Once you step out of the house, your style advertises much about you. Face, hair and clothing are all important and it is key to make a good first impression. Whether at work or out on the town a confident and capable appearance is necessary for the modern man. One would think this would be inherent knowledge but it is not common sense for the vast majority of men. Fashion faux pas plague our society and it can cost you job interviews, promotions, and dates. Following these simple 8 rules will help you avoid the most common mistakes and get you on track to being a stylish, confident individual.
1. Keep it simple
Your clothing should not be overly complicated; stick to a maximum of three difference colors (non-clashing.) Jewelry should be kept to a minimum; a good rule to follow is one ring per hand and one necklace.
2. Get Opinions from a trendy friend
Take a friend who has a similar style you are going for and have them go shopping with you. Their honest opinion and insight will give you ideas of what looks good from another’s viewpoint.
3. Shoes should be simple
Women will judge a man based on the shoes he is wearing. You should only wear athletic shoes if you actually engaging in an athletic activity. Low top canvas sneakers such as Converse Chuck Taylor All Star ($45) or Vans Authentic ($45) will look great with jeans and other casual outfits. Get them in optical white for Chucks and True White for Vans. Desert boots are also very simple and stylish, Clarks ($80) is a good brand. The beeswax color goes well with most outfits. Take care of your shoes and make sure they are clean before you go out. The canvas shoes can be washed easily in a dishwasher.
4. Don’t wear socks with sandals
Rainbows make excellent sandals that have a lifetime warranty. Never wear socks with sandals. Sandals should also not have any Velcro and should be as simple as possible.
5. Fit is more important than brand
A good fitting Target shirt will look better than a poorly fitting Diesel shirt. If you’re unsure about the fit ask a friend.
6. Don’t wear hats
The vast majority of men cannot pull off a hat so don’t bother. In the winter you can get away with a cap as long as it is simple and the color does not clash with your outfit. Try not to be too flashy.
7. Boxer briefs
Get some thin good fitting boxer briefs that don’t show through your pants/jeans. Calvin Klein makes an excellent trunk.
8. Dress for the occasion
You would never show up to an interview in only shorts and a T-shirt would you? Dress for the occasion, if you have a doubt call ahead and ask what you should wear. Many bars/clubs will have their dress codes online and will be happy to inform you what is best to wear. If you ever have a doubt it is better to be overdressed than underdressed.
