I was meeting friends for lunch, and decided I wanted to get a little dressed up and throw on a tie. I also went a little serious with the layering of dark colors - which can sometimes look somber, but in this case I think it adds dimension and interest.
I love how the dark tartan plaid is highlighted by the green tie. I don't always like a dark shirt/lighter tie combo, but here it works.
This double-breasted merino cardigan is the perfect weight to wear in place of a jacket, and is dressed up enough that it can stand in for a blazer if needed.
When wearing an all dark outfit, lighter colored accessories can balance it out. Here, the tan suede monkstraps have a chunky sole that balances the heft of the cardigan. Yellow striped socks add some fun, picking up a color from the tartan shirt - and you can't go wrong with a pair of yellow socks!
Navy double-breasted shawl collar cardigan by Banana Republic. Tartan plaid shirt, charcoal worsted wool pants, belt, socks by J Crew. Green tie by Hugo Boss. Tan suede monkstraps by To Boot New York. Eyeglass frames by Tom Ford.