#1. Wear a suit for no reason at least a few times a month.
Especially if you’re rarely suited. A well cut suit is the most powerful thing in a guy’s wardrobe. But even if it’s perfectly tailored and looks fantastic, you’ve got to wear it every so often to be truly comfortable in it. That way, when it comes time for that wedding or job interview, it’ll feel like no big deal. There’s no reason you can’t be the best dressed guy in the room. Put on that suit and take your significant other out for dinner.
#2. Go one full month without buying any clothes, shoes, or accessories.
Plenty of you do this often. But there’s many of us who don’t. Consider it a cleanse for your closet.
#3. Wear blazers and sportcoats more often.
If you’re not in a jacket 95% of the time, wearing one for the hell of it will feel stuffy at first. But hang in there. And know that there are plenty of reasons why it’s a good idea to default to a jacket.
#4. Invest in a three season trench.
Most men have a winter peacoat, topcoat, or both in their arsenal. You’ll want something lighter weight yet cut from the same mold for spring, cool summer downpours, and fall. Standby for an in-person, but it appears that Banana Republic has brought back a cotton/nylon blend trench. It could be a steal at 30% off.
#5. Tuck your shirt in more
On the weekends, or after work, most men under 35-years-old let their shirt tails hang. And it can be done right, but tucking it in and adding a layer on top like a sweater or an unconstructed blazer looks way more polished.
#6. Drink a glass of water before each meal
Your skin will look better, you’ll be healthier overall, and you’ll eat slower with better moderation. That means if you’re carrying some extra weight, your clothes should eventually start to fit and look better.
#7. Save up for a shoe shine caddy
Man it makes things easier. (Suggestions: this one’s pricey, and this one is cheaper.)
#8. Change something about your hair.
Let your hair go long. Or cut it short. Grow a beard or finally get your face fuzz straight razored off. I’ve got a friend who’s had a mustache for well over a decade and he’s spent more than a week trying to figure out if it should go. Make that change and give any regrets the bird.
#9. Save up for a really good pair of shoes.
Shoe snobbery can get tiresome. And most of us can make under $150 shoes last. But one thing is for certain. Getting your hands on and feet inside a pair of bullet proof, could last a life time oxfords can be a real smart investment. As long as you’re not stretching your budget too much. Look for something that’s traditional with an interesting detail. Example: The Allen Edmonds Weybridge. They even go real well dressed up with jeans.
#10. Don’t take the “rules” of fashion so seriously.
The annual reminder for us all. If you feel your best in it, and it looks good on you, forget the “experts” and go with it. Most of these so-called rules (even the ones you read on this website) are more suggestions than anything. 99.9% of you already get this. Don’t over think it. There are much bigger things to be concerned about.
What else? Leave your own personal style resolutions below. And also, many thanks for the readership in 2011.
A few potential investments for 2012: A shoe caddy, well made laceups, and a do anything trench.
I just can’t do resolution #2. I swing by Target and their clearance section far too often for that to happen!
What I need to do is cleanse my closet more often itself, because it’s truly constantly improving with every item I buy now, rather than simply growing in size.
1. Shine shoes at least twice a month. I got a shoe shine kit for my birthday & I’ve only used it a few times.
2. Buy a pair of selvage denim jeans. Never owned a pair.
3. Focus more on accessories.
Adding:
4. Buy a really good pair of shoes.
5. Buy a three season trench.
Happy new years
I have that corkscrew wine bottle opener from the picture. Reminds me one of my resolutions this year: drink better wine. I’m not talking about everyday, but once in a while if you have occasion to celebrate or splurge. Share a bottle of really good wine with friends over a meal. It’ll be much more memorable than toasting with a glass of champagne and it’ll expand your taste horizons.
Joe – you hit the nail on the head with a lot of these with me. Especially the trench. But 1 & 3 hit home well also.
I’ve been looking for that three season trench for a while now and will be hopping on it as Spring approaches. I will however be going with a more traditional double breasted coat as the style is more classic/ enduring than the single breasted one featured.
Going to make a much harder effort to wear jackets and sportcoats at work this year, but working at an engineering office causes eyebrows to raise whenever I step up my outfit from the typical polo-and-slacks.
good list in the picture
Raised eyebrows are something all of us Dappered converts have had to deal with, no matter where we are. I’m a law student and when I was first dressing up, people would always ask me if I had an interview. When I told them no, they would give me a funny look, like “Why on earth you bother looking like an adult human being for any OTHER reason??”
Unless you work in the fashion industry, it’s an accepted mantra that no one likes being more dressed-up than they absolutely have to be; being naked and/or wearing pajamas is supposedly the ideal state of existence.
It’s up to us to prove that mantra wrong, one button-down and fitted blazer at a time. Once you learn to handle the raised eyebrows, people will adjust to the way you dress, and more likely than not, some of them will start dressing better, too.
This list is spot-on, especially number 2. Let’s see if I can make it through January (does it count that I’m receiving a package from LEC tomorrow?).
For your consideration, I submit:
#11. Make your casual wear as deliberate and thoughtful as your businesswear. There’s no reason for most of us not to wear a blazer 3 or 4 times a week, but on the days we don’t, that’s no excuse to stop thinking about how we’re presenting ourselves to the world.
BR Khaki trench product overview:
-Traditional double-breasted closure.
I regularly do number 2, but it’s become significantly harder since I started visiting your site…
I am going to try number 2 in February. I have already slipped on that one for January on January 1st thanks to Nordstrom’s half yearly men sale 🙂
Good list. I’ve already put a date on the calendar for when I can return to buying clothes after this holiday season.
I’d like to work with a friend at least once this year to understand their fit and style and help them makeover their wardrobe like I did. With their money, though.
Wear more bow ties! Recently discovered how fun these are.
Im gonna try and be more selective when it comes to sales and buying on impulse….force myself to make a list and prioritize things I need vs. those I want (scale of 1-10) haha
P.S. That pictured resolutions list reminds me of this. Which also doubled as my law school finals study guide not too long ago.
I also work in an engineering office filled with 35-65 yer olds (I’m 26) and got the weird stares and comments when I started wearing a tie everyday. People don’t like change, and when they see you rocking something new, they feel like you’re trying to disrupt their status quo. My advice is to start small: try throwing in a jacket or tie once or twice a week and gradually step it up from there. You’ll never be able to get around the looks and comments, but after a slow and gradual transition, they eventually go away and people start to subconsciously expect you to dress well.
Me as well. Picked up some Allen Edmond wingtips yesterday from the sale. Looks like February will be my dry month too.
Happy New Year to you & the Dappered staff, Joe. Oh, and don’t let your sponsors read #2.
Love the list… Went back to Brooks Bros. site last Monday night and the shoe valet was available again… It’s been ordered and should ship out 1/11.
Agree with the above on dressing well casually too. Also, yeah, you’ll get comments and weird looks when you change how you dress at first, but eventually people will come to expect it and others may follow your lead. Guys in my office started wearing ties several times a week a couple months after I did.
1. Find dual purpose athletic/work clothes. I work two jobs one in a creative field and the other in athletics. Bridging the wardrobe gap is pretty difficult, especially when I have to go straight from one to the other. I’ve been thinking about trying out some nice fitted golf pants because I want to look presentable in both arenas but not have to bring 3 outfits with me everyday.
2. I need a nice pair of brown boots. Will be saving up for some.
3. Get rid of any tacky mall brand clothes that I wear when everything else is dirty.
4. Do laundry more.
My style resolutions for 2012 :
1. Buy a nice pair of shoes, probably black oxfords. Oh and some cool wingtips.
2. Buy a few sportcoats/blazers.
Those two are harder than they look. I live in a medium-sized city in Canada, where menswear is usually overpriced and/or ugly and/or too big for me. I need size 6/6.5 shoes and size 34S/slim 36S jackets and size XS shirts. Shipping and brokerage fees are really expensive, I don’t want to deal with returns too. Gap Canada no longer carry XS sizes, so right now the only places I can shop are Simons and Mexx for clothes, Aldo for shoes.
3. Shine my shoes.
4. Iron my clothes.
I hate to do those two. It’s too time consuming (not that I have better things to do instead). I own a pair of Sebago wingtip boots, but I’m not wearing them, since I’m afraid I won’t be taking care of them (see resolution #5).
5. Wear the things I’m buying.
I bought a navy blazer and a nice pair of flannel trousers a few months ago. They’re still sitting in my closet, unworn. I’m scared to wear them; they’re the most expensive items of clothing I own and since I can’t just throw them in the washer/dryer, I don’t want to stain them or anything.
6. Own a suit. A real suit.
I already own two, but they’re oversized and cheaply made. Time for a change. I just hope I’ll find an occasion to wear it.
7. Wear a tux.
I don’t think I’ll ever be invited to a black tie event in my life, but it’s something I want to try at least once.
I work in an engineering office (and I’m 26) as well; however, with a frequent need to be out in the shop taking measurements, observing as-builts, etc.. I can’t really afford to dress myself up, as my clothes may get dirty on any given day. So that leaves the nights and weekends..
Amen.
I’ve been occasionally wearing a blazer, or a tie under a V-neck sweater, and
I think that coworkers are starting to finally get used to it. When asked why
i’m wearing something nice, I just respond that “I felt like it”. Young
engineers need to start breaking the engineer fashion mold. After all, look at
1960’s NASA engineers: black suits, ties, thick rimmed glasses, and they put a
man on the moon.
Dressing well always helps my confidence when meeting with directors and
other higher-ups; I can’t rely on 20 years of experience to argue my points, so
a polished appearance does wonders in creating a positive first impression right
before I blow them away with the knowledge I do have.
Re: shoe shine caddy/valet. I have one of these. But how do you shine shoes so they don’t slip off?
have someone wear them while you shine’em up
I feel you man, based on the comments here it really is an engineering firm thing. The combination of older age workers and slight nerdiness of the typical engineer ends up giving you a poorly dressed office. I wear a tailored dress shirt and slacks to work and sometimes feel overdressed.
my resolution is to continue doing things my way..
the office says no ties: i wear a cashmere scarf with pride.i wear tailor made waistcoats because i don’t need a tie anymore. i still look pro.i still wear ties regularly though, to be even more pro.i don’t care if i’m not the boss. i dress as if i owned the building.
To finally own a sport coat for those times when the full suit is not needed. Also some dressy yet casual shoes.
Size six shoes? Are you 12?! (Just kidding.)
Or better, wear them while someone shine’em up.
No, sadly I’m almost 23.