Mr. DNA Posted August 5, 2009 Posted August 5, 2009 Just wanted to hear some thoughts as to how a guy should expand his wardrobe beyond jeans, t-shirts and hoodies. I'm gradually phasing in tasteful button-down shirts and longsleeves, but rather than my usual routine of desultory cherry-picking in the Men's section of Old Navy, I'd like to cultivate my own style that I can just add on to. I'm aware that women model their behavior and style based on people they admire (Marilyn, Audrey, etc) - so I figured it makes sense for guys to do the same thing. Seeing as how Ryan Reynolds is married to my dream girl and I think he's a likeable guy, I figure he's a good person to take cues from. In regards to my features, I'm a 5'11, 155-pound ex-servicemember with a trim athletic build, short brown hair, several tattooes, and a love of punk rock and skateboarding. Fortunately, many skateboard companies also have respectable clothing lines, but it's still somewhat limiting. Any pointers as to where I should shop, what I should keep an eye out for, and what to avoid? Thanks in advance. P.S. I had to change the title of this thread FOUR TIMES. Evidently, "Attention ladies: guy wants fashion advice" somehow violates language guidelines on this forum. WTF?
Lucky_One Posted August 5, 2009 Posted August 5, 2009 How old are you? What is your idea of an ideal first date?
quankanne Posted August 5, 2009 Posted August 5, 2009 find a transition look: Dockers are nice, and pretty much "dress-up" clothes for my jean-loving, T-shirt wearing redneck of a husband, and they're a very nice compromise for us (he looks good, and I'm happy he's willing to "clean up" from time to time!) other guys are completely comfortable in slacks and dress shirts, guess you just need to buy a variety of clothes and see what feels best. Some men can pull off the Dockers style and make them look really dressy, others can wear linen and look totally rockin' ... I guess it's like with us gals, whatever makes you FEEL good is what LOOKS good. I say reflect your independent nature even as you step it up ...
Author Mr. DNA Posted August 5, 2009 Author Posted August 5, 2009 I just turned 28 years old. My ideal first date would entail meeting just before dinner at an art gallery/bookstore, hanging out for a bit and getting a bite to eat before heading out to the local theater on campus which shows independent movies. Afterwards, I'd take my companion to the bar where I work (it's a refurbished old-style theater/auditorium with two cool cocktail bars), introduce her to some of my peer group, check out a bit of the show if a band is playing, and have a couple of drinks before taking her home. Or, if she's anything like the last girl I dated, we'd ride go-karts and get thrown out of Toys 'R Us. That was fun.
Trialbyfire Posted August 5, 2009 Posted August 5, 2009 Personal style has much to do with comfort, lifestyle, internal image and body shape/type. Mesh these together and it will come through with how you wear your clothes, instead of how the clothes look, if that makes sense.
2sure Posted August 5, 2009 Posted August 5, 2009 This is exactly what you need to do, and at 28 you are right on time: 1. Buy a subscription to Esquire. A paper one. 2. Save your money and buy a pair of expensive and good shoes.
quankanne Posted August 5, 2009 Posted August 5, 2009 true, true – certain pieces of your wardrobe will speak volumes about you ... a good pair of shoes, a nice jacket (mmmm, leather), a certain shirt and tie ... you don't have to completely redo your wardrobe, just find those pieces that emphasize your style and personality and just make you stand out. kinda like cooking: You don't have to be a whiz in the kitchen to impress people, just master a few dishes that wow them.
sally4sara Posted August 5, 2009 Posted August 5, 2009 Wear what appeals to you as it helps attract the kind of women you will be more naturally compatible with in the long run. What really matters is your grooming habits. Wash your body and hair on the regular. If you decide to use cologne, don't spray it in you, spray the air and walk through the mist. Do not think this eliminates the need to wash your clothes. Brush your teeth at least daily. Use floss and mouthwash. Do not pic parts of yourself and then ingest what you find at least not in public. If you sneeze, don't wipe it down the legs of your jeans. Actually wipe your crack with paper when you eliminate rather than just waving paper around in the general area of your butt. Blood and/or other body fluids on your clothes does not add "character". I know it sounds like I'm joking but I'm not. After having dated, been close friends and roommates with guys, and having only brothers and a son - I am aware that these habits usually are not habits and are more of early dating ritual that get tossed out the window after the wooing stage has passed. And that statement counts for double when dealing with crusty skater punk rock boys.
Lucky_One Posted August 5, 2009 Posted August 5, 2009 I think you are doing this in a good time for your life, too. 28 is too old for hoodies, for the most part. Banana Republic is a good choice for guys your age who don't have the funds to shop at Nordstrom. It's the top tier of the group that owns Old Navy, so you are taking your basic look and dressing it up, and using better fabrics and fits and details. Try J. Crew, too - a casual, rugged without having duck blood on your clothes (like if you only wore Carhill) look. A & F for some things, but it is sort of young and a bit too rumply for a guy who is trying to look a little more polished. But good for button-downs. Get good jeans that fit well - not metrosexual jeans, but jeans that show off your butt, don't hang down below your boxers, and don't have a skoal ring. Wear undershirts under most of your buttondowns. And they need to be fairly new and sustantial; a thin grey-ish stretched t-shirt is the last thing a girl wants to see when she is unbuttoning your shirt. And update your boxers; stretched out elastic or faded patterns is not a good look. If you have to wear those new tight boxer briefs, look at yourself VERY frankly in a mirror and see if you are emphasizing figure flaws that should be NOT emphasized (like a pot belly or a swayback). Good luck!
2sure Posted August 5, 2009 Posted August 5, 2009 I have to interject again. Please please do not assume you have personal style. Only gay men are born with this. Straight men just need to be dressed appropriately whether you are hiking, on a dinner date, or taking a meeting. Flare just F's you up. Esquire and shoes.
espec10001 Posted August 5, 2009 Posted August 5, 2009 :sick::sick::sick: Wear what you think looks good and is comfortable. Esquire and fancy shoes? Don't we have enough of these clones walking around already?
2sure Posted August 6, 2009 Posted August 6, 2009 Ahhh. I see we have a straight man with flare. And I didnt say fancy shoes...men should not wear fancy anything. Or even say it.
Thornton Posted August 6, 2009 Posted August 6, 2009 I always think guys look hot with a tshirt under a dress shirt. Unusual colour combinations work well, like a bright green or blue tshirt under a white shirt, or a grey tshirt under a striped shirt. You can get some shirts which are still pretty casual, like the ones with turned up sleeves and stuff - casual enough to wear with combats, if that's your thing, but also look good with jeans or slacks. Invest in a cool pair of shades too, they make most outfits look better. Oh, and a nice blazer too (I think navy or grey with a pinstripe looks good) - a guy in tshirt and shirt, with a smart blazer and blue jeans literally makes me swoon with desire I would advise against wearing shoes with jeans or combats - shoes go with trousers, whereas jeans or combats require sneakers - you can get some pretty smart brown leather sneakers nowadays if you want to dress it up a bit. Stick to colours with colours, and if you're wearing black stick to monochrome - nothing looks cheaper than colours mixed with black. For example, if you're wearing a blue shirt, beige/grey slacks or blue jeans look cool, but black trousers look terrible. The best tip is to try before you buy, and only buy clothes that fit your body shape and look good on you - just because it looks good on the hanger (or on someone else) does not mean it will look good on you. Look around you in the street and see what other guys are wearing, it might give you some ideas. Oh, and make sure your trousers and jacket sleeves aren't too short or too long - major no-no. Get them adjusted by a tailor if necessary. If I had to pick a male style icon, I'd choose Brad Pitt - he dresses really nice in his personal life, he always looks cool in those paparazzi shots, and he has the BEST shades!
espec10001 Posted August 6, 2009 Posted August 6, 2009 Ahhh. I see we have a straight man with flare. And I didnt say fancy shoes...men should not wear fancy anything. Or even say it. I don't necessarily believe that I have 'flare', but if a woman doesn't give me the time of day because I don't look like an Esquire model fresh out of the factory then I'd be wise to stay far away from that type of woman, and so would the original poster. Be who you are and dress how you want and f*** what others think.
Author Mr. DNA Posted August 6, 2009 Author Posted August 6, 2009 Thanks for the tips, everyone. My strategy is this - every night next week, I'm having a female friend take me out shopping to buy one outfit. When the week's over, I'll have five outfits that can pass muster with five different women, and hopefully a greater understanding of what works and what doesn't. I reckon it's a good start.
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