Impression’s matter, whether it’s your first one or the everyday image you convey to your friends, loved ones, and coworkers. As much as we’d like to say that looks don’t matter, how you dress and care for your personal image speaks volumes.
For better or for worse, we are judged by our appearance. But what if you make that image work for you? You don’t have to pretend to something you are not in order to embrace men’s style.
The trick is to find the classiest version of yourself. In today’s fashion, there are options available for every taste and lifestyle, from the meticulously metro to the most low maintenance of fellows.
Why Your Wardrobe Matters
Looking good pays: literally. A market study conducted by Daniel Hamermesh of Yale University reported that people who are considered attractive will make an average of $230,000 more in their lifetime than the Average Joe.
Beyond that, looking unprofessional or unkempt can prevent you from earning a coveted promotion or getting the date you were itching to score. As much as we preach about beauty being more than skin deep, the truth is that your clothes and the way you carry yourself make a statement to those who see you.
It isn’t a shallow intention, but rather instinct. The reflexive part of our brain is designed to quickly determine whether someone or something is benign or threatening causes us to make quick decisions about others based on a glance.
In ancient times, it was a fight or flight instinct that helped preserve mankind by identifying danger. Today, it causes us to make judgments about others as to whether they are “threatening” or “harmless” to our social status, job, or attractiveness to others.
This unconscious bias impacts our lives every day, yet we can influence it simply by making a conscious impression through our wardrobe and a healthy dose of confidence.
But what if you aren’t innately stylish? Not all of us are born with an eye or interest in fashion. How can an everyday guy go from a bland pair of jeans and a wrinkled button up shirt to something worthy of a corporate office or clothing store advertisement?
It isn’t as hard as you think… Find out how to transform your style in a way that turns heads using our step-by-step guide below!
Embracing Men’s Style: How to Dress to Impress
Pull out your shopping list and get ready to turn your wardrobe upside down. We’re about to teach you how to embrace a style with the same level of class you would find in brands like Stropdassen or Burberry. By the time we’re done, you’ll be turning heads–in a good way!
Step One: Buy Quality Brand Clothing
The phrase “quality over quantity” is significant when it comes to choosing your new wardrobe. Instead of filling your closet with a dozen cheap t-shirts and button-ups, take the time to shop for 3 or 4 quality outfits that you can mix and match.
Shop brands recognizable for their quality. Not only will they speak volumes, but they will last longer when cared for properly. Successful people dress for the job they want, not the job they have.
Your wardrobe should cover a range of outfits including suits and business casual clothes to everyday clothes. However, all of them should flatter your form.
This point leads us to step two…
Step Two: Nail the Tailored Look
While the items on the store rack may come in various sizes, it’s important to go the extra mile by tailoring fine clothing to your personal form. This includes business suits, dress shirts, blazers, and coats.
How a Dress Shirt Should Fit
Dress shirts can work with suits and in business-casual settings, but you want to make sure they fit you properly. Otherwise, your attempt to “dress up” may look more like a college freshman just learning the ropes of the working world.
Here are some pointers as you try on and tailor your dress shirt:
- Keep your collar fitted but not too constrictive. It should comfortably around your neck without shifting if you turn your head
- Shoulder seams should meet the tip of your shoulder bone
- Your sleeves shouldn’t be puffy. Aim for a non-constrictive fit that doesn’t flaunt every detail of your arm, but doesn’t make it disappear either.
- When you bend your arm, your cuff should move no more than an inch up your arm and fit slightly looser than a watch
- Your cuffs should end at the end of your wrist where it meets your palm and never rise above where your watch sits
- Dress shirts should be worn tucked in and be long enough not to come undone as you move
Don’t buy so small that the buttons bulge when you put the shirt on. If your dress shirt follows the lines of your body without hugging it and allows for comfortable movement, then you are on the right track.
The Proper Fit for Suit Jackets and Blazers
Blazer and suit jackets play by the same rules. Your collar should allow for the shirt collar underneath to show while your shoulder seams should fall to the edge of each shoulder.
Allow the sleeves to just slightly cover your wrists and make sure that the arms aren’t so tight as to constrict your movement. The length should fall so that your second button on the jacket rests above your belly button.
Your buttons should never pull, either. If this happens, it’s too tight.
How a Coat Should Look
The thing about coat tailoring and fit is that much of how it falls on the body depends on what clothing you’re wearing underneath. You’ll want to take this into consideration before you buy so you can purchase a size that is roomy enough to leave space for you ensemble underneath without being baggy.
Make sure the shoulders are broad enough so that the seam where the sleeve meets the body is over the edge of your shoulder. The bottom should fall straight. If it flares out to the sides then your fit is off.
Your sleeves should slide just past your wrists so that it covers the outfit beneath it. Also, you should be able to move comfortably without feeling like your jacket pulls or restrains you.
Tailoring Chinos, Jeans, and Dress Pants
Your pants have their own tailoring standards depending on the fabric and style. For example, chinos should avoid pleats and follow the general shape of your legs without hugging them.
Dress trousers are similar to chinos, except the legs drape a little farther to brush the top of your shoes. You’ll also have a small break in the pant legs. Still, you want to avoid pleats.
Finally, you have jeans which carry a lot more liberty to their fit and shape depending upon the style you choose. Always aim for a slim fit in the thigh area even if the fabric below the knee tapers.
The key to jeans is to buy based on your waist size. You can always tailor the length of the legs if needed.
Step Three: Find Simplicity in Accessories
When it comes to accessories like jewelry and watches, always embrace the minimalist approach. Too much “bling” will look tacky or gaudy while giving off the impression that you have something to prove.
A quality watch and a single ring will say more than layered gold chain necklaces and bracelets ever will. Also, keep in mind that you want to keep your accessories balanced.
If you’re wearing a watch and a stylish ring, don’t pair them on the same side. Instead, balance your look by placing the ring on one hand and the watch on the wrist of the other one.
Step Four: Put Thought into Your Shoes
A stunning outfit can quickly lose its appeal if paired with a worn or tacky pair of shoes. Make sure you accent your suits with a pair of well-shined shoes that complement your color scheme.
Avoid donning shoes with worn colors or fabric and buff out scuff marks before stepping outside.
Step Five: Avoid Wrinkles
When you buy and wear nice clothing, you are making a statement that you care about how you present yourself. Yet this statement is negated if you walk out the door with a wrinkled dress shirt or pants.
Pet hair and lint can also dampen your style. Make sure you keep a lint roller on hand as you’re getting dressed. An extra glance in the mirror to catch those little details will keep others from getting distracted by imperfections in your look.
Look the Part from Head to Toe
Embracing men’s style doesn’t stop at your wardrobe. The clothes have to match the gentleman, which includes proper grooming habits. After all, having a stylish ensemble won’t matter if your hair is disheveled and your beard is unkempt.
Further your look by stocking up on the best tips to proper grooming. It’s the perfect way to top off your new look and keep it fresh every day of the week. We cover the topics you want to know about, from beard grooming to key habits that will help you look more attractive.
Whether you’re looking to score a date or your next promotion, your new style is bound to garner more attention, so get out there and flaunt it!
