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"Nerds don't just happen to dress informally. They do it too consistently. Consciously or not, they dress informally as a prophylactic measure against stupidity." - Paul Graham
This is hacker news so take it all with a grain of salt but I found that buying clothes that fit, and just buying and trying a lot of stuff to see what worked over a few years led to a massive improvement. I think if you just follow a guide that tells you specific things you will feel weird and get stuck. I'm not saying you should ignore the "rules". I just mean you have to put in some effort and try a lot of stuff.…
Don't overdo the Reddit male fashion advice
- Get the basics/staples. - Don't get any fad/trend items—i.e. ripped jeans are in (again) right now, but don't bother, just get a good pair. - Fit means everything. - Go for the 'uniforms' in the style you like (prep, street, or whatever). - Quality over quantity (this is often related to fit). - Dress to your body (not too tight or too loose). - Honestly, just go to https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice/ and g…
This also goes to things like stripes. If you're chubby, don't wear horizontal stripes. If you're short, wear vertical stripes to elongate you. If you're short wear waist or butt length jackets not long trenches. If you're tall, don't wear things that would elongate your lines, like wearing the exact same color through your shoes and pants. Silhouette is the term you're going to want to looking for in discussions.
- Honestly, just go to https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice/ and go through the sidebar.
+1 at MFA, but take it as a getting started guide on fits, and then once you get fits down, explore your own style. Check their WAYWT threads for lots of pictures of fits. You want to have a versatile wardrobe, not one with a ton of clothes that you can only wear with one or two things. I'm a huge fan of /r/streetwear personally with a touch of the flavoring of MFA (like collared shirts, polos, non perfecto leather jackets) and a bit of Americana like flannels and boots.
Also SHOES! Shoes are super important. I'm a sneakerhead, but if you're into more officey/professional vibe, Allen Edmonds makes some terrific shoes. Broguing on a shoe is more informal than not, a good cap toe in black and brown will serve you for a very long time. For boots, the MFA recommended Wolverine 1000 Mile and Redwing Beckmans are fantastic and can be dressed up or down.
Lots of good advice here, and basically buying more expensive jeans and hoodies that fit you better is going to be a start. Dark/black jeans and a really good hoodie that fits you well is not a terrible idea. Pair it with great sneakers. Then, start to expand into other clothes if you want to.
I'd also suggest taking a look at https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice - particularly the advice linked in the sidebar starting with the "Step by step intro".
They will suggest: really think about your style and realise dressing well != dressing formally and vice versa; wear stuff that fits properly; buy one really, really good foundational item (like a really good pair of jeans), and build from there; colo[u]r matters; learn what clashes and what doesn't; try things and see if you like it or not.
To get to the next step from where you are, there is nothing wrong with sticking with hoodies and jeans, but you could consider chinos, semi-casual shirts, polo shirts, jumpers or sweatshirts. Try new things, figure out what you like and don't like.
Maybe I can offer some tips.
- If you get leather shoes, I can recommend Cole Haan Zero Grand - http://bit.ly/2sQPdMe .. they are really comfortable.
- For collared shirts, get the no iron ones and save yourself some trouble in the morning.
- Stretch jeans can be a nice compromise between slacks and jeans and look something in between.
- The last one may be seen as shallow.. but invest in a nice, timeless but not blingy dress watch (and a matching belt).. It pays over time and shows discernment
- especially if its a corp job. You can buy vintage watches for pretty cheap.
- Last tip.. (edit): go shopping with somebody else to challenge your own preferences and conventions.
Girls have always said to me that the key thing is to get clothes that fit properly - this means asking help from fitters at the clothes shops and trying on LOTS of stuff till it looks and feels right. Take alot friends who are girls who are interested in fashion. Find "your colors" - i.e. general color directions that look good on you. Ask people (typically women because they tend to be interested in such topics) wh…
6 Brooks Brothers 100%-cotton oxford cloth button down (OCBD) traditional fit shirts in blue (always tucked in). 2 pair Wested Indiana Jones calvary twill wool trousers hemmed to your length at the local dry cleaner. 1 pair Alden 405 boots in the standard brickish red. 7 pair Merino wool socks. 1 Brown canvas web belt. 1 AO Optics original pilot sunglasses. 1 JPress, Southwick, or Samuelsohn tweed "sack coat" in brown for cooler weather (should be natural "soft" shouldered, understated pattern, and without aggressive, sleazy Italian styling in the midsection).
Replace shirts as needed (~every two years). Dry clean trousers only when needed (each pair can last ~5 years). Boots should last >10 years with heel savers and ~1 resoling per decade by Alden. Good brand of merino socks can last upwards of three years, possibly five. Sport coats will last indefinitely (leather patch on the elbows if they get thin).
Wear the above (or your own variation) until it becomes a second skin, and, learn to enjoy the patina that comes with better made clothing which ages gracefully.
"Nerds don't just happen to dress informally. They do it too consistently. Consciously or not, they dress informally as a prophylactic measure against stupidity." - Paul Graham
That quote may make sense in context, but dressing informally will certainly not prevent stupidity.
"Look at me. I'm not conforming. Just like everyone else."
Girls have always said to me that the key thing is to get clothes that fit properly - this means asking help from fitters at the clothes shops and trying on LOTS of stuff till it looks and feels right. Take alot friends who are girls who are interested in fashion. Find "your colors" - i.e. general color directions that look good on you. Ask people (typically women because they tend to be interested in such topics) wh…
If you do want to take the plunge, reddit.com/r/malefasionadvice is one of the best organized and most complete resources out there