5. BUILD THAT WARDROBE

How many suits should you have? At least three is ideal. This allows you to have one at the cleaners and two remaining in the rotation. We've already mentioned that your first suit should be solid navy, single-breasted (or double breasted if you're large). Your second suit should be solid charcoal or "oxford" gray, also single-breasted. It's important to start off conservative but versatile, and these are the two best bets. These will be your perfect interview, important meeting, or confidence-required suits.

For a third suit, it's okay to be a little less conservative, with a mid-blue or gray, or even olive colored ensemble. You might also want to choose a pinstripe or "banker's stripe" (a little thicker) at this point, as well as a double-breasted jacket. You could also look at a heavier (Flannel) or lighter (Tropical) wool, as mentioned previously. All of these are acceptable options for a third or fourth suit. These will be your typical day at the office suits, part of your rotation, comfortable, and not so formal as the alpha and beta suits.

From there, you can pretty much do what you like. You've got the basics at this point, and can't go too far wrong. You can try things like bow ties or suspenders (not necessarily at the same time, Elmer Fudd) or even a pocket puff (pronounced "poofter" in Australia, or "hanky" in the US). These kinds of accessories should be tied together, color-wise, but do not have them match exactly. Think complementary, not anal-retentive to the last detail. Next thing you know, you'll be matching your shoelaces to your tie.

You can also go with a classic navy blazer (a staple of any man's wardrobe) as well as another sports jacket, and get three pairs of wool slacks that you could rotate with the two jackets. But you should never mix and match suit jackets and suit slacks. Suits are meant to be worn as a complete set, and you'll look like a dork. The above options and a number of versatile ties will give you a solid five-day rotation for the workweek.

Be sure to take good care of your clothes, and you will extend their life expectancy as well as keep them looking great. You should have wooden hangers and a clothes brush for home care, and dry clean on a regular basis, maybe every 3 months. This should answer all the requirements of your professional livery. At least until your new wardrobe starts winning you the salary you've been shooting for all along…