Guy Trying to Develop a Hot-but-Classic Look

[dolphin08]

I really like your advice, muse. Thanks!

[shadowplay]

good fashion can really make it or break it with a guy for me.

i went to hs in norcal, but live in LA now and travel to NY once

in a while..all of my friends happen to be in the fashion industry

as well so we're always critiquing..not to be mean, but just because

its the business.

 

anyhow, need to outfit your wardrobe with good basics and a few

savvy pieces. everything, especially the basics need to have good

fit. yes, youre tall and thin, but dont just buy something because

youre not sure where to get something better. then youre just

wasting money on something that doesnt compliment you at all.

 

get at least two dark denim jeans and maybe a regular washed jean.

dark denim tends to dress you up more without trying, so its a more

polished look. stay away from trendy brands like true religion since

they go out of style fast, and true fashionistas think theyre passe.

stick with your tshirts..just make sure again theyre a good fit. try

american apparel. and if youre wearing a tshirt..try wearing two. a white

tshirt underneath the colored one...it creates a layered look..and layers

add interest and will also give your body some added mass (since youre

thin). stay away from logos on your tshirts as theyre cliche and look

like youre trying to advertise that you spent x-amount of dollars but

that you have to flaunt it and think its fashionable-its not.

 

get some good sweaters...light ones that are simple from jcrew or banana

republic are nice...classic colors like black and grey look amazing over a white tshirt and dark jeans. you can either try the crew neck or vneck..

either or is ok. .good to spice it up with both in your closet. maybe

if youre feeling kind of hipster but not trendy..get an argyle or striped

sweater...it breaks up the monochromatic look. these sweaters also

look great under long sleeve buttonup shirts..dont tuck the shirts

in..let the bottom peep out underneath the sweater...again..the layers

add interest and show youre polished but didnt have to think too hard

to look this good.

 

you should think about getting a light blazer too..if you can get black and

brown that would be great..if you only want to get one....opt for a nice

brown blazer...browns go with much more and stretch your wardrobe.

 

also...a nice belt and great shoes really really close the deal. so many

times i see a simple outfit but can tell that the guy has style because

i look at his shoes. its the same and viceversa for women...i'll see a girl who is wearing a cute outfit, but her shoes suck and it just makes me

shake my head. but if you see a girl just wearing nice jeans and a tshirt

with some nice heels....wow...she looks amazing.

 

Wow, excellent advice. Now could you give some advice to a girl who's looking to develop a fashionable look? I've been trying to revamp my wardrobe over the last year. I'm striving for something a bit hipsterish, but I don't want to look passe or overly trendy. I also don't have a huge budget. H&M is my favorite store, but right now it's like 75% of my wardrobe.

[rosalie]

I think men in fitted Levi 501's are incredibly HOT, but I realize I'm showing my age here :laugh:

 

however, as a wife of many years, I can honestly say that a pair of well-fitting jeans, a clean white tee-shirt that's fitted and an oxford/button down shirt helps a guy clean up very, very well.

 

Absolutely, couldn't agree more, age DOESN'T matter on this one.

 

From your pics, you've got the right idea, but for casual stick to well fitting and cut (ie not cheap) jeans and a white t-shirt and boots and you are in... as classic as you get.

 

A word of advice avoid the grey marle t-shirt they look good on virtually noone.

 

A crisp button down shirt (NEVER short sleeves) if you want to dress the jeans up a little, leave the top button open, if you've too much hair going there a white t underneath. Don't ever do a short sleeved buttoned down it's daggy.

 

Knee length baggy cargo shorts with any funky tee... avoid speedos, boardies (boardshorts only) and I'm there

 

My rule for me and I think it's the same for men, you can get away with not spending so much on tops/shirts but pants/jeans etc you need to spend a little money on.

 

Blah blah, but to me grooming is the key - great teeth and well looked after hands are the first things I look at, despite what they are wearing, and I am sure I'm not the only woman who does. Make sure you tend to your hair as well

 

Classic is classic, don't try to be too funky or you might look silly.

[muse27]

its so much harder to give advice to a girl without looking at her wardrobe..its because there are so many details in women's clothing

that its difficult to explain. anyhow..here goes

 

women...its all about the purse and the shoes! as stated in my previous response..you can wear jeans and a tshirt but when im looking at your bag and your shoes..i can instantly tell if youre bumming it cause youre lazy today but still walking around doing errands but youre still stylish..or

if you got ready for an hour but still dont have a lick of fashion sense.

 

when looking at shoes..pay attention to the heel of the shoes..stay away from chunky or blocky heels. they look like you belong in 8th grade or youre a 'go-go' dancer. stillettos are always nice, but i understand some women can hardly walk in them..so go for a nice kitten heel (1inch) or even flats are fine. just as long as the heel matches with the length of your jeans.

 

guys/girls: please dont roll the bottom of your jeans or tuck it under. part of the definition of good fit when it comes to jeans is that it hits the right length. if you find some cheapy jeans that look great but are too long..spend the extra $10-15 and hem it properly. tell the seamstress to save the bottom of the original hem to finish the new hem-so it doesnt look like you just cut and folded it underneath. and yes...get some dark blue denim..it dresses up your look with some heels. black is nice too, but the blue is more budget conscious for everyday wear.

 

also shadowplay..if youre going for hipster..get a nice pair of black leggings. the kind that is opaque and not totally sheer/see thru. you can layer so much over these leggings and theyre so comfortable. layer a long

shirt or sweater or even dresses over them. mix and match..you can wear flipflops if youre running out to do errands or dress up with a black tunic and black heels and youre instantly put together and stylish.

 

now..for tops..this is wear it gets tricky. tops kinda define if your outfit is going to be cute, sexy, trendy, sporty, or hipster. tshirts are good for girls too...just make sure theyre not skin tight or baggy. they should cling to you enough that it shows your curves without being made for a child. wear a nice tshirt with jeans, heels, a really cool thin fabric scarf wrapped around your neck and youre set. i would stay away from graphics if you know you dont have the best fashion sense yet..until you start getting comfortable with your evolving taste and style. its really about wearing the clothes and not letting them wear you. dont ever wear anything youre not comfortable with cause then youre walking around unconfident and ppl can sense that. the sexiest thing is when someone exudes confidence.

 

another really nice hipster/sexy look with a tshirt is to pair the shirt (remember it cant be baggy..skin tight or slightly above the belly-depending on your physique-for this look is ok) with slacks. i love a good pair of wool slacks. either gray, pinstripe, cream or etc...even if its polyester..just make sure the slacks have both pockets in the back please!..the pockets add detail and balance the slacks..also makes your butt look good ..wear this outfit with some drop earrings or a dope hat and youre good to go. the trick is to mix and match old things with new. simple things like a tee, with dressier things like slacks..then you dont look too cookie cutter and it gives you a personal edge of style..never too over the top. in the spring/summer..take this advice further with some wool pinstripe shorts and a billowy top and heels....super sexy..but who

woulda thought heels and shorts?..just dont wear a short shirt with short shorts...thats too much..get the picture?

 

when youre shopping at affordable places like H&M or forever 21...look for pieces that dont have a lot of embellishment on them. lots of beads and glitter look cheap. its fine to shop cheap..heck i love thrift stores..but dont go for pieces that scream..this top is forever 21. the best compliment is when someone asks you 'where did you get that shirt?' and theyre so surprised when you proudly say..'forever 21 for $15'. its not a compliment when someone tells you, 'that top looks like its from forever21'..see the difference?

 

sorry guys...i could go on and on here...fashion is my passion...i hope im not insulting anyone... better stop now before i go off on another rant

[dolphin08]

Hey, by all means, keep going!