Style shrink - how to 'wear' a shirt

We present a portfolio of sartorial solutions: standing out without a suit; avoiding the Hollywood-waiter look; and why you should never, ever, tuck your shirt into your pants...

Question:

For reasons unbeknownst to me, suit jackets are frowned upon in my office. As you can imagine, this limits the options for expressing individual style. Can you advise me on what to go for that will make me stand out from the crowd?

Answer:

He tells me he doesn't get on with tiepins and is yet to be convinced by iPad covers - though I'm not with him on that one - so his options for self-expression are even more limited. But that might be no bad thing. A desire to express individual style can all too easily tip over into soi-disant eccentricity. This is just a step away from wearing "fun" clothes like a kids' television presenter.

So, here are some suitable ways to express individualism: first, try sporting a bunch of matching bangles - very now and available from everyone from Topman to Luis Vuitton, so you can really go to town. Glasses are always a good idea, even if you're not short-sighted, and you can twin them with an eye-catching watch. And don't forget shirt/tie combos. Your thing could be to always wear gingham shirts and contrasting knitted ties. Pick a look and stick to it and you will always stand out as a man of style.

Question:

If you are supposed to wear a tie that is darker than the shirt, what colour tie can I wear with a black shirt?

Answer:

Don't think of wearing a tie with black shirt unless you are auditioning for a role as a Hollywood waiter, in which case, wear a black tie. And even then, don't even think about wearing this look with a jacket.

Black shirts a surprisingly tricky things to pull off. They probably look best untucked with jeans with a white T-shirt underneath. If you wear them without a T-shirt and you open more than two buttons you start moving into Tom Jones territory - and not in a good way. So if you want to wear a tie, I am going to suggest you stick with either white or blue shirts, or variations of the two. If you want to look more casual, at a pinch you can get away with a chambray shirt but only if coupled with chinos.

Question:

Which is the best way to tuck in a shirt - under the pants to cover the briefs, or under the briefs so doesn't become untucked?

Answer:

Easy answer, this one. Never, ever, ever,  tuck your shirt into your pants. Former prime minister John Major was accused by Alastair Campbell of tucking his shirt into his underpants and, let's face it, history hasn't been kind to him. Before doing up your flies, give your shirt tailes a good tug both front and back to make sure they are where they should be.