Style doesn’t necessarily come naturally; it’s learned. Here are some tips that can radically change your style.
You only have to flip through any women’s fashion magazine that might be lying around to see that lists seem to be the thing at the moment, so let’s take a moment to look at a list of the main tips that will help men to improve their style.
1 – Size matters!
If there is one thing that men should learn in order to be better dressed and to have more allure, it is to make sure that they wear clothes that are the right size. Most men, even in the most fashionable cities, seem to wear clothes two sizes too large. Choose clothes that suit you and also fit your shape. And if you can’t do it yourself, seek out a professional. It costs money but in the end it will cost less than looking badly dressed. Or just give me a call ;)
2 – Keep it simple
The best thing is to put together a wardrobe that makes you look your best but which avoids looking ‘over the top’. Don’t be one of those men who suddenly ‘discover fashion’ and go from the scruffy rag-bag stage straight to “I’m going to dress to impress and make sure it’s super-obvious”. For example: avoid the bling, the rings and the rock star belts (unless you’re a 20-year old and you play in a band). Start with a basic, elegant wardrobe and gradually add a few stylish touches. Never confuse the main look with the accessories.
3 – Re-think the meaning of ‘casual’
You can be elegant without being ‘dressed up’. Relaxed and casual doesn’t necessarily mean trainers and tee-shirt.
4 – Go for a defined look
If you’re wearing a rugby polo shirt, wear casual pants or jeans, not dress-trousers. The same thing applies if you are wearing a shirt; add designer jeans or wool trousers. It’s possible to combine different styles to create a contrast but it’s a tricky thing to achieve successfully. To start with, it’s better to stick with a defined, more unified look.
5 – Don’t go shopping on your own
Shop assistants will tell you anything as long as they sell you something. It’s easy to blow your budget and go away with something you will never wear. The best advice for the ‘relooking’ man is to take a friend with you and don’t listen to assistants. And it’s true for all types of outlets. Assistants in Dior will say that a jacket that’s clearly too small is ‘meant to be worn that way’.
6 – Take some risks
It’s probably better for a man to be slightly over-dressed than under; then you’ll be the one that people will notice. But don’t be better dressed than your host, your boss or the bridegroom … it’s a question of tact! The main thing is to find your own style – one that matches and expresses your personality.
7 – Don’t underestimate the importance of detail
The devil is in the detail! So pay particular attention to those little things that people will notice first. Things like: your belt, the knot in your tie, a badge, a scarf, and of course.. A Pochette!
8 – Buy a good pair of shoes
If there’s one thing that women and recruiters notice, it’s shoes. The proverb says that you can measure a man’s power by his shoes. So, instead of wearing rubbish on your feet, for goodness’ sake, invest in some decent shoes! Then keep them clean and well-polished. The man who takes pride in his attire has pride in himself.
9 – Avoid tee-shirts with obvious logos
You are not a walking sandwich board! Enough said.
10 – Don’t get too wrapped up in trends
Don’t buy a piece of clothing just because it’s the latest thing. Find your own style. Visualize ‘elegance’ and shop accordingly. Elegance is timeless. You can always add some trendy pieces to update and emphasize your individual look. This approach also saves you money in the long run.
11 – Don’t worship a particular brand
Don’t be like Patrick Bateman, the hero of American Psycho. Ask yourself this question: would I wear this if it carried another label? Even Dolce & Gabbana make fashion faux pas!
12 – Forget the Crocs!
Horror story! The person who managed to launch this trend must be a marketing genius.
13 – Underwear is still underwear
It’s not meant to be worn like a tee-shirt. And yes, that includes Marcel.
14 – Grow a beard
… if you can. You will thank me later.
15 – Experiment with new styles
Too many men are still afraid of expressing themselves through their style. Don’t be one of them. With the democratization of fashion, the man who still dresses all in black or who wears Jules will soon be in the (really obvious) minority. Don’t kid yourself. Even if it’s still acceptable that a man can be less well-dressed than a woman, you cannot get way with paying absolutely no attention to style.
Stylishly yours,
Kamal.