It can seem like there’s a lot to know about good style, and there is, at least if you want to be enrolled in its master class. But looking sharper than 99% of other men is fairly simple and merely requires knowing and doing little things correctly. The kind of stuff that can be encapsulated into short, easy-to-remember principles and adages.
Below you’ll find the best of the best of such tips: a hundred things (plus one extra) that you can be doing, right now, to make yourself look sharper. You can thank us later.
1. THROW OUT OR GIVE AWAY ANYTHING YOU HAVEN’T WORN IN OVER A YEAR
You get two “beloved old favorite” exemptions here, as well as formalwear. Ruthlessly pitch or donate the rest.
2. GET EVERYTHING ADJUSTED
Well, okay, not everything. But most things: nice pants, shirts, and jackets should all go to the tailor for adjustments, unless they came custom-tailored already.
3. SPEND MORE MONEY ON LESS PIECES OF CLOTHING
Quality lasts longer than quantity, and you look better in it.
4. SHOP FOR A SUIT IN PERSON
Even if you don’t need one. Just get the experience of comparing jacket styles, fabrics, and cuts.
5. THERE ARE MORE SHOE COLORS THAN BROWN AND BLACK
Colored leather and suede are fantastic shoe options. Get a little crazy with reds, blues, and grays. Don’t worry about matching a belt to each one — a black belt with gray shoes or a brown one with oxblood red is fine.
6. TROUSER CUFFS SHOULD “BREAK” ON THE TOPS OF YOUR SHOES
That means they rest very lightly on the leather itself. You shouldn’t have a gap between your pants and your shoes.
7. WEAR A POCKET SQUARE
Any time you’re wearing a jacket. No exceptions.
8. Buy something in a pattern that occurs nowhere else in your wardrobe.
9. NEXT TIME YOU GO TO PUT ON JEANS, GRAB A PAIR OF SLACKS OR CHINOS INSTEAD
Then make the rest of the outfit work with them.
10. BELTS OR SUSPENDERS — PICK ONE
Never both at the same time.
11. WEAR A NECKTIE WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE TO
Just for fun.
12. WATCH ANY MOVIE STARRING CARY GRANT
Now ask yourself: “What can I do to dress a little more like that?”
13. GYM SHOES ARE FOR THE GYM
Ditto athletic socks.
14. WEAR A LIGHTWEIGHT SWEATER UNDER A SPORTS JACKET WITH SOME JEANS
Doesn’t that look good?
15. GET A PAIR OF COLORED TROUSERS
Something bold. Red, green, yellow, orange, whatever.
16. GO READ A BOOK ON STYLE
Or a magazine. Or an article. Something about fashion. Old and out-of-date is okay, and even fun sometimes. Just get exposed to something new.
17. MATCH THE COLOR OF YOUR SOCKS TO THE COLOR OF YOUR TROUSERS
Most of the time. When you want to be daring, wear a bright, contrasting color instead.
18. HAVE A REMOVABLE TOP LAYER
In the dog days of summer, you can go with one shirt. The rest of the time, have at least two presentable layers on top. You never know when you’ll want to loan a lady your jacket/shirt/whatever.
19. INVEST IN A REALLY NICE SUITCASE AND DAY BAG
Your luggage is part of your style.
20. SHOP WITH A FRIEND
Sales people are paid to sell you things whether they look good or not. Take a friend who’ll tell you to your face when you look like an idiot.
21. OWN A WATCH YOU CAN WEAR WITH A GOOD BUSINESS SUIT
Handsome. Functional. Classic. It’s amazing how such a small accessory can greatly enhance how you look and feel.
22. UNDERSTAND CONTRAST
It will help you get the right amount of color in your outfits.
23. OWN MORE SHOES
How many pairs do you own? Get some more. Vary the styles. Shoes are the most underrated tools in a man’s style arsenal.
24. TRADITIONAL LIGHT BLUE DENIM IS A GREAT COLOR FOR JEANS…
…if you’re building houses or ranching cattle. Otherwise, get a dark indigo instead of light blue, or go with a different color entirely.
25. TAKE YOUR MEASUREMENTS
Write them down and tuck them in your underwear drawer or something. They always come in handy when you’re shopping.
26. CHECK THE SIZE OF YOUR FAVORITE PIECES OF CLOTHING
Those numbers are worth writing down too. If a shirt fits perfectly, you probably want your other shirts in about that size as well.
27. ALWAYS DRESS LIKE YOU MIGHT DECIDE TO DROP BY A RESTAURANT OR NIGHTCLUB WITH A DRESS CODE
Because you might. And even if you don’t, you might as well look like a man who’s got plans.
28. PRACTICE ROLLING UP YOUR SHIRTSLEEVES A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT WAYS
Do you like a fat roll? A thin one? Tall, short, rumpled, crisp? Play around with it.
29. FLIP THROUGH A SLIDESHOW OF IMAGES FROM A MEN’S FASHION SHOW
Nine-tenths of the things you see will be way over the top and useless to you. Use the other 10% for inspiration.
30. HEAD TO A THRIFT STORE AND BUY EVERY SPORTS JACKET THAT FITS YOU…
…and costs less than $20. Okay, maybe not every single one, but at least four or five. Even the weird ones. You’ll use them.
31. BUTTON-DOWN COLLARS AREN’T BUSINESS DRESS
Yeah, you’ll see guys wearing them with suits. Don’t be those guys. A business suit deserves a business collar, and that means no buttons at the tips.
32. SHINE YOUR SHOES MORE OFTEN THAN YOU THINK YOU NEED TO
About once a month is good.
33. WEAR A BOUTONNIÈRE IN YOUR LAPEL
Not for a wedding, and not with a tux. Just for fun with any old suit or sports jacket.
34. PUT SOME PRODUCT IN YOUR HAIR
If you already use product, try a different kind of product.
35. IRON YOUR OWN SHIRTS
It’s a useful skill for traveling, and it’ll save you money at home.
36. GET SOME DRESS SLACKS WITHOUT BELT LOOPS. THEN WEAR ’EM WITH SUSPENDERS
37. DON’T WEAR T-SHIRTS WITH GRAPHICS ON THEM…
…for anything that isn’t housework, a workout, or a rock concert. Upgrade to a solid-color tee, or another lightweight option like a henley or polo.
38. TRY A DECORATIVE LINING
Suit and sports jackets sometimes come with them; as do some dress shirt cuffs.
39. WEAR JEWELRY
Not every day, and not always the same piece. But a ring here or a necklace there is great.
40. HAVE TWO NICE WHITE DRESS SHIRTS
Be sure they’re free of stains and wrinkles, ready to go, at all times. They go with everything.
41. TRY WEARING COLOGNE
You can get small testers from most department stores. Try a few and see what goes well with your natural scent.
42. CLEAN YOUR WALLET OUT REGULARLY
The slimmer it is, the less wear and tear on both the wallet and the pocket it’s shoved into. It’ll also look nicer when you pull it out to pay for things.
43. WEAR A SCARF
Not just because it’s cold outside, but also as a fashion accessory.
44. Expand your belt collection
The easiest way is to own belts that can snap open for interchangeable buckles, and then to hit the internet looking for vintage buckles — that way you’re only buying two or three pieces of leather for dozens of looks.
45. OWN AT LEAST ONE DARK BUSINESS SUIT
Then, if you can afford it, own one lighter social suit as well.
46. USE PATTERNS TO FLATTER YOUR BODY TYPE
Grab broad checks to add a little weight and breadth or use light vertical stripes to add height and slim down your appearance.
47. LIVE IT UP A LITTLE
Wear that Hawaiian shirt or those bright red pants, once in a while. Nobody needs to be the textbook timeless gentlemen every day of his life. (Just make sure you’re deep into vacation mode in the rainforest on these days.)
48. GET YOUR JACKETS PRESSED
Light, unstructured ones are particularly prone to wrinkling, so press them early and often. Rumpled backs ruin the whole look.
49. GOLD OR SILVER METALS — PICK ONE
Your wedding band is an exception. But other than that, keep it to one kind of metal.
50. CLEAN YOUR CLOTHES REGULARLY
Launder the things that can be; take what can’t to the dry cleaners. Brush wools off to keep them from pilling and gathering fuzz.
Keep your eye out for part two.
