I’ve always been a bit reluctant to wear boots when I’m dressing for a truly formal occasion. Sure they can be comfortable and the right boots can hold a wonderful shine, yet I have never felt quite right wearing them. It would seem that Australian Prime Minister thought differently when meeting with Barack Obama recently.

While I wouldn’t say that his endorsement is sufficient, if you’re inclined to wear a pair of boots to your next business meeting, you at least have an endorsement from high places!

Kevin Rudd has improved his style in ties greatly since becoming Leader, matching well with his hair. It also shows how easy it is to match your tie when you choose a black suit and white shirt.

One more thing I notice about this shot are the high socks. Remember to wear socks long enough to cover your ankle even with you knees bent!

All smiles ... but some topics were not dealt with publicly / Picture: Gary Ramage

There is a middle ground between a tuxedo and boardroom attire. It is the solid-coloured tie with sheen. When confronted with an evening event, put on a silk one in a warm colour with a white shirt and a shine-free suit. Regular and spread collars are the look you are after; the button behind can work too though the button down does not. The darker the tie, the more formal the look. This will give you the formality that you need without the need to resort to a tuxedo. And unless your office is the VIP table in an old-school Italian restaurant, don’t wear it to work.

This looks much better than those men trying to get away with button down collars with a tuxedo – it’s all a question of choosing where to reduce your formality.