The 9-Step Guide to Dressing Like an English Gentleman

The 9-Step Guide to Dressing Like an English Gentleman

By...bny

Ask a woman to name her ideal man, and she'll likely exhale a breathy "Mr. Darcy." Indeed, the dapper Englishman is a permanent fixture in most female fantasies. And yet, his signature look is difficult to perfect. Luckily, we can show you how to make any woman swoon.

1. Suspenders

Aside from aesthetic pleasures, these babies have a lot of practical benefits. They're more comfortable than belts, they beautifully outline the curve of one's back, and they hold up the trousers so as to sculpt the rear end and generously cover any extra belly bulge. The bonus is that slipping them casually off your shoulder is a pretty suave move at the end of any night.

2. The Waistcoat

Nothing is quite as slimming or as dapper as a well-tailored waistcoat. Again, here, a good fit is crucial. It should be snug at the shoulders without pulling in the back or front. Buttons are hot. Buttons are your friend. You can leave the last one undone to facilitate arm-raising (and to follow tradition: legend has it that King Edward VII always neglected to fasten the lower button because he was too fat and so the custom was widely adopted by the public), but the others must always be securely fastened, even on a hot day.

Bari Waistcoat ($80.61) by Brook Taverner, suitsmen.co.uk

3. High-Waisted Pants

The Regency Dandy was really born with riding breeches that provocatively outlined his slim, muscular legs. A true period pair would come with a flap open topwhich, while convenient, would thoroughly wig a girl out now. Cream is the classic color but size is really key here. They should be form-fitting around the calves but loose around the groin so as to not give a lady the wrong impression. And if you're not that confident about your leg area, a pair of high-waisted gray or pinstripe slim straight trousers do nicely as well.

The Great Gatsby Collection High-Rise Tuxedo Trousers ($248.00) by Brooks Brothers, brooksbrothers.com

4. Oxford Brogues

Footwear-wise, nothing says English gentleman more than a pair of brogues. Back in the day, they were only considered appropriate to wear in the country, because the decorative perforations in the side allowed water to drain, which is quite convenient when hunting over wet terrain. Nowadays, they make for a stylish and practical shoe when running through a soggy city.

There are several variations, the most classic one being the full Oxford brogue.

London leather Oxford brogues ($545) by Churches , mporter.com

5. The Cravat

A cravat is basically a really fat tie, not to be confused with an Ascot tie, which is a narrow neckband with wide pointed wings. It's a pain in the ass to put around your neck. Invest in silk. There's nothing quite as erotic as a soft, sleek tie for a woman's fingertips.

You can also ditch the cravat and go with a scarf, but then you have to do it Benedict Cumberbatch style, aka throw around your neck in a way that seems fashionanbly messy when it's actually very precisely calculated.

Micro Paisley Purple Design Fine Silk Cravat ($51.12) by Swagger & Swoon,swaggerandswoon.com

6. The Cuff-Links

This may seem like a small, unnecessarily expensive detail, but it's not. The glint of a gold cufflink immediately sends signals of "Money, Power, Class," through a woman's mind. It also lets people know that you are finely-groomed, an essential characteristic of any dreamy Englishman.Cuff-links can also be fun because they're one of the few pieces of men's jewelry that comes in so many different options, so there are lots of opportunities to choose a pair that expresses your unique interests and taste.

7. The Shaving Kit

Nothing says British gent like a fine shaving brush. But they're not just for show: the soft bristles mixed with cream or soap creates a thick lather and, subsequently, a perfectly clean shave. The proper after-shave imbues your chin with a musky, sandalwood scent, which is important because women really notice how a man's face smells. With proper care, these kits can even be passed down to generations. That's ultimate grandpa swag.

Full-size Sandalwood Shaving Kit ($120) by The Art of Shaving, macys.com

8. The Other Accessories

The devil is all in the details, and the dreamy Englishman is nothing if not devilish. There are plenty of other small items to complete your appearance. An antique gold-watch. A brass Governor Cane. A hook umbrella. A top hat (to be worn only to white-tie events or other occasions in which woman also wear comically large hats). If circumstances permit, a horse. Just remember to wear any one of these items sparingly and never ever all at once so as to avoid accidentally looking like a Ghost Tour guide.

9. Perfect the brood

So much of being a dreamy Englishman lies in the diffident demeanor, so be sure to test your ability to glower handsomely across the room while brooding in the corner. Remember that expressions of emotion must be as stiff and awkward as humanly possible (probably best to avoid entirely), while confessions of love are to be as overly complicated and long-winded as possible. A Dreamy Englishman is all action and very little talk. And, most importantly, he is always kind and immensely considerate. So, go forth, and swag responsibly!

And remember, if all else fails: put on a white collared shirt, add water. Works. Every Time.