequently as it wears the fibers.
Best of luck

And if you have one, depending on the occasion, you can leave one of the buttons on the cuffs "accidently" unbuttoned. ;)

If you're ever in Hong Kong, do yourself a favor and get yourself several suits made at the cost of one bespoke US made suit, even with the cost of airfare tossed in.

I still disagree with the one size "navy blue fits all" idea. I really think different color combos work different for people. Isn't that some variation of the different strokes mantra?

Exthcuthe me, we prefer you thay metrosecthual?

Get a bright yellow one...with white shoes.....stand out in the crowd. :D

Oh...so THAT's what GQ stands for!!!

NO black suits, unless you work at a mortuary.

NO brown suits, particularly the lighter shades of brown. Dark brown is OK in a nice glen plaid.

A dark blue suit is your best bet.

NO suit pants without cuffs. ONLY single vent suit jackets. No vent is a more euro look. Double vents are in cheaper suits and never look right. As someone said, ONLY 2 button suits. Not 3, not 5, not 4, but TWO buttons.

The only things shiny would be your tie and your shoes.

NO shiny shirts. NO dark colored shirts, particularly with a lighter color tie. No blended shirts, only 100% cotton. Crisp, starched white, light blue, sometimes light pink shirts. NOTHING goes into your hermetically sealed flat shirt pocket. Shirts with stripes are tricky to match ties with.

Ties are very personal. Stick with traditional ties, like solid, stripes, dots, paisleys, and small designs. A general rule of thumb, if the tie is a pattern of figures (cats, birds, horses) that you recognize, skip it.

All this being said, dress pretty much as your peers do, but keep your eye on what the guys next rung up on the ladder wear.


glenmore

Gotta have cuffs with pleated pants.

My vote is for no cuffs.

I can't remember the last time I saw a guy wearing pants with cuffs. And I'm one of the guys who regularly wears a navy suit, white 100% 2 x 2 pinpoint cotton Nordstrom's button-down collar dress shirt, paisley or stripe neck-tie, with Allen Edmond's burgundy toe cap dress shoes.

You ought to see how handsome I look.:stooge_mo

So nobody wears pleated pants anymore?

Does this mean I toss all my suits with cuffs?

What about plaid suits and white shoes and belt? are they passe'

Not in Miami

Maybe it is in modern suits. But, and my English tailor concurs, the 2 button is the more traditional English cut. Unless, you are referring to the third button that is high on the lapel and normally unseen. In which case I appologize for correcting you. But, if you go by the standard closures, it is 2 button. Check Ben Silver or the like for some info on this and several other cuts.

http://www.bensilver.com/style04/about_SuitsJackets.htm

Just got back from lunch and my informal survey of cuffed/uncuffed pants in downtown Los Angeles. Standing at the elevator, with 6 guys, not one pair of uncuffed suit pants. Working to and from lunch, same thing, not one pair of uncuffed business pants.

Business pants are cuffed. End of discussion. <g>

With business wear, there is no in and out. There is no in, then out and then in again. It just IS.

This comment from a critical Amazon book review of an old book "Dress for Success" makes sense:

"It just makes sense that those whose style of dress fits in with their coworkers and clients will do better than those whose style does not. "

Suginami, I like Aldens.

glenmore

I believe cuffs are out, but all my pants are pleated.

I have never worn flat front pants. I think they are a fad that will one day disappear.

A classic Glen plaid in taupe, gray, or brown is fine.

White shoes and belts should only be worn to church on Sundays, and only with the matching hat.