A simple guide to dressing better for young men
Four simple steps to help you dress better.
No one is ever too young to enjoy the charm of classic style.
Ever seen children dressing in little suits? They look like they are ready to rule the world.
Even as a young man, classic style can help you dress better without looking like a 50-year-old man in double-breasted suit. It is not about suits or vests. It’s about a way of being.
Here are 4 simples steps to help you start dressing better:
1. Fit
Wearing clothes that fit your body is the most important rule of men’s style. Nothing screams pretentious and uncaring more than wearing clothes that are too baggy or too tight.
The man in the above image is wearing a t-shirt that is too long for his upper body, which forms a clump around his waist, resulting in an unflattering look. This is made worse by the contrast created by his black pants, making the clump more visible.
To know what fits you, you should know your measurements. These include measurements of your:
Chest
Waist
Hips
Torso length
Legs
A basic measuring tape should do the trick.
Unless you’re hoping to send specific messages to others, stick with clothes that fit you.
2. Learn the basics
You don’t have to know the entirety of a men’s style rulebook or the history of fashion to be able to dress well. Knowing a few basic ideas is more than capable of helping you look better without much effort.
At its core, classic style is all about looking clean, smooth, and well put-together without being conspicuous. There are no comprehensive lists of rules, but here are a few you should know:
Develop a good posture. No matter how well-dressed you are, bad postures ruin your image. Smile. Sit up. Stand straight. Stroll with confidence.
Photo by Yogendra Singh on Unsplash Take care of your personal hygiene. Cut your hair. Trim your fingernails. Don’t let your nasal hair leak out. Wash and care for your skin.
Dress appropriately for the occasion. You should dress differently when you’re visiting your grandma versus going on a date.
Know which types of clothing go well together. A blazer doesn’t go with suit pants. A suit jacket shouldn’t be worn with jeans. Dress shoes with be worn with dress socks, otherwise you will end up like the man in the picture below, throwing away your elegance.
Know which material work best for which season. Linen should be your best friend in the summer instead of cotton. Cashmere is a reliable partner when it’s cold outside. You get the point.
3. Think systematically about your wardrobe
In the age of fast fashion and online shopping, it’s easier to get distracted by bright and shiny objects. Don’t just buy whatever you think you like online.
Start thinking about building a wardrobe that will give you long-term satisfaction. Here are a few tips:
Know your seasons. Buy just enough clothes made of appropriate materials for different seasons and no more than that.
Know which types of clothing look best on you. Do you look best with jeans or chinos? With shirts or sweaters? With oxfords or loafers? With or without scarf?
Know your lifestyle. What do you do on a regular basis? Going hiking? Hanging out with friends? Enjoying a cup of tea inside? Your clothes should reflect that.
Know your favorite looks. What was that look that you wore to your graduation party that made you feel good? Remember that fall outfit your favorite style influencer wore in his last video? You know what speaks to you.
4. Develop your signature style
A signature style is simply one or two exemplary outfits that represent your overall sense of style; and having one makes you stand out from the crowd like no others.
Tom Ford is always seen wearing a minimalist, streamlined, and carefully-tailored black suit on top of a simple white poplin shirt along with a pair of statement sunglasses.
That’s the image that he wants people to remember him by. And that’s how people remember him.
So feel free to experiment and find your signature look. Even if you decide in the end to not have any, it will still help you learn a lot about yourself.
Be honest, intentional, and elegant.
Stylishly yours,
Gent Z