We’re going to briefly go over the essential Summer accessories every man should consider grabbing for this time of year. If you haven’t downloaded the free Summer Ebook, you’re missing out!
Woven Belts
With your warm-weather outfits, there’s nothing that looks better than a woven belt. Either in leather or fabric. For a little extra casual flair, get the belt a little longer and let it dangle a bit. As for colors, you can have some fun with them and get some browns, navy or even gray options.
We talked about it in our Summer Style Mistakes Video and now it’s time to pull out the brown/tortoise shell and/or colored frames to go with your lighter-colored clothing.
Whether you go a little more polished and formal with a leather penny loafer of suede driving moc or a pair of slip-on sneakers, it’s the beginning of slip-on season!
If you’re not a jewelry guy, then swapping your watch bracelets or straps for fabric, suede or even rubber straps is a fun, quick and easy way to enhance an outfit and change up the appearance of your watches.
Sunglasses not only protect your eyes but they can also add a stylish touch to an outfit – in good or bad ways. So finding the best pair of sunglasses that perfectly fits your face shape is important to ensure you always look your best. If you haven’t gone through our How To Find Your Face Shape Guide For Men, then this post will make no sense, so read through that first then come back here after you’ve determined your face shape once and for all. See the end of this article for our favorite picks for each type of sunglasses.
OVAL & Triangle
Oval is considered the holy grail of face shapes for sunglasses because it will work with 99% of styles out there. Since your head is longer than it is wide and has a more rounded jaw, this allows you to wear square, rounded, aviator, club masters, virtually any style and shape.
The only thing you have to watch out for is frames with arms that hang too low, as this will elongate the face further – which you want to avoid.
SQUARE
You want to stick to any style of sunglasses that are the opposite of your face shape – so anything square needs to be avoided – make rounded frames your new religion. This helps to create balance by either softening harsh features or creating definition.
Styles That Work Best: Aviators, Clubmasters, rounded, John Lennon style frames.
ROUND
Using the same rule as the square face shape, you need to avoid anything round. So think square or rectangles for your sunglasses. This will create balance on your face shape by making your fuller cheeks appear slimmer.
Choose a style with a strong brow line and that is just a little wider than the your head. Angular glasses will also help to elongate your temples and lengthen your face.
Styles That Work Best: Wayfarers, square frames, Clubmasters
RECTANGLE/OBLONG
To give your rectangular face shape some balance, go for sunglasses that add width to your face. Round or square frames will work, but you want to go for larger or oversized styles.
Styles That Work Best: Wayfarers, D-Frames, Clubmasters
HEART & Diamond
This is the most difficult face shape to figure out because the narrower chin is countered by a wider forehead, so it’s going to be real important to not add extra weight to the top half of your face.
The one style that’ll work best for you is Clubmasters because it is semi-rounded and will help balance out your pointed chin. But other rounded frames will also work for your face shape. The goal is not to add big bulky glasses, and keep them rounded because of your sharp chin.
Styles That Work Best: Clubmasters, Rounded Frames.
Any self-respecting, modern gentleman understands that he needs to use the right tool for the right job. And that definitely extends to the bags and luggage he carries. Today we’re going to discuss the essential bags and luggage depending on where you’re going and what you’re wearing.
Backpack
The backpack is the most versatile of the items on this list and depending on your lifestyle, it could be a smart business-casual accessory, a daily go-anywhere bag for trips to the coffee shop, grocery store or gym or a piece of luggage.
While you can technically use a backpack for everything, you don’t want to because if you’re traveling for an extended period of time, that may not be enough space for your belongs and it can get heavy, which can negatively affect your back or shoulders. And if you need to wear suits for work, even a well-designed leather backpack looks unprofessional and will ruin the shoulders of a suit while wearing it.
You can find virtually any level of design and price for backpacks these days, so much so that they’re officially a staple bag now. There is one caveat, if you need to wear suits for work, no matter how classy the backpack is, there are still better options for you that won’t ruin the shoulders of your suit jackets.
For trips away, whether on a plane or via a car or train, when you need to carry more stuff with you, nothing beats rolling luggage.
We didn’t have one of these for a while and as soon as we got one it quickly dawned on us that this was superior to using non-roller luggage. It’s too convenient not having to lug around your luggage on your back or by carrying it by the handles when this bag can be gliding effortlessly next to you.
Personalization options – monogramming and colored leather detailing and handles.
Durable Polycarbonate shell
Rigid aluminium frame with TSA approved side locks
Smooth and silent gliding Japanese wheels
Option for integrated power bank
Available in: Cognac, Black, Chocolate
Briefcase w/ Shoulder Strap
If you prefer more of a classic piece with versatility or just can’t see yourself wearing a backpack, then look no further than a briefcase with a detachable shoulder strap.
The shoulder strap provides versatility (as long as you’re not wearing a suit jacket). Technically, you can call this a messenger bag, but where messenger bags tend to be less structured and sporty-looking, the briefcase is a little more rigid and sophisticated. You can get a messenger bag, but we’d prefer a backpack in 99% of scenarios when a messenger would be appropriate because it just looks better and frankly, is more comfortable to use.
These are great for short trips or if you’re a light packer. While we’re big fans of the classic styling, admittedly, they’re not as nice to use as a piece of roller luggage if you pack it to the gills. These come in all shapes, sizes and materials and are very sophisticated looking.
The final bag or piece of luggage you need is a Dopp kit for all your toiletries and grooming essentials. These are great for gym trips or for any sort of travel. They keep your stuff organized, are sophisticated-looking and are just a joy to use.
Accessories are just as important as your clothing, so definitely don’t neglect this part of your style! Below are your favorite accessories every man should have in 2020.
Backpack/Rucksack or Briefcase
We’ve done articles and videos about both of these items a few times. But definitely grab a backpack/rucksack if you don’t work in a more formal environment and grab a briefcase with a detachable shoulder strap for versatility if you need it for more formal occasions. Favorites: Backpacks – here, here and here Briefcases – here and here
Casual or dress Watch
We went over the details and different watches you should own in great depth here. Ideally, you want to have both, but if you had to choose one, let your lifestyle determine which you should get. A casual watch with a metal bracelet or perlon, canvas or other straps goes with everything but suiting, and a dress watch can also work in your casual outfits, but some guys may find a leather-strapped watch too formal, so go with whatever fits your style and lifestyle best.
If you’re going to be going on any trips, whether a quick, getaway weekend or something more extended, you definitely want a nice piece of luggage to go with it. Whether it’s a carry-on, roller style or more of a weekender bag is up to you. We can make a case for both, but it will mostly depend on your needs.
In this day and age headphones are almost a necessity. Especially if you do a lot of traveling since the noise-canceling features of modern headphones is exceptional and helps reduce the stress associated with travel.
You want either a bi-fold or card wallet so it’s not so bulky – unless you’ll be carrying it in a bag or jacket pocket exclusively. In which case, you can go for something bigger. As for materials, leather is more hearty and robust, but you can definitely use alternative leathers, as well.
Just like your wallet, you want something slim and classy to show off your modern, sophisticated personality. Unless you have a specific need for a big, bulletproof case, it’s best to avoid those. Favorites: iPhone and Android
Fun Socks
As Ashley has been saying for years: Go crazy with your socks! It’s one of the few menswear items where you can wear anything and everything you want because it will mostly be hidden and the little peek of sock showing when you sit down can actually turn into a conversation starter. Favorites: Here
Fabric watch straps
Perlon, Nato, Canvas, even rubber, are all great ways to add your personality to an outfit as well as to freshen up the look of your watch(es). Our favorite place for straps.
Water bottle & coffee thermos
We’ve been signing the praises of these for years now, and they’re still amazing! Not only are they crazy functional, but they also look great and help cut down on environmental waste.
Mini Keychain tool
Having a keychain multi-tool comes in handy way more than we’d like to admit. It has been a lifesaver on more than one occasion, so you should definitely pick one up!
A classy pair of sunglasses can really elevate an outfit, so definitely grab a pair or two. If you want to cover all bases, grab a black and tortoise shell pair. They’ll go with literally anything you’ll wear.
Underwear are one of the few things that will have an immediate impact on your well-being because if you’ve never worn bad vs good underwear, you may be dealing with issues you never realized didn’t need to happen.
For the tie, you should at least have a solid navy and/or black one. Make sure it has some texture, as a simple, silk tie looks too conservative and dated. For the tie bar, go with something silver or matte silver to start and then you can play with colors after that. For a pocket square, start with a white cotton one with some colored tipping for just a little added touch of class and personality. Favorites: Ties, Tie Bars, Pocket Squares
Wool and/or cashmere scarf
Like socks, you definitely want a black or blue one, and then just like your socks have fun with them and grab some with colors or patterns.
It looks like a hockey puck but protects a single watch like a champ! It’s actually a hard shell and is large enough to handle almost any watch size. Favorites: Here
Dopp Kit
We’ve talked about dopp kits and their importance before. Not a single thing has changed and if you don’t have one yet. Now is the time! Whether you use it for going to the gym or for traveling, a dopp kit comes in is essential for keeping your toiletries organized and orderly. Favorites: Here
Hopefully, you’ve already got the wardrobe, grooming and other accessories locked down, so now its time to give your shoes some much-needed attention.
Use shoe trees
They keep your shoes odor and moisture free and also help maintain their shape when you’re not wearing them. They’re a great investment that you’ll use for the next few decades, promise. In a pinch, you can also use the original paper inserts. Favorites: These, or These
Use a shoe horn
When putting on your shoes, if you’re stomping your foot in, or tearing some of the skin off your fingers while using them as a shoe horn, you’re ruining the backs of your shoes, you fingers, or both. Whether they’re sneakers, dress shoes or boots, there’s nothing worse than the backs of your shoes getting wrinkled and faded because you’re not using a shoe horn. Favorites: Choice #1, Choice #2
Tie your shoes properly
It may sound trivial, but where you separate the men from the boys is by paying attention to the details like how you tie your shoes. So you should definitely learn how to tie your shoes so the laces lay flat, at least, but frankly, there’s an even better solution in the next point.
Hide the laces
Nothing ruins a great outfit more than long, floppy and/or ill-tied shoelaces. What you really should do is hide them and the best possible way to do this ever is by using these special laces we found a few weeks ago that makes laces that are meant to be hidden. You only have to tie them once and suddenly all your sneakers and dress shoes are now slip ons with amazing looking laces. Seriously, they’re game-changers.
Keep them clean
Give them a quick rub down about once a week with a moist rag, sponge or paper towel, or as they get dirty. Then once a month, do a little deeper cleaning with a proper shoe cleaning kit for about 5 minutes once a month. If you’ve got dress shoes, you can also polish them, but typically, a little cleaning every few days goes a long way.
Get Rid Of The Stink
What some people don’t know is that actual smell is bacteria, and it’s living inside your socks, shoes, and on your feet, so it’s imperative that you kill the pesky bacteria before it turns into a foot infection or worse… There’s a spray that is fantastic and kills bacteria in 10 seconds and has a nice citrus smell. When storing your shoes overnight, pop these in them, as needed.
Buy Multiples
If you have a pair of shoes that you love and fear their eventual demise, the best thing to do is buy multiple pairs of them and swap them out to give them some rest. Coupled with using shoetrees and keeping them clean, your shoes will last significantly longer if you give them breaks between wearing.
Winter can be a tough time for your personal style, plus the weather and elements require special attention for your wardrobe and, more importantly, your accessories. That said, the right winter accessories will bring both function and personality to your wardrobe. It doesn’t all have to be about keeping warm (though that’s definitely important), it’s a great opportunity to add some extra style to whatever you’re wearing. For more basic tips, make sure to check out all of our Winter Essentials and our article on Winter Style Do’s and Don’ts
Here are our picks for the Men’s Winter Accessories That Every Man Should Own!
Cashmere / Wool Knit Hat
A must when it’s freezing. Go for a thicker rib knit and try cashmere for a luxurious touch that’s soft, light, and warm. Don’t be afraid to try a pop of color here too!
The perfect time to add some color or pattern into the mix. Just a hint of it peeking out from under a coat is a sharp, stylish look. Cashmere is a great option here too, it’s very light and warm.
We’re not talking about thick ski-style gloves, but something lighter but still warm. Look for knit versions in wool or cashmere or lined leather options for a sharp touch (especially if you dress up often).
Add in a thin watch that toes the line between dressy and casual so you can dress it up or down. Layered and formal outfits need a watch that’s not big and bulky. Wearing a big, sporty watch with dressier looks can just throw off the proportions. Luckily our friends at Nove watches have the perfect styles. Their watches are high-quality, Swiss-made, and come in a variety of slim styles that work well with a range of looks. Plus, we’ve got a special deal for you guys. Use offer code AW20 for 20% off your purchase.
Merino wool has incredible technical properties (warm, lightweight and dries quickly) and there are great options out there that are lightweight, warm, and stylish.
We discussed in our Winter Do’s and Don’ts, and the right pair won’t be bulky or too hot and can easily layer underneath both casual and dressy clothes. We really like our go-to pick below because they are very light, warm, and won’t break the bank.
Nobody likes the look of dull, dry skin and the cold, dry air can be brutal on your hands and face so take extra care to moisturize properly. The right products and a solid morning routine and evening grooming routine will really help keep your skin looking great during the winter.
Proper boots for the winter are crucial and if you’re dealing with a lot of rain and snow you want to make sure your boots are protected and have a rubber sole for traction and durability. Some of our picks below have a Dainite sole which is the gold standard in terms of protection and grip in wet, snowy conditions.
As we discussed in our previous video about Dressing Well When You’re Over 40, style and confidence as you age is all about embracing what you have and presenting a classy, refined look. Now, it’s worth mentioning that nearly all of our style advice, from Essential Wardrobe items to Fit Guides, applies to all age ranges. But, dressing well later on in life is just as much about what NOT to wear as it is the exact items you are wearing.
So, we thought we’d answer a few of the most commonly asked questions about what not wear if you’re over 40.
Q: Can an older man wear white sneakers?
A: Absolutely they can. In fact, we did a whole video about it.White sneakers like Adidas Stan Smiths and are a classic casual item for any man, regardless of age. That said, if you’re not comfortable wearing white sneakers or you feel like they’re a bit too young, we recommend going with a nice, clean leather sneaker in any color of grey or navy blue. Suede versions are excellent too as the added texture is a nice look.
Q: Is it really important to wear fitted clothing?
A: Yes, it’s critical to wear well-fitting clothing, no matter how casual or dressy. That said, this doesn’t mean tight! There is a HUGE difference between slim, well-fitting, clothing that’s proportional to your body type and something that’s overly tight. A lot of older men end up skewing overly large or baggy due to comfort or fears that they aren’t dressing their age but having a wardrobe that fits you well is something every man should have, regardless of age. For mode insight, make sure to check out all of our fit guides for in-depth info on all types of clothing items.
Q: What can I do to give my wardrobe some personality?
A: The most simple and cost-effective way is the right choice of accessories. So watch bands, ties and pocket squares, a ring, or a fun patterned sock are all great ways to add a bit of personality in an age-appropriate way. Being age-appropriate is the key thing, and over-accessorizing is a quick way to kill your style by making it look like you are trying too hard.
Q: What items should I avoid if I’m over 40?
As we mentioned in a previous video, leather jackets are a big one for men over 40 to avoid, with one exception. We do like leather or suede bomber-style jackets for men in this age range, but other types like moto and biker-style jackets just make you look like you’re having a midlife crisis. T-shirts with logos are another huge no-no, they just make you look juvenile. Additional types of t-shirts to avoid include henleys and deep v-neck t-shirts. They just aren’t the right look for an older guy. Stick to polos and well-fitting crewneck t-shirts. On the denim side of things, jeans that are light-wash, or ripped and distressed fall into the same category, they just look too young. Keep your jeans well-fitting and in a dark wash.
It’s boot season! As we talked about in our Fall Shoes video, boots take an important place in your wardrobe and the right ones can have you looking stylish and protected from the elements all the way to Spring! If you’re in a part of the country that deals with a lot of rain, snow, or other inclement weather make sure you take the extra steps to protect your boots with proper weather-proofing and care. Great boots are all about versatility and all of these picks can be worn with multiple types of outfits from casual to dressy. Here are the 3 men’s boots you need right now!
Click here to Get 20% off you ENTIRE Beckett Simonon purchase with code: AW. Thanks to our friends at Beckett Simonon for sponsoring this video!
Obviously this one goes best with your smart-casual outfits and Fall/Winter suits. If you don’t really wear many suits and wool trousers, then the next type of boot we’ll talk about is definitely more for you. As for these, there’s need to mess with a classic – it’s sleek and sophisticated, like the Porsche of dress boots. A captoe boot will add a bit of polish to everything and we love how the boot silhouette just adds a different vibe to your outfit. If you want something with a little extra flair, you can go with their version featuring broguing details.
If you’re a man, and you don’t live in a tropical climate, you absolutely need a casual boot. There are many different options but like the dress boot, a super-versatile captoe style is sharp enough to dress up or down. You can also go with a plain-toe version too, but we prefer a captoe as our pick as it adds a more interesting touch. As far as broguing, we can go either way but overall we tend to like a cleaner design for this type of boot. This style of boot is outstanding because it is so versatile, wear it with casual denim looks or dress it up a bit with chinos or wool trousers. The sturdy, casual sole is polished but not too dressy.
Super-sleek and stylish, the Chelsea boot should be treated as a dressier shoe. We like pairing black leather or dark brown suede Chelsea boots with slim, tapered black jeans or suiting and wool trousers. Protip: the key is to make sure your pants are tapered so they ever so lightly hug the top your boot. Black and dark brown are the key colors here and we like a suede version to mix up the texture a bit.
Briefcase w/ Shoulder Strap
