The 21st Century Gentleman

“The 21st Century Gentleman” series will showcase leading fashions and provide you with tips from experts aimed to maximize both your style impact and investment value.

Jordan Singer, President of Henry Singer Fashion Group suggests, “Every man should have the essentials covered in his wardrobe, [such as] well-tailored suits, jackets, and pants in grey, navy, and black. [His] shirts and ties should express his personality while belts, shoes, and other accessories should be the right details to complete the look.”

“For me,” says Sancho Salan Bengoechea, country manager for Tecnica Reunidas, “the classic suit is the one that works.” TR is an engineering and design firm from Madrid with operations in the oil sands of Alberta.

“If you are [meeting] a client, it is important that he or she first notices you and not your clothes.” Salan is wearing a deep-blue Canali suit with detailed topstitching. The box detail in the Eton shirt complements, drawing attention to the suit fabric, while the angular lines in the Canali tie add a dash of charm while maintaining corporate decorum. The English-style footwear from Cole Haan marries the classic elements Salan favors.

“I want my client to look at my face and listen to me—not to my clothes.”

Salan believes a solid-colored suit, like the one featured in the photo, improves the aesthetic value and creates meaningful impact in an assortment of working arenas. He prefers a pinstripe suit for evenings or more formal occasions, and opts to leave the briefcase at the office when attending meetings.

“Everything you say [in the meeting] should be contained on no more than two sheets of paper and fit neatly in a portfolio,” he says. This ensures both his look and his presentation remain clean and unencumbered.

Having worked as an engineer in the pharmaceutical industry, Salan was ready to embrace more challenges professionally. “[The energy industry] is the most competitive … for an engineer.” He made the shift a decade ago with a vow to make a difference.

Heading up a force of more than 40 professionals at the Calgary office and a smattering of others throughout the globe, Salan strives to nurture a team environment where everyone has a voice and makes a difference to the final outcomes.

When asked what it means to “dress for success,” Salan replies, “It means being prepared for whatever comes.” His own keys to success: “Confidence, patience, and daily dedication.”

An obvious success and leader in his chosen field, Salas’s bold features and stalwart confidence show through: “Everyone wants to change the classic approach. I feel the classic approach is that for a reason. It works.”

Clean simple dark tailoring that fits properly is essential for the work wardrobe. Belt by Canali. HenrySinger.com

Pay close attention to the details … a good belt, brief case, glasses, and watch can really create a more complete image. Bag by Prada. HenrySinger.com

Furnishing your tailoring with the right shirts and ties is a must. Suit and Tie, by Canali, Shirt by Eton. HenrySinger.com

English styles of footwear are classic and always a mainstay for work appropriate shoes. Shoes by Cole Haan. HenrySinger.com