CRACKING THE COLOR CODE Guidelines on How to Wear Contrasting Shirts and Ties by Designer, Sanford Bryant

Steps about how to update men's wardrobe by adding color and pattern together. Examples and a break down by menswear designer, Sanford Bryant, are included.

(PRWEB) August 9, 2004 -- George Clooney did it in Oceans Eleven. So did Brad Pitt. Theyll most likely do it again in the next installment of Oceans Twelve. Their costume designer mixed color and pattern together with shirts and ties to create some memorable looks. That role certainly increased Clooneys fashion stock as he was recently named one of the best dressed on the 2004 International Best Dressed List along with socialites Jonathan Becker, Jude Law and HRH Prince Pavlos of Greece. What elevates these men to 'best dressed status beyond their celebrity status is their individuality and flair.

According to Sanford Bryant, president and designer of Sanford Bryant Custom, pulling together a shirt and tie that have matching and contrasting elements is one approach to showing off ones individuality.

The subtle nuance in combining strong shirts and contrasting ties is easier than it may seem. Sanford Bryant offers these guidelines to break out of the tone on tone" trend of the fashion past and move forward into the fashion present by using color and contrast.

1. Color relation is the most important element to address when pairing a shirt and tie together.

2. Try relating a color in your tie with a color in your shirt. For example, focus on a blue stripe shirt on white background paired with a blue tie that matches up with the blue stripe on the shirt. Even if the tie has other accent colors or patterns it is important that the blue in the tie matches the blue stripe of the shirt. The result: Fresh and sharp

3. Accent colors of a shirt should be the major color in the tie, or vice versa. For example, a tie with a red ground on a shirt with a red stripe. You can also take it a step further by adding an accent color in the tie that goes with the suit or jacket. Then the shirt goes with the tie and the tie goes with the suit and you have got a very polished and refined look.

4. Finally, dont forget the simple and bold looks for evening. Using the same logic, you can take a crisp white shirt with a semi spread collar and add a black tie with white dots. Paired with a black peak lapel suit, the look is instantly transformed from a dressed up day at the office to a night on the red carpet.

Sanford Bryant began his career at the classic end of the fashion spectrum as a buyer for Brooks Brothers followed by several years at Hickey-Freeman, developing an English custom collection for Chester Barrie. Subsequently, Sanford became the menswear designer behind the American collections of Valentino, Emanuel Ungaro, and Andrew Fezza, all companies within the Italian conglomerate, Gruppo GFT. Drawing on this experience, Sanford launched his Italian-made ready-to-wear collection in the fall of 1999.

In early 2003, Sanford introduced his newest concept focused on custom-made couture clothing with Sanford Bryant Custom. Currently, Sanford Bryant Custom clients include Maurice DuBois, anchor on WCBS nightly newscast; Craig Kilborn, host of the Late, Late Show on CBS; Paul Giamatti, critically acclaimed actor (American Splendor, Paycheck, Planet of the Apes) and Mark Steines, anchor on Entertainment Tonight.

For more information about Sanford Bryant Company, visit www.sanfordbryant.com, or for an appointment to meet with a Sanford Bryant Client Specialist, call 212-994-1880.
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