Nicholai Roman

In parts one and two of my ongoing series on suiting, I went through a basic guide to the most important part of suiting up: the suit. This week, we move on to shirting, for even the best of suits need an equally well-chosen shirt to set it off. Fit As with a suit, perhaps the most important thing to pay attention to when buying a shirt is the fit. And just like buying a $2,000 suit doesn't guarantee you'll look good, a $200 shirt will still look poor if it doesn't fit properly. The key to a shirt that fits well is trimming down unnecessary fabric. That doesn't mean that a dress shirt should be skin-tight---no need to look or feel uncomfortable or like you've been shopping at babyGap. But there's also no reason to be swimming in your clothes. A dress shirt that fits properly will allow for ample mobility while still being trim and flattering. Here are a few guidelines:

You know the feeling: You wake up 30 minutes before your 8:40, or your 11:40—hell, even your 2:40—and just can't bear the thought of using your limited brain activity to put together a coherent outfit. So you groggily throw on some sweats, a Columbia tee, and your finest Asics and call it a day. Or maybe it's a pair of dad jeans and boat shoes. Whatever the case, the point is that most people have a go-to outfit for when they're too tired to care, and oftentimes, it's not that flattering. I'm not suggesting that everyone wear a tailored suit, slim tie, and pocket square to class every day. While that would make us a lock for the best-dressed campus on Earth, even I can't bring myself to put that much effort into my day-to-day garb. I just don't need to be ready to grace the cover of GQ while I drag my sleep-deprived ass from CC to Astronomy. However, I do live by the philosophy that I should look good any time I can help it for the sake of my own self-confidence and mild narcissism. This can be accomplished with much less effort than you'd think.more

Footwear is an essential part of dressing well, but it's often overlooked. Far too often a good outfit is ruined by a bad pair of shoes (or a great pair of shoes is wasted on a crappy outfit). A well-dressed man will have a solid rotation of shoes that will complement every outfit in his wardrobe, whether they make a statement on their own or act as a quiet anchor. To help you find a few pairs that look good and suit your style, I've put together some dos and don'ts and a guide to a few different types of footwear, as well as illustrations of a few of my favorite shoes in my "collection." It's not hip to be square. Except for the occasional pair of Clark's Wallabies, square-toed shoes are one of the greatest footwear sins, especially on dress shoes and loafers, which is where they're most commonly found. Instead, opt for a more natural round toe that's not too flat but also not pointy. Save those for the elves. Less is more. It's cliché, but shoes should be fairly simple. You don't need shoes with 20 different colors and a bunch of bells and whistles — colors should be complementary and any straps, zippers, et al. should be functional. It's okay to have a standout pair of shoes, but make sure they don't venture into garish territory. For example, a pair of suede oxford bucks with a neon sole or a pair of bright blue sneakers can be great, but rainbow Air Force 1s are probably a bit too much. more Save your flip-flops for the beach. No one wants to see your gross, hairy feet. And for God's sake, don't wear them in winter. (You know who you are.) You can never go wrong with classics. There are tons of great new styles cropping up, but there's a reason shoes like Jack Purcells are still going strong. What to buy: A few examples Casual shoes Everyone should have a couple pairs of casual shoes that aren't sneakers. Desert boots, which were originally British military boots, are my favorites — the J.Crew Macalister and the Clark's Original Desert Boot are the most popular choices. Try sandy brown suede, brown leather, or a colorful suede like navy or green with a gummy crepe sole. Then there's the Ivy staple — the penny loafer. Try a rich brown from Bass for an affordable start. Or, opt for a pair of driving mocs from Minnetonka for something more casual. Suede bucks also make a great option, with a classic red or playful neon sole.

Valentine's Day can be a day of decadence and spendthrifts. $100 meals, $40 flowers, the whole nine yards. As college students, the thought of spending north of $100 on one date is terrifying. But don't worry just yet---if you find yourself bone broke and head over heels on the 14th this year (or maybe you're just a cheapskate), there are still plenty of ways to give your date a romantic evening for under $20. Here are a few. Halal … is for the way you look at me For the ultimate bare-bones Morningside Heights Valentine's date, look no further than your friendly neighborhood Halal cart. For $6, you can walk off with two greasy, delicious falafel sandwiches, scientifically engineered to seal the deal on V-Day. moreIf that's not enough, you still have $14 left to make your date swoon.

While I'm sure that this blog is your one and only resource for men's style, there are countless blogs, books, and other literature that far surpass the scope and quality of this modest weekly. To spare you the horror of sifting through the bowels of the Internet and reading everyone and their uncle's musings on the sartorial, here's a list of the places I look to for inspiration and advice. The Big Three: GQ, Details, and Esquire Magazines are the best print-based resource for fashion, grooming, and lifestyle, and there's a reason these three are the most popular. GQ is more trendy, Details is more high fashion, and Esquire is more traditional. I read all three from time to time. "How to Be a Man," Glenn O'Brien A witty, charming, and full of great advice on how to live and dress well from Glenn O'Brien, who has been writing and influencing pop culture since the '70s, when he was working for Andy Warhol. He's also an alum of our very own Graduate School of the Arts.

The end is in sight. After the seemingly unscalable wall that is final exams, most of us will be on our way to a long, well-deserved break. For many, that entails a relaxing trip to the beach for a chance to soak in briny waters and catch some rays---or perhaps an indoor pool, for the unfortunate who will be stuck in colder climes. This means that you'll need a swimsuit. While the last couple decades have been plagued by long, oversized board shorts, the trend has recently returned to trimmer, shorter suits, like those you would have seen in the '60s or '70s. And that's a good thing---this brand of suit is far more flattering and allows for a fuller range of movement, making oceanside football games all the more fun. The most important thing to remember is that, like a good pair of chino shorts, swim trunks should never hit below the knee. Overly long shorts are never flattering. How far up the thigh you want to go is up to you. If you're in less than perfect shape, you might want to cover up a bit more; if you've been sculpted by the gods, go as short as you like, but be aware that Speedos generally draw funny looks. Generally, the most flattering fit for average to fit body types is 3-4" above the top of the knee, which means an inseam somewhere around 7" depending on height.more As for colors and patterns, most anything goes. It's the beach, so feel free to wear bright colors and crazy patterns. As long as they're not plastered with logos or particularly tacky color combos, it can usually work. I'm particularly fond of small patterns, such as flowers, paisley, or geometric varieties.

For those of us without a large, steady income, keeping a quality wardrobe that still feels fresh can be tough. Or at least bankrupting. The good news is that you don't have to shop at A.P.C. or Louis Vuitton to be stylish. Here are a few of my favorite spots to shop on a budget. Brick-and-mortar stores Uniqlo ($) uniqlo.com, NYC locations: 3 This chain is taking over the world with quality basics on the cheap. Sharp $200 suits, slim shirts, trim jeans and chinos, ultra-light down jackets, and much more come in endless colors at unbelievable prices. The Japanese have done it again. J.Crew ($$-$$$) jcrew.com, NYC men's locations: 7 Some might call J.Crew too predictable, but few other chains offer such a large selection with great fit and good quality. From Italian suiting to covetable collabs to woodsman chic to American prep to Cali cool, J.Crew has it all. Retail prices can be a bit steep, but a consistently large sale section as well as a myriad of extra discounts make J.Crew a great place to find quality clothes for relatively cheap. J.C. Penney ($) jcpenney.com, NYC locations: 1 In addition to hosting a respectable selection of brands such as Levi's and Bass, J.C. Penney's house line has recently become a viable option for cheap basics. With shirts, blazers, polos, chinos, and other semi-preppy staples, think of it as a cheaper version of Gap. more Gap ($$) gap.com, NYC locations: 14 The ubiquitous American brand has been revitalized, offering solid clothes at a good price, including an expansive denim selection. Joe Fresh ($) joefresh.com, NYC locations: 3 This Canadian newcomer to the affordable fashion scene is like J.Crew meets Uniqlo---at Uniqlo prices. Suitsupply ($$$) suitsupply.com, NYC locations: 2 It's not exactly cheap, but in the world of customized suiting, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better quality suit for the price.

Now's the time for the final post in this four-part series on suiting: ties, pocket squares, and other accessories. Check out parts one, two, and three for tips on suits and shirting Ties are one of my favorite menswear items. A man wearing a good tie looks distinguished and put-together, and people will treat you with a little more respect when you tie one on. I have more ties than I care to admit, and there's just something about putting one on that feels special.

Jeans are likely the most-worn item in America, and among the more sartorially inclined, dark denim is king---especially if it's selvage. And there's good reason: They can easily be dressed up or down, they age with grace and character, and they just look sharp. However, like any other article of clothing, there's no reason to limit yourself to one subset.

Last week we focused on the fit, so it's time to move on to the more creative side of suits. Experiment with different colors, textures, and other little details---just follow these simple guidelines, and you'll be set. Color and pattern Grandmother always says that you need to buy a black suit first. While a black suit has plenty of potential for Tarantino badassery, it's not very versatile and is best saved for funeral garb. For a first suit, one that could be used for anything from interviews to nights out, opt for gray or dark blue. After covering the basics, branch out to richer blues, dark green, plaids, windowpane, tweed, herringbone, khaki, even white (just be careful not to end up looking like Colonel Sanders).