How to Wear Better Clothes

I made an old post about Grooming and Basic Dressing previously. Think of this like an extension of that.

I’m not even gonna try to talk about ladies’ fashion as every single girl is probably better than me at this thing. For guys though, I can help you with what I do myself.

If you’re fashion-challenged, don’t take a wild plunge and try to become Mr. International Male overnight. Take little steps and build up to a cool wardrobe. What are the baby steps?

1. If you’re trying to not look weird, don’t invent your own fashion trend. I have a friend who wears torn shirt-sleeves, 501 jeans and Reebok Pumps. He says he’s doing the 80’s trash metal look. Why oh why?

2. Ask your female and gay friends for quick advice. Like, what one item can I change now that will make a difference? Go to the mall and try that on, see how it works.

3. Find a complete outfit you like from either the web, a magazine, or the display store at the mall. Forget specific styles, like trying to look preppy or punk or whatever. Stick to what’s cool and in trend.

4. Shop for that entire outfit in one day instead of buying pants today and shirts next week.

5. Have one or two of these complete outfits in your wardrobe. They’ll be your foundation.

6. Get to a level where you’re comfortable wearing your new trendy clothes. If you’re gonna shop for new shirts, pattern it around the same shirt for the complete outfit so you can match.

7. Once you get the hang of dressing and shopping for that style, only then should you experiment.

8. As a rule, I splurge more on shoes and pants and buy only cheap shirts. Shoes and pants are clothes you tend to repeat wearing more so I find it okay to spend more on them. Shirts are more dispensable.

9. Go back to your female and gay friends for the same advice. What one item can I change now that will make a difference? Go to the mall and try that on, see how it works with your new stylish clothes.

10. Buy new complete outfits every few months to spice up your closet.

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