In an age where trends tend to dominate men’s fashion, the perennially stylish gentleman always stands out. As trends perish, the ability to consistently emulate stylish and well-executed looks should never be underestimated. While there may be no singular route to style, there are several habits of stylish men which do ultimately showcase a tendency to go about dressing and grooming in specific ways. From clothing maintenance to investing in classic staples, here are ten habits of every stylish man.
1. Appropriate Maintenance of Clothing
Buying and styling phenomenal clothes may be an art in itself, but maintenance and care of them are another story. The stylish man keeps clothing in mint condition, visiting a dry cleaner regularly and storing pieces appropriately. It’s the little things that count, like having dress shirts dry-cleaned and ironed or folding cable knit sweaters loosely to sustain their shape. Keeping clothes in pristine condition withstands their integrity, allowing pieces to continue looking fresh and presentable.
2. An Established Rapport with a Dependable Tailor
Menswear pivots on fit and the stylish man recognise the need for a fantastic tailor. Be it small tweaks or more elaborate alterations, a dependable tailor’s role in your sartorial constructions is significant; tailoring refines clothing pieces and allows outfits to register more aesthetically. Once you find a tailor who is reliable and who possesses a consistent approach to tailoring your clothing, stick with him for unfailing silhouettes.
3. Commitment to a Signature Scent
Sustaining a signature scent contributes towards presenting the best version of oneself, showcasing personal style and lending character to looks. Finding a perfect aftershave or scent may be difficult, but keep your collection consistent and true to your aesthetic. YSL and Burberry male fragrances are always good options for definitive scents that are fresh and classic.
4. Investments in Classic Staples
No matter the trends, the stylish gentleman always executes looks with a classic aesthetic, investing in timeless pieces which will transition from season to season easily. Don’t be afraid to splurge on great transitional clothing items for put together looks that are adaptable and refined. Putting money towards classic pieces will allow you to incorporate trends more subtlety without compromising style or timelessness.
5. Simplicity
Simplicity should never be underestimated. Keep clothing streamlined, simple and suited to your body type and features. Complicated looks or convoluted silhouettes translate messy and neglect the classicism of timeless dressing that the stylish gentleman consistently presents. Keep the lines of looks clean, fresh and youthful with fitted pants, well-tailored blazers and simple but trendy accessories.
6. Monthly Visits to a Reliable Barber
While at times a chore, regular visits to a reliable barber who understands the importance and aesthetic of your personal style is a habit stylish men need to sustain. Going every 4-5 weeks for a regular trim is integral for the maintenance of hair and lends visually towards the overall aesthetic of looks. Keep things fresh with variations of hairstyles which suit your face shape and features, and stick with a barber who’s work is classic without registering outdated.
7. Understanding of Personal Style
Stylish individuals maintain personal style, despite adhering to the common habits of classic and simplistic rules of dressing. Sustaining personal style by staying true to your aesthetic speaks volumes of character, depicting a more nuanced take on trends and dressing overall. Know what suits your features, and adapt trends, colours and silhouettes you find appealing in more classic ways for an individualistic nod to dressing without outdated undertones.
8. Attention to Detail
Stylish men recognise the importance of great accessories and the significance of putting the finishing touches on great menswear. Attention to detail is important; it’s the little things that are noticed and reflect personal style. Choose accessories with clean and classic shapes and colours. Never undermine a great pair of sunglasses, a great watch or a classic round toe brogue. Keep things modern with on-trend variations of classic accessories.
9. Brand Open-mindedness
Design houses undeniably boast great quality pieces, yet the stylish gent also recognises that true style defies brands and price tags. Be able to distinguish when something is not worth its price, and do not devalue clothing that may be less expensive or without a designer label. Diversity is key, so mix things up with a combination of high street and designer clothing. Zara is a prime example of a high street brand which produces stylish and on-trend clothing and accessories at a great price point.
10. Planning Ahead of Time
It may sound basic, but planning looks ahead of time will ensure more cohesive polished styling. Stylish individuals realise the importance of details, so preparation of outfits is key for constructing looks that are well thought out and sustain integrity. Prepare outfits ahead of time by nominating appropriate accessories and coordinating pieces before occasions for a seamless construction of looks.
Roger Grinstead is a senior apparel designer for X2U with over 25 years of expertise in the fashion industry. He has expertise in menswear and womenswear trends and product development. When Roger is not designing the latest fashion garments, he enjoys writing about men's fashion, hairstyles, and grooming.
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