Plus, can you wear sneakers with a suit and, if so, how? But first, how to look stylish without standing out.

The battle for a successful outfit is often won or lost on subtleties. The correct colour of sock. The fit of your trousers. How well you have looked after your shoes. And this is what this week’s questions concern. Subtlety. How do I look stylish, but not stand out? How should a new corporate lawyer find the right style? How do I incorporate a pair of sneakers with my suit? The broad answer to all three? Take a softly, softly approach. For more on the matter, read below.

And if you have your own question, don’t hesitate to contact asky@mrporter.com or reach out to us on our social media channels.

How do I look stylish, but not stand out?

From chrisj0hnson via Instagram

A lot of people assume that to stand out is to be stylish, but that’s simply not true. Dressing understatedly is one of the easiest ways to look good, mostly because you won’t run the risk of looking as though you’re trying too hard.

French brands are generally on the money in this case – it’s difficult to go wrong with anything from A.P.C. or Officine Creative, for instance. As far as wardrobe staples go, some beige chinos from Incotex will see you right, as will a pair of white trainers from Common Projects. Other solid go-tos are sweaters from John Smedley, backpacks from Want Les Essentiels and T-shirts from Sunspel. Oh, and Mr P., of course. Our in-house brand was created to provide men with enduring classics that are stylish and wearable, and everything from the drawstring wool trousers to the striped cotton shirts are a satisfying mix of contemporary and timeless.

Another piece of advice we can give is to scroll through the MR PORTER Essentials section, a range of products intentionally curated for their tastefulness and versatility. Attention-grabbing pieces these are not, but if you’re looking for clothes that are easy to wear and put together, we’re confident you’ll be satisfied with what you find there. Seek out high-quality fabrics, stick to neutral colours and pick clothes that fit.

The real key to being stylish, though, is to show a little personality in your outfit. There’s no reason why you can’t flirt with a bit of colour or texture here or there, even if it’s just with a pair of bright socks or a suede jacket. If you can master that and combine it with the advice above, everything else will follow.

How should a new corporate lawyer find the right style?

From will_i_amzzz via Instagram

Here’s the thing, will_i_amzzz. When people talk about the changing rules of workplace attire, they’re not really talking about you. Corporate law has so far proven immune to the creeping influence of dress-down Friday culture, standing firm as one of the last bastions of the business-formal dress code. This is a world where a suit and tie are still very much the expected standard, especially among younger employees.

You’re new, so it’s understandable that you feel an urge to express yourself and stand out from the crowd. We recommend, however, that you err on the side of caution at least until you’ve got a feel for the place. Invest in a single-breasted suit in navy blue and another in charcoal grey. Black is a touch funereal. Buy a handful of button-cuff dress shirts in white and pale blue. Get yourself a selection of ties. If you feel uncomfortably hemmed in by the sober colour palette preferred by corporate lawyers, try experimenting with fabric instead. Drake’s makes a lovely range of grenadine-silk ties for MR PORTER’s Kingsman range. The brand’s collegiate striped ties are great options for the office, too. As for shoes, get a pair of well-made, ie Goodyear-welted, Oxfords in black and another in dark brown. And take good care of them. You can spot a man who doesn’t polish his shoes a mile away. You’ll also want an overcoat for winter and a raincoat for, well, rain. Brands such as Burberry, Canali, Mackintosh and Mr .P offer timeless, work-appropriate examples of both.

This may all sound terribly dry and conservative, but try not to worry. If you follow the typical career trajectory of a corporate lawyer – hopping between two or three firms before either making partner or landing a cushy job in-house – the coming years will present you with plenty of opportunities to develop your sense of style as you inch your way up that greasy pole. In the meantime, you’ll have furnished yourself with a highly reliable and versatile wardrobe.

How do I wear sneakers with a suit?

From speak2002 via Instagram

For the sake of argument, let us assume that you have more freedom with what you wear than our friend above. Because, in general, wearing trainers with a suit is now A-OK. But for goodness’ sake, do it with care. Only do it if you are confident in doing so. If not, stick to a pair of very lovely John Lobbs. The reason this is important is that, by choosing to wear sneakers, you are saying, “This is my outfit and I like wearing it, suit and all.” And if you don’t, it will be obvious.

The next question is which sneakers to choose? We’re presuming that you already have a suit. We recommend keeping it classic. Avoid high-tops – no good will come of it. Trust us. These adidas Stan Smiths are a good bet, as are a pair of Common Projects, which incidentally are the most worn sneaker in the MR PORTER office. Stick to these rules and you will prosper.