In the age of the “power suit” and the short attention span, wearing something that is uncomfortable or makes a man look comical can spoil a meeting and take the focus from “this year’s projected growth” to “Oh, my, what is he wearing?”

With so many different types of clothing now becoming acceptable in the office, men have to decide on what to buy to help them stay current. With the new choices come new problems, as well. Some of the new styles of clothing don’t work well together, like soft collars and stiff jackets.

Some things to look out for are shirts that don’t work with jackets, cufflinks that are too small, and ties that won’t last. Also, take a look at the care label to see if washing the item will present a problem.

If you plan to wear some new purchases with old favorites, think of how they will work together before buying. Another good idea is to shop with someone else to provide input. Sometimes you never know how you will look in something until you try it on.

Some manufacturers are using stretchy material in their products, which can make men appear bigger than they are. Some suit companies are making suits with longer jackets, which can make the wearer look shorter.

Read more cleaning and style tips here.