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It can seem like there’s a lot to know about good style, and there is, at least if you want to be enrolled in its master class. But looking sharper than 99% of other guys is actually fairly simple and merely requires knowing and doing little stuff right. The kind of stuff that can be encapsulated into short, easy-to-remember principles and adages.<\/p>\n
Below you’ll find the best of the best of such tips: a hundred things (plus one extra) that you can be doing, right now, to make yourself look sharper. You can thank us later.<\/p>\n
You get two “beloved old favorite” exemptions here, as well as formalwear. Ruthlessly pitch or donate the rest.<\/p>\n
Well, okay, not everything. But most things: nice pants, shirts, and jackets should all go to the tailor for adjustments, unless they came custom-tailored already.<\/p>\n
Here’s what can and can’t be adjusted on your clothes<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Quality lasts longer than quantity, and you look better in it.<\/p>\n Even if you don’t need one. Just get the experience of comparing jacket styles, fabrics, and cuts.<\/p>\n Make sure fit is your number one consideration.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Colored leather and suede are fantastic shoe options. Get a little crazy with reds, blues, and grays. Don’t worry about matching a belt to each one — a black belt with gray shoes or a brown one with oxblood red is fine.<\/p>\n That means they rest very lightly on the leather itself. You shouldn’t have a gap between your pants and your shoes.<\/p>\n Any time you’re wearing a jacket. No exceptions.<\/p>\n Check out our tips for rocking a pocket square<\/a>, and how to make your own no-sew version<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Then make the rest of the outfit work with them.<\/p>\n Check out our guide to khakis<\/a>, as well as our gallery on how Steve McQueen rocked his.<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n Never both at the same time.<\/p>\n Just for fun.<\/p>\n Check out our infographic on necktie tips.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Now ask yourself: “What can I do to dress a little more like that?”<\/p>\n Ditto athletic socks.<\/p>\n Doesn’t that look good?<\/p>\n Check out more<\/em> tips on layering your clothes<\/a> and rocking a sports jacket and jeans<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Something funky. Red, green, yellow, orange, whatever.<\/p>\n Or a magazine. Or an article. Something about fashion. Old and out-of-date is okay, and even fun sometimes. Just get exposed to something new.<\/span><\/p>\n Check out our entire collection of style archives.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Most of the time. When you want to be daring, wear a bright, contrasting color instead.<\/p>\n In the dog days of summer, you can go with one shirt. The rest of the time, have at least two presentable layers on top. You never know when you’ll want to loan a lady your jacket\/shirt\/whatever.<\/p>\n Learn more about layering.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Your luggage is part of your style.<\/span><\/p>\n Learn about choosing the right bag for your trip.<\/em> <\/a><\/p>\n Sales people are paid to sell you things whether they look good or not. Take a friend who’ll tell you to your face when you look like an idiot.<\/p>\n Handsome. Functional. Classic. It’s amazing how such a small accessory<\/a> can greatly enhance how you look and feel.<\/p>\n Read up on our wristwatch primer.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n It will help you get the right amount in your outfits. If you don’t know what that is, read an article like this one<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n How many pairs do you own? Get some more. Vary the styles. Shoes are the most underrated tools in a guy’s style arsenal.<\/p>\n Read up on the 3 types of shoes every man needs<\/a>, as well as the dress shoe hierarchy<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n …if you’re building houses or ranching cattle. Otherwise, get a dark indigo instead of light blue, or go with a different color entirely.<\/p>\n Read our full guide to denim.<\/em> <\/a><\/p>\n Write them down and tuck them in your underwear drawer or something. They always come in handy when you’re shopping.<\/span><\/p>\n Here’s how to accurately take your own measurements.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Those numbers are worth writing down too. If a shirt fits perfectly, you probably want your other shirts in about that size as well.<\/span><\/p>\n Because you might. And even if you don’t, you might as well look like a guy who’s got plans.<\/p>\n Do you like a fat roll? A thin one? Tall, short, rumpled, crisp? Play around with it.<\/span><\/p>\n Check out the complete guide to rolling your shirt sleeves.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Nine-tenths of the things you see will be way over the top and useless to you. Use the other 10% for inspiration.<\/p>\n …and costs less than $20. Okay, maybe not every single one, but at least four or five. Even the weird ones. You’ll use them.<\/span><\/p>\n Learn more about outfitting your wardrobe from the thrift store. <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Yeah, you’ll see guys wearing them with suits. Don’t be those guys. A business suit deserves a business collar, and that means no buttons at the tips.<\/p>\n About once a month is good.<\/p>\n Get the lowdown on shining your shoes.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Not for a wedding, and not with a tux. Just for fun some day. Any old suit or sports jacket<\/a> will do.<\/p>\n Nervous about pulling it off? Read this guide to wearing a flower with manly style<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n If you already use product, try a different kind of product.<\/span><\/p>\n Check out our guide to men’s hair products<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n It’s a useful skill for traveling, and it’ll save you money at home.<\/span><\/p>\n Check out our illustrated guide on how to iron your dress shirts.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n …for anything that isn’t housework, a workout, or a rock concert. Men don’t dress like boys.<\/a> Upgrade to a solid-color tee, or another lightweight option like a henley or polo.<\/p>\n Be sure to read the best damn guide to t-shirts on the internet.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Suit and sports jackets sometimes come with them; as do some dress shirt cuffs.<\/span><\/p>\n Not every day, and not always the same piece. But a ring here or a necklace there is great.<\/span><\/p>\n Check out our guide to wearing jewelry<\/a>, as well as our ring-wearing primer<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n Be sure they’re free of stains and wrinkles, ready to go at all times. They go with everything.<\/span><\/p>\n You can get small testers from most department stores. Try a few and see what goes well with your natural scent.<\/span><\/p>\n Check out our guide to wearing fragrances. <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n The slimmer it is, the less wear and tear on both the wallet and the pocket it’s shoved into. It’ll also look nicer when you pull it out to pay for things.<\/p>\n Not just because it’s cold outside, but also as a fashion accessory.<\/p>\n Make sure you know a few different ways to tie your scarf, too.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n The easiest way is to own belts that can snap open for interchangeable buckles, and then to hit the internet looking for vintage buckles — that way you’re only buying two or three pieces of leather for dozens of looks.<\/span><\/p>\n Then, if you can afford it, own one lighter social suit as well.<\/p>\n Check out what we like to call “the suit ladder.”<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Grab broad checks to add a little weight and breadth, or use light vertical stripes to add height and slim down your appearance.<\/p>\n Wear that Hawaiian shirt or those bright red pants once in a while. Nobody needs to be the textbook timeless gentlemen every day of his life.<\/span><\/p>\n Maybe try wearing pink every now and then too.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Light, unstructured ones are particularly prone to wrinkling, so press ’em early and often. Rumpled backs ruin the whole look.<\/p>\n Your wedding band is an exception. But other than that, keep it to one kind of metal.<\/p>\n Launder the things that can be; take what can’t to the dry cleaners. Brush wools off to keep them from pilling and gathering fuzz.<\/span><\/p>\n New to, or not very good at laundry? We even have a guide for that.<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n They don’t even have to share colors — the square could complement a color from the shirt or jacket instead.<\/span><\/p>\n A couple plain, dark solid pieces with one bright accent can do more than a flashy, patterned suit or shirt.<\/span><\/p>\n Go over the top with color and pattern once in a while — maybe when you have something to celebrate, or just when you’re in a really bouncy mood. But don’t make a habit of it.<\/span><\/p>\n If you’ve got a sleek, streamlined jacket and a simple shirt, don’t wear big, fuzzy pants with lots of texture. Similarly, don’t pair a cable-knit sweater with ultra-fine wool slacks. Stay consistent all the way up and down.<\/span><\/p>\n Dark earth tones and shades in autumn, grays and blues in winter, colorful pastels in spring — you get the point.<\/span><\/p>\n Leather<\/a>, wool, denim — doesn’t matter. Something battered and beloved that you can wear from the first cool days of fall on up to winter parka season, and again in the spring.<\/span><\/p>\n Consider the harrington — it’s been a men’s style staple for decades.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n They don’t all have to be identical shades, but you shouldn’t be rocking a black watchband with a brown belt or anything like that.<\/p>\n Anything short enough that you can see the bottom of the suit jacket poking out beneath the hem of the coat doesn’t make the, ahem, cut.<\/span><\/p>\n Do your homework and get yourself a Swiss army overcoat. <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n White trousers after Labor Day. Plaids with stripes. You’re told not to do ’em, but there’s always a reason to break a rule once in a while. Don’t be afraid to. But remember that the “rules” are usually there for a reason, too, and use some common sense.<\/span><\/p>\n There’s nothing wrong with being the best-dressed guy in the room. Be aware of social norms — don’t wear a three-piece suit to serve meals at a soup kitchen or something — but in general, plan on looking nicer than other guys in your social group at any given gathering.<\/span><\/p>\n Heck, learn a dozen. Some are convenient, some are fancy, and a few are both. Know your favorites.<\/span><\/p>\n Here are 4 common necktie knots to get you started.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n They’re a way to separate style illiterates from their money. Keep your look timeless. Trends can be a fun inspiration if they appeal to your existing sense of style, but don’t pursue them just because they’re “in.”<\/span><\/p>\n See previous point about trends, and add some emphasis. You’re nobody’s billboard. No visible brand names.<\/span><\/p>\n Get some good skin cream and use it. Find the product that solves your particular problems, whether that’s oily skin, dry skin, or something else entirely.<\/span><\/p>\n Rockstar.<\/p>\n Scarves, hats, jewelry, funky shoes, weird belts. Get some unique items and use them whenever an outfit looks okay, but boring. Thrift stores, eBay, and Etsy are all great sources for these.<\/span><\/p>\n If you’re not going to class right this minute, trade up to a messenger bag or a briefcase. For that matter, trade up even if you are in school.<\/p>\n Own a couple pairs in a couple different styles — you’ll end up needing them as you vary your look.<\/span><\/p>\n The taper toward the waist is half the point of a jacket. Don’t lose the effect by going unbuttoned.<\/span><\/p>\n Close the top button on a two-button coat, and either the middle button only or the top two buttons on a three-button coat. There are other looks, and someone’s always trying them out, but these will always be right.<\/span><\/p>\n Know the “Sometimes, Always, Never” rule.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n At the end of the day, you can’t look like a runway model in clothes from Walmart. Be prepared to spend at least a little<\/em> money if you want to look really good.<\/p>\n Missing buttons, fraying edges, torn seams — get ’em into a tailor and get ’em fixed. No excuses. Wear and tear looks terrible<\/em> in public.<\/p>\n On the road or in a pinch? Check out these 11 clothing hacks for fixing problems on the go.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Have some good brogues, saddle shoes, or loafers for your day-to-day get-ups.<\/p>\n If everything fits and the colors aren’t an obvious clash, your outfit is probably presentable at the very least. The rest is just details.<\/p>\n Trim your nails, shave regularly<\/a> and with care, brush your teeth<\/a>. A raggedy body under nice clothes jars the eye (and looks gross).<\/span><\/p>\n Keep a regular grooming routine with a checklist to stay on top of things.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n “A half inch of linen” is the old-fashioned rule of thumb. Don’t obsess about it too much, but show at least a little shirt cuff.<\/span><\/p>\n Paisleys, variegated stripes, figure patterns, knits — mix it up. Look for textures beyond basic glossy silk (or synthetic) and for varied colors.<\/span><\/p>\n There are other options out there, but none are as timeless and sublime as the plain white pinstripe on a dark charcoal or navy suit.<\/span><\/p>\n Get a case, and make that case something that works with your basic tastes. Funky is good; so is slim. The less of a bulge in your pockets, the better.<\/span><\/p>\n It can even be a blazer, rather than a suit jacket, so long as you keep the trousers and shirt conservative. But don’t you dare wear that double-breasted jacket unbuttoned.<\/span><\/p>\n If you don’t own at least a few pieces in lightweight linen or seersucker<\/a>, you’re torturing yourself needlessly.<\/span><\/p>\n Check out more easy ways to boost your summer style. <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n See what you like. You never know.<\/p>\n If you’ve been waiting for everyone to wake up and realize how stylish yours is, stop.<\/span><\/p>\n Assuming we’re talking about leather dress shoes, a higher gloss is dressier, while a softer texture is more casual.<\/span><\/p>\n Wear a patterned one in place of a regular necktie some time.<\/span><\/p>\n While you’re at it, bone up on how to tie a bow tie.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n A little longer is okay; shorter is not.<\/p>\n Swimwear<\/a>, pajamas, workout clothes — someone’s going to see you in them eventually. Buy ones you look good in, and replace them before they wear out.<\/p>\n You can have a full beard if you really want one, but shape the edges with a razor so that it doesn’t look like you’ve just let it grow. You want people to think you’re making a statement, not being lazy.<\/span><\/p>\n Check out the science behind what your facial hair signals to others.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Wear clothes that guide the eye upward toward your chin and mouth. There’s a reason classic menswear tends to open upward (think about collared shirts and suit jackets).<\/span><\/p>\n Small checks with wide-spaced stripes — no problem. Big checks with big stripes — problem.<\/span><\/p>\n It’s great to be working towards a fitter physique, but don’t look like a total schlump until you get there.<\/p>\n Here are some style tips for larger men<\/a>, as well as advice for skinny guys.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Half the time you’ll end up giving these to a girl to wear when she gets cold — and that’s just fine.<\/span><\/p>\n Make it easy to reach in, grab any couple of items, and have an outfit that works. That means finding a home for the less-stylish utility pieces that’s far away from your good clothes.<\/span><\/p>\n Even fashionable women are working with a different stylistic language from you. Unless one or both of you are cross-dressers, don’t make a habit of taking regular style advice from a woman.<\/p>\n Shorts cut the leg in two; a pair of lightweight linen, seersucker, or cotton pants will create a sleeker, more put-together silhouette, and always look better than shorts, while only being slightly warmer to wear.<\/p>\n3. Spend more money on less pieces of clothing.<\/h3>\n
4. Shop for a suit in person.<\/h3>\n
5. There are more shoe colors than brown and black.<\/h3>\n
6. Trouser cuffs should “break” on the tops of your shoes.<\/h3>\n
7. Wear a pocket square.<\/h3>\n
8. Buy something in a pattern that occurs nowhere else in your wardrobe.<\/h3>\n
9. Next time you go to put on jeans, grab a pair of slacks or chinos instead.<\/h3>\n
10. Belts or suspenders — pick one.<\/h3>\n
11. Wear a necktie<\/a> when you don’t have to.<\/h3>\n
12. Watch any movie starring Cary Grant.<\/h3>\n
13. Gym shoes are for the gym.<\/h3>\n
14. Wear a lightweight sweater under a sports jacket with some jeans.<\/h3>\n
15. Get a pair of colored trousers.<\/h3>\n
16. Go read a book on style. <\/span><\/h3>\n
17. Match the color of your socks to the color of your trousers.<\/h3>\n
18. Have a removable top layer.<\/h3>\n
19. Invest in a really nice suitcase and day bag.<\/h3>\n
20. Shop with a friend.<\/h3>\n
21. Own a watch<\/a> you can wear with a good business suit.<\/h3>\n
22. Understand contrast.<\/h3>\n
23. Own more shoes.<\/h3>\n
24. Traditional light blue denim is a great color for jeans…<\/h3>\n
25. Take your measurements.<\/h3>\n
26. Check the size of your favorite pieces of clothing.<\/h3>\n
27. Always dress like you might decide to drop by a restaurant or nightclub with a dress code.<\/h3>\n
28. Practice rolling up your shirtsleeves a bunch of different ways.<\/h3>\n
29. Flip through a slideshow of images from a men’s fashion show.<\/h3>\n
30. Head to a thrift store and buy every sports jacket that fits you… <\/span><\/h3>\n
31. Button-down collars aren’t business dress.<\/h3>\n
32. Shine your shoes more often than you think you need to.<\/h3>\n
33. Wear a boutonni\u00e8re in your lapel.<\/h3>\n
34. Put some product in your hair<\/a>.<\/h3>\n
35. Iron your own shirts. <\/span><\/h3>\n
36. Get some dress slacks without belt loops. Then wear ’em with suspenders.<\/h3>\n
37. Don’t wear T-shirts with graphics on them…<\/h3>\n
38. Try a decorative lining. <\/span><\/h3>\n
39. Wear jewelry.<\/h3>\n
40. Have two nice white dress shirts.<\/h3>\n
41. Try wearing cologne.<\/h3>\n
42. Clean your wallet out regularly.<\/h3>\n
43. Wear a scarf.<\/h3>\n
44. Expand your belt collection.<\/h3>\n
45. Own at least one dark business suit.<\/h3>\n
46. Use patterns to flatter your body type.<\/h3>\n
47. Live it up a little. <\/span><\/h3>\n
48. Get your jackets pressed.<\/h3>\n
49. Gold or silver metals — pick one.<\/h3>\n
50. Clean your clothes regularly. <\/span><\/h3>\n
51. Your necktie and pocket square can share a color family, but they shouldn’t be a perfect match.<\/h3>\n
52. Sometimes less is more.<\/h3>\n
53. Then again, sometimes more is more.<\/h3>\n
54. Keep the top and bottom balanced.<\/h3>\n
55. Wear seasonal colors. <\/span><\/h3>\n
56. Find an outdoors jacket that you really love.<\/h3>\n
57. Brown or black leather — pick one.<\/h3>\n
58. If you wear suits in the winter, wear a long wool overcoat.<\/h3>\n
59. Don’t believe in absolute rules.<\/h3>\n
60. Overdress.<\/h3>\n
61. Learn a new necktie knot.<\/h3>\n
62. Laugh at trends.<\/h3>\n
63. If the designer’s logo is visible, it’s not as stylish as you think.<\/h3>\n
64. Pamper your skin.<\/h3>\n
65. Pair a nice suit with some colored canvas sneakers.<\/h3>\n
66. Own accent pieces.<\/h3>\n
67. Backpacks are for school kids.<\/h3>\n
68. Sunglasses<\/a> are part of your look as soon as you put them on. <\/span><\/h3>\n
69. Keep your jacket buttoned except when you sit.<\/h3>\n
70. On that note, the bottom jacket button always stays undone. <\/span><\/h3>\n
71. Your outfit is only as good as the clothes in it.<\/h3>\n
72. Fix damages sooner, rather than later.<\/h3>\n
73. Casual leather shoes make any everyday outfit look more stylish.<\/h3>\n
74. Don’t overthink it.<\/h3>\n
75. Keep yourself well-groomed.<\/h3>\n
76. Shirt cuffs should be visible past the ends of your jacket sleeves.<\/h3>\n
77. Ties can be fun.<\/h3>\n
78. Pinstriped suits always look best with plain white pinstripes. <\/span><\/h3>\n
79. Your cell phone is part of your style these days.<\/h3>\n
80. Yes, you can wear a double-breasted jacket.<\/h3>\n
81. Wear the lightest fabrics in the summer. <\/span><\/h3>\n
82. Visit a menswear store you’ve never been to before.<\/h3>\n
83. The man purse is never going to catch on.<\/h3>\n
84. Jeans can sit on your hips. Everything else gets worn at the natural waist.<\/h3>\n
85. The shinier your shoe is, the dressier it is.<\/h3>\n
86. Bow ties don’t just come in black.<\/h3>\n
87. Tie your necktie so that the tip touches the top of your belt.<\/h3>\n
88. Your off-duty clothes still get looked at.<\/h3>\n
89. Facial hair<\/a> needs to look deliberate.<\/h3>\n
90. You want people to notice your face.<\/h3>\n
91. If you mix patterns, vary the scale of the patterns.<\/h3>\n
92. Dress the body you have, not the body you want.<\/h3>\n
93. Have one or two big, soft flannels or cardigans for cool nights.<\/h3>\n
94. Organize your wardrobe.<\/h3>\n
95. Never let a woman plan your outfits.<\/h3>\n
96. Pants beat shorts, even in hot weather.<\/h3>\n