Top Five Tips For Men To Elevate Their Style
4 well dressed men in perfect fitting, well maintained looks. No trouser hems puddling on shoes here!
Elevate Your Personal Style to the Next Level
New and potential personal styling clients can sometimes struggle with the right words to describe how they would like to change and move on their professional and personal style. Often using terms like ‘more grown up’ or ‘mature’ - especially if reaching a milestone birthday, 30, 40, 50 - but not actually meaning they want to look older. Part of a my role as a stylist is to understand the client’s mindset and both vocalise and visualise how they want to appear.
I substitute mature and grown up instead for: Elevated, sharp, put together, polished, rugged, creative, sartorial, sophisticated or cool. The range of adjectives really does depend on the man in front of me. No matter what your personal style just a few tweaks can have you going from bland to considered.
Scroll down to be inspired.
1. Fit
Fit is the most important thing when it comes to great style. Many men tend to wear clothes that are slightly too big, either for comfort, have no idea of their measurements, or because they are unaware of how garments are supposed to fit/look. The best fit gives you room to breathe and hugs your body in all the right places.
If you can’t find the right fit off the peg, investigate getting items – often trouser lengths - altered. Taking the time to find or perfect the best fit will make a huge difference to your overall style and confidence.
2. Quality
Consider buying better and investing in quality fabrics and well cut garments. The ‘devil is in the detail’ pay attention to seams, top stitching, pocket placements, buttons and zippers. Well considered details add to your overall appearance and can make it look more polished and professional.
A good quality well-cut t-shirt and jeans can look just as sharp as a suit.
3. Texture
Textures and checks are a great way to add interest to any outfit. A well-chosen texture or check can add dimension, look expensive and elevate your look, not to mention giving it a unique twist. To many though in one look can make your appearance look cluttered, instead choose a tonal texture and check that compliment each other. The outfits below are a great example of mixing tonal colours, textures and checks.
Using texture and check.
4. Footwear
Shoes can make or break any look. Invest in good quality shoes, boots and trainers in a range of neutral colours like tan, brown, maroon, white, grey, navy and taupe – black doesn’t go with everything. Decide what what you need shoes for, where are the gaps, do you have a pair of gym trainers but don’t have a smarter casual style?
5. Maintenance
Taking care and maintaining your clothes and shoes is key to looking put together. You can’t expect them to last if you don’t know how to wash, dry or polish them properly. Some garments require more care than others, so make sure you read care labels before loading them into the washing machine.
Additionally, you should hang up blazers after wearing, use suit covers, always fold lighter merino or cashmere knits – if hanging bulky jumpers use knitwear hangers. Waterproof suede jackets and shoes and replace missing buttons. If you struggle to iron shirts, either buy stretch styles that don’t need to be ironed or send to a dry cleaner.
Knitwear hangers for bulky jumpers. Amazon
How I Can Support Your Personal & Professional Style
By making small but impactful changes to your wardrobe, you can elevate your overall look and boost your confidence. Investing in quality pieces that fit perfectly will make a noticeable difference and leave you to get on with your day looking and feeling great.
If you are unsure how to do this yourself please do get in touch, to see how my menswear styling services can assist you.
Thank you for reading!
Lisa O’Shaughnessy
