Men’s casual wear is an open invitation to dress in what feels most comfortable to you, focusing on finding the right balance between comfort, individuality, and style. Smart casual dress codes allow casual clothes, provided they are dressed up. The aim is to look sharp, but smart casual is a more laid-back style. When dressed properly, a smart casual dress code can work well as casual, business casual, and dressy attire. Casual wear is the relaxed clothing you might wear to do your job, whether in a formal office or at home.
When dressing smart casual, consider wearing polos, sport jackets, short or long sleeves collared button-downs, fun patterned dress shirts, casual dress pants, chinos, dark wash jeans, and sensible yet professional foot-wear. For instance, dressy casual for an evening may mean a suit with an open shirt button to dress it down a bit. When used for an event, any pants except joggers and slacks are acceptable. For shoes, any button-up shirts will work.
The best method for men to conform to this dress code is by wearing a jacket or an over-coat along with a pair of jeans or khaki pants. T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers are not imposed on this dress code, but only clean clothing should be selected.
📹 How to Dress Casual “COOL” as an Adult Man (Stop Dressing Like a Boy)
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Can casual dress be jeans?
Principles. T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers. Casual dress code allows these elements. You don’t need a tie or suit to do professional work. You can also make money from home after or before work. Zuckerberg wore a hoodie, Jobs a turtleneck sweater, and Musk liked a professional look. How you dress doesn’t affect your work. Why is there always a fuss about the dress code?
You don’t know which socks to wear for casual? It can also be more colorful. Show off your personality with colorful socks.
What does dress casual mean for men?
Men should wear a jacket or overcoat with jeans or khaki pants. Don’t wear a tie; it makes the look too formal. An open-collared shirt is a good choice for most men.
What is the difference between formal and casual dress?
Casual wear is for everyday, and formal wear is for special occasions. Casual wear is comfortable and informal, while formal wear is stylish and formal. This article is for anyone who wants to know more about the differences between these dress styles. Today we will talk about formal and casual wear. 1. Let’s talk about casual wear. Casual style includes t-shirts, pants, coats, khakis, hoodies, summer dresses, skirts, tennis shoes, loafers, and shoes. Sportswear worn for work is also casual wear. Casual fashion has many styles. It makes you feel comfortable and at ease.
What does it look like to dress casual?
Casual dress code: jeans, T-shirts, cardigans. If you want to wear a skirt and sneakers, go for it! This is a relaxed and comfortable style – have fun!
What is casual chic dress code for men?
You have jeans, a t-shirt, and a wool blazer. You can also wear a polo, jeans, and a sports jacket. You can wear sneakers, boots, or derbies with both styles. Add elegance to the second ensemble with a pocket square in the jacket pocket. Another casual-chic look is faded jeans with a polo and a sports jacket. This outfit is perfect for a relaxed weekend with friends or colleagues. Add a pair of classy shoes or sneakers for a sportier look. You can also wear a tie without a suit. Combine a sport shirt with a blazer and jeans. Avoid looking too formal with a textured or veined model. You can wear sneakers, derbies, or boots.
Is a polo shirt casual?
Is the polo shirt formal? Is a polo shirt formal? Polo shirts are not usually formal, but they can be semi-formal or smart casual. A dark polo shirt with a blazer and trousers can look as formal as a suit. This look is a great way to break away from traditional formal wear while still being sophisticated. Best polo shirts for business attire. Polo shirts for business attire need to be well-made, fit well, and be of good quality.
What is considered dress casual?
Casual dress means comfortable, informal clothes. While comfort is important, clothing must be appropriate and professional.
When someone says dress casual?
Casual dress code means comfortable, clean, and professional. Go with nicer casual wear and avoid baggy items.
- Women. Sundress
- skirt
- jeans
- shorts
- T-shirt
- polo shirt
- casual button-down blouse
Men. Khakis or jeans; shorts; T-shirt, polo shirt, turtleneck; button-down shirt and/or sweater; loafers, sneakers, sandals.
What is the difference between formal and casual dress for men?
Formal clothes are made of better materials, have more structure, and are finished more neatly. Casual clothes are made of comfortable, breathable fabrics and look relaxed. Knowing the difference between casual and formal clothes helps you dress for different occasions and project the right image.
Best Fit Formal and Casual Shirts. Fit is everything, no matter which style you choose. A poorly fitted shirt will look sloppy.
Are jeans okay for dress casual?
Casual offices allow jeans any day of the week, but dark-washed or black jeans in a more tailored fit are better.
📹 How A Man Should Dress Casual As An Adult
As you get older, you look more mature. And your casual dress should also look more mature. How to dress casually as an adult …
Great advice, thanks to you I changed my whole wardrobe and I love it. How do you carry essentials, thow? When not wearing a jacket, how do you carry your phone, car keys, home keys (maybe cigarettes and lighter) without making your pants’s pockets look bulky? Is there an accessory that Alpha approves? Thanks!
Hey Alpha, I heard you say your not a big hat guy becasue they way they fit around your ear. Have you tried the New Era 5950 Low Crown modei yet? It fits much closer to your head and removes alot of the weight that the regular 5950’s have which I think sinks down on your head and pushes your ears out more. Give it a try but lose the Braves man, LFGM!!!
Alpha, you can ABSOLUTELY pull off a hat! — although I would suggest something a little different than the baseball cap you show here. It’s important to try on a lot of different styles to see what you like (and what specific features of the hat you like), but I believe that what you need is a Sexy, Square, “C”- Crown Panama with a Medium Snap Brim. The brim will make your ears appear more proportional (you can manipulate it to achieve other optical effects, too), and the square crown will add the illusion of height, which (coming from a guy 1/2″ shorter than you 😉) is always a good thing. I love a dark midnight blue hatband on my Panamas, because it gives me more outfit options in the daylight, but can look blacker than black on those hot summer evenings.
I have a problem and maybe you’d could help. I’m between a small and medium which is weird. I’m lean so medium fit me long but I have broad shoulders so they fit well on the upper, but the small is too tight around my ribs and shoulders but it’s perfect length. should I get the medium taken to get fixed to be shorter or?
I’m just going to level with you. I literally copy all of Alpha M’s styles and get loads of compliments, but the pants are hit or miss for me. I’m a 48 year old male who does Crossfit on a regular basis and let’s just say most of the time it’s easy to tell I’m circumcised. I even wear tighter underwear to try and help. I’m not built like a Greek god anymore, but I don’t have a dad-bod either. Any suggestions?
Good afternoon everyone I hope everyone is living prosperous and well I’m reaching out because I’m at a very weird stage of my life. I am turning 36 in July and for the most part I’ve always worn urban gear with hats but now I’m starting to feel that I’m getting older and I need to get out of this stage and upgrade I am a little self-conscious because I am bald and I kinda have chubby cheeks so I’m very self-conscious on what I wear it was just hoping I can get a little direction or advice.
Man after years of work on my personality, my habits, and my behavior I managed to meet my very own seniorita 🔥 Thanks man! It’s not the end of the journey however ! I’ll continue getting to the best version I can be for her but also for me ! Every dude should follow your style advice, because, man, when you do, you stand high above the others, and it’s basically common sense when you work on yourself 💪🏽 Be giga chads guys 💪🏽
I believe anyone can wear a hat if they just find the right hat. I personally don’t think you like hats. I think that’s why, whenever you wear one, you always have it on in a way that makes it the least flattering and you always wear one that doesn’t work for you. I’d personally suggest something with a wider brim.
Alpha M has fantastic tips but he needs to change his estimates of price. He says John Henric is “not premium pricing” but they’re charging $90-100 for a long sleeve button up shirt…that is wicked expensive, guys. Sure there’s more expensive out there but that is not affordable or even middle ground. You can get very nice button up shirts for $40-60 many other places.
IMHO when you become an adult man, you stop wearing earrings and skinny legged pants. I also think the sleeves you are modeling on some of your shirts are too short. I like your vids, just my opinion. The problem I have with white shoes is they get dirty so easily. An info vid on the best and easiest way to quickly clean them would be appreciated. And what about distressed jeans (small holes, rips)? Are they still stylish? What about hard soled shoes without socks? Still cool or not? Also, I have never felt comfortable buying clothes online. I have to see their quality in person, feel them and try them on. I don’t want the hassle of returning them and trying, again. And I don’t consider, for instance, $80 to $90 for a shirt a good deal.
Hey, I‘d never, never! split a suit; the fabric changes the colour in sunlight; after a few wearings the jacket and the trousers won‘t match anymore… ( Especially, if it’s naturally dyed… aka better quality fabric) And please, please! Loafers only in suede! Everything else looks like being dead since 1970….
I’m not the target of this article; I’m 23. But I have been working in an office environment since I was 18, and dressing in a classic style has helped me be taken more seriously and helps me be confident meaning I’ve progressed faster. For young people perusal this I’d encourage you to pursue a classic style with your own twists.
I have one strong opinion when it comes to a sports coat and jeans together, and that is that the sports coat needs to have a very coarse texture. I think this article has great examples of both doing it incorrectly and nailing it. The outfit when explaining the concept seemed too jarring to me with the very wide thread of the light wash jeans. However, the outfit in the lookbook portion was *chef’s kiss*. My personal favourite sport coat to wear with jeans has to be in a Donegal tweed.
I’m 50/50 on this article. This article has great suggestions, but I kinda mix my clothing, with casual and comfortable. As you get older who really cares what others think. Some days I like Jordan’s and jeans or joggers. While on other days I may wear chinos and some wingtip shoes, or some Chelsea boots. So as we age wear what’s more comfortable, as adults we should care less what others think.
Just wanted to say that your articles have been very influential to me. Understanding how clothes should fit (I’m a smaller guy so that comes with it’s own problems), the idea of having fewer, better clothes, and the idea of having a uniform really changed how I think about my style. Feel like I am finally hitting my stride, and people do notice! Thanks again!
Lots of misunderstanding in the comment section. The article was meant for people who wants to transition from a youthful look to a more “serious” look. He gave some good baselines and reference points. It’s up to us to put our own little twist and character. Like any rule in fashion, nothing is absolute.
I agree 100% with these style tips and follow them myself already being at 21 years of age. Though with the graphic tees I think whatever age you are you can still wear them as long as it’s not some crazy, over the top print. I think more simple graphic tees wearing it on the weekend with a flannel, jeans, and boots could be a nice look in fall let’s say.
I really feel your feelinga that you didn’t feel yourself after trying too hard to dress different. I have gone through the same feeling recently as I was trying to dress like influencers I followed and I lost my personal style and felt frustrated like what I’m doing because I myself didn’t like the adopted style and lost getting compliments also. Now I’m restoring my personal style gradually and feeling confident by wearing my own choices.
When I lived in a surf town in California, where everybody wore surf wear or hippie clothing, my uniform was super classic American prep, “dressed as an adult.” I often wore sport jackets and jeans as my casual look. I felt more confident a step or two more dressed up than everyone else in town. I moved to Boston recently and I sense myself going edgier and edgier, because I feel the more formal cues I get here are just so staid and sleepy. I see myself adapting more and more runway looks, both as I go more formal, and when I go casual. I think as a forty five year old, I find it entirely age appropriate to wear looser fits and more progressive Japanese inspired looks, leaving behind the more classic American looks I used to wear. Older men can be more fashionable and trendier without looking like a twenty year old hypebeast. The secret to not overdoing it though is paying attention to small details, wearing things pressed and unfrumpy, and as you say, showing power in simplicity. Just not necessarily classic.
Hey Brian – this is a great article, maybe my favourite since your “25 essential items”. Its useful for most of my day to day situations and shall take inspiration from this, I like the outfits which are really well thought out, and the filming seems to have stepped up to the next level. More content like this please!
Totally with you on the uniform idea 👍 I literally have dedicated sections in my closet with different formality with this idea in mind 🙂 I have my formal uniform, my smart casual uniform, my casual uniform and then my vacation/weekend uniform 😅 all in similar “classic” style and color scheme ✌️ some might think it is boring, but when you first find your style and double down on it, dressing just gets so much easier and you always know that you will feel good wearing what you do 😃👍
My go to casual style (in winter at least) is brown chelsea boots, dark jeans (usually grey or dark blue) or chinos, a simple t-shirt and henley style jersey on top (I have several in different colours, such as black, burgundy, off-white, and blue), and for outerwear usually either a black bomber jacket or navy peacoat.
I definitely am not the target audience, as I am currently just 20, but it puts into perspective that I’ve realized I’m currently navigating the more “youthful” side of fashion without even trying, you know, graphic t-shirts, sweatpants, I’m not a big fan of shoes but the ones I have that finally chose for myself have that sportier look while keeping a slightly minimalist and modern, almost futuristic look, I love them, but the paradigm I’m seeing is this article made me realize I wont love them forever, I’m all up for evolution, iteration and change, but all things I like now, are things that wont be passable in 10 years, and interestingly enough I’m subconsciously getting prepared for it as I’ve been getting a lot into watches, and looking to make my first “nice” watch purchase, a humble Timex Fairfield 41mm, yet its a first step, so I’m slowly leaning towards the more elegant and understated side of things the time when it becomes a necessity rather than a style choice is coming, and I’ll be ready for it
A sneaker that is most appropriate for a man is an 0xford sneaker where the eyelet tabs are attached under the vamp. This is much more age appropriate than a full eyelet derby sneaker. The original Sperry Top Sider company, now known as just Sperry, makes a classic oxford sneaker. Target has an affordable version at $15. A great outerwear option is a full zipper cardigan sweater, plain front in light grey or charcoal.
Nice, this is basically what I do, or at least I think so. I’m 40, I dress in a workwear style, not at all the style usually presented on this website (I don’t wear suits at all; five years working at a funeral home will put you off suits). However, I look several years younger that my age and do not always get taken seriously. Anyway, I like this article whereas some articles here do not apply to me and my style.
I enjoyed this article and totally agree with you. Personally, as a man in his 60s, I try to choose my wardrobe that fits me ( luckily I wear same size as I did in my 30s), and I prefer good quality fabrics that have nice texture. I am not a fan of denim, so you rarely see me in jeans. I prefer European cut, which is more slender and it works for me better. In most cases, when I buy ready to wear, it fits me perfectly ( again, it’s mostly Italian brands). I prefer soft knitted jackets, as well as bomber jackets. My biggest weakness is sweaters, I just love them! I stopped counting at 70. I just don’t have anymore space! As far as sneakers, I prefer the ones in leather that are more shoe like, not as athletic looking.
Great advice though. I’m 20 years old now but looking back at my teen years I’ve been wearing some darker shades of clothes. A black-fit t-shirt and some Levi’s straight-cut blue jeans are some of my safe choices. And as for shoes, black leather shoes are for me. And to this day I still wear them because they still fit me 😅
Hey, Bryan, I’ve been following since a while. I’m 61 and overweight and have discovered it is not a problem if I wear the right clothes. I see many men my age wearing joggers and oversize sweatshirts, with baseball caps and they seem older and floppier. My style is very conservative but I always try to follow the current trends. I clearly understand that fit, quality, style and a careful grooming are my to-go rules. Your website helps me with new alternatives to remain current without loosing elegance and for most of my friends I remain as a role model for style. Thank You!
As a new old 41 year old fresh out of his reckless youth chrysalis, I really appreciate these tips. Was constantly googling the past year, looking for “semi-casual tech office middle age fashion,” but your simple advice is something I’ll definitely remember from here on out. 🙂 Also, article length is 13:37, and this advice is definitely 1337. 😀
45 yr here. I’m constantly complimented on my style. I just wear plain stuff that fits well most of the time. I have like one or two expensive items, jackets and shoes mostly. The rest is cheapo stuff. Ow wait I bought an expensive pair of pants for my dancing sessions. Cuz you gotta look cool when dancing.
I’ve been in the process of slowly transitioning to a more “classy” or grown up look to go with my age. I’m 28 now and for about the last year I’ve been trying to put my finger on exactly what you’ve neatly laid out in this short article. Whereas I’ve put together my conclusions by trying to observe other folks who I “like the look of”, you’ve quickly summarized the key points in a way that is going to DRASTICALLY simplify my next shopping outing. I can’t thank you enough for this article.
I’m 24 but this vid got recommended to me, which is totally understandable since my fashion style tends to lean towards casual up to the smarter casual side since I work in an office setting. While I do enjoy wearing streetwear from time to time, I strongly feel like casual is more versatile and timeless =) So this article got recommended on the right time I guess, as I’m looking to expand my wardrobe.
I’m less than a month away from turning 50, and even though I agree that there are some things adults should avoid wearing such as ripped jeans or character t-shirts to me its more of dressing for the occasion rather than for a specific age, I mean if you are going out to walk your dog why not wear jeans with your gym sneakers and your favorite cap regardless of your age. Sometimes its more about feeling comfy. Now as far as your article goes, I like the recommendations!
The blue sportcoat with Khakis is also appropriate for any impromptu court appearances, wedding guest, or any opportunity you’ll be on TV without having to spend the money on a whole suit. If you are an American or can legally CCW in your country sportcoats are great for shoulder, OWB, and IWB (but not appendix) holsters with a tucked-in shirt. Plaids, tartans, and patterns also help to naturally cover any printing from your weapon
good general advice. Just a comment, I am spending a few weeks in Milan and Turin right now. To my shock the Italians, men and women, all ages, are mostly wearing sneakers and most of those are the gym/running sneakers. They pair sneakers with practically everything. So dont discount funky gym shoes from smart casual outfits. Italians are some of the sharpest dressed people.
Nice article and thanks for the tips. I only have one suggestion for a next article or some things to consider. Most of the looks were with sweater and jacket/coat on top. I live in Brazil where year-round its 21+ degrees average temperature. Most of the year using something more than a shirt is already too much to not be sweating all the time away from the air conditioning. Even the summer looks here I would say are too hot for brazilian summer and impose some challenges in how to look good using minimal clothing possible. That would be an interesting article with valuable tips.
Whilst I agree with the majority of the style points as mentioned in this article, there are one issue I need to take with this, as well as most “How to dress like an adult” articles out there: Sneakers. I preface my remark by stating that I have been a sneaker-head for more then a decade, so I had been dressing from the feet up for a long time. As a 40+ year old “adult” now most of the louder and trendier sneakers out there are not something I will dabble in anymore. However I can’t help but cringe every time I get to the part of these types of articles about casual sneakers, and the go-to are “plain white/black/brown/navy low top or lace-ups”. Guys sneaker cultures are no longer the domain of the youth. It is acceptable to rock a pair of Jordan 1, or Nike Dunks, Or New Balance 574, or Adidas Superstars etc etc with your outfit, as long as the colourway matches with the rest of the outfit. It is such a shame to see the great outfits in these type of articles being bog down by another pair of boring plain sneakers. Me personally (and I accept my bias), I would find those who can throw together a great mature outfit up top, and then ground it with a nice pair of Air Jordan 1 hi or low sneakers that completes the ensemble, more interesting. This tells me that this guy knows what he likes and he not’s afraid to rock it, and also he’s not just wearing what’s “accepted”. So go out and check out what sneakers out there interest you, and then just wear it! I grew up longing for a pair of Reebok pump hi-top, and I now wear mine with slim jeans or chinos cuffed, and a plain regular-fit sweatshirt or trucker jacket.
Hi, great article. Can I request a article, on how to dress up & still look good for those of us that are in our 40’s / 50’s which have a bit of a tummy belly? I know we need to wear fit clothing, but fit can sometimes make our tummy even obvious & is not flattering. What kind of clothing we should wear in order to still look smart on a casual day? Thanks.
With the utmost respect, I think some of the advice in this article is a little bit outdated. I’ll explain why. (Bear in mind I’m British and my location/family background mean things may be different than in the US). Slim fitting jeans are something that, these days, look decidedly 2010’s. When I see someone wearing them, I generally assume they’re a bit behind, and tbh they don’t really flatter anyone as much as one might think. Straight jeans/chinos etc. not only look better on everyone and are more classic, but are actually much more modern and common to see. Something else that is certainly outdated are the very minimal white sneakers mentioned here (think common projects etc.) They remind me of the TMF aesthetic in 2015-2019. The same minimal look can be achieved with other white sneakers (I recommend white Reebok Club C85’s) but looks much more modern and also looks like one’s not trying too hard (in the kind of setting I spend most of my time in, a sort of laid-back preppy sprezzatura is most common, and it actually looks pretty great.) The look of the 2010’s was “I’m trying really hard to look well-dressed and slim.” Whereas I think the 2020’s, particularly in Britain, are characterized by “I’m laid back, I’ll throw on some looser fitting menswear/casual wear and still look effortlessly well-dressed.” As I say, I may be blind to the fashion scene in the US, and from what I’ve seen the US is always a bit behind the UK in this regard. Just giving a little advice.
I like these (and the summer targeted articles) as looks for occasions like “the dressed up barbecue with friends”, “the dressed up lunch at the hoity toity restaurant” – you’re dressed to impress, but it’s not going black tie. But as an adult male in a hot country, these all seem only suited to a winter/autumn temperature – in summer or I’d be like the wicked witch doused in water and melting away, where temps are frequently in the 30C or more. It’d be interesting to see more takes on outfits for situations for summer temperatures that were more casual, or didn’t look like I was spending the day on a yacht or croquet at the country club.
One color of jeans you’ve left out is a medium to light grey jeans. I find these a better option than light blue jeans, they’re more versatile as well with other colors. I also like to have at least one piece with details like a pattern either printed or textured. For a jacket, I prefer one that has at least two kinds of fabric. I’ve discovered that for me, a military style shoulder, either epaulettes or a shoulder cap (sort of like ST:TNG for want of a better example). These create a nice squared masculine shoulder look, which is great for me as I have naturally more rounded shoulders. As for brands, right now I find Calvin Klein, Armani Express, and DKNY seem to always have a top, jacket, or pant that gives me a tailored look off the rack. Also for pants, I’ve been getting Freid jeans which have tapered legs that give a fitted look even at a wider waist (used to be 32, now I’m often a 36). My big issue is tucking in. I always wear a belt even if it isn’t showing, because I have no butt to speak of. But I find that with the little bit of stomach that I’ve grown, it’s both uncomfortable and unflattering to tuck where my waist used to be, and other options (higher or lower) don’t really help. Seems like the answer is to just lose that gut, but it hasn’t happened yet 😊
I think the best option is to have a mix in styles. I’m 28 and i’m more casual person. I love shirts and jeans but I also love waring my gaming hoodies and my casual pants. I have many shoes sincve my uncle keeps buying them but doesn’t wear them, but I mostly wear white sneakers. Bought the adidas star wars pair and because i needed another one, yesterday I ordered a black vans pair. Nowadays it doesn’t matter that much how you dress except if you are in a high profile corporation mostly and people have shifted to more casual styles. Tbf I haven’t tried many new styles in clothing as I have been fatter than I was some years back and I’m not buying many clothes cause I want to lose around 10-15 kilos. I really like your rock and roll style and even the weekend ready is simple but perfect.
Re athletic shoes— Reiss made some “monster sneakers” 3 years ago called Liam. They’re colorful, bulky, high end looking. And although I love my solid white leather sneakers, I still really love wearing a pair of Liam’s with basic chino’s and a solid shirt for an urban athleisure look that is slightly more fun and off duty than my white sneakers.
If your jeans are worn out and full of holes, it is time to get some beautiful repairs from Science and Kindness with some shashiko style! Or maybe that is just me haha. Great article! I have changed my style some while getting into my thirties, but still have some of my playful pieces. I have a Schott perfecto, that I think the age and patina matches me. We have been through a lot together since 2015!
Great article, I’m 58 and have always been very fashion conscious. I really liked the looks that you showed, and I’m especially interested in those jackets, did you say they are “trucker jackets” I want to start looking for them but want to know what I’m looking for. Also I’m surprised you are wearing the suede tassel loafer in the summer, I always felt suede shoes that weren’t white bucks were strictly fall winter, has that changed and what are the rules for suede in the summer?
– Great article, Brian! – but I don’t think the navy sportcoat worked with the light blue jeans. If you get a super casual, unconstructed cotton jacket with patch pockets and a very casual fabric, in a lighter colour, maybe that would have worked much better! – Other than that, I’m a fan of the other looks!!
Great vid! Many of us are maybe harder on ourselves than we should be. In your two tucked-in-shirt outfits you look great tucked in. But many guys would not tuck even if they’d like to….body image and all. Maybe they’d look good, maybe not. But when they (okay, I) tuck and then look in the full-length, it’s a big “Nope!” If you don’t have a second pair of eyes, what’s the litmus for deciding if you look decent tucked in when you’ve got a more ample shape than you do? Thanks!
Nothing says “rock n roll look” like an Omega Speedmaster! Snark aside, these are very good broad-stroke tips, but mainly apply to a more urban, sophisticated (fashion-wise) setting. Fashion is cultural, and a classic, fashionable Friday “ready for weekend” look is going to look very different in NYC than it is in Denver, even if same season/temperature/weather. Edit: I spoke too soon. This is addressed in his great article about Fall “Must Haves” (youtu.be/vTsRf7jHmJ8), where he points out you need different options for different vibes.
This is helpful, because wearing a tie puts me in the top one percent. But when I’m not wearing a tie, I don’t want to wear ripped jeans and a dirty t-shirt or untucked unbuttoned shirt. My solution: 1) buy from two or three established European brands with classic sports cuts, and 2) joined a gym because I don’t want a potbelly, which sneaks up on every older man in the modern Western world, even if you grew up skinny. 3) I hate sneakers. I only wear them in the gym. For casual shoes I wear canvas lace-up gummy sole shoe.
Agh! You stole my secret. I’m classic Rock n Roll style, and I wear holy jeans, plain fitted black tee, and either black and white classic Air Force One’s or black and white Van’s in the loose, untied-ish 80’s style…and all I have to do is pop on my sport coat and I’m instantly business casual. No one even notices the rest. For some reason it just REALLY works. It’s tough keeping that style at my age without looking ridiculous, but as long as I pay attention and don’t go overboard I get compliments.
I agree on the footwear but I have yet to find a good casual sneaker that is as comfortable as the ones I wear to the gym. Any recommendations? I really like some of the shoes from Cole Hann, but they are too thin for me, I need the wider versions which are never on sale and are only sold on Amazon because they don’t seel them on their own website… unvelibable! Also attracted to the Ecco ST line but I haven’t tried them
Hey Brian, like your thinking on much of this. But do you have suggestions for more affordable watches to pair with these outfits? You know your audience, I’m sure, but I’m guessing that while many guys can find budget-friendly shoes, jeans, jackets etc. to pull off these looks, not many can (or should feel they must) stretch to a $20,000+ Vacheron Traditionnelle.
For me personally, the difference between dress and casual is the knot I choose for my tie and the vest I wear. If I dress up I wear linen or suede vest with a half Windsor knot. If I go casual I wear a denim or wool vest with an oriental knot. I started wearing vests on accident. One year I dressed up as Ernest P. Worrell for Halloween and discovered that I was just more comfortable with the weight of a vest on my shoulders. It changed my whole wardrobe. People think that I like to dress nice, but my clothes are pretty much based on comfort and evolve when I find comfort in how something wraps around me.
I have a hard time sourcing those work/trucker jacket/over shirt/”shacket” hybrid style pieces, like you wear in the article and in look 2. What I tend to find the most are denim jackets which aren’t nearly as sophisticated or just literal button down shirts in a fabric with texture. When looking for suede it’s almost always a lined and filled jacket for outdoor use. Does anyone have the perfect search terms, brands or other tips to find what I’m looking for? I like to switch them up with sports coats but only own denims, currently, which are a bit to casual for some days at the office.
I love your content. Very informative for dressing with a certain amount of style and flair. But for the love of god please ( take no offense) get another person that has some bulk and muscle to show the fashion advice. I know this might be a lot but as a super bulky 5’7 240lb man I’d love to see the best combos for fire hydrant types like myself. Thanks for everything up to this point though for sure. I’ve learned som much from your website.
My issue is the clothes I’d really love to wear are unbearably expensive. $350 for a sweater, $500 for “casual” boots, $900 for a jacket or $1600 for the jacket you’re wearing in this article. No shade, I like it a lot and props to those that can afford it… but dam. Even when things are on sale, two items are still half a mortgage payment. The benefit is the quality and if you know your taste and aren’t getting fast fashion, it’ll last for several years at least. It just makes it incredibly hard to make a jump to a new style. Also, I’m on my feet 8-12 hours a day, many days of the week lifting and operating heavy things. Stuff wears out fast.
As a man who has never paid a lot attention about clothing and just slipped into this article I agree with you for 75 percent. I never liked these T-Shirts with messages or a brand on it. I like timeless clothes to be prepared for any event in good quality. This is not very expensive. So I’m happy with it.
I’m an intermodal trucker. Steel toe boots jeans plain fluerescent yellow tee shirts(railroad requirement) my belt matches my boots. I’d wear button down uniform shirts but I’m a hard size to fit Long trunk big neck long arms. need free range of movement and fire retardant FR Would be a + just trying to be more professional.
13:22 The one thing I disagree with is a good pair a sports shoes makes look like a kid… Because I wear recovery super foam shoes for all the things like going out, walking and just around the house because they let me walk/run father then 100 feet because I get pain in my feet and lower legs… Which yes the cheapest sneakers you get at Walmart are not flaterning but nice nikes, addas are and they are as high tech as your smart phone is while being about $100 which you can’t get a nice traditional shoe for.
Age appropriate hahahahha. I’m over 50 and still west cut off camo shorts and death metal concert shirts. I don’t have a problem talking to and scoring pretty girls my age and slightly younger. My motto has always been “The best way to make sure your never out of style is to never be in style”. All this said doesn’t mean I don’t own expensive well tailored suits.
I personally believe your profession and who you are plays a major role, I like older men who have that old school skater vibes or older guys in flannels. I think material is also a key thing cause some linen look off but has the cool (temperature) feel and rayon and viscose have a cool (temperature) feel but usually are weird button shirts. I think for the most part as long as something fits perfect it looks good. Thanks for the info, especially for the 20s-30s-40s and so forth.
The problem now are trends. Even JCREW changes their proportions on suits, jeans and women’s pants every 2-3 yrs which is problematic if you don’t have that body type. My husband wears the slim cuts because he is fit and slim but now all the baggy cuts are coming back so we stocked up on slim cut clothes when they were in style because as fashionable person I knew they wouldn’t come back in stores for another 12 yrs or so. Having said that it’s hard to find SLIM classic cut stuff now when you want a little update. It’s frustrating. Even traditional brands LL Bean, Pendleton, don’t always offer shirts in slim cuts. What are some brands that run slim all the time?
Biggest factor is who you’re going out with. If solo, feel free to dress up. Going somewhere with your parents, feel free to dress up. If you going out with friends who are still in the 20-30 age range, you’ll look very strange to be dressed up while they’re all wearing torn jeans and graphic tees. You’ll look like there chaperone… No comment on shorts, sandals, etc? Guessing it’d be the Yacht look at that point…probably with a Yachtmaster?…