Mens timeless fashion basics how to#

The all-time most useful cut of the world’s most popular garment, according to Alex Mir, co-owner of Sheffield-based label Forge Denim, is ‘slim-tapered’. But he adds that, when it comes to colour, less is still more: “You just need a bit of it, in one garment.” “But colour can be timeless too.” A green suit, for example, can look particularly rakish, while Spencer also recommends pinks, greens, mustard and brighter shades of blue as especially versatile year-round shades that will lift your entire outfit. “Most men are unjustly scared of it – they’re intimidated by anything that isn’t navy or grey,” says menswear designer Oliver Spencer. Whether it’s on casualwear or formalwear, indulge in a bit of colour. It should feel comfortable and be right in terms of size and depth relative to your wrist as well – 40mm is considered the ‘Goldilocks’ size. But you also have to be practical.” Aesthetic, functional, rugged sports models go with anything and can take the hard knocks of everyday wear. Watches are personal, it marks your passage through time. “Choose it because you love it, not because you think it might make money. “A watch is like a piece of art,” argues Don Cochrane, managing director of British watch brand Vertex. It’s the way you wear it, not the label inside, that impresses.” The idea is to think of this suit as a canvas to build different ideas of individuality around. Classic is best and most useful – dark, two-button, single-breasted, moderate in details. “Be cautious about wearing a period suit unless you’re pursuing a total period look because in isolation the suit starts to look like a novelty,” he adds. If you’re buying off-the-peg, focus on the fit across the shoulders because getting the chest and waist altered is a relatively easy job according to Davide Taub, head of bespoke suits at Savile Row tailor Gieves & Hawkes.

Mens timeless fashion basics how to#

But, these rules have stood the test of time and, when used in conjunction, act as a failsafe guide on how to dress well as a man today. That, after all, is part of the pleasure of clothing, which no rule should hamper: trying new kit out, seeing if it suits you, seeing how it makes you feel. Some of these you may have already discovered for yourself. There are certainly many other rules out there than are presented here.

And they tend to be founded in the obvious, so obvious they’re often overlooked: a preference for good fit, high quality, versatility, good value, lack of extremes and keeping it sober. These dressing tips for men tend to be founded in history – they’ve worked for generations, so might well be assumed to work well today too. They’re solid suggestions rather than the last word on style.īut good fashion tips for men are never to be sniffed at, and, as menswear becomes ever more rich and varied, ever more experimental and abundant, ever more trend-aware, in moments of confusion and self-doubt, it can help to have a valuable fall-back position that cuts through the clutter. So, when it comes to dressing, they always have to be taken at face value. Of course, every man or woman that has an opinion on such things speaks from personal experience – and no doubt what works for one doesn’t always work for another or what works for one is considered too pedestrian or too avant-garde by another. Like the rules that govern how to dress well.