Fashion seems to many men like something that is constraining, “inside the box” and uncomfortable and, we have to say, that’s in a certain way right! The reason this is only partially right is because a lot of men treat it as such. But this doesn’t mean that it has to be. And this where the difference between fashion and style lies. While fashion might be something that is strict and full of rules, style is each individual’s take on his appearance. Fashion should be a tool used to create style.

Finding your style might not be easy, and even though most men have a rather good picture of what they wish to look like, they somehow can’t seem to pull off the look they want. Mostly, this is not because they don’t have a clear picture of what they aspire to, but because there are details that seem to lack importance; but which in fact are probably more important than all the work you might put into creating a wardrobe.

This is why we decided to make a list of 12 quick tips which can be applied to any style, any taste and any budget. If you follow these simple aesthetics insights, your appearance will improve considerably and your outlook on “fashion” and “style” won’t be the same.

Here are the 12 essential style rules focusing on appearance, etiquette and grooming any guy can make use of!

 

 

1. Your clothes must fit

This might sound like something obvious and normal, but “fit” does not mean that they have to be able to dress your body. Whichever pieces you wear: pants, shirts, t-shirts, etc., they need to touch your body without squeezing it. Did you notice how many men wear shirts which simply don’t touch their bodies? This used to be fashionable in the 1990s, but now we know better than that. The shoulders of a shirt should match your shoulders, a pair of pants should never have more than one pleat and a shirt’s cuffs should not go more than 1 inch / 1,5 cm above your wrist. If you want to appear bigger or smaller, there are ways to do that. For example, if you are a big guy who wants to look thinner, you can wear vertical stripes, while guys who wish to appear bulkier can wear horizontal stripes. Wearing misfit clothes will look like you are either choking in them if they are too tight or as if you are swimming in them if they are too loose. You’re not kidding anyone!

 

 

2. Choose your colors wisely

Choosing the colors of your clothes might be tricky, but the main thing you need to remember is that you should have a main color and, we recommend, not more than two supporting colors. Remember that neutrals are colors that go with anything and they can be mixed together as you please. In fashion, neutral colors are: white, black, beige, khaki, ivory, gray, etc. If you are wearing beige and gray, it doesn’t count as a color combo.

 

 

 

3. Make use of layers

To create visual interest, you can always layer your clothes. Adding several layers of clothes adds depth to an outfit and makes it look more appealing. A simple shirt and pants outfit can be made more interesting by adding a vest and / or a blazer, for example. Vests are generally great pieces; as they are both practical, meaning they keep you warm and they usually look very well.

 

 

4. Unbutton your jacket’s lower button

If you are wearing a jacket, always unbutton the lower button! Also, when you sit down, make sure you unbutton all of your buttons, when you stand up again, unbutton them all, besides your lowest one. This rule also applies to vests, but it is not as strict. Unbuttoning the other buttons is optional, but the rule is to always keep the lowest button unbuttoned.

 

 

5. Match your belt to your shoes

It doesn’t matter if you are wearing oxfords, slip-ons or sandals, your shoes must always match your belt. This might sound like an outdated, stiff rule, but if these two pieces don’t match, your overall look will appear to be out of place. The small things we wear, such as belts, shoes, socks, ties etc., have the tendency to frame our outfits, which is why they should always be put together with care. Of course, this rule can be broken, but you need to do it in such a way that it is obvious that you are breaking it and replacing it with something just as cohesive.

 

 

6. Choose accessories of the right size

If you are wearing accessories, you should always remember that they should be proportionate to the size of your body! This means that thin men should wear thin or medium ties, slim watchbands with smaller watches, while bigger guys should always opt for wider ties, wider belts and bigger hand bands.

 

 

7. Know your tie

For many men, tying a tie is something they do on a daily basis, but we still see a lot of mistakes done. First of all, the knot you are tying should be proportionate to your head. Don’t make a knot that’s too complicated and big if you have a smaller head. Also, always make sure that your tie touches your belt! It should not go any higher or any lower!

 

 

8. Know your tie clip

If you are wearing a tie clip, make sure you place it just below your pectoral muscles, between the third and fourth jacket buttons, around your sternum. Also, a tie bar is supposed to be 1/2 to 3/4 of the width of your tie.Some men claim that if it is the same size, it will give you a retro look; we can debate this, but it should never be longer than your tie!

 

9. Never wear both a belt and suspenders

We’ve seen it happen and it’s not pretty! The purpose of suspenders and of belts is to keep your pants from falling and to, exactly, frame your outfit. Too much is simply too much!

 

 

10. Make sure your shoes fit

Whatever type of shoe you are wearing; make sure they fit right from the start. You don’t need to search for “extra room”, your foot size won’t change. It is true that leather becomes more flexible, but this has nothing to do with the fact that they should be comfortable and fit from the start. Wearing bad shoes can really have a negative impact on your attitude! Also speaking of shoes, make sure that your shoes are in tandem with the rest of your outfit. Don’t wear dressy shoes (the shinier, the dressier) with casual clothes and never wear sneakers with a dress suit! There are different degrees of formality to shoes, so make sure you get the right pair for the occasion!

 

 

11. A buzz cut is better than messy hair

We often get asked both on and offline for hair styling tips. Many men want to look great but don’t want to go through too much trouble. That is not something we condemn, we understand it and it’s OK with us, but in this case, we strongly recommend that you get a simple, short haircut and that you wash it at least every other day. There is no point in getting a fancy haircut if your hair is messy or you can’t maintain it. The same goes for beards and mustaches. If you want one, you should take good care of it. If not, shave it off!

 

 

12. Exfoliate

To get an overall fresher look, you should exfoliate your skin, but not more than twice a week. Using it too often might cause your skin to dry! What exfoliating does is that it removes all the unnecessary things from your face and neck, making you look more relaxed and clearer.

 

Fraquoh and Franchomme

 

 

 

 

Further reading:

Beginner’s guide: 20 basic style tips that cover the basics of fashion

35 essential fashion and men’s style tips

P.S. We want to hear from you! What style tips do you follow and think all men should follow as well? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook or Twitter!