There used to be definite rules about what to wear for a particular occasion, but these rules became blurred during the latter part of the 20th century, and so today we have a situation where almost anything goes. Or does it?

Some people like to wear whatever they want, no matter what people will think, and they have a right to their own views and style. However, if you want to make an impression on someone, you need to be more careful in your selection of clothes to wear to certain occasions.

Some establishments have their own dress rules and may not allow certain modes of dress. This includes clubs, bars and restaurants, although even these, except for the more up-market ones, are gradually relaxing their dress codes. If in doubt, check in advance so you can arrive there dressed appropriately.

There are occasions when you want to make a good impression, whether you think this is right or not, and you will need to be dressed appropriately to do this. You won’t make a very favorable impression at an important job interview with your jean skinny and your shirt untucked. While you might not agree, people do judge you on your appearance, so consider what the appropriate dress is for any occasion. For a job interview, dress similarly to those already employed in the same position you are going for.

When you take a girl out for the first time, you probably also want to make a good impression. If you are going somewhere casual, you will probably want to wear jeans; this is fine but team them with a black or brown boot to dress them up a bit. This creates a casual but smart look, especially when worn with a collared shirt tucked in and a belt that matches the boots.

Your accessories reflect your personality and are an important part of your outfit. The wrist watch is the most common accessory for a man, with jewellery a close second. A smart men’s sport watch is appropriate with most styles of dress, and the new chunky, masculine designs, with lots of features, are sure to impress. You can have several watches these days, as some of the smartest designs are quite inexpensive when purchased online.

Take some time to consider what you are going to wear to any occasion. There is certainly no need to go overboard on this though. Job interview dress is very different to hanging out at home dress, so don’t confuse the two. If you are dressing to impress, consider what the people you are meeting will be wearing and dress in a similar style, adding your own personality with accessories and your own colors.