If you are a man who wants to look fashionable for the office or for the occasional weekend party, but you don’t really know where to start, then follow this quick guide of tips to learn how to match colors and patterns throughout the year. Whether you are headed to an office happy hour or a conference, you can dress well by implementing these simple rules. Give it a try!
Organize your closet by color and pattern
This is the first step in figuring out which clothing items work together. Separate dress shirts and casual shirts on your closet rack, building your palette from light to dark. Patterns should go at the end. After the dress shirts, organize your dress slacks. After the causal shirts, organize your casual pants and shirts.
Start experimenting
This is where the fun comes in. Start out with a staple piece, such as a light purple dress shirt. Hang it on a hook in your closet. Next, pull out a pair of dress slacks. With a solid base color, you can pair black, gray or khaki-colored dress pants. Finish off the outfit with a patterned tie in a complementary color, such as navy, yellow, pink and even light green. The key is to pair like colors on the spectrum. Don’t pair a patterned shirt with a patterned tie. You want to save your patterned clothing for that one dramatic piece or pop of color to a mostly solid-colored outfit.
Add the appropriate outerwear
No matter where you live in the country, you are going to need a rain jacket for the days when it is drizzling and pouring outside. Don’t get caught in the rain without a waterproof jacket. The great thing about adding a waterproof jacket to your wardrobe is that it stands as a piece all by itself. You don’t necessarily need to match the rain jacket to your day’s clothing choice. Try something bright and colorful. Experiment with a jacket with a pattern. No one is going to see what is under your jacket until you head inside. If you are wearing bright clothing beneath your jacket, then consider a neutral jacket in black, brown or gray.
Be bold
Some of the best outfits come about by taking a little risk. So think outside of the box. Put colorful shirts and slacks together that you wouldn’t normally try. You may make a few mistakes. But you’ll also find more of your own personal style and get better at dressing as you try.
You don’t need to stress out every time you walk into your closet anymore. By following our guide of tips for matching patterns and colors, you’re one step closer to gaining confidence and looking great. Who said getting ready for work every day had to be hard? Keep our rules in mind as you dress, and you’ll be turning heads everywhere you go!
