Dressing well doesn’t have to be expensive. Nor does it have to be complicated. And it certainly doesn’t require you to wear a suit every day or go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. If you want to dress well and don’t know where to start, this simple style guide reveals 10 things you can do today–and you don’t have to run out and buy anything new if you don’t want to.
What Makes One Well-Dressed?
Well-dressed men wear clothes that fit their bodies properly. They put together outfits using coherent, pleasing color combinations, and they are confident in their style. Becoming more stylish starts with understanding your personal taste and building a wardrobe that reflects it. Focus on investing in timeless, well-fitting pieces and experiment with accessories to add personality. Above all, confidence is key–wear what makes you feel good and comfortable and that naturally elevates your style.
Want to Dress Better? Do Less!
For some guys, the best way to improve your appearance is to start subtracting, not adding. If you’re like most guys, you probably have a lot of clothes you never wear. Plus, if you have stuff in your closet that doesn’t fit well, it’s not doing you any favors. Most men fall into one (or more) of three style traps. First, having too many colors or patterns in their wardrobe. Second, not knowing how to combine items in their closet. Third, missing key pieces that make getting dressed easier and taking style to the next level. If this sounds familiar, it’s time to purge your closet to the essentials and “do less” overall.
Dressing Well Tip #1: Size Down
One of the biggest mistakes men make is wearing clothes that don’t fit and flatter their frame. Clothes that fit well look better and feel more comfortable. This doesn’t mean you have to wear skinny jeans or painted-on shirts (unless you want to). Alternatively, this means wearing clothes that sit relatively close to your body and follow your natural lines and angles. And, if you want to try trending looser clothes, you don’t have to go completely baggy. You can choose a different cut of jeans or shirt, and don’t forget to balance out loose clothes with slimmer-fit items to avoid overwhelming your frame.
Dressing Well Tip #2: Wear Fewer Colors
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Some guys love combining multiple bright, vibrant colors for fun, stylish, and guy-catching looks. They just feel good wearing these kinds of outfits, and that’s fine. It really can be a cool look. Other guys wear colorful clothing because they don’t really know what to wear. If you struggle with dressing well, bright, colorful pieces are more challenging to combine into outfits. By all means, you can wear a dash or pop of color, but the only way to use color this way is to make sure your wardrobe consists mainly of neutral colors. Think earth tones like tan, brown, white, cream, khaki, and with greyscale colors like black and grey. Olive green and navy are other colors that are just as versatile and universally flattering. Once you have your neutral piece, you can add a dash of color to liven up your look.
Dressing Well Tip #3: Wear Fewer Patterns
Figuring out how to wear patterns, especially with multiple colors, can be very tough, even for the most stylish men. If it’s your first foray into wearing patterns, stick with solid colors for a while and then add a simple pattern. For example, you can wear a gingham shirt with a solid jacket, pants and tie for an office-friendly ensemble. On the weekends, try a micro floral print short-sleeve button-down or a printed camp shirt that features one or two colors with neutral-colored pants or shorts. The idea here is to keep the rest of your look simple if you wear something patterned.
Dressing Well Tip #4: Find a Good Tailor
The first tip suggested you size down going forward, but what about the clothes you already have? Maybe you have a pair of too long jeans or a shirt that’s too baggy. You paid good money for the clothes you already have, and likely, they have plenty of life still left in them. Instead of getting rid of them, take them to a tailor for alterations. Tailoring is the secret weapon of stylish men. Getting your clothes tailored can be a life-changing experience and cheaper than buying new clothes.
Dressing Well Tip #5: Upgrade Your Shoes
Consider upgrading your shoes if you want the most bang for your buck. Many men wear the wrong shoes at the wrong time. Think casual shoes to business casual offices or even flip-flops with jeans. You don’t need to wear “fancy” shoes, but the shoes you wear should aesthetically match your outfit and the appropriate dress code for the occasion. For example, if you love wearing gym sneakers, swap them out for plain, white leather sneakers. Instant upgrade! And remember, your shoes work hard, so make sure they’re working for you, not against you.
Dressing Well Tip #6: Add an Accessory
Adding accessories is one of the easiest and most effective ways to elevate an outfit. Think watches, ties, pocket squares, bracelets, rings, necklaces, hats and various other functional but probably not totally necessary items men can wear. You can transform a “boring outfit” with accessories. Adding an accessory or three will make you look much more put together, but not like you’re trying too hard. Watches and sunglasses are super practical and look great with any outfit, no matter how casual or formal. A simple cuff bracelet is another excellent, simple-to-style accessory for men.
Dressing Well Tip #7: Remove an Accessory
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Consider the last tip for the guy who never accessorizes and this one for the guy who loves to accessorize. It’s easy to go overboard with accessories, especially when expanding your style to dress well. You may have seen guys who wear a watch, a stack of bracelets, a hat, a pocket square, a tie and a fedora for good measure. Stick to 2-3 tasteful accessories at a time. And, if all else fails, take the advice of fashion designer Coco Chanel, “Before leaving the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.”
Dressing Well Tip #8: Learn the Dress Code
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Great style is like a great referee: it shouldn’t make mistakes. So much of dressing well is dressing appropriately for the occasion. The underdressed guy lacks respect (whether intentional or not) for the formality of an event. The overdressed guy wants attention, but it’s not always his day. Aim for being the understated guy–it’s almost always the way to go. Think about where you’re going and make sure you have a grasp of the dress code. When it doubt, ask. The bottom line is to try to dress appropriately for the occasion, even if it means you can’t wear exactly what you want.
Dressing Well Tip #9: Layer Up
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Want to know another secret of the most stylish men: dress in layers. Cool weather means you get to wear layers without overheating, and layers look amazing when done right. You can wear a sweater over a button-up shirt or a jacket over a sweater and button-up shirt. For more casual options, go with a work shirt or shacket over a henley or a jacket over a vest over a henley. The possibilities are endless for colder weather layering.
Dressing Well Tip #10: Tread Lightly With Trends
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Honestly, there’s no such thing as “timeless” style. You can buy clothes that will still be good in 10 years, but what about in 100 years? Probably not. Men who dress well tend to avoid getting into every single fashion trend that hits the shelves. That’s not to say you shouldn’t experiment with fashion trends; you should if they call to you. However, a well-dressed man tweaks his wardrobe over time and doesn’t replace his entire wardrobe over seasonal fashion fads.
Source: The Modest Man©
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