A Guide to Western Business Attire for Men
Business attire is required at all times in committee. In case you're not quite sure what classifies as business attire, then this is a quick guide to get you started.
Note that you don't have to buy anything for Model UN. A shirt-and-tie deal will work, and you shouldn't feel pressured to buy nicer clothing just for Model UN. Of course if you want to buy more clothes, you may feel free. High-quality business attire is a good thing to own, but don't feel like you have to have three suits, four pairs of shoes, and ten ties in every color. Also, I would suggest buying high-quality clothing that will last a long time. Men's fashion basically doesn't change, meaning that clothing you buy now you will be able to wear in ten or even twenty years time. Yes, a suit might cost a hundred dollars, but chances are that you'll be wearing that suit for years. That said, I found one of the best pairs of pants I own at the Salvation army for five dollars, so expensive doesn't mean high-quality. Just keep those thing in mind.
Note that you don't have to buy anything for Model UN. A shirt-and-tie deal will work, and you shouldn't feel pressured to buy nicer clothing just for Model UN. Of course if you want to buy more clothes, you may feel free. High-quality business attire is a good thing to own, but don't feel like you have to have three suits, four pairs of shoes, and ten ties in every color. Also, I would suggest buying high-quality clothing that will last a long time. Men's fashion basically doesn't change, meaning that clothing you buy now you will be able to wear in ten or even twenty years time. Yes, a suit might cost a hundred dollars, but chances are that you'll be wearing that suit for years. That said, I found one of the best pairs of pants I own at the Salvation army for five dollars, so expensive doesn't mean high-quality. Just keep those thing in mind.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/6/2/23623486/162608955.jpg)
The Basics
This is the minimum standard for business attire:
• Dress Pants
• Collared Shirt
• Tie or Bow-tie
• Dress Shoes
There is no shame in wearing only the basics. Yeah, most delegates have a suit, but really it isn't necessary. While it is necessary to look professional, you can achieve that with just the basics. If you don't even have these items, then I would highly suggest buying them; if anything, it is good to have a nice outfit, not just for MUN.
This is the minimum standard for business attire:
• Dress Pants
• Collared Shirt
• Tie or Bow-tie
• Dress Shoes
There is no shame in wearing only the basics. Yeah, most delegates have a suit, but really it isn't necessary. While it is necessary to look professional, you can achieve that with just the basics. If you don't even have these items, then I would highly suggest buying them; if anything, it is good to have a nice outfit, not just for MUN.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/6/2/23623486/955985031.jpg)
Vests
If you want a cheap way to add a little more to your basic outfit, then I would highly suggest getting a vest. It is a classy look, and uncommon; not many delegates choose it. It will help you to stand out and get noticed.
While you can get a colored vest, I would suggest getting one that is either gray or black. Grey and black can be worn with any shirt, tie, or pants. Between black and gray, I would probably suggest black. A really really strong look is to wear black pants, a black shirt, a black vest, and bright (preferably red) tie; this is the ultimate power look.
If you want a cheap way to add a little more to your basic outfit, then I would highly suggest getting a vest. It is a classy look, and uncommon; not many delegates choose it. It will help you to stand out and get noticed.
While you can get a colored vest, I would suggest getting one that is either gray or black. Grey and black can be worn with any shirt, tie, or pants. Between black and gray, I would probably suggest black. A really really strong look is to wear black pants, a black shirt, a black vest, and bright (preferably red) tie; this is the ultimate power look.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/6/2/23623486/447622901.jpg)
Suits
A suit is not required, but if you have one, wear it. Suits add to your style. Most people wear a black or dark blue suit, but other colors are acceptable (such as brown or grey). Just be reasonable. Don't go wearing a bright yellow suit.
Three piece suits add another layer, and are a definite improvement over two-piece suits. If you have a two piece suit, it is possible to turn it into a three piece suit by finding a vest that is the same color as your suit. If you are going to do this, though, make sure that it is exactly the same color, otherwise it will look tacky.
It isn't necessary to buy a suit, but if you want to, I would suggest waiting until there is a sale on. I managed to get my suit 60% off at JCPenny.
A suit is not required, but if you have one, wear it. Suits add to your style. Most people wear a black or dark blue suit, but other colors are acceptable (such as brown or grey). Just be reasonable. Don't go wearing a bright yellow suit.
Three piece suits add another layer, and are a definite improvement over two-piece suits. If you have a two piece suit, it is possible to turn it into a three piece suit by finding a vest that is the same color as your suit. If you are going to do this, though, make sure that it is exactly the same color, otherwise it will look tacky.
It isn't necessary to buy a suit, but if you want to, I would suggest waiting until there is a sale on. I managed to get my suit 60% off at JCPenny.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/6/2/23623486/680847337.png?1387141718)
Ties
Most people wear ties over bow-ties, but there is no real difference in the level of classiness. You only really need one tie (though feel free to bring more). Preferably, if you only have one tie, it should be a solid color, or a nice pattern. What you shouldn't do is pick out a tacky old tie that your dad used to wear back in the 70's. If you don't have a nice tie, then I would strongly suggest buying one. If nothing else, you'll need one if you want to dress up for things in the future (like job interviews). A good tie is really a solid investment. If you don't want to spend much money on a tie, you can always check out stores such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill, though you might have to look a little harder for a nice tie.
Here is a basic way to tie a tie.
Most people wear ties over bow-ties, but there is no real difference in the level of classiness. You only really need one tie (though feel free to bring more). Preferably, if you only have one tie, it should be a solid color, or a nice pattern. What you shouldn't do is pick out a tacky old tie that your dad used to wear back in the 70's. If you don't have a nice tie, then I would strongly suggest buying one. If nothing else, you'll need one if you want to dress up for things in the future (like job interviews). A good tie is really a solid investment. If you don't want to spend much money on a tie, you can always check out stores such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill, though you might have to look a little harder for a nice tie.
Here is a basic way to tie a tie.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/6/2/23623486/1409157412.jpg)
<--- Do NOT wear your tie like this!
ALWAYS button your top button! Wearing your tie with it unbuttoned is sloppy and unprofessional. This is appropriate for a casual party, not a Model UN conference.
I know that some people wear this because they dislike having the tight collar, but here's the thing: if your collar is that tight, then you probably need to buy shirts with bigger collars. Also, if you do need to loosen your collar, then you can unbutton your top button as long as you keep the two ends close enough that it looks like it's still buttoned.
Also, finally, make sure that you tighten your tie enough; the whole point of wearing it is to cover the buttons, the top button in particular. So, make sure that the top button is covered!
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/6/2/23623486/1387141256.jpg)
Bow-ties
Bow-ties are far less common than ties, but in many ways that's a good thing. It will help you to stand out for the other delegates. As far as colors go, it's really up to you. As long as the color doesn't clash with your shirt, you should be fine. Patterns, however, should be treated with caution. The biggest risk with a bow-tie is that people won't take you seriously, so don't encourage this by wearing a pink and purple polka-dot bow-tie or some other crazy pattern.
Now, it is extra-classy if you can tie your own bow-tie, but having a pre-tied bow-tie is okay, so long as you make sure it is correctly adjusted and is sitting straight. If you want to learn to tie a bow-tie, I would make use of YouTube (that's how I learned).
Bow-ties are far less common than ties, but in many ways that's a good thing. It will help you to stand out for the other delegates. As far as colors go, it's really up to you. As long as the color doesn't clash with your shirt, you should be fine. Patterns, however, should be treated with caution. The biggest risk with a bow-tie is that people won't take you seriously, so don't encourage this by wearing a pink and purple polka-dot bow-tie or some other crazy pattern.
Now, it is extra-classy if you can tie your own bow-tie, but having a pre-tied bow-tie is okay, so long as you make sure it is correctly adjusted and is sitting straight. If you want to learn to tie a bow-tie, I would make use of YouTube (that's how I learned).