Subscribe to gift this article
Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.
Already a subscriber?
David Burns is the founder and CEO of DJB Food Group. He consults with clients such as Coles and BP to develop their food and beverage offerings.
I love wearing pink. I don’t know where exactly it came from, but I think pink is a great colour for men. It’s unexpected. Turquoise is a close second for me. Luckily, pink and turquoise work well together.
The key to looking and feeling great every day is having access to a uniform. Personally, I have a huge pile of black V-neck Calvin Klein and Bonds T-shirts, and a stack of black and dark blue BOSS jeans. Then it’s all about the shoes, belt and jacket.
Food entrepreneur David Burns thinks great accessories are the key to feeling polished and professional. Eamon Gallagher
Accessorising is important: it pulls a look together. I wear a silk handkerchief in my jacket pocket most days. I wear a belt – not to keep my pants up but to look good! I love my Prada sunglasses, too. In the past I carried bags to work but mostly I now just take my keys and phone. But I’ve bought a few “man bags” from Emporio Armani and Balenciaga. I like a smaller bag that doesn’t scream “briefcase”.
I am 57 and I think my style is just peaking now. I think it helps that my team is young and that I have a young family [Burns has four children aged 12, 10, 8 and 3]. Surrounding myself with young people makes me feel young emotionally and physically and of course, helps with keeping in touch with tech and fashion developments.
Men tend to wear a uniform to work because it makes them feel secure. There’s probably a sense of hierarchy involved, too – wearing a suit (I prefer Boss) means you have a certain level of seniority. My view is that if you wear what you are most comfortable in, it will bring out the best in you, performance-wise.
Fit is so important. Baggy clothes look sloppy. Too tight looks bad. Get your clothes fitted properly and you’re already looking great.
I don’t need to suit up to feel powerful. For me, feeling powerful is wearing what makes you feel best. When I have an important meeting, I stick to a well-made pair of jeans, a crisp shirt, smart jacket – and definitely no tie!
Obviously, offices are more casual these days. But it doesn’t mean you can’t still possess style. Looking good helps lay the foundation of a great personal brand.
Are you a professional with style? Email our fashion editor, lauren.sams@afr.com.
