[caption id="attachment_2475" align="alignleft" width="300"] Take Barney Stinson's advice, and suit up![/caption] Even if you aren't familiar with the CBS television show How I Met Your Mother, odds are that you have heard of Barney Stinson. Barney, played by actor Neil Patrick Harris, is known for his impeccable style, quick wit, and his ability to successfully woo women. An episode of How I Met Your Mother isn't complete without Barney Stinson commanding his friends to "Suit up!" at least once. This sage advice from Stinson is something that people everywhere could benefit from, regardless of whether or not they watch the show. Dressing in a well-fitted suit or tuxedo gives off an air of confidence, professionalism, and intelligence to whoever you encounter. If all this sounds appealing to you, read our Barney Stinson Style Guide to get the look!

Suit Up!

By Barney Stinson's logic, a suit and tie ensemble is everyday attire. For slightly classier occassions, a tuxedo is appropriate as well. However, whether you opt for a suit or a tuxedo, make sure that is well-fitted to your body. Aside from pajama bottoms or a hooded sweatshirt, one thing you would never see Barney Stinson wearing is an ill-fitted suit. When shopping for new men's formalwear, make sure to check that the suit or tuxedo jacket fits correctly in the shoulder, arms, and torso. Anything that is too short, tight, or loose will look sloppy, and take away from the look you're trying to achieve. The same goes for your lower body - make sure your dress pants or tuxedo pants are flattering and are either short or long enough to fit your leg.

Accessorize Elegantly

As Barney Stinson himself could tell you, the accessories you choose can make or break an outfit. Too-subtle accessories are likely to go unnoticed, whereas anything too gaudy will look tacky and unprofessional. Unsurprisingly, Barney Stinson often finds a balance between these two extremes and accessorizes well. Stinson is frequently seen rocking the skinny tie look, a trend being picked up by most young professionals today. It exudes professionalism and energy - two valuable qualities to have. Try to keep these characteristics in mind when you next go shopping for a new tie. The same logic applies for when you're shopping for bow ties, as well. A classy bow tie should be simple and have clean lines, in order to complement the tuxedo without taking away from it.

Confidence is Key

One of the most important things to learn from Barney Stinson's example is that confidence is key. Although you will ideally be wearing a suit, no matter what outfit you decide on, wear it confidently. People from all different walks of life are attracted to confidence, and having a handle on that will benefit you both professionally and socially. To summarize, channel your inner Barney Stinson and suit up, accessorize, and proceed through life as a confident and capable person!