Style is personal and above all, individual. Some men can pull things off and others can’t. Some men are innately more conservative than others. So far, so contractual rider. But this all acknowledged, there are still nevertheless well-tested guidelines which if respected, help ensure that any man is dressed as well as possible regardless of his own unique pizzazz in the wardrobe department.
All of these rules can be taken as just a foundation for all of you men to follow and then it is up to any individual to improve it or even to take it down a notch. These are 5 simple rules on how men can dress well.
1) Invest Wisely In A Watch
Aesthetic, functional, rugged sports models go with anything and can take the hard knocks of everyday wear. Yet, a watch still has to fit you. It should feel comfortable and be right in terms of size and depth relative to your wrist as well – 40mm is considered the ‘Goldilocks’ size. According to Don Cochrane who is managing director of British watch brand Vertex, “A watch is like a piece of art. Choose it because you love it, not because you think it might make money. Watches are personal, it marks your passage through time. But you also have to be practical”.
2) Don’t Shy Away From Color
A green suit, for example, can look particularly rakish while pinks, greens, mustard, and brighter shades of blue as especially versatile year-round shades that will lift your entire outfit. When it comes to color, less is still more. You just need a bit of it, in one garment. Whether it’s casualwear or formalwear, indulge in a bit of color. According to menswear designer Oliver Spencer, “Most men are unjustly scared of it. They’re intimidated by anything that isn’t navy or grey”.
3) Look After Your Appearance
Use wooden hangers for shirts and shoe trees for your best shoes, have your suit dry-cleaned and pressed, wash your clothes regularly, and, ideally, don’t tumble dry them as it can degrade the fabric and polish your shoes. Equally, it’s not just the skin of your leather jacket that you need to care for, the same goes for the one you wear every day. Establish a simple, but no less solid, grooming regime, brush your hair and cut your nails. After all, the devil resides in the details. If you’ve invested money and thought in your clothing, look after it.
4) Spend Money On Shoes
Quality shoes like the gold standard being re-soleable Goodyear welted examples are the kind of investment that should last 15 years or more. Option for classic styles such as brogues, loafers, or a plain, dark, five-eyelet Derby on a round-toe last. Little says, “It’s the shape of the toe that really counts and round never goes out of fashion. It’s pointy toes or square toes that look obviously impractical. Nobody has feet shaped like that”.
5) Dress For The Setting
Style is not merely about self-expression. It’s also about being dressed appropriately for your environment. Think of clothes as being codes as you need the right combination to work with the setting you’re in and that’s whether it’s a formal dinner or a lazy Sunday in the pub. The worst style is one that is out of place. This mark of respect for others. And about feeling comfortable in yourself. When in doubt, overdress.
Sources: Fashion Beans.