Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions

Stepping Up My Style... Where to start?

more_vert
A community member
Jan 13, 20172042 VIEWS
Hello everyone,
A couple of weeks ago I came to the conclusion I need to step up my style. I'm a 25 year old web developer living in Europe and dressing casual every single day. This means, graphic tees, hoodies, zipped hoodies, sneakers, jeans (I do own a pair of Red Wing Iron Rangers, but that's about it).
I feel at this point in my life I want to dress more professional, not like a 18 year old anymore that just graduated college. I've been reading a ton of articles, watching a load of videos etc about Men's Style and I know the direction I want to go in. However, I can't afford to immediately spend € 1000+ on an entire new wardrobe and would like to gradually change my style.
My idea is to start at the feet, and get myself a nice pair of Chelsea boots, followed by all-white sneakers (maybe immediately, maybe a bit later). After that I'd like to invest in a good pair of dark-washed jeans and some well fitting chinos.
I'd love to hear some opinions on this 'game plan'.
- swain
Vote
29
remove_red_eye
2K
A community member

search
close
AngeloR
67
Sep 10, 2018
Put salt water in your socks, it's cheap, fast and easy.
MakiAboabida
1
Jul 15, 2018
I'm not sponsoring, but i recommend subscribing to teachingmensfashion on youtube.
SodaSipper
26
Jul 13, 2018
Start with the following.
1. Focus on Fit-This took me some time to understand. It will not always be the most comfortable, but you will look good.
2. Shoes-Buy quality shoes. Even if they cost a bit more. They will last longer and look better in use than cheap shoes.
3. Be creative and have fun! Don't be afraid to be different. Everything doesn't have to match or follow the rules of style. Let you eyes and attitude lead you. If it looks good, and you feel good, wear it.
Hayden_97
2
Jul 8, 2018
I'm 20 and working on upgrading my wardrobe. Aside from shoes, which I will always buy new, I look on ebay for quality used clothes and thrift. Saves a ton of money for the same look. (30 bucks instead of 400)
MikeinMaryland
13
May 9, 2018
search
search

search

search

search

search
Congratulations. Good job making a plan and having the courage to own it. You have started on a path that only good can come from. Stick with it, take chances, everything can't be a winner, but when you get it right, you will notice results that you will like. When you catch an attractive woman stealing a look at your shoes, or when people look you up and down then give the unconcious nod of approval you'll know you got it right.
Brooks Brothers Advantage Chino Pant are great quality, catch them on sale or better to get a new with tags someone else paid the retail on. I don't have any Chelsea boots, but the Thursday Boot Company boots are so sweet. I have the Cap toe boots ( Captains ) in Black and Brown. Paid retail on Amazon for one pair, got the other on ebay for 50 bucks in like new condition. All white sneakers are on offer from all the sneaker makers. Adidas shell toe's are pretty timeless.
TL;DR 1) Always be fuckable 2) Fit is the single most important attribute 3) Get value for your money pay for quality material and finishing 4) Attention to detail 5) Continue to improve yourself
For your fashion end state, how do you want to present yourself. My answer is to have a put together, clean, appearance with clothes that flatter you. Rule number 1 " Always be fuckable " in your appearance and in the way you carry yourself. Whether you are dressing casual or dressing business. Wear clean clothes with good quality fabrics that smell good with colors that have depth, no stains, no dirt, no snags, Clean shoes, Clean haircut, smell good not overpowering or bad, wear a good looking high quality belt that complements the shoes and a watch that goes with both.
Fit is rule number 2. You need to know your Chest, Neck, Sleeve, Waist, and Inseam measurements so that you can buy clothes that will fit regardless of the manufacturer. You tube videos and instructional web sites for how to measure are good sources for the how to part of taking measurements. I like lots of different fit's from fitted suits to loose fit hoodies and joggers to compression and under armour clothes for workouts. What matters is the fit should flatter your body and be complementary not clashing.
Value is rule number 3. You pay for the name but you should be paying for the quality. You can shop brick and mortar thrift stores, auction web sites like ebay and poshmark for NWT or new with tags clothing that is fractions of MSRP. Find local sources that you can get good value from.
Attention to detail is rule number 4. For example Shoelaces should be high quality not dirty or dingy. Shoes should be dirt free, clean and look good. Women pay attention to your shoes. They make judgements about how you take care of yourself based on how you take care of your shoes. There is no end to attention to details ie; Knot types on neck ties and knot type on shoe laces. Learn shoe cleaning / polishing techniques, colors, mirror shines, edge dressing. If you have good quality shoes, they should last forever. I had some 8 year old Red Wing Engineer Boots re soled for 80 bucks just recently and took them on a camping trip. Awesome. They looked killer.
5. Continue to evolve. Take a selfie in a full body mirror daily so that you can see what works and why over time.
Some of the things I try to do are to read red pill on Reddit. Watch Alpha Male video's on you tube, recently I've been watching Kirby Allison videos on you tube from the hanger project. There is so much to work with I'm still working on learning the color wheel, how to match colors and learn about what is complementary and what is clashing.
Try some different shoes and boots to see what you like. I love Allen Edmond's mens shoes, Thursday Boot Company Boots, Under Armour sneakers, Red Wing Boots, Tim's. Best of luck to you on this journey.
MikeinMaryland
13
Jul 11, 2018
@rayf I have a lot of stuff that has somebody else's name on it that's mine. People die, stuff lives on. If you are talking about women though, I agree. One good way to catch a shotgun blast to the face is to mess with another mans wife. Thus the military saying. Trust you with my life but not my money. liquor, or wife.
RayF
22210
Jul 11, 2018
MikeinMarylandPerhaps you’re confused? We’re only speaking about clothing here, no military, no wives (but perhaps a little liquor...). And just to be clear, the names I'm referring to are the Designer's or the Manufacturer's names. If, on the other hand, your mom still writes your name on your underwear, well, that's something I'm willing to overlook ;- )
y_nu
34
May 5, 2018
Style is how you combine your clothes; and dressing professionaly is a mode for fitting into an environment. They're separate (but not mutually exclusive) things.
For example: I like to wear wingtips/brogues with jeans. That's a style choice, but doesn't make me look more professional.
If I stick with the wingtips/brogues and switch my jeans for a pair of dress pants, I might look more professional but probably less stylish. The combination is moving more towards expected behaviour.
Now, I like the look of a plain white dress shirt with jeans too. Matched with brogues, it's definitely a style choice in the part of the world where I live- most others are in tevas, fleece, and rockclimbing pants.
If I switch the jeans out for the dress pants now, it looks terrible- as though I'm a half-dressed businessman!
It's important that you like the clothes you wear, and that you feel *good* when you wear them. Start by changing one element. It sounds as though this will be your shoes. Wear them with your current clothes, get comfortable with them. Then go shopping, and find something that you think goes really well with item#1. Could be trousers, might be a belt, or even something as (formerly) mundane as socks.
Once you've gotten to the point where you're matching your underwear to your outfit, I think you can officially recognize a change in the way you're dressing :)
Hope this helps,
Y_nU
SpinalCmajor
2
Apr 5, 2018
You don't need to suddenly dress up. Start with less rather than more - this applies to anything. I would suggest "muting" your wardrobe first (basic, versatile clothing). Also never buy things on impulse.
Bknguyen
693
Mar 1, 2018
I think having some idea of what you like definitely helps. For me, I like a mix of style and practicality. I don't like babying clothes, I want clothes that I can wear every day and not worry about that also happen to look good. Good basics for this philosophy are chinos and oxford shirts. Nice and easy to wear, machine washable, and you look sharp.
Another tip I'd say is to spend a little more time and effort into shopping. I know that might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I find it truly beneficial to get it right. For me that means when I'm looking at something to buy, I try to think of at least 3 other outfits I already have that it can go with. If you keep doing this, eventually everything you have goes together and getting dressed in the morning becomes effortless. Then finally, spend time in nailing the fit. You can spend thousands on a suit, but if it doesn't fit you well, it's no different from an off the rack suit you can get in a mall.
Elsid
697
Sep 22, 2017
Stick with the classics. A black and a brown leather jacket. Belts , shoes, and boots that match the leather jackets. Clarks desert boot bees wax. Match socks to shoe or pant. Flat front slim chinos. Raw selvidge denim. A nice watch. Nice wallet. Some nice buuton down shirts, but not to many prints. Plaid is over done. I also wouldn't go too bright in colors, except for a nice royal blue. Some corduroy is nice. Keep it simple. There's alot of fasion advice on you-tube.
Antibacterial
319
Sep 12, 2017
Whatever you do don't go for a generic look or blindly follow style forum group think.
Showing 13 of 29
keyboard_arrow_up
Newest
29 OF 29 POSTS
keyboard_arrow_down
Oldest
Related Posts
Trending Posts in More Community Picks