A kvetch-tion, a word of my own invention devised by the conjuntion of two words, is one part Yiddish, one part English, and totally Joseph. I created this term to describe the persistent complaints I receive in the form of questions from clients and friends.

Recently I received a string of such kvetch-tions and thought I’d blog about them so everyone could benefit from the inquiries and the thoughtful answers I hoped to provide.

Question #1: A client who cannot purchase a dress shirt without significant alterations because of his slender, fit body and small neck size contemplated ordering shirts from an online supplier. He wanted to know if this is a good shopping strategy.

My answer: Sometimes shopping online for shirts is not so easy. We could order some customized shirts locally. The key is to be able to get your measurements taken accurately, and to choose fabrics that work with your color palette and are appropriate for your personal style needs and goals. It’s just hard to ensure the accuracy of any of this from an online source. Even if a Website guarantees satisfaction, it takes weeks to have something made. If you’re dissatisfied, it will take twice as long to make you happy. Who has time for that?

Question #2: An old friend from Chicago who now lives in suburban New York wrote his question on Facebook. He has a glen plaid suit that is 8-10 years old that he describes as good quality and in great condition. He hasn’t been able to wear it in years but has been losing weight and hopes to be able to wear it again. His question is if the suit is a timeless design.

My answer: Great question. It’s one I get asked a lot. Since the quality is good and the condition is fine, those are typically not the concerns when it comes to a suit’s longevity.

What we are typically concerned with are tandem issues: the garment’s age and its ability to stand up to today’s current styles. Glen plaid is a classic, timeless fabric pattern. So you should be safe there. The four most important areas of concern are: the garment’s overall fit (especially the coat’s shoulders), the coat length, the lapel width, and the button stance.

Newer suits are perhaps a touch shorter than longer, lapels a touch narrower than wider, button stance a touch higher than lower, and shoulders fitting either a touch closer or average — even for a classic fitting suit. “Classic” even seems to get redefined as “fashion” — a fluid notion if ever there was one — shifts.

So even if this particular suit hasn’t been chomped at by the moths and is in seemingly wearable condition, be sure it conveys a message that says “success”. Little things like how a suit fits and how up-to-date are its details convey such important non-verbal messages to people in-the-know. Without uttering a word, your clothes should convey more of a message of who you are than it should convey a rescue plan for a suit that may have possibly passed its prime.

Question #3: A second old Chicago chum got an earful from his wife because he was about to head out of the house in mismatching accessories. His question to me was whether this is a big fashion error.

My answer: Coordinating accessories all depends on the level of footwear. The less formal the footwear, like gym shoes, the less coordinated the belt is expected to be. Conversely, the more formal the shoes, the more coordinated the belt is expected to be. That’s a classic rule you can always count on following to maintain consistency in your look.

Got a kvetch-tion of your own? Send it along and maybe it’ll get answered right here!

Designing and managing your image is the secret science of your success.

Joseph Rosenfeld helps professional men and corporate workgroups create effective visual brands. Visit JosephRosenfeld.com for details.