Wednesday.

While I'm not sure if I have a living style icon, there is one guy that comes pretty darn close: Nickleson Wooster. Sharing the same surname as my alma mater, Nick Wooster is daring, classy and incredibly knowledgeable about men's clothing. So much so that he is capable of wearing a pair of heels (yes, stilettos) and still be considered cool in my books. While I would never be so bold as to don a pair myself, I understand that style is all about testing oneself. This philosophy is clear as day on Bergdorf & Neiman Marcus' previous Men's Fashion Director. While never really having the option to wear any of the things in Mr. Wooster's closet, he follows the same fashion inspiration that I do, and it is seen in a number of his outfits. This is the idea of a 'splash.' What is a splash you ask? Simple: A splash of color. Neutral colors are eternal. We have work white, black, grey and brown for centuries, and they continue to be our most decadent color choices because of their simple versatility. So while wearing what we can rely on, in neutral colors, we can include daring spots in our ensemble with a different color or design that stands out in your outfit. Of course it's not a matter of just wearing a random color and being cool, it's a matter of knowing which splash works for which combination! That's what makes Nick shine so much. 

Nick Wooster (above)
All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Let's look at men's fashion first. There are three corporate shirt colors: white, blue and soft pink. Any other colors would be considered either unprofessional or daring to many corporate offices. However, where a man really gets to express himself in the office is his choice of tie. True, it is possible for a tie to be inappropriate as well, but if your boss calls you out, just change it! While I would never wear a pair of canary yellow bucks, Nick seems to make them look amazing, despite their ridiculous hue. The simple suit, with the perfect splash of color to drive it home. Again, much like I was saying yesterday, women have a few more options than we do when it comes to 'dressing up.' Though instead of the tie, women have the option of shoes or accessories. It is very possible to wear unprofessional shoes in the office, but it would be much more unlikely for your boss to call you out for wearing a black suit and canary heels than it would be for a man to wear a black suit and canary oxfords. The secret is to be subtle with your colors. Don't go for something that's incredibly loud unless you want to be incredibly loud. Take some inspiration from 'The Wooster,' and see what you find. If you like it, then stick with it! If not, then don't worry about it, on to the next inspiration. Just remember to be creative!

Nick Wooster as "Mustached Yakuza."
All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Of course, these are my own personal tastes, but if the previous Men's Fashion Director of Neiman Marcus does it, then why shouldn't I?


P.S. If you want to see more Wooster looks, check out his stalker's paradise, or his own blog.