Style Tips for Men
21 Style Tips for Men
It can seem like there’s a lot to know about good style, and there is, at least if you want to be enrolled in its master class. But looking sharper than 99% of other guys is actually fairly simple and merely requires knowing and doing little stuff right. The kind of stuff that can be encapsulated into short, easy-to-remember principles and adages.
You get two “beloved old favorite” exemptions here, as well as formal wear. Ruthlessly pitch or donate the rest.
Well, okay, not everything. But most things: nice pants, shirts, and jackets should all go to the tailor for adjustments, unless they came custom-tailored already.
3. Spend more money on less pieces of clothing.
Quality lasts longer than quantity, and you look better in it.
4. Next time you go to put on jeans, grab a pair of slacks or chinos instead.
Then make the rest of the outfit work with them.
5. Belts or suspenders — pick one.
Never both at the same time.
6. Shop with a friend.
Sales people are paid to sell you things whether they look good or not. Take a friend who’ll tell you to your face when your not going for the good look.
7. Always dress like you might decide to drop by a restaurant or nightclub with a dress code.
Because you might. And even if you don’t, you might as well look like a guy who’s got plans.
8. Expand your belt collection.
The easiest way is to own belts that can snap open for interchangeable buckles, and then to hit the internet looking for vintage buckles — that way you’re only buying two or three pieces of leather for dozens of looks.
9. Use patterns to flatter your body type.
Grab broad checks to add a little weight and breadth, or use light vertical stripes to add height and slim down your appearance.
10. Live it up a little.
Wear that Hawaiian shirt or those bright red pants once in a while. Nobody needs to be the textbook timeless gentlemen every day of his life.
11. Keep the top and bottom balanced.
If you’ve got a sleek, streamlined jacket and a simple shirt, don’t wear big, fuzzy pants with lots of texture. Similarly, don’t pair a cable-knit sweater with ultra-fine wool slacks. Stay consistent all the way up and down.
12. Wear seasonal colors.
Dark earth tones and shades in autumn, grays and blues in winter, colorful pastels in spring — you get the point.
13. Don’t believe in absolute rules.
White trousers after Labor Day. Plaids with stripes. You’re told not to do ’em, but there’s always a reason to break a rule once in a while. Don’t be afraid to. But remember that the “rules” are usually there for a reason, too, and use some common sense.
14. Overdress.
There’s nothing wrong with being the best-dressed guy in the room. Be aware of social norms — don’t wear a three-piece suit to serve meals at a soup kitchen or something — but in general, plan on looking nicer than other guys in your social group at any given gathering.
15. Laugh at trends.
They’re a way to separate style illiterates from their money. Keep your look timeless. Trends can be a fun inspiration if they appeal to your existing sense of style, but don’t pursue them just because they’re “in.”
16. Pamper your skin.
Get some good skin cream and use it. Find the product that solves your particular problems, whether that’s oily skin, dry skin, or something else entirely.
17. Facial hair needs to look deliberate.
You can have a full beard if you really want one, but shape the edges with a razor so that it doesn’t look like you’ve just let it grow. You want people to think you’re making a statement, not being lazy.
18. You want people to notice your face.
Wear clothes that guide the eye upward toward your chin and mouth. There’s a reason classic menswear tends to open upward (think about collared shirts and suit jackets).
19. There are worse fates in life than dressing like someone’s dad.
Or even someone’s grandfather. The generations before us knew a thing or two about looking sharp.
20. Never wear a bad fit!
Ever. If it isn’t a close, flattering fit with no pinching or sagging, don’t wear it. This is the ultimate rule for looking good. Seriously. If you’re going to take one thing away today, take this one. NEVER WEAR A BAD FIT.
21. Understand contrast.
It will help you get the right amount in your outfits.
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