“Where do I even start?” It’s a question that’s often asked by guys who have decided to put a little more effort (or any effort) into their appearance. And it’s a great question. Dappered was created, in part, to catalog and learn from the slip-ups made along the way. It’s not easy. And if you’re not at least a little mindful, you can end up wasting a ton of time and money.
As always, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. These aren’t rules. There are always exceptions, and these are more guidelines really. Also, keep in mind that one can go too far in this whole pursuit of “style” thing. It’s easy to overthink and obsess. Keep in mind that style is a means to an end, not the end, and you’ll be looking (and more importantly feeling) better than ever in no time. So by request, here’s what’s hopefully the most useful batch of posts on this site.
Skimp or Spend? A Buying Guide for Men’s Style
Most likely, your money is hard earned, so dropping a big amount on an addition to your wardrobe can be intimidating. That doesn’t always have to be the case though. Here’s our guide to choosing which pieces are worth spending more cash on, and which are not.
How to buy your first suit
An all encompassing guide to buying your first suit. The mistakes to avoid, where to save money when you can, and the importance of the tailoring which needs to get done after. Plus fit tricks, the risks of online vs in-person shopping, and more.
The Suit Style Purchase Priority Guide
If you’re just getting into “suiting up“, but have no idea which styles to add to your wardrobe first, let this be your guide. A suit can be a big investment, so figuring out what suit is the best investment first, and then moving on down the line, can help you avoid making purchases you regret later.
From Oxfords to Sneakers: The 5 Styles of Shoes Every Guy Needs
Pick one pair of shoes from these 5 styles and your footwear needs will be covered for the majority of life’s adventures. These are the essential shoes that every stylish guy needs to manage weddings, job interviews, work, travel, dates, and the like.
Shoe Care Essentials – How to Care for your Shoes (dress shoes, boots, sneakers)
What you need to protect, clean, condition, store, and repair. A 101 for essential shoe care.
How to dress up without REALLY dressing up – 12 Tips
Because sometimes you want to look better than you have to, without going overboard. 12 tips for looking a little more put together without looking overdressed.
What To Ask Your Tailor to Do: 4 Basic Suit Alterations
Reference this handy infographic when you’re not exactly sure what areas you should ask a tailor to fit to your measurements. These four basics will ensure you look like you are wearing your clothes, and your clothes aren’t wearing you.
10 Things I’ve Learned over the Last Decade of Dressing Well
Over the lifetime of publishing Dappered posts, our editor has learned A LOT. This site came into being because he wanted the clothes he put on his body to match the mentality he was creating about presenting himself well to the world. The style featured on Dappered may not completely resonate with you, but you’ll likely relate to at least a few of these ten observations.
Three Key Pieces of Advice for Beginners, Intermediate, & Experts
Things to keep in mind for the style newbie, for the guys who have been at it for a while, and for the self appointed style “experts” out there. Even if you’re just starting out, read ahead, and maybe tuck that info away for later use.
- 3 Key Pieces of Advice for Guys Just Getting Into Style
- 3 Key Pieces of Advice for the Intermediate Style Enthusiast
- 3 Key Pieces of Advice for the Self Appointed Style Experts
The Difference Between a Blazer, Suit Jacket, & Sportcoat
Didn’t know there are differences? This handy infographic explains it all. Then head here for the Top 5 Blazers/Sportcoats a guy should own, with suggestions.
Types of Sportcoats and Blazers, Listed by Formality
A guy in a well tailored sportcoat or blazer looks unfairly good. These jackets (along with suit jackets) are engineered to make us look stronger, leaner, and more confident. But all of those advantages can be nullified by wearing a jacket that’s either too casual or too dressed up for the occasion. Check out this list to be sure you’re not using the wrong coat at the wrong time.
10 Professionals a Well Dressed Guy Needs in His Corner
As is often the case, it’s not what you know, but who you know. It’s important for every well dressed guy to have, well, his “guys” (or “gals”) who are his go-tos for looking good, kicking back, and staying healthy. Surround yourself with these important pros, whom you trust and like, and you’ll be well ahead of the rest.
How to Dress Business Casual with Style – 10 Tips for Men
Whether working from home on a video call, or your office has gone more casual. Here’s how.
Oxfords vs Derbys & More – Shoe Style Jargon 101
Not sure what makes one dress shoe look a little sleeker, and/or a bit more dressy, than another? Have you heard the terms “Oxford”, “Blucher”, “Derby” and “Balmoral” thrown around, yet don’t know what the heck those terms mean? Once again, we have an inspired infographic to help explain the nuances that set each shoe apart.
The Power of “Boring” and the Danger of Boredom
We are living in the age of relentless novelty. Where “new” has supplanted “good” in terms of what we are told to value. Where there is no greater sin than to be boring. Quiet. Still. But just because something is “something” …that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s any good.
The Top 10 Dress Shirts to Own
Dress shirts aren’t made just to be worn with a suit. You can pair them with denim and a casual blazer in the right situation. Look to The Top 10 Dress Shirts to Own for guidance.
12 Basic Laundry Tips to Keep your Clothes Looking their Best
A lot can go wrong in the washer and dryer. Avoid ruining your clothes with these tips.
How to Iron a Dress Shirt
Which parts to iron first, the “undo” button on most irons, and more tips and tricks.
20 Reasons for a guy to dress well when he doesn’t have to (or want to)
Because dressing up is getting rarer and rarer. And sometimes we plain don’t want to. Here’s 20 reasons to give it a go all the same.
10 Common Men’s Grooming Mistakes
We all make them. A few stray hairs here, some dry skin there, or just too much cologne. This post is a good reminder of grooming habits to keep in check. And don’t worry, you’ll get the above picture when you read the post. Or maybe you just did.
When should I wear a Tie? – 10 times you should
Ties are an endangered species in our increasingly casual culture, but when you need one… you need one. 10 times a tie is called for.
What To Look For In…
In our “What To Look For” series, we lay out the attributes that make an affordable garment or accessory worthy of your hard earned cash. Here’s what to look for:
- In a Good, Cheap Sportcoat or Blazer
- In a Good, Cheap Pair of Shoes
- In a Good, Cheap Watch
- In a Good, Cheap Suit
Style Scenarios – Suggestions on What to Wear & When
Looking for curated outfits already put together? Then check out our Style Scenario series. From weekend casual to traditional wedding, or just a cocktail on a patio, it’s good to see a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and personality.
The Versatile Gray Suit, 3 Ways
A series of style scenarios showing how easy it is to dress up, dress down, and dress inbetween with a medium gray suit.
The Fit Priority Rankings
When it comes to looking good in your clothes, fit is key. A well fitting, $250 suit will look 10x better than an ill fitting $1500 suit. But some garments, or areas on an item, are more important than others. Look to The Fit Priority Rankings for guidance on what pieces of clothing look best tailored, and which garments you can get away with not tailoring.
The Best Suits Under $500 – Four Brands that Deliver
Good fabrics. Good fits. From $300 – $500. Bang-for-the-buck brands for suiting up on a budget.
What to pack when traveling light and in style
Plus eight outfits. Getting there, being there, and getting home. All in style.
Repair, Don’t Replace – Getting Your Goodyear Welted Shoes Resoled
Because fixing the things you already own and love is always the more affordable way. What’s worth it, when to do it, and what to expect when you’re getting your welted shoes fixed, recrafted, etc.
10 things a well dressed guy might worry others think about him
Some have unshakable confidence. A lot of us don’t. And that’s okay.
From Gym, to Home Gym – 10 Things for a Great Home Workout
What’s the point of dressing well if you’re neglecting your physical and mental health? Your clothes will fit better, you’ll be physically healthier, and far and away more importantly… you’ll feel better, think faster, and generally have a better outlook on life. So let’s get a sweat on, right at home. Because there’s no excuse if “the gym” is right… freaking… there.
How to Sweat Less while staying in Style – 10 tips
Some of us sweat more than others. And even if you don’t sweat much, dressing well can sometimes be a warmer-than-average proposition. But it doesn’t have to be that way! You just need to know a few tricks. Here’s ten strategies for reducing your perspiration levels while looking your best.
5 Clothing “Fit Tricks” Every Guy Should Know – Illustrated
Shoulders! Handshakes! Hugs (sorta). Because the fit, is it. Tricks that aren’t tricky. Pull up a wall. Let’s lean in.
10 Things that’ll change your look for the better, that aren’t clothes
It’s easy (once you get the hang of it) to create a polished look on the outside by putting on some stylish, well fitting duds. But what about self care that has nothing to do with clothes? Ever heard the saying “putting lipstick on a pig?” Right. You can be dressed to the nines in the best of the best, but that can easily be all for naught if you’re simply papering over the underlying cracks. Use these tips to work on those less superficial aspects of yourself.
12 Little Things that’ll help you look better than 95% of other Men
You have the basics down. You know what to look for in a suit and what to have a tailor possibly do to it. You know you don’t have to dress like a slob in your downtime. You know the difference between a sportcoat and a suit jacket, and an oxford and a derby. But what about that last, little bit, that can help you stand apart from the rest of the well dressed fellas out there? Y’know, without overdoing it. Here’s a dozen things that could help you do just that.
Working from Home: 8 tips for a #Dappered home office experience
The environment in which you do your work, if possible, should be as yours as much as the clothes you choose to wear. Both can go a long way to helping productivity and confidence.
5 Suit styles that aren’t Navy or Charcoal
Suits for those who love suiting up, and want to splurge on something other than navy and charcoal. Where to go after you’ve got the basics covered.
25 Signs you really SHOULDN’T buy that thing you really want to buy
The glaring signals that you should really put your wallet back in your pocket. (Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash)
10 Sneaky, Easy, and Cheap Ways to Dress Up
Dressing up doesn’t always mean dressing to the nines. Being subtle about it is often the way to go. And it’s also cheaper this way! Here are 10 ways to work a little style in on the sly, while also staying on budget.
Why Pursuing Perfect Fits & Impeccable Style is Stupid
In the online world of men’s style where guys post pictures of themselves, things can get “judgey” real quick. So take it with a grain of salt. That wrinkle you see in the shoulder of a suit jacket in a picture? In real life, when you’re actually moving around, it won’t be an issue. Just a friendly reminder to not take all of this too seriously. Enjoy the process of finding your own style, and leave the negativity to the trolls.
How To Wear a Blazer with Jeans
Why it still works, plus 4 outfits: Sharpest, Smart Casual, Casual/Creative, and a special nothing over $100 edition.
10 Things you need to take good care of your clothes and shoes
So you got a bunch of cool clothes and shoes. That’s awesome! But there are a few things worth acquiring that’ll help you keep those shoes and shirts and suits and all that in good shape. Good, easy maintenance & smart storage will do wonders for the life of your wardrobe.
20 Reasons to wear a watch
Everyone carries a smartphone, so why bother wearing a wristwatch? Here’s why.
10 Skills to Master for a truly Stylish Home
From our Dappered Space series. Use these skills to make your space reflect your style just as well as your clothes do.
8 Cleaning Tips (to make it easier)
Another classic from our Dappered Space series. Because having a cool, stylish place to call home is all for naught if it’s filthy.
The argument for dressing with quiet style, when men’s fashion is loud as hell
“The loudest one in the room is the weakest one in the room.” And some of us know that first hand, from our past mistakes.
Double Time: A series on Affordable Two Watch Collections
Double Time is for guys who like watches, but don’t necessarily want a big collection. What we’re going for here are two watches, at different affordable budgets, which as a team can fill just about any style need in every-day life. A casual watch and a dress watch. Those are basically the parameters.
Stop trying for Great. Get good at being Good.
The argument for good, and the argument against great. Great is overrated. Great gets all the publicity. And great is often (always?) espoused by… wannabes. People who love to talk the talk, and aren’t even close to walking the walk. Instead, go for consistent, daily “good”, and you’ll hit “great” arguably much more often than if you would’ve been chasing great all the time. Counter-intuitive yes, but chock full of so much pragmatism that you’ll drown in the efficacy.
Dressing well is a tool. Use it to do something other than dress well.
Getting dressed can be surprisingly difficult. But even when you get good at it, it’s still just knowing what clothes look better on you than others. Use your sense of style for more than just aesthetics. It’s a tool. Go do something with it. The world is your oyster. Get to shuckin’ you handsome devil!
Why Influencer Marketing is Trash
It’s arrogant, short sighted, and poisonous. I hope they keep it up.