Some men are effortlessly stylish. Everything they wear, whether it is a sharp suit, relaxed jeans and T-shirt combination, or smart trousers, a polo shirt, and blazer, looks good on them.
Others simply lack the X Factor. They break the style commandments all the time, mostly without even knowing they are crossing that fine line. They opt for styles that do not suit them, embrace novelty looks, and mistakenly believe that cheap always means cheerful.
If this description seems too close for comfort and you are willing to put your hands up and admit you are a clothing catastrophe, then help is at hand! We have entered a new fashion season and this is the perfect time to makeover your image and showcase a fresh, contemporary style. About 55 per cent of first impressions are based on appearance so investing in how you look is well worth the effort.
While you cannot buy style, you can make smart fashion choices that will help you look stylish. The good thing is that you need not spend a fortune, all that is required is an ability to maximise your good points, a flair for mixing and matching which will extend your wardrobe, and a keen eye for bargain buys and accessories which will revitalise tired looks and add panache to seasonal staples.
There are a number of golden rules to dressing well. Here are some suggestions which may help you develop a trademark look and set up apart, for all the right reasons, in the style stakes:
1. Do a wardrobe audit before you consider buying anything new. Donate or sell anything that is not flattering or fit for its purpose, or does not co-ordinate with at least three other items in your wardrobe.
2. Keep abreast of changing trends. Be conscious of the difference between being a fashion victim and wearing clothes which are current. Styles change with each passing season and it is easy to remain up-to-date by combining classics with on-trend items. Use fashionable accessories to update your image or look for wise buys which will refresh your look. An accessory can tie an entire outfit together and is an easy, dip-your-toe-in-the-water way to experiment with new, bold styles.
3. Use check to create an illusion of extra weight if you would like to look less lean. Light vertical stripes will add height and slim down your appearance.
4. A good pair of jeans is an important item in every man's wardrobe. They are easy to dress up with a navy-blue jacket and shirt or dress down with a polo shirt, casual shoes, and a grey marl jumper. If you are a fan of distressed denim jeans, which work for all body shapes and for casual and dressy occasions, remember that this laid-back style looks best when it is part of a clean cut outfit. By all means, say yes to designer holes, fraying, and fading but do not overdo the theme. A crisp white T-shirt and bomber jacket is the perfect accompaniment.
5. Quality clothes are always a winner. Whether you are buying a shirt, jeans, shoes, or a jumper, you can choose between spending a little or a lot. While it may seem more practical and pocket-friendly to go the super-scrimper route, there is a risk that your bargain buy may not stay the course. Garments that cost more usually provide better value for money long-term. Calculating the cost per wear of an item will help you decide if it is a worthy investment. Divide the cost of the garment by the number of times you plan to wear it. Quality items usually wear well. Look out for these in neutral colours, such as white, black, grey, navy, and ivory because they are easy to mix and match and create a sophisticated look. Foundational pieces in this colour palette should be the backbone of your wardrobe.
6. Invest in classic clothing. By investing in classic pieces, men can create a stylish and timeless wardrobe. Muted colours and subtle styles never go out of fashion and complement most sizes and preferences. Find a fashion look you love and build on it.
7. Add a little colour. We tend to gravitate towards darker shades during winter. However, once the daffodils pop their heads above the soil and the weather gets warmer, people tend to opt for brighter colours in lightweight materials. You can have fun with accent colours, too. These supplementary colours typically contrast or complement the primary colours in your outfit. Accent colours create continuity, balance, and definition and complete a look.
A pop of colour is one of the simplest ways to enliven your outfit. A bright shirt combined with a muted outfit can add interest to your look. Ensure the colours you wear match your entire outfit. Brown and grey do little for each other but green and red will work well together. Light shades of core colours, for example, beige, grey, cream, and baby blue will ensure your wardrobe looks classy and versatile.
8. Try some confidence tricks. Wear outfits that make you feel confident. A pair of well fitting chinos will work for most occasions with a classic shirt.
9. Comfort matters. No matter how good you look, if your jacket is too tight or your shoes pinch, the discomfort will show on your face.
10. Less is more. This advice applies to everything from complete outfits to accessories. Too many accessories or an overly complicated outfit can be at best, distracting, and at worst, a disaster. Keep your outfit simple for maximum impact.
11. Wear clothes that fit properly. This is one of the most important keys to style. Clothes that are too big for you not only look sloppy, they make you look heavier and shorter than you are. Equally, garments that are too tight, draw attention to your appearance for all the wrong reasons.
12. Wear medium or high waisted trousers. These will make your legs appear longer. Avoid heavy shoes if you are short. They will bring the focus downward and make you appear smaller in stature.
13. Own at least one good suit. It is a practical and stylish addition to your wardrobe. Suits tend to make men look taller, their shoulders wider, and their waists narrower. Suits convey a sense of authority and professionalism in the workplace, and socially, can set the wearer apart in terms of sartorial elegance.
14. Dress for the occasion. This will not only be viewed as being respectful to your hosts or the event organisers, it will also be good for your confidence. If in doubt, err on the side of being overdressed.
15. Think ahead. There may be rain on the wind, as Walter Macken wrote, but summer is not far away. This seasonal shift requires a wardrobe re-think. Put away your warm winter woollies and make room for lighter, brighter styles. Short-sleeve polo shirts bridge the gap between semi-formal and casual. The collar keeps this comfortable knit feeling more formal than a T-shirt. Light coloured pants look great, especially in warmer weather. Lightweight layers are an ideal way of adding warmth and variety to your outfits and work particularly well as we transition from one season to another (sometimes in one day! ). Shoes are a subtle way to take an outfit from formal to casual or vice versa. Loafers are a must for summer business casual.
16. Brown shoes are a summer staple. Unlike their more serious, black counterparts, brown footwear offers versatility. While black shoes tend to look best with grey or black clothes, brown shoes are the right option for most occasions. They are a popular choice for casual outfits such as a sports jacket (this is perfect for when you want to look stylish ), a knitted jumper, jeans or chinos. When choosing footwear, opt for styles with a classic rounded, or moderately pointed toe. These look good with everything and have lasting appeal.
17. Embrace your inner edginess. The next time you are heading to the dressing room in your favourite shop, be imaginative and venture outside your comfort zone. Rather than immediately rushing to your usual styles, stop and look at something a little different, an item that is bolder and more unconventional than your normal choices. It could be a tie in a stronger colour than you typically wear or a shirt with rich detail that at first glance, would seem out of place in your wardrobe. Try it on and be prepared to take a risk in the interest of individuality. You may be pleasantly surprised at the result.
18. Learn to love linen. It is an ideal summer fabric. It is lightweight yet strong and durable. Linen is also a good fabric for older men because it exudes a casual, ageless vibe. Its only downside is that it is a rigid material and creases easily unlike softer fabrics which spring back into shape. Linen trousers tend to be a no-no unless you plan to remain standing while wearing them. A linen jacket is less problematic but can easily look as if you have slept in it. Stay standing or opt for a linen mix if you want to wear this material well this season.
19. Look and learn. If you are a fashion novice, look to others for style inspiration. You will find it on the high street, online, on television, in shop windows, and magazines. See how people put looks together and how unlikely combinations work.
20. Have fun. Clothes allow us to make a personal statement, to let our personalities shine through. Have fun with fashion, experiment with different styles, colours, patterns, and accessories to create a unique, signature look.
