You’ve seen those guys – as soon as they walk into a room, everyone admires their great style. You might even want to become one of them. But what’s the secret?
Men’s fashion might seem to involve a lot of rules, and you may have more questions than answers. Should I wear a watch? Does my belt really have to match my shoes? Are hats in or out?
In this guide, we’ll break down some of the most basic men’s fashion rules, so you can express yourself in style. Keep reading to learn how to upgrade your wardrobe and your life!
1. Should I Wear a Watch?
Wearing a watch is a matter of personal preference. Sure, you can be stylish without one. But they can make a classy statement, and make it look like you have everything in your life together – even if you don’t feel that way.
You might wear a watch for practical reasons, sentimental reasons, or any reasons. You can wear it on any wrist – the old rule about wearing your watch on your non-dominant hand no longer apply.
However, you should be careful that the watch you wear matches the occasion at hand. Sport watches and dive watches won’t look right with a suit, and you shouldn’t wear your dress watch to the gym. Either reserve your watch for the appropriate occasions or buy a few different ones for different purposes. Visit this site to learn more about the different kinds of watches.
2. Should My Belt Match My Shoes?
The answer is always yes – if the colors in question are basics like black or brown. Wearing a black belt with brown shoes and vice versa just looks sloppy. However, there are many more men’s shoe colors to try, and we’d recommend trying some of them!
If you wear shoes in a shade like red, navy, or gray, you don’t need a belt to match. Just wear a neutral-colored belt that goes with the rest of your look. As a rule, you want your accessories to match as much as possible, but with some vibrant shoe colors, that’s just not realistic.
3. Should I Fasten Every Button?
When you wear a button-up shirt with a necktie, never button the second-from-the-top button. This gives a looser, more relaxed look. And you should only ever button the top or middle button of a suit coat or blazer, never all of them – and never just the bottom.
4. Should I Shine My Shoes?
If you’re wearing dress shoes, go ahead and give them a shine. This gives added polish to your look, and it also helps your shoes last longer.
5. Should I Buy a Fancy Belt?
When it comes to belts, the simpler the better (unless, perhaps, you’re a cowboy). Most of the time, you don’t want your belt to make a statement. Opt for simple, neutral leather belts with basic hardware. But it’s worth it to pay extra for a high-quality belt that will last.
6. Should I Wear a Tee Under My Dress Shirt?
The white tee under the dress shirt is an outdated holdover from the 1950s. It’s never necessary unless for some reason people can see through your shirt. There’s nothing wrong with going bare-chested under a dress shirt.
7. Should My Socks Match My Shoes?
You don’t want socks that clash wildly with your shoes. However, you also should avoid matching your socks with your shoes every time. Instead, it’s usually best to match your socks with a different element of your outfit, such as your tie, blazer, or shirt.
8. Should I Wear a Bold Tie?
When it comes to ties for all occasions, simpler is better. Don’t spring for bold colors and patterns. Instead, tie a toned-down tie with a trendy dimple for a classic look.
9. Is Color Professional?
Just because you have to dress up for your day job doesn’t mean you can’t still add a bit of color. For example, consider the timeless, classic pink oxford shirt – it’s flattering on almost anyone and suitable for many occasions.
10. Can I Wear a Hat?
Are hats cool or dorky? It really all depends on the quality – even more than the style.
Perennially nerdy hat styles, like bucket hats, can even be made cool if you buy a high-quality one and wear it with confidence (and in appropriate settings). A high-quality hat will last a long time, too, so it can look nice for years to come. Keep even your most casual baseball caps clean – a dirty, ragged hat doesn’t look good, even in casual settings.
11. Are Bow Ties Cool?
Bow ties can be a nice way to add style to your dressy look. However, never, ever wear a clip-on bow tie: people will be able to tell, and the tie will lose all its cool points.
12. Are Glasses in Style?
A nice pair of glasses that fits your face well will never go out of style. Opt for timeless tortoiseshell if you’re not sure what frames to get. Pick a neutral style that you can wear with anything – your glasses shouldn’t make a statement.
The same rules apply to sunglasses. Look for quality sunglasses in classic shapes like aviators. This isn’t an accessory that you want to be too bold or gaudy.
13. Are Sandals Ever Acceptable?
If you’re on the beach or at a backyard cookout, a good pair of sandals (think leather flip-flops) is fine. However, sandals aren’t appropriate for most other situations. Buy a nice casual shoe that covers the foot, like a loafer, instead.
Finding Your Own Style
A few rules always apply, but for the most part, the answers to questions like “Should I wear a watch?” are personal. We suggest knowing the rules of men’s fashion – but you also shouldn’t be afraid to break them and make your own statement from time to time.
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