Perhaps you’ve started a new job and want to ensure that you’ll look good in the office. Or maybe you haven’t bought new clothes since college and you feel like you’ve outgrown your outfits. Either way, it’s time to give your wardrobe an overhaul. By doing so, you’ll get clothing that will help you create a more professional and dignified style and ensure that you’ll look your best each day.
Not sure where to begin? Start by avoiding common styling mistakes that can negatively affect your overall look, such as the following:
Holding on to old, damaged clothing
Go through your closet and remove all items that have rips and tears as well as those that are stained, faded, and discoloured. Wearing these pieces isn’t advisable since they’ll make you appear unkempt—even if your hygiene is impeccable—and make it difficult for you to cultivate a professional and attractive look.
Wearing the wrong sizes
Aside from removing old and damaged clothing from your closet, you should also take away those that are too big and too small for you. Although they may technically be wearable, they’re still not a good choice since they can distort your body’s proportions and unintentionally put a spotlight on problem areas. Don’t worry since many ill-fitting pieces can be altered by an expert tailor, so you won’t have to throw them away and waste money. Through professional alterations, you’ll have stylish clothes that fit you like a glove and highlight your best features.
Not having the basics
Although men have different style preferences, it’s highly recommended to invest in basic pieces that can be worn almost anywhere and can be mixed and matched with various pieces. Black mens jeans, for example, are a staple that should be found in every man’s closet since they’re ideal for smart casual days at work as well as lunches and hangouts with friends. A sports jacket in a neutral colour is also a must-have since it can elevate any outfit and instantly make you look smart and stylish.
Choosing loud prints and colours
Generally, experts advise against wearing clothing that feature huge designer logos, funny slogans or graphics, and off-colour jokes as well as those that have loud and distracting colours. These clothes will make people pay attention to you for the wrong reasons and even elicit a few laughs and giggles (which is great if they’re what you’re aiming for but bad if they’re not). To create a classy look, stick to a neutral palette and limit yourself to one simple but attractive pattern (pinstripe, herringbone, houndstooth, etc,) per outfit.
Going overboard with accessories
Wearing too many and/or too gaudy accessories creates visual noise and makes your outfits look messy and unsightly. As a general rule, you’ll want to stick to two to three accessories per outfit to keep it subtle and sophisticated. Avoid jewellery that are too large or sparkly unless you’re going for a Mafia-inspired look.
Wearing the same shoes everywhere
Style experts agree that men should have at least five pairs of footwear: one pair of black dress shoes and another pair of brown dress shoes for formal outfits, plus one pair of boots, one pair of casual shoes, and one pair of athletic shoes. Of course, this is just the baseline, feel free to adjust this number based on your lifestyle. If your work requires you to wear suits often, for example, you’ll want to own more dress shoes. If you like to go running or spend time at the gym, invest in more athletic shoes so you can give each pair enough time to dry after wearing it.
Creating an attractive and professional look can seem daunting for men. But, by avoiding the mistakes listed above, you can properly curate your wardrobe and put together outfits that will make you look your best.