Tais Elyse Designer. Stylist. Shopper

It is undeniable that Mad Men has influenced for the better men’s perception of how they should dress for the office. The show’s hot shot (in both the boardroom and the bedroom) Don Draper especially has inspired men to style their hair and attire themselves in tailored suits that practically brag about their buff physique. But it is also undeniable that after watching the male leads wear the same old black, gray, and blue structured suits for four seasons, their office wardrobe becomes hardly noticeable anymore. And this is something that men, whether you are the scrappy upstart or an executive in the firm, should not aspire to: being boring, predictable, and repetitive in your office dress (or any dress for that matter). Rather, men should personalize their suit and tie uniform to achieve their distinctive look. And one of the easiest ways to do so? Wear patterned garments. Play with conservative checks and stripes but also experiment with the more unconventional madras, polka dot, and floral prints. Incorporate a small dose of pattern into your suit with a printed pocket square and/or tie. Be a bit bolder by swapping out your white dress shirt for a microscopically-checked gingham shirt or a subtle floral shirt (like this one). Or take a risk by pairing several printed separates in one look, like the dotted tie, check shirt, and pinstripe suit combination above. Just make sure the pieces form a muted, monochromatic color scheme so you don’t look clownishly mismatched. A patterned look can still be conservative, respectable, and boardroom-ready, but the details will make you stand out.