Annoying, isn’t it?
You want to dress better, but most style advice revolves around suiting up or just around whatever’s trendy this season. But that’s not what you’re looking for.
You just want to make a better first impression on people you meet in everyday life. You just want to look good in your clothes without looking too flashy.
You just want to look like a better-dressed version of you.And that version of you still likes to keep it casual.
So what you’re really looking for is some casual style tips for guys who want to look sharp outside of a suit and tie.
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s begin…
1. Aim for Maturity
Many men approach their casual style from the wrong angle; they aim to look youthful.
But if you want to look well-dressed, you should always aim to look mature.
Because maturity is an attractive quality in men. Maturity, after all, is what separates the men from the boys. Maturity shows masculinity and commands respect, and it’s a quality you want people to see in you.
That doesn’t mean you have to dress like your dad. It doesn’t mean you have to dressold. It just means you have to avoid portraying yourself as a teenager… Unless you actually are a teenager.
You want to avoid looking like someone who hasn’t grown up yet — someone who’s stuck in his past.
You want to stop looking like a boy, and dress like a man.
2. Give Up the Graphic Tees
The first thing you should do to shed your boyish look is giving up your graphic Tees.
I know you love them. I once did too. In fact, I wore them non-stop.
But you want to stop wearing them. You have so many better options.
Despite popular belief, they don’t make you look funny, edgy or original. In fact, because every other guy is sporting a graphic tee, you’ll just blend into the crowd.
Plus, people associate them with guys who refuse to grow up. (Remember tip #1? You don’t want that.)
Just look at the movies. You’ll never see a tough, masculine action hero or a suave rom-com heartthrob wearing a a graphic tee. The only time you’ll see a graphic tee is when the character is either a man-child, an actual child, or a slacker.
You don’t want people to see you as a man-child, do you? Then be a man, and stop wearing graphic tees.
Instead, try wearing casual shirts or polos. Or, if you’re gonna wear a T-shirt, make them solid or striped — they’re simple and classy (and much easier to combine).
3. Rock Jeans That Actually Make You look Good
The go-to casual legwear for any guy is a pair of jeans.
And nothing is wrong with that. Many guys come to my site looking to move on from the T-shirt and jeans look. But jeans can look amazing, as long as you´re wearing the right pair.
And FYI, the right pair does not look like any of these.
These jeans will only make you look like a clown.
Avoid baggy jeans. You want to avoid having to pull up your jeans every two seconds. They should keep themselves up without a belt. Also, they should not pool around your ankles.
Also, avoid embellishments. That means: No distressing, no ripping, and no bleaching.
And, this should go without saying, but I have to say it anyway…
Avoid big logos on your ass. In fact no big logos anywhere on your outfit, PERIOD.
Instead, keep your jeans simple. Go for a straight, clean, dark-blue pair that fits like it was made for you. Trust me; you’ll look awesome.
Something like this…
They’ll not only look better, but they’re more versatile. They look good dressed up and dressed down. Can’t fail.
4. Change it Up Down Below
Jeans are great, but they all look kinda the same, and they’re not your ONLY option for legwear.
Add some variety to your wardrobe by investing in a pair of chinos.
Adding one pair of chinos to your wardrobe doubles the amount of outfits you can create. Add one more, and you triple that number.
I suggest one basic pair in camel or grey. And get one colored pair to change things up. (Wearing color below the waist is something few guys do, so it stands out.)
And you don’t have to go bold red. You can go for a subdued color too, like army-green.
5. Class Up Your Footwear
Okay, you may want to sit down for this…
Your dirty, beat-up sneakers will ruin an otherwise excellent outfit. You’ll want to replace them with something more dignified.
And don’t think people don’t notice your shoes. They notice. Especially women.
I can’t tell you how many compliments I get on my shoes from women, and I’m hardly shilling out hundreds of dollar for a single pair, as some guys recommend.
Wear a pair of brown leather loafers instead of your sneakers, and BOOM… You look sharper.
Brown leather loafers still look too formal for you? How about a gateway shoe? Something to ease your way from sneakers to classy leather footwear?
Let me present to you, the desert boot:
Desert boots look nicer than sneakers, but aren’t as dressy as loafers. They’re perfect for casual wear, and they’re super comfortable.
They are an excellent choice.