For many men, the idea of looking clean and putting together can be daunting, especially when it comes to dressing in the morning. However, if you know how to get a clean look down pat, you’ll always be ready to put your best foot forward at work, in class, or wherever else you might need to look your best!
You may already know what you want in the way of mens clothing online, but if not, don’t worry! That’s why you need this list of 10 tips for achieving that clean look for men. You’ll learn about some of the basics as well as some of the finer points that can help you achieve the look you want to convey while also saving money along the way.
1) Keep it simple
Fashion trends come and go but there are a few pieces of clothing that never go out of style. All it takes is a bit of research to find out what they are, so you can invest in timeless garments that will last for years. It’s also important not to overdo it when it comes to fashion too many accessories and outfits can make you look gaudy, so stick with a few quality staples.
You don’t need an endless supply of clothes. Having three suits, two pairs of dress shoes, two pairs of jeans, and six t-shirts is plenty. Since color schemes can change from season to season and even day to day, think about buying durable basics in neutral colors like gray or black.
2) Dress in layers
Multiple layers of clothing can make a big difference when it comes to your overall look. First, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to size. Second, you can use different types of clothes as a means of adjusting how you want to look for different occasions.
You could wear a button-up and blazer during an interview and then just take off your blazer later that evening. The bottom line is don’t be afraid to play with volume but remember to not pile on clothing. You’ll never have too many shirts in your closet!
3) Stand Out From The Crowd
When we say clean, we mean no visible jewelry, that is. In most cases, you’re better off without a necklace or bracelet, and earrings should be kept to a minimum. The studs are fine, but again: no dangling earrings.
If you don’t want to go completely bare-faced, limit your face adornment to one ring per hand and perhaps another on a necklace or bracelet that can easily be hidden by an untucked shirt or sweater if need be. These are just basic guidelines feel free to experiment from there! If you’re not sure whether an accessory will work for you in your professional environment, play it safe and skip it for now.
4) Get rid of extra stuff
This seems like a no-brainer, but to streamline your look and show off your best assets, it’s important to get rid of any extraneous items that might be cluttering up your space. Go through all of your clothes, shoes, and accessories.
If you haven’t worn something in a year, or if there’s some faded old t-shirt taking up space in your closet, donate it or throw it away. You need space so you can store only things that look good on you and only things that you wear.
5) Stay on top of the laundry
Have a few favorite shirts, pants, and jackets you like to wear? Then wash them as soon as you’ve worn them. If you have a hamper in your bedroom or anywhere else where it’s convenient to do laundry, keep dirty clothes in there until it’s time for laundry day.
This way, you won’t risk wearing a shirt or pair of pants that are already dirty. Have an out option: If you can’t get something cleaned before wearing it again and if it matters to you whether or not an item is clean then have the option to fall back on.
6) Throw out old clothes
It may sound harsh, but you’ll want to get rid of clothes that are worn or out of style. Donate them to charity if possible. Old clothes can weigh you down, literally and figuratively. Think about it, if you’re wearing size 30 jeans and now have to squeeze into size 31 jeans, you’re going to feel miserable every time you put on those pants.
If it’s a hassle to deal with your extra clothes right away, box them up and set them aside somewhere that’s not in your home where they won’t be tempting you in vain. If at all possible though, try not to keep items that don’t fit or are outdated, get rid of them.
7) Don’t mix patterns
The No. 1 item every man should have in his closet is a solid pair of dark-wash jeans and that’s it. Invest in those because they’re key to achieving that clean, effortless look. When you mix patterns, you draw too much attention to your clothes and away from your face, and when it comes to dressing well, most men need all the help they can get with their faces.
Stick with solids until you have more experience as a shopper. Try mixing textured fabrics instead of patterns like flannel paired with a terry cloth or heavy canvas paired with fine chambray. Once you’ve got these down, then think about moving into prints, but not before!
8) Wear dark shoes with everything
It’s time to ditch those white athletic shoes. No matter your age or profession, looking polished starts with your shoes. Dark brown or black leather is versatile and can go with just about anything, including slacks and a blazer for work, jeans for a night out, or even khakis at the golf course. Whatever you wear on top of them, from a sweater vest to an oxford shirt to an open-collar dress shirt black shoes add polish, and polish gets you ahead in any situation.
9) Have one or two signature pieces
You shouldn’t feel like you need a new pair of shoes every time you step out of your front door. You don’t need a different shirt for every day of the week. And, if you truly want to appear put together, have one or two high-quality staple pieces that can be worn with various outfits.
Invest in high-quality shoes and learn how to maintain them. Buy shirts that fit well and look good on you buy more than one color and style. When choosing what type of tie goes with which shirt, try to stay away from patterns so as not to confuse people and mix up colors instead.
10) Limit bright colors
Avoid wearing clothing with bright or neon colors. It can draw attention away from your face and make you appear unprofessional. Instead, stick to earth tones that complement your complexions, such as grays, tans, and browns. You can also avoid using loud patterns in your clothing to prevent drawing attention away from your face and hands when giving presentations or performing other professional duties.
Conclusion
Looking clean is always in style, especially for men. Whether you have a meeting at work or are just going out on Saturday night, looking good will make you feel more confident. As a bonus, it’ll make other people think better of you. At first, it might be hard to know where to begin but with these 10 tips and tricks, you’ll find yourself sporting a sharp look in no time. So read on and learn how to look great as well as feel great!