There is a myth, propagated mostly by certain men’s magazines, that being a stylish man requires tremendous effort. We must keep an eye to the fashion runways in Italy, to the ready-to-wear shows, to Fashion Week in New York in order to appear as if we care what we look like. Hogwash. The truth is there are dozens of quicker and easier ways to look better, more with it, more stylish – all with a minimum of effort.
Here are some simple ways to update your style!
Purge your closet
My first style tip for men is the simplest: declutter your closet and throw out or give away all the clothes that no longer fit. Here are a few guidelines to help you:
• Clothes that are overstretched or worn out
• Items that have holes or tears all over
• Shirts and sweaters that have lost their original color
• Top or bottoms that have unwashable stains
This helps you identify the good stuff in your closet to work with. And what types of clothing you might lack. As for the decent-looking clothes you hardly use – put them in a box and write the current date on it.
Get your clothes tailored
There’s one kind of clothes that’s still worth salvaging – your oversized ones. Especially casual shirts, jackets or jeans that still look pretty good. You’re not just putting in money for their service – you’re also putting on the line all that good money you spent on the clothing itself! So do take the whole thing seriously.
Buy core wardrobe pieces
When you’ve got a post-purge closet – check if you’re lacking certain “core” items of clothing. It might be a pair of dark-colored jeans or casual chinos. Those are examples of ESSENTIAL items you’re going to need at some point in any given week.
It’s important that you know which pieces make up your “core” wardrobe. They are the building blocks of your personal style. They have to be pretty dependable with great QUALITY. So finding the right brand of basic clothes also matters because your image will be influenced by it.
But how do you choose the BEST “core” clothing? A good strategy here is to build an interchangeable wardrobe. It’s the kind of wardrobe where you can mix and match almost anything in terms of color, pattern or texture. If it’s successfully built – you’ll end up buying much less clothing for years to come.
Invest in a good sports jacket
Sports jackets are a fantastic way of upgrading your style. Simply putting a sports jacket on upgrades your style by 10. It’s one of the easiest style tips for men.
Start by just wearing the jacket at home. Soon you’ll gain much more confidence in it. You’ll enjoy how it trims you up, makes you look taller and manlier.
You can also try pairing up your sports jacket with jeans for future events. That combination does wonders for stylish gentlemen! Remember – fit is king. You must make sure your sport jacket fits on the shoulders. Ideally you want it to taper slightly at the sides to create a flattering look. If it’s slightly too loose here, your tailor can take care of this.
Bonus tip: Go a bit further and invest in a leather jacket which you can wear to maximise your style!
Find your signature piece
One extra detail can transform your style. So take advantage of that. For example, wear an accessory to add a dose of “uniqueness” to your outfit.
There are lots of accessories that can function as your signature piece. The trick is to find something that (1) you love wearing and (2) provides a nice contrast with the stuff you normally wear like your usual dress shirt or casual shirt.
Vests are a perfect example. If you’ve got the time – you may discover a good vest from the thrift store in your area. Or even a classic hat or a good pair of boots for the colder months. You may also consider one or two “accent” pieces (besides a watch) in menswear stores such as:
- Knit ties
- Solid color or polka-dot bow ties
- Tie accessories (pins, clips, etc.)
- Decorative folds (flowers, multiple peaks, etc.)
- Jewelry (cufflinks, necklaces, rings, etc.)
- Colored pocket squares
Embrace the monochrome
One thing most men underestimate is just how important color and contrast are. So certain monochromatic looks are kickass options.
Monochrome means one predominant color for both the top and bottom layers. Your best bet is to have 2-3 monochromatic outfits in any of these colors:
- Dark blues – To give off a youthful vibe
- Darker grays or black – For professional settings
Take care of your clothes
Knowledge is power. And you’ll gain a lot of power in terms of freedom – to buy more quality clothing – by learning how to:
- Polish your shoes on a regular basis
- Treat any clothing stains immediately
- Wash expensive clothes properly and know when your suit needs dry cleaning
When you can handle those procedures, you’ll be far more comfortable spending on high-end items. Because you’ll make sure they last a long time without getting ruined.
Wear leather shoes instead of sneakers
As far as style tips for men go, this one is easy and very effective. Simply make this a rule of thumb:
• Running shoes/sneakers – use only for running or sporting activity
• Leather Shoes- for date night or any other social or professional activity
So when you’re not jogging or playing tennis, that’s the time to bring in some nice casual leather shoes – like the double monk strap. Let them be your go-to shoes for strolling around the city or meeting up with friends for dinner.
Casual leather shoes or boots can really level-up your casual style on weekends – and people will notice that quickly.
Save to buy new items
This one is all about discipline in the bank.
Who knows? Maybe in a year, you’ll save enough to get that amazing designer leather jacket which you randomly saw not too long ago. Why not reward yourself?
Make style your mission
Improving yourself inside and out is important. Find reasons to look your best every day.
Bonus tip: Invest in a quality watch
What’s the advantage of a watch? Don’t we use our phones to keep track of time?
Well – a classic men’s watch is more than just a device. It’s a great accessory that shows your relationship with time. It shows you’re a man who values time and the small details. The watch you wear sends a message. A stylish and an affordable watch sends the message of bold and refined.
There you have it!
If you find these tips useful, let me know.
Jacqueline Mallet Style Hommes 
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