Consider how you’d like others to think of you, or your style. Is it classic? Do you aim to be an iconoclast? Style isn’t dressing “well,” or “fashionably,” it’s dressing for your character. There are no style “don’ts” and only really one style “do:” wear what you want, and own it.
If your school or work maintain a strict dress code, push it to its limits (accepting the risk, of course). In these situations, don’t underestimate the power of style-through-detail: make unique choices wherever possible.
Let your clothes inspire confidence. Do your best to transfer how you feel strutting in the mirror in the morning to how you feel going about your day, realizing that nothing’s changed from being in front of that mirror to being at work, or school. [2] X Research source
Know the color wheel. A quick Google search for matching colors and patterns will reveal all sorts of informative sources regarding how to match. Even if you’re looking to dress against convention, it always helps to know what goes with what.
Be sure it fits. Most clothing stores (note: not stores that also sell clothes) will have staff trained to measure your size and help you pick out items to match. You could buy the most expensive clothing and it would still look awful if none of it fit. Don’t skimp on underwear. It may be tempting to save money on the piece of clothing least seen, but good fitting, high quality underwear lasts long and contributes to well-fitting pants. If you can afford it, try and build a relationship with a reliable alterations tailor as well as dry cleaner. Having one or both goes a long way towards making quality clothing last as long as it can. Browse regularly, buy rarely. Always know what’s available, whether in stores or in shops online. It helps to know all of your options before making a choice.
Own a pair of shoes for every occasion. This will probably mean at least three: one casual (not running shoes), one semi-formal, and one formal. For the latter two, try to have one brown pair and one black, this covers essentially 99% of possible outfits. Dark wash jeans are almost a must-have, as they go with a variety of outfits and occasions. Even for the semi-formal events, dark wash jeans can be paired with an image-less t-shirt and well-fitted suit jacket if you’re looking for something simple, but tasteful. Have one white and one blue button-down shirt. Like the dark wash jeans, quality button-downs are a tremendously versatile item. While the obvious pairing is formal, with a suit jacket or sports coat, you could roll up the sleeves and wear them un-tucked with jeans or slacks.
Keep a signature cologne. While it might be tempting to keep a menagerie of fine cologne, you only really need one. That way, others will grow to associate a particular scent–your scent–with your style, deepening your point of view. Have a devoted barber, and see them every 4-6 weeks. Avoid letting your hair grow out of its hair-do. While this might be considered stylishly unkempt, its usually just a sign you’ve gone too long without a trim. Be open with your barber about what you’re trying to achieve with your cut–having one which matches your style really tends to bring an outfit together. Don’t over-condition your hair. Unless you have very thick hair, you usually won’t need to condition more than every other day. For those with thin hair, you might consider experimenting with losing the conditioner altogether. Maintain your facial hair. Whether you keep clean-shaven or wear a full beard, be sure to keep it in check. Avoid letting your mustache move past your lip line. Own a brush or comb to tame your beard every morning. If you just keep some light stubble, have an electric razor and try to never go 4-5 days without a trim. [3] X Research source
There’s a lot of options for watches. You could reach for the most expensive watches to go with your most formal outfits, but could also keep a variety of lower-cost watches on hand. Hats also afford for a lot of creativity. You can top a plain outfit with a bright baseball cap for some added flair. Fit is key here as well; nothing looks sillier than an over-sized hat. If you wear glasses, be sure to match them to the size of your face and features. Large frames for large faces; the bug-eyed glasses trend is a distinctly feminine one, so mismatched glasses usually has the effect of looking cartoonish. When it comes to jewelry, tread lightly. Conventional wisdom usually suggests that men abstain from wearing necklaces, and that if wearing a ring (it should really only be one) it ought to have a thick band and worn on the right ring finger. If the ring has a gem, it should be low and wide.
Similarly, avoid grooming to excess. For better or worse, men are usually associated with a least a hint of “rugged-ness,” which is ruined by excessive grooming. Common mistakes include moisturizing too much (you shouldn’t feel oily) and dousing yourself in too much cologne. [4] X Research source
