If you’re like most guys, you don’t need a complete wardrobe overhaul. You probably just need five or six targeted changes to fix the things dragging your current wardrobe down. And if you can manage to do that, you’ll end up looking good without spending a ton or stepping too far outside your comfort zone.
Here’s where to start:
Start With the Fit
Nothing upgrades a wardrobe faster than wearing clothes that actually fit your body. A $30 shirt that fits properly is always going to look better than a $150 shirt that doesn’t. This is the single highest-return change you can make, and it costs nothing more than paying attention.
- Shoulder seams on shirts and jackets should sit at the edge of your actual shoulder. Not hanging off the side of your arm or pulled tight across your back. It should rest right at the point where your shoulder ends.
- Pants should sit at your natural waist or just below it, depending on the style. This should include enough room to move comfortably (but not so much that they bunch up when you wear a belt). The hem should break slightly over your shoe or sit just above it.
- T-shirts should skim your torso without clinging to it. If you can see every contour of your midsection, it’s too tight. However, if there’s enough extra fabric to grab a fistful, it’s too big. The sweet spot is close enough to show your general shape without looking like a second set of skin.
If you have clothes you like that don’t fit perfectly, a tailor can fix most issues for a decent cost. While you’ll have to check prices, hemming pants, taking in a shirt, or shortening sleeves costs $10 to $25 per alteration in most markets.
Build a Foundation of Basics
Most of your wardrobe should be versatile pieces that combine easily with each other. If every item in your closet is a statement piece but nothing works together, getting dressed becomes a big challenge. A strong foundation of basics that all coordinate gives you dozens of outfit combinations from a relatively small number of items.
- Start with well-fitted dark jeans. (Avoid distressed or acid-washed, which come and go in style.) A clean, dark wash that looks good with sneakers, boots, or dress shoes is always a safe bet. In fact, dark jeans are one of the most versatile items you can have.
- Plain t-shirts in white, black, navy, and grey form the base layer that everything else builds on. Invest in slightly better quality here than the bargain bin basics. A tee with a heavier fabric weight and a good neckline that holds its shape through washing will look great. It’s also noticeably better than a thin, cheap alternative that stretches out.
- A couple of well-chosen graphic tees can add personality to your foundation. The right graphic tee works with jeans and sneakers for a casual weekend look or even under a blazer for something more put-together. The key is choosing designs that have some personality and intention behind them rather than generic logos or graphics. The Mad Hatter Co. has some very unique and stylish graphic tee designs that don’t break the bank.
- A button-down oxford in white or light blue works with jeans, chinos, or dress pants. You can wear it tucked or untucked and have the sleeves rolled or buttoned. It’s one of the most flexible items in a wardrobe and can fit into almost any setting.
Obviously, your exact wardrobe will look different from the next guy. However, if you keep these basic foundational elements in mind, you’ll never look out of place.
Upgrade Your Footwear
Shoes get noticed more than most guys realize. But you don’t need a dozen pairs of shoes. You need three or four that cover 90 percent of the situations you find yourself in. This includes (1) a pair of clean, minimal sneakers in white or a neutral color; (2) a pair of leather or suede boots; (3) a pair of loafers or clean dress shoes; and (4) a dedicated pair of athletic shoes for the gym or doing things outside.
Pay Attention to Color Coordination
You don’t need to become a color theory expert to be fashionable. But you do need to avoid combinations that clash. A few simple guidelines cover most situations.
Always remember that neutrals go with everything. Black, white, grey, navy, and earth tones like olive, tan, and brown pair well. If your basics are built in these colors, adding a piece in a bolder color works because the rest of the outfit isn’t competing with it.
However, you want to avoid matching too precisely. A navy shirt with navy pants and navy shoes looks like a uniform. On the other hand, a navy shirt with grey pants and white sneakers looks good.
Own Your Look
A well-built wardrobe isn’t about chasing trends or dressing up more often. It comes down to fit, proportion, and pieces that work together.
Sometimes it just means understanding how to wear the right basics for a put-together look. Are you ready to start owning your look?
