Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

  • Don’t Miss Anything
  • Start Here
  • Essentials Shop
  • Latest Deals
  • Style Scenarios
  • Reviews
  • Forum

Five Quick and Easy Style Upgrades

June 14, 2010 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

Five Quick and Easy Style Upgrades

If you look good you’ll feel good.  And if you feel good, you’re better equipped to make others around you feel good.  If you can do that, you can own the world.

Looking good isn’t about out-dressing everyone by wearing designer brands and dandyish levels of clothing.  Far from it.  Looking good is about wearing clothes that are appropriate, fit your body well, and make you feel confident.  The key to looking great is to add one or two unique pieces that reflect your personality, but at the same time won’t make you the center of attention.  Personal style is a finesse game.  If you show up to a BBQ looking like Karl Lagerfeld, you’re worse off than the guy in jean shorts and a Hawaiian shirt.

Here’s five quick ways to upgrade your style without going too far.

Also available in plain black in-store.
Also available in plain black in-store.

1. Wear something other than Jeans – A lot of us have an addiction to denim, even for work.  Medium blue for our down time, dark denim for when we’re dressing up.  Chinos don’t have to feel like dress pants if you buy heavier pairs with a little more room in the legs.  Try the Banana Republic washed boot cut chino.

2. But if you do wear jeans, consider a knit tie – Square ended knit tie’s look great with jeans.  This one from Alfani Red is perfect.  The knit is small enough that it’s smooth but still has texture, and the trimness is perfect without being too trendy.

3. Sport a white pocket square – It almost seems unfair that something so small can make such a massive difference.  That sliver of white contrast is like steroids for your suit, with none of those pesky negative drawbacks.  Your suit will go from warning track power to home run distance with zero testicle shrinkage.

D. Quaid Relaxes in Style.
D. Quaid Relaxes in Style.

4. Buy a few casual, lightly structured blazers – I’m not talking about those blue wool numbers with the gold sailor buttons.  Cotton blazers.  From Old Navy, or Gap, or the Macy’s brand INC even makes a few good ones.  Get them tailored and every time you wear one you’ll have that athletic V-shape.  They keep your oxfords under control and streamline your look easily.  Plus they just look cool.

5. Don’t Dress like a Slob, even when you can – Just because you can dress like a slob on your down time, doesn’t mean you should dress like a slob on your downtime.  Dressing decent builds on itself, and the perfect time to try something new is when you’re at home taking a load off. See if you like it.  This 2009 GQ slideshow featuring Dennis Quaid shows it’s completely possible to be totally relaxed yet look great.

Men usually fall into three categories when it comes to how they dress.  They either don’t care, they care too much and don’t know what they’re doing… or, they actually look pretty damn good.  These five upgrades prove it doesn’t take much time or money to be a guy that looks pretty damn good.

Filed Under: Accessories, Clothing, Etc. Tagged With: casual style, Dennis Quaid, five quick and easy upgrades, style guide, What to Wear

Continue the Conversation …

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a tweet, join the discussion on Facebook, or start a discussion on Dappered Threads, our forum!

Don’t Miss Anything

Subscribe via email to get articles in your inbox or add Dappered on Flipboard. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or subscribe to push notifications to get alerts immediately.

New Here?

Well, welcome to Dappered. Here are what we consider the most useful posts on the site if you're looking to put a little more effort into your appearance. Just want to see our favorite menswear products? Shop our essentials here.

Steal Alert: J. Crew Extra 50% off Sale Styles + Stock Refresh

Steal Alert: J. Crew Extra 50% off Sale Styles + Stock Refresh

Coats. Boots. Sweaters. Final sale though.

The Weekend Reset: TE Lawrence, Minimalism, and Snow

The Weekend Reset: TE Lawrence, Minimalism, and Snow

Plus: Soup!

Spier Shoes Sale, Half off Core Temp Chinos, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful

Spier Shoes Sale, Half off Core Temp Chinos, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful

Plus a rare deal on a USA made backpack with a cult following.

Follow Dappered on Instagram »

Comments

  1. Jason says

    June 14, 2010 at 7:57 AM

    I 100% agree. Nice list!

  2. Chris R says

    June 15, 2010 at 6:23 PM

    Lose the BOOTCUT chinos and your on to something…pretty good list. Maybe some slim straight chinos from Jcrew or even some from H and M but please no bootcut!!!

  3. Joe says

    June 15, 2010 at 6:57 PM

    Those Boot cut chinos don’t look real flared out in real life. They’re the only way to get a somewhat relaxed pair (which won’t feel like dress pants unlike most slim chinos) that’ll be an acceptable feeling substitute for those of us that are jeans addicts. In my opinion of course…

  4. Chris R says

    June 16, 2010 at 11:13 AM

    Like I said before just get the Urban slim from jcrew and if you are worried they will look too dressy go for the “broken in” chino. Thats also just my opinion.

  5. Bryan says

    June 16, 2010 at 12:27 PM

    The J.Crew urban slim are really slim. I wouldn’t recommend buying them without first trying them on in store.

Men’s Fashion or Affordable Style?

Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable. Dappered® helps you work the retail system so that you can be comfortable, look sharp, and save money.

Want to share a great product? Email Us.
Continue the discussion at Dappered Threads.
For a fit perspective, see Joe's measurements.
Make sure to read our affiliate disclosure.

Connect with Dappered

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Popular on Dappered

  • 10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – Tech Joggers, New Sunglasses, Better(?) Silicone Rings, & More
  • Spier Shoes Sale, Half off Core Temp Chinos, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful
  • Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – BR makes an Athletic Tapered Traveler Jean, AE Factory 2nds, & More
  • 10 Skills to Master for a truly Stylish Home
  • Steal Alert: J. Crew Extra 50% off Sale Styles + Stock Refresh
  • Sunday Steal Alert: J. Crew 50% off Select New Arrivals / 40% off most everything else

Popular Topics

  • Best dress shirts to own
  • Best looking watches under $100
  • Best men’s dress shoes under $200
  • Nike Killshot sneaker alternatives
  • How to wear a suit without a tie
  • Suitsupply store review
  • Suitsupply Blue Line review
  • J. Crew Factory Thompson suit review
  • How much does it cost to tailor a suit?
  • Dopp kit essentials
  • Brown shoes with gray pants
  • Men’s style buying guide

RSS Latest on Dappered Threads

  • Altering Boardshorts?
  • Crown & Caliber sold to Hodinkee
  • J. Crew Court Classic Sneakers
  • BR athletic tapered?
  • Navy Blue Overcoat with Blue Trousers?

Copyright © 2021 Dappered.com | Dappered, LLC | Dappered® is a registered trademark of Dappered, LLC

Hat tip: Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework

Dappered does not collect or sell its users personal information | Disclosures: Privacy and Affiliates, Gilt.com, FTC

WPE

We work with partners that use cookies to understand how visitors use our site. Find out more.