Fashion is for everyone, and it’s time we take a moment to discuss men’s style! Chances are that the concepts of fashion and style bring images of women’s clothing to mind. Having personal style is not gender-specific, and everyone should benefit! It’s a medium for self-expression, a confidence builder, a tool for creating your personal and professional image. It would be a shame not to take advantage of these perks.

Men’s fashion typically evolves at a slower rate than women’s fashion. It’s not as flooded by of-the-moment trends or pressure to “keep up.” Therefore, there is a common misconception that men opt-out of fashion, or that getting dressed merely involves putting on a shirt and pants that don’t clash. There is so much more to it than that! Don’t shut the door to finding your personal style.

If you have never stopped to consider your personal tastes in clothing, this task can seem daunting. How do you find your ‘look’? Fortunately, we’ve helped numerous men and women to develop their style. We would love to help you, too. Reach out to us to chat about what your style goals are, and we’ll help you get there.

Why Fashion for Men is Important

Not convinced that fashion is a worthwhile investment? Let’s talk about why we think men’s style is worth the time and money.

For better or for worse, appearance carries a great deal of meaning in our society. The way you’re put together – hairstyle, hygiene, and style of dress – is often the first thing people see when meeting you. Your style is crucial to first impressions. Depending on what it communicates, it can even determine the opportunities you’re offered socially and professionally. Make sure your image on digital platforms reflects well upon you, too!

Perhaps this all sounds shallow. Understood another way, appearance is a handy shortcut to gather information about a person: Would they make a good candidate for a job? Would they be a good romantic match? Examining the way someone expresses themselves is an efficient way to get to know them. An interviewer may see that you’re meticulously dressed and gather that you are detail-oriented in the workplace. Fashion is an amazing tool to communicate who you are without saying a word. 

Though style can be used to guide people’s perceptions of you, your appearance should ultimately still be for you. This is incredibly important! Developing your sense of style can help you feel more in tune with yourself, serve as a creative outlet, or simply bring you joy. Make sure it’s true to who you are. Wearing clothing that you feel great in provides a huge confidence boost. Why not start each day on a positive note? Increased confidence can make a world of difference in all aspects of your life.

The Importance of Tailoring

A crucial component of men’s style is having clothes that fit correctly. Even the finest clothes won’t look good if they don’t lay well on the body. There are several things to pay attention to for a good fit. This primarily concerns structured items like suits and dress shirts.

Outerwear

First up is blazers and suit jackets. Pay attention to where the shoulder seams lie. A poor fit is indicated by a shoulder seam that extends past your shoulder (too big) or a seam that’s creeping toward your neck (too small). Be sure that when the jacket is closed, the fabric around the abdomen doesn’t hang loosely, pull, or wrinkle. Also, check that the collar lays flat against your shirt collar.

Shirting

For button-down shirts, you want your shoulder seams to align with your shoulders as previously described. Next, check the sleeve length. They should end at your wrists without extra length causing the sleeves to bunch. The ends of the shirt sleeves should be visible with your blazer or suit jacket on.

Dress Pants

For proper length, there should be a subtle break where the pant hits the top of the shoe. The correct length is key to avoiding a sloppy, disheveled look. The waist and hips shouldn’t have any pulling, wrinkling, or sagging. Your selected leg style will impact the fit through the legs (e.g., slim, slim straight, straight), so nailing this fit is a little more nuanced. As a rule, ensure that they are comfortable and look proportionate in volume to the rest of your look.

That’s a lot of measurements to get right! Often, it’s hard to find items that tick all these boxes straight off the rack. Find a tailor you trust for letting out a pants hem or making other alterations to your suits. Looking for something perfectly customized to you? There are also options for made to measure suiting. This will ensure the best fit possible. Remember, good tailoring is the difference between looking sloppy and suave.

Key Pieces

We have discussed the importance of men’s style and well-fitting clothes, so now let’s delve into what types of garments are needed to achieve your style goals. In general, look for versatile pieces you’ll wear time and time again.

Jeans

A key piece to any modern wardrobe is a great-fitting pair of dark wash jeans. The great thing about denim is that it can be effortlessly dressed up or down, especially if it’s a clean dark wash. Jeans are perfect for weekend wear, running errands, travel, and even date night. For those with a business casual dress code at work, you can get away with wearing them to the office, too. Look for pair that fits you well in a modern cut with a little bit of stretch for comfort.

Shirts

What you pair your jeans with will determine just how casual they look. Make sure you have at least a t-shirt and a casual button-down to choose from. Every man should also have a tailored button-up shirt in his wardrobe for dressier occasions. This will be worn for years to come, so ensure it fits well! Stick to classic colors like neutrals and blues to ensure maximum versatility and longevity.

Jackets and Suiting

A sport coat or blazer is the next essential to add to your shopping list. Look for textured weaves to give it a more casual spin. Pair with jeans or other separates. Another must-have piece is a sleek suit in a dark hue. As discussed above, this should fit you flawlessly! You’ll wear this for all kinds of special events over the years, so it’s best to choose one that is timeless.

Shoes

While you probably already have a leather dress shoe in your wardrobe, you may not have options for more casual wear. A sneaker is essential. This is not the same as an athletic shoe! Often, this will be a sleek leather style. Your sneakers can be effortlessly paired with jeans, chinos, and even some trousers for a fashion-forward look.

Wrap Up

Use this guide as a starting point as you venture into men’s style, but feel free to explore what works best for you and your lifestyle. Eager to get started on your fashion evolution? Shopping is next! Check out our personal shopping services.

We’ll select pieces for you that make sense for your needs, fill the gaps in your wardrobe and have the best cuts and silhouettes for you. To make things as easy as possible, we also offer virtual services so you can upgrade your look from the comfort of your couch. There’s no reason to put it off anymore!