A to Z of men’s style

Joseph Ryan, the director of Anthony Ryan's, which has launched a dedicated Grooms' Room in-store. It is designed to make wedding suit shopping effortless and enjoyable. Photo: Mike Shaughnessy

Joseph Ryan, the director of Anthony Ryan's, which has launched a dedicated Grooms' Room in-store. It is designed to make wedding suit shopping effortless and enjoyable. Photo: Mike Shaughnessy

Accessories. They are the key to style and can transform a basic minimalist outfit into a memorable one or elevate a daytime look into a nighttime winner. These essential details act as a powerful tool for self-expression, allowing you to introduce additional colours and trends into your day-to-day wardrobe. A wallet, watch, ring, belt, tie, bag (a weekend backpack, messenger, laptop, or gym one ) are all examples of accessories. A well-chosen tie, for example, can inject a pop of colour into a neutral suit or a slick leather messenger bag can make a style statement. Similarly, scarves and hats do not solely ward off winter chills, they add a layer of texture and a splash of colour to your outfit.

Blazers. Casual or classic, a blazer is one of the most versatile pieces in any man’s wardrobe. Perfect for occasions when you want to look smart without wearing a full suit, it can be easily dressed up or down to suit every occasion. A well-chosen classic blazer adds style and polish to your wardrobe. The two main styles are single and double-breasted. The single breasted blazer usually has one to three buttons (sometimes more ), is easy to style, and is ideal for work or social events. The double breasted blazer is typically more formal and is perfect for weddings, evening events, or special occasions.

Colour. Discovering the colours that suit you will improve your clothing choices. Flattering colours will make you look healthy, vibrant, and refreshed while the ‘wrong’ colours will leave you looking tired and drained. To find your best colours, identify if your skin’s undertone is cool, warm, or neutral. You can do this by checking the veins at the back of your wrist in natural light. If they appear blue or purple, you have cool undertones and will look great in brilliant white, royal blue, emerald green, ruby red, and icy pastels such as baby blue, blush pink, mint green, lavender, and peach. If you have warm undertones, your veins will appear green or olive. You should wear earthy tones like mustard, olive green, terracotta, deep orange, and cream. Avoid stark black or icy blues. If your veins are a mix of both, lucky you! You can wear almost anything, but you will look best balancing cool and warm shades such as slate grey or soft peach.

Denim. Straight leg jeans that hit or even end at the top of your shoe are in style this season, creating a balanced and classic look. Try a light or mid blue wash and wear with a crew neck jumper, T-shirt, and loafers for a polished vibe or a fleece or hoodie for weekend chic.

Embroidery. This men’s fashion trend may not be evident on Shop Street but has become a symbol of modern elegance for 2026. Featuring on bold designs or playful slogans on shirts, T-shirts, and jackets, and in subtle detailing for men who prefer understated style, it may be time to get out your needle and embrace elevated stitching.

Florals. They are not only a key summer style for menswear, they are also a popular ingredient in men’s scents this season – rose, iris, and jasmine appear frequently. Modern florals are not loud or beach-ready, they are more subtle, making them a versatile all-year round fashion staple. Look out for floral prints in bold colours on white backgrounds or in subtle patterns on polo shirts, tailored fit button-up shirts, and shorts.

Gilets. These sleeveless jackets are all-year round wardrobe staples, combining practicality with style and allowing you to stay warm without restricting your movement. Ideal for transitional weather or active lifestyles, gilets are key players when it comes to layering outfits for warmth and elegance.

Hats. The traditional beanie remains a must-have style for 2026 and is ideal for chilly days. Available in both snug and slouchy fits, it comes in bold colours and pairs effortlessly with parkas, scarves, and casual streetwear for everyday style. Flat caps are having a moment too, and appear in tweed or corduroy, adding a sophisticated flair to casual and dressy looks. Baseball hats never go out of fashion and this year designers reimagined this all-season classic in fabrics such as leather, plaid wool, and corduroy.

Investment pieces. These garments are high-quality, timeless and versatile classics that will retain their value and elevate any wardrobe. Key examples include tailored suits, leather shoes and jackets, trenchcoats, and cashmere jumpers. These premium pieces are worth the higher upfront cost because they will last.

Jumpers. Men’s jumpers are currently driven by smart-casual versatility. Key trends include half-zips, textured waffle or cable knits, and knitted polo shirts.

Knitwear. Fitted or oversized, knits are out in force this summer. Jumpers, polo shirts, and especially, cardigans, have become important fashion pieces. Trends focus on striking silhouettes, innovative textures, and versatile layering options, ensuring prime positions in summer wardrobes.

Layering. This is the perfect cover up and the key to dressing for between seasons. You can add or remove layers as necessary, enabling you to stay comfortable as temperatures change. Beware layering loose garments because an outfit can lose its shape. A slim T-shirt, a tailored jacket, or a fitted jumper will anchor a layered look and keep it flattering. Use a maximum of three colours when layering, otherwise an outfit can look overly busy.

Mismatched. This can be a fashion choice – a stylish, intentionally contrasted look – or a major fashion mistake. Avoid having the fashion police descend on your home by balancing colours, proportions, and fabrics.

New garments. These are necessary from time to time to replace end-of-life clothes and to update your wardrobe. Aim to buy core staples in neutral colours such as white, navy, black, grey, or beige. These are easy to mix and match and should form the backbone of your fashion collection.

Orange. A major menswear trend, orange is seen as the new black this year. Easily styled for casual wear, team it with black, white, grey, or navy for a balanced look. It combines well with dark or light-wash denim jeans or shorts, also. If you are reluctant to fully embrace orange but want to wear high-street fashion’s hottest colour, seek it out in a patterned shirt or shorts.

Pants. Relaxed comfort is to the forefront of men’s trouser styles this season. Key looks include tailored wide-leg trousers (the look has moved from overly baggy to a more sleek cut ) subtly flared bootcut jeans, and elevated sporty joggers.

Quality. Investing in high-quality menswear has numerous benefits, including superior cut, fit, and comfort. These premium luxury pieces will stand the test of time, help you create a put-together look, and make you feel confident.

Review your wardrobe. This is an important exercise because it will remind you of all the clothes you own, reacquaint you with long forgotten treasures, and focus your mind on what wise buys you need to upgrade and update your current collection.

Socks. The bold and brave tend to favour neon colours which add instant personality. The more fainthearted, budget-conscious, time-poor, and some would even say wise, gravitate towards timeless colours which are easy to team with different outfits.

Ties are back. 2026 is being hailed as the Year of the Tie. Every man should build his tie collection starting with timeless colours that can seamlessly transition from office to occasion wear. Navy ties, for example, are flattering, team well with almost any suit or shirt colour, and are ideal for professional occasions. Black and brown work well too in terms of versatility while stronger colours such as burgundy add a touch of warmth to your outfit.

Umbrella. A must in this country, even in summertime, an umbrella will not only keep you dry, it can also make a fashion statement. Choose from the one touch automatic open/close type, which is ideal for commuting, the easy folding variety, or the straight classic kind. Black, navy, or taupe are ideal colour choices which will elevate your style.

V-necks. They are back this season or maybe they just never went away. They offer numerous fashion benefits from framing your face to creating a slimming silhouette. However, if you plan to resurrect a decade old T-shirt or jumper in that style from the depths of your wardrobe, think again. They have been given a makeover and now feature shallower cuts, better fits, and smarter styling.

Wellingtons. These once humble farmwear staples have been given a fashion makeover in recent years. The reimagined welly is a practical choice for rainy days and exudes urban chic. Choose from knee high, ankle skimming, fleece lined, chunky soled, or ones with form-fitting interiors. Select a traditional colour such as black or khaki or make a statement wearing royal blue or white.

X- factor. Find your signature look or your unique style and you are on the way to possessing this hard-to-define quality that will make you stand out. It is all about developing a consistent recognisable style that reflects your personal identity.

Yellow. This is a popular menswear’s trend for 2026. Steer clear of traffic-stopping bright neon yellows of former years and instead embrace softer, muted tones. Butter yellow has been accorded king status this season emerging in all its creamy elegance. Canary yellow, mustard, and pale banana are used to make bold statements as well as acting as accent colours in knitwear and accessories.

Zzzz. Sleep is essential for our physical and mental health. If you want to look good, then you will need adequate shut-eye to recharge your batteries, boost your energy, reduce stress, and improve your mood.

 

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