Fashion’s Lifestyle Blog

For too many men, following fashion is a confusing, irreconcilable endeavour, much like trying to follow the instructions of a Swedish flat-pack wardrobe that’s already on fire. If you’re reading this, perhaps you’re just aiming not to look completely clueless for an upcoming date or night out – yes, the shirt and jeans will technically do the job, but everyone will think you’re boring.

But trends don’t help matters. One minute, you’re being told that slim-fit trousers are the way to go, the next, everyone’s wearing jeans wide enough to smuggle livestock in. Last year, you could’ve filled your wardrobe with one brand’s entire catalogue, but now they’re out, and everyone else is buying from smaller, more independent brands.

Most of us don’t have the interest or the time to care about such important, trivial matters, so here are a few hopefully helpful pieces of select wisdom I’ve amassed during my various trips around the sun, which cannot and will not be impacted by short-lived trends.

Accessories

It’s good to look at accessories as the finishing touches that complete a look. Smaller details that, when stacked together, quietly reveal a man who knows what he’s doing. If your wardrobe is sorely lacking in this department, I’d recommend starting with a versatile silver-buckled reversible belt. Aspire to amass an arsenal of belts, necklaces or chains, bracelets, rings, and at least one well-made watch that will elevate any outfit.

Own More Shoes

I’ve never seen this discussed anywhere, but I can stay silent no longer. Guys, please… Buy more shoes. First of all, that one pair of Air Force 1s will disintegrate after 6 months because they’re the only pair you actually wear. If you spread your wear and tear across six pairs, all six will last much longer.

Secondly, you will unlock more doors for yourself if you have different shoes to build on. I’d recommend a couple of pairs of casual trainers, a pair of smart trainers, a good pair of sturdy boots for Autumn and Winter, and a couple of pairs of formal shoes – preferably leather – in tan and black. Each pair of shoes will unlock a dozen or so outfits for you, so give yourself the luxury of having options.

Unify Your Style

Now to the nitty-gritty. Warning: this is going to get abstract, but bear with me. For each outfit you have, make sure that you can unify the style behind a general theme. This theme can be anything, like ‘gym’, for instance. But to play it somewhat safe, keep it simple. Below, I’ve listed some themes and their corresponding garments.

Young Professional:

• A quarter zip sweater
• White collared shirt
• Grey chinos
• Smart white trainers (leather)
• Watch

Athleisure:

• Oversized tee
• Running shorts
• Skate trainers
• White socks
• Baseball cap
• Necklace or chain

Date Night:

• Jacket or overshirt
• Slim fit tee
• Black jeans
• Boots or brogues (depending on the venue)
• Watch
• Necklace or chain

It may seem strange to think of clothes in this way, but once you can organise your clothes and outfits around these simple ideas, you can get more and more specific.

Know Your Size (Properly)

Not all sizes are created equal. There is no global clothing regulator which decides what is ‘large’ and what isn’t. One shop’s ‘large’ might be another’s medium. So try on your clothes in the store before you buy them to truly know your size, because you can never be too sure.

On top of that, know your body’s idiosyncrasies. For instance, I’m taller than average and have quite a long torso, so all too often, clothes fit my chest and arms perfectly but stop a little too short of my waist.

Grooming is Always Part of the Look

Fashion isn’t just about the clothes we wear; it encompasses every tiny detail that makes up how we choose to look before we face the day in the morning. So yes – that involves your hair and/or facial hair. We all have entirely different situations going on in these departments, so all I’ll say is this: keep on top of things. Good hygiene, regular trimming or shaving, and a haircut five or six times a year should keep you on the straight and narrow.

Aside from that, if you always get the same haircut, don’t be so closed off and stuck in your ways. Next time you’re sitting on the barber’s throne, take a look around at what other customers are getting done – it could inspire you to change things up.

Closing Thoughts

With these simple (hopefully) trend-proof styling tips, I hope you can breathe new life into your wardrobe and make some positive changes that help you feel not just better, but more like yourself in your clothes.