For Men Only

We know you’re out there, gala going gents. We see you stepping up to the chair for more events and not leaving all the festivities (and months of hard work) to the ladies. Indeed, this year’s presence of not one, not two, but three men co-chairing events that will happen during the season’s kick-off week—Symphony Supper co-chairs Charlie Loucks and Michael Kim (with Trish Ferrin Loucks), and Symphonix Supper co-chair Christopher Contos (with Michelle Curtis)—inspired us to give a nod to the boys, fashionably speaking. (We're the Gazette, after all!) So, we turned to our resident men's fashion expert, Dino-Ray, for some tips on how to also keep up with the ladies when it comes time to get your gala on.

As the glam and glitz of San Francisco’s gala season inches closer and closer, many of the city’s stylish females are prepping themselves for the occasion.

They have their sights set on a luxurious gown. They have picked the perfect jewels and have their salon appointments booked—but why do all the gals get to have all the fun?

Believe it or not, some guys actually enjoy dressing to the nines. Many may put up a front. I call it the “I’m a dude, I don’t care about fashion” syndrome. No matter what they say, guys really do like to play dress-up just as much as the girls—but some of them could use a little bit more guidance than others. Here are some helpful dos and don’ts when it comes to looking dapper and dandy for the big bashes.

When in doubt, go simple: Take a cue from George Clooney and his band of Merry Men (and by that, I mean Brad Pitt). They avoid all the bells and whistles of an uber-trendy suit. Clooney is often seen on the red carpet in a simple black tux with a hand-tied bowtie sans cummerbund. The latter is a must if you want to pull off his debonair charm.

To pleat or not to pleat: The answer to that is no. Front pleats on slacks make the midsection bulkier, and, let’s face it, guys want to look as fit as possible. Another cautious suit detail is cuffs at the hem. They have the potential to make you look shorter.

No one needs a zoot suit: Unless you are going to a Cab Calloway revival, avoid the whole zoot suit look. Other looks that fall under this category are prohibition-era tommy gun pinstripes and anything involving a “Supafly” aesthetic. You’re going to a gala, not a costume party.

The return of the double-breasted suit: If you take a gander at the men’s runways, the double-breasted suit is coming back into the spotlight. This type of jacket is a tricky one. Tall, slender guys can pull this off a little easier than stout fellas. If you decide to explore the in-vogue two-button, try one on and then ask a friend how it looks. If that person is really your friend, she’ll tell the truth. No matter what you choose, it’s all about fit. If you’re swimming in it or if it’s too tight, you’ll look like a mess.

It’s not hip to be square: Please avoid square-toed shoes at all costs. A round, capped toe or a slender toe are far better than clunky Frankenstein footwear.

Accessorize at your own risk: If you opt out of the bowtie bandwagon, go for a regular tie—but make it a tad bit skinnier than you’re used to. It’s a great way to lengthen the torso. Cufflinks and pocket squares are also good additions to suits, but make them discreet. They are supposed to add a splash of charm, not a cannonball of eyesores.

Always a gentleman: You may have the perfect look for the evening, but it’s all about attitude. A charming smile, a chivalrous demeanor, and a well-rounded personality give an outfit more than you think.

Dino-Ray Ramos s a journalism instructor, you can enjoy his playfully disgruntled discourse on his personal blog, "the finer dandy" (blog.dinoray.com).