From Boys to Men: Tips on Updating Your Wardrobe
Gentlemen, this one is for you.
Have you been sporting that old sweatshirt from college or slightly too big suit for longer than you would like to admit? Do you have too many old graphic tees and holly jeans that you never wear just sitting in your closet? If so, its time you revamp your wardrobe ASAP! No need to worry we've got a few tips up our sleeve to help your style make the transition from boyhood to manliness.
1. We'll start with the basics. Don't be afraid to spend a little bit more money on those essential pieces. Quality versus quantity goes a long way in the game of style in that it pays to look better with items that last longer. Investing in these pieces ( <-- to your left) will having you looking sharp through many wears so you wont have to rush out and buy another pair. Remember the foundation is everything.
2. Befriend a good tailor. The power behind a good tailor cannot be stressed enough! Proper fitting clothes make you look much more polished in professional settings and more put together in a casual one. Finding a good tailor will also save you money in the long run because instead of having to toss the clothes that are too big for you, you can have them fitted perfectly to your needs.
3. Be mindful of your body type. While a tailor may solve many of your problems its important to keep in mind your body type while you are out shopping for yourself. Certain prints and cuts are things to consider when looking for what is most flattering on you. There are a few different body types:
The Average Build: This consists of broad shoulders, lean legs, and slight definition overall. With this body shape you can pull off a variety of prints (this includes both horizontal and vertical) with ease. You'll want to emphasize your lean/athletic build so paying attention to the shape of your clothes is important.
The Inverted Triangle: This is typically what we would refer to as the athletic build. This person would have larger proportions than the average build in that your chest is broader but your waist is slim. When it comes to tops, crewnecks and V-necks will work more in you favor to draw more attention to your waist. As for patters just keep in mind that horizontal lines will make you look wider. We suggest looking for slim bottoms to accommodate for your narrow waist and if you aren't finding anything that fits that is where your tailor comes in.
The Rectangle: A narrow build, or simply put straight up and down best describes this figure. The hips are narrower than the shoulders and chest but only slightly and most likely lacks in muscle definition. To add definition through clothing laying is the way to go. Add a jacket to give more definition in the shoulders or where skinnier bottoms to give the illusion of an inverted triangle. Luckily patterns are not a concern for this body type because you could pretty much get away with anything (but don't go crazy lol).
The Triangle: A little cushion for the pushin is how I describe this shape. This silhouette consists of larger midsection than the rest of the body. Adding structure to up top, paying attention to color (black is your bff), and leaving horizontal stripes behind will instantly slim your figure. Opt for straight leg trousers when shopping for bottoms as this will add more visual balance to your overall appearance.
And wait... there's more! Don't forget about your height. If you can't find anything that fits how it should again this is where your tailor comes in.
4. Accessorize. Don't be afraid to spice up your style with some accessories. Once you move past the basics (aka the watch) its time to step your game with some simple add ons. The best part is you can be as cheap as you want and still look great!
5. Disregard Trends. Just for now. Since you're probably building your wardrobe to where it needs to be its best to avoid buying something that is super on trend. Building a timeless style first is will help set the foundation for how you want to portray yourself. From there you can build your image by adding more trendy pieces to your now solid wardrobe.
Keeping all these things in mind when building your wardrobe will get you off to a great start on your journey to your most stylish self. If there's more to add that you think I missed comment below I would love to hear your thoughts!