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Dappered Classics: Ten Ways to Upgrade your Casual Style

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Ten Ways to Upgrade your Casual Style – Dappered for Primer Magazine

Above Photo Credit: Lisa McNamara
Originally Published 8/9/10

If you are what you eat, then you act the way you’re dressed. So consider picking up your level of style even if you’re spending a night on the couch. Especially if you’re married or living with a significant other. They’d probably like it if you put on a clean shirt every once in awhile.

Primer Magazine’s mission is to help younger men make the transition from the stained t-shirt and ripped jeans world of college, to the real world of grown ups.  One of the easiest ways to start making that progression is by changing the way you dress on your down time.  That’s why when the opportunity presented itself to pass along some suggestions on how to look better casually to the Primer Magazine audience, it was a no-brainer.

Click on over to Primer Magazine and check out the Dappered.com provided guest post.  Then come on back and leave your own tips, reaction, agreements and disagreements in the comments section below.
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Click Here for the Dappered 10 Ways to Upgrade your Casual Style
Click Here for the Dappered 10 Ways to Upgrade your Casual Style

Comments

  1. Fantastic post Joe! Looks like a comprehensive, and very applicable list!

    I do have a random question regarding point #8. Is there a specific place on your neck that you “draw the line” and shave beneath? I don’t have one of the electric trimmers that you’ve mentioned time after time, although I’m meaning to get one, so fading it away isn’t quite an option. Sorry if this is confusing… I’ve heard that about 0.5-1 inch above the adams apple is generally a good rule of thumb. Thoughts? It always seems to look odd shaved with a regular razor because of the super-defined line…

    Cheers,
    Ben

  2. Great article.

    Guys with unshaven necks just look nasty. Who started that look? Justin Timberlake?

    Baseball caps. Heck, I wouldn’t mind if the 20-something crowd would just wear them correctly i.e. not backwards.

  3. the express belt I have to disagree on. A big black buckle just doesn’t sit well with me. I prefer the silver buckle they sell much more. I guess it’s the lack of contrast in the belt I may not be used to.

  4. @Harry: Have you seen the belt in person? The picture isn’t very flattering, the buckle is actually quite small. I agree with you though, I prefer the silver buckle usually.

    Unfortunately Express doesn’t tend to carry the smaller belt sizes (I need a 32 at the largest) as much. Either that or I’m just horribly unlucky and they all sell out before I get there.

  5. Great post and I agree on everything except dressing like this while at home watching tv. When my girlfriend and I are just staying in and relazing she would much rather me be in basketball shirts and a t. However since 90% of american men also wear that while “just going to the grocery store” or to the mall. I think this is a great list for college kids going to class or “just going to the mall” But I will never stop wearing my sweats and bball shorts when Im home watching sports on the weekend by myself or with my girl. I actually think I have at least a variation of everything you mentioned in the article. Great post as usually.

    PS my friends always say that I am overdressed. I just look well put together and they are underdressed.

  6. I agree with you Chris. When you’re watching tv at home and you’re not really planning on going out, a baseball cap and some shorts should be ok. And I catch a lot of looks myself from people who think I might be a little “overdressed”. But thinking back to guys like Dean Martin or Sinatra who never, ever looked underdressed shows its always better to be overdressed than under.
    Great article Joe. The gingham shirt point was particularly useful to me since I feel like I’m having trouble dressing a little more casual w/o having to wear t-shirts that are now played out. All I really have in rotation are solid color v-necks or a few solid gray and black tees. I gotta get me some gingham.

  7. @Ben: Where I usually draw the line is when my neck has gone to full vertical or just slightly past. Don’t do the chin strap thing and shave right up to your jawbone at the chin. That’ll probably make you look like you have a double chin? Does that help?

  8. @Chris ya I feel you, however I find it really easy to also go casual with a nice striped button up or madras shirt. Jcrew especailly has some great lightweight washed button ups and gap and places like that always have some good deals. I try and only wear v necks and crew neck tees if its really casual. A nice gingham, striped, or madras button up is always a good call.