A stylish man does not necessarily have all his jackets and blazers tailored. He does not have to wash all his whites separately or press his underwear. He may employ the service of a stylist, but that does not mean he can’t slay on the red carpet without them. His lifestyle and habits make him who he is.
It is easy to drop the haggard man tag and adopt the debonair look, all you need is to take note of the following:
1. Know the basics and stick to them
It is worth investing in quality staples that will still look good after many wears and work with a lot of things in your wardrobe. Cover your bases with a few well-fitting white T-shirts, a sky blue Oxford shirt, grey sweatshirt, denim jacket, and some light coloured chinos in a slim or straight fit.
2. It is okay to shop online
With thousands of brands at your fingertips, no queuing, and the ability to buy pants without wearing any, shopping online has revolutionised the way we stock our wardrobes.
3. Take care of your underwear
Even if you’re the only one who sees them, your underwear should still be treated with the same respect as the rest of your wardrobe. Press your boxers – just like your shirts – with a hot iron and lots of steam. You’ll be amazed at how good they feel to put on in the morning.
4. Don’t plan obsessively
One of the most commonly pedalled pieces of advice when it comes to getting dressed is to select an outfit for the following day the night before. But this is not the way all stylish guys go about it. Sometimes dressing with spontaneity is most likely to result in outfits that you feel comfortable in and that will suit your mood. Ensure you run through what your day looks like while you’re picking something out so you choose something that’s flexible enough for meetings or an after-work event.
5. Don’t ignore clothes labels
There are few things in life more irritating than discovering that the new season sweatshirt you just bought is dry-cleaning only. Or having to devote precious weekend minutes to hand-washing delicates. But caring for your clothing could be the difference between subpar and outstanding style. If you’re only just getting to grips with separating light and dark colours, invest in pieces that are built to last with minimal fuss.
6. They settle for the best trouser break
Aside from allowing your footwear to be on full display, nailing the trouser break is something that separates the men from the boys, and can also elongate your frame to make you appear taller and slimmer. If your trousers aren’t turned up or hemmed to the correct length, any shoes you wear are wasted.
7. Don’t wash your jeans
Believe it or not, in some cases it’s possible to look better by doing less. This is particularly true of jeans, which you should skip washing in favour of a swift half down the pub for at least the first six months of wear. By holding off from washing your jeans for as long as possible, you can create a beautiful pair of your own without buying the wash ready-made.
8. Stay stocked
Buying basics may not be the most exhilarating way to empty your wallet, but it is essential to dress well and look good in all situations. Basics are the bedrock of any wardrobe. Once you have these sorted, all other pieces will fall into place, and you can add more trend-led pieces into the mix.
9. Take it up with your tailor
Every well-dressed adult knows that the key to looking good is fit. From your basics to your best two-piece, there is nothing that can’t be improved with a nip and a tuck. So whether you have just blown your month’s wage or picked up a bargain on this winter’s overcoat, make sure you get it tailored.
10. Practise rotation
Building a capsule wardrobe that has you covered for every occasion can be extremely rewarding. But it also comes with the risk of quickly wearing key pieces out. Try to think of yourself as something of a team coach when it comes to your wardrobe. Rotating your clothing and shoes – like a manager does his squad – is key, especially if you have to wear a suit every day for work. Not only does this keep your look fresh, but reducing the strain on individual pieces by allowing time between each wear also increases their lifespan.