1 of 6

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 9

group of clothes between his endless grey suits and jeans.

Why: (1) He developed his attire when a guy was either working at a bank or working on his car. (2) He is afraid to screw it up - a suit is safe, because everything matches. (3) He feels bad casting off a closet full of really nice and expensive (but, unfortunately, really dated) suits. (4) Anything other than a white shirt just feels weird.

The remedy: Try mock turtle necks or crew necks in nice silk knit; for a less trendy look wear a button down collar oxford shirt in coarser fabric; wear your favorite suit to a men's store, like Men's Warehous and say, "I'd like to dress this down". For ideas, go to catalogues like Charles Tyrwhitt and Paul Fredrick to find examples of casual shirts. Then cut out your favorite pages and go shopping to less pricey places like S&K and Haggar's. If your job requires that you wear a suit and you are going someplace less formal after work, carry a silk knit mock turtleneck with you (it will easily fit into a briefcase), sneak into the restroom when it's time to run to your after work engagement, ditch the jacket, tie and shirt and replace with that mock turtleneck. Use color. Please.

Life tip: Being less dressy doesn't mean just being less dressed.

2. Nature child

The look: thrift store stuff; drab ill-fitting natural fabric clothes (the natural part is admirable, the rest is not); carpenter pants; lots of baggy t-shirts; military surpluce stuff.

Why: He wants to do right by the world, but insists on buying cheap (this contributing to garbage, because his clothes fall apart at the seams every 3 months); think that unkempt look means getting closer to nature (it doesn't - it just means looking sloppy).

The remedy: Buy clothes in natural fibers and colors that are good quality and well-tailored. Run searches for "organic clothing for men" and "bamboo clothing for men" to find many, many available natural fiber options that look good and wear well. Ask around and find a good barber, who can give your hair some shape, even if you insist on keeping it long; if you wear a ponytail, you can still benefit from a good haircut, and if you want dreads, have them done professionally.

Life tips: (1) Find other ways to recycle if you feel guilty about your new wardrobe. Learn a new skill that appeals to your re-using, environmentally conscious nature: refurbish and sell (or donate) old furniture, turn your back yard into a nature preserve, grow your own herbs and veggies (it can be done

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• ...
• 9
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Men's fashion: Dressing for success?
We want to hear your view. Write now!