They say that women are the ones that are most attentive to their clothes, but men need to be very careful as well. After all, a well-dressed man is a man that can conquer the world. However, men do not usually have the patience to go shopping as women do – in which case, they must know exactly what they are looking for.
To dress from top to bottom, you will only need about two hours – maybe less. You just have to set a couple of rules that will guide you throughout your shopping spree. Once you have everything settled in your head, you should be able to create a stylish look that will conquer the world.
1.Choose Your Style
At this point, you probably know what your style is – or the style that you are supposed to adopt for a particular event. Maybe you need a business outfit. In this case, should you choose business formal or business casual?
Or maybe you need a semi-formal cocktail suit. Perhaps you are looking for something casual or dressy casual? You need to think about this before you enter the mall – this way, you’ll know exactly which shops to enter.
2.Get Clothes that Fit
If you want to look great in your new clothes, remember to always buy pieces that fit. Sure, that extra-large hoodie may look comfy – but paired with the wrong bottoms, there will be a fine line between looking dashing and looking homeless.
Tops need to hug around your torso and shoulders perfectly, and the bottoms must fit you without being constraining. Don’t buy clothes that are too small or too large just to “fit into a standard.” A business shirt, for example, will look much better when it doesn’t seem to be sagging around your shoulders.
3.Get Complimenting Colours
Some people might love wearing black at all times. Others may prefer wearing bright orange clothes, as it’s a shade that sticks out a lot. In truth, when you’re trying to choose a colour pattern fast, you need to go for something that matches your skin complexion.
For example, if you have a light skin complexion, you should steer clear of light, faded colours that will only wash you out. Also, if you have skin redness, orange or red-toned clothes will only make you seem like you are on the verge of a heat stroke. Ideally, you should step away from any clothes that “blend in” with your skin and go for something that creates contrast. Other than that, simply choose the shades that you like.
4.Remember Belts and Shoes
Sure, shirts, pants, and perhaps a jacket mark an “outfit” – but you should not forget that belts and shoes are also part of that entire outfit. Make sure that those two are in harmony with each other. Just like women match their shoes to their handbag, so should men do with their belts and shoes.
Also, you may want to buy a stylish belt that looks great, since men don’t typically wear too many accessories (except for maybe a watch). This is why you need to make sure you buy something that draws attention.
As a rule, every man should own a black leather belt and a pair of black lace-up leather shoes. The advantage here is that these shoes go well with pretty much every outfit that you choose – so, no matter if you go for black tie or colourful dressy casual, these will always work for you.
5.Get a Nice Perfume
Sure, perfume is not a piece of clothing, but it is still essential for every outfit. Some might say that it’s the glue that holds everything together. You might have a dashing suit on you, or you may have the most attractive casual outfit head to toe – but one of the things that will leave a lasting impression are your eyes.
On the other hand, perfume entices the other senses – your smell. Not only will you impress through the way you look, but you’ll also dazzle by the way you smell. With that in mind, you should not be afraid to spend a few extra bucks on a brand perfume. A good fragrance that expresses your personality can make even a simple outfit shine. Plus, it only takes a few seconds to apply, so it’s a great style timesaver.
6.Know Your Basics
In the end, whenever you need to put together an outfit, you should make sure that you buy the basics in terms of clothes. If you are planning to dress top to bottom, here is a summary of clothes that you will need, regardless of the style or occasion.
● Jeans are a must for casual days. Go for a dark or medium colour, without any bleach or rips. Make sure that they aren’t too baggy, and that they do not have any unnecessary pockets.
● Khakis with a flat front or cargo pants/shorts for the more casual days.
● Heavyweight T-shirt or short-sleeved polo for the weekend or a casual day.
● Button-down shirts can be worn with both business and casual outfits. A white shirt is a must-have, but you can also go with a coloured one to match with khaki pants.
● Black Oxford shoes and leather belt. These can complement pretty much any outfit.
● A standard suit. Every man needs to have one of these. Make sure you get one in a neutral shade.
No matter if you buy all of these items or just a few of them, as long as you know where to look for them, it should not take longer than two hours – including the time needed to try them on.
The Bottom Line
You can easily dress from top to bottom in less than two hours at the mall; you just need to know exactly what you are looking for. Thankfully, it doesn’t take much for a man to create a look. You just need to emphasise quality, and after that, simply do some basic matchmaking. Once you’re out of the mall, you’ll be able to shine.
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Sara Law
Sara Law is a Marketing Assistant at Myer and has worked with such iconic Australians brands as Jetstar, Michael Hill, and more.
