WORDS BY EMILY HENRY
Contrary to popular belief, men are just as interested in fashion as women are. You’d think that putting together a stylish outfit as a man would be somewhat easier, but there are some pitfalls to avoid. Here are some common men’s clothing mistakes, and how you can avoid them.
You’ve spent a lot of money on that watch, and you take great pride in it. One day though it’s going to stop running, and it will need to be handled. Many men will keep wearing it until they can get it fixed, as it was an expensive time piece. However, that’s something you should avoid. Wearing a broken watch can make it look a lot cheaper than it is. You don’t want anyone thinking you bought a knock off, rather than the real thing.
When you don’t need your sunglasses right this moment, what do you do? Many men place them on their head, but that’s actually considered a style faux pas. ‘Wearing your sunglasses on your head will ruin your hairstyle, and emphasize the shape of your head if it’s too oval’ says fashion editor Whitney Thomas, from Academized and UK Writings. ‘Instead, try wearing them on your shirt, or put them in your breast pocket.
This is such a common mistake, but luckily it’s very easily rectified. You know your tie shouldn’t be worn too short, but you’re worried about over-correcting and going too long instead. There’s a simple rule you should follow when wearing a tie: the tip of your tie should just cover your belt buckle. Follow this rule, and you can’t go wrong.
Keeping your cash in your pocket isn’t a style problem as such, but you can make carrying your cash much more stylish. If you don’t already have one, invest in a good quality leather wallet. It’s not only more stylish, but practical too. You’ll be able to keep cards and your driver’s license in there too, keeping everything together.
Here’s another tip to look out for when you’re shopping for shirts or jackets. You want the sleeves to be just the right length. That shows that the garment fits you properly, and looks a lot more polished. The best sleeves will end right above your wrist. Anything longer or shorter won’t give the best impression when you wear it.
Of course, there are some times when wearing a backpack is totally fine. If you’re hiking, of course you need a backpack. If you’re wearing a classic jacket though, a backpack is a no no. ‘It just doesn’t look right together, and so you need to find a bag that works better for your needs’ says journalist Julian Andrews from State Of Writing and OX Essays. ‘Instead, try a laptop bag to get a better combined look.’
Suspenders are having a real moment right now, and so you’ve probably invested in some for yourself. However, you need to make sure you’re wearing them the right way. For example, you shouldn’t be wearing suspenders and a belt at the same time. They both do the same job, so you shouldn’t need both. Choose one or the other with a button up shirt, and you’ll look stylish.
This is not only an issue of style, but of etiquette too. When using any kind of thermal pants for training, you need to have an outer layer on them. Thermal wear should be considered a base layer that you put other clothes on top of, rather than outer clothing themselves. Shorts or sweatpants work best over thermal pants.
As you can see, there are lots of mistakes here that you didn’t even know you were making. Now you do though, you can make some simple changes to look as stylish and as put together as possible. Make these small tweaks to your look, and you’ll look the best you possibly can, every day.
As you can see, there are lots of mistakes here that you didn’t even know you were making. Now you do though, you can make some simple changes to look as stylish and as put together as possible. Make these small tweaks to your look, and you’ll look the best you possibly can, every day.
