10 Ways You’re Killing Your Style | Men’s Style Mistakes

Once you’ve got the basics of style down, it’s important to focus on those little things that can make or break your personal style and everyday look. Something as simple as a little mistake can totally throw off your look or ruin otherwise good style choices. Oftentimes its something as simple as how you present a particular choice. No matter what it is, focusing on the proper details and nailing those can save you from potential disaster. Some of these mistakes might be obvious but some you may not even know you are doing!

So, here are 10 ways you may be killing your style!

Being Overly Self-Conscious

Trying too hard can be as bad as not trying at all. Wearing trendy items that aren’t you or not wearing things that make you feel comfortable and confident are quick ways to ruin your overall style. People notice how you feel and if you’re feeling good about what you’re wearing and looking good, it will stand out.

Wearing Clothing That Doesn’t Work for your body type

Working with your body type is a huge part of getting well-fitting clothing. Choosing items that will flatter and fit well is crucial. Some easy items to avoid are henley shirts if you’re not fit or muscular, Chelsea boots if you’re a bigger guy, and classic straight-legged jeans if you’re a thinner guy. Check out all of our Fit Guides for tips about different body types and how things should fit.

Over-accessorizing

Yikes, this can go wrong so easily, over-accessorizing can be a huge problem. Johnny Depp, you are not. Go easy on rings, bracelets, and other flashy items and go for more subtle, refined accessories to show some personality or flair. Stick with 1 or 2 items max, like a pocket square and a watch.

Wearing too much cologne

A little goes a long way, and there’s nothing worse than smelling someone from 5 feet away. Nobody (especially women) wants that. If you can smell yourself, it’s too much.

Not paying attention to the details

Again, the little things matter, so take care to focus on them. Things like not lint rolling your clothing (especially dark shirts, suits, and jackets), wearing wrinkled clothing (just get our recommended steamer), and not tucking in your shoelaces really matter with your overall look.

Speaking of tucking in shoelaces (something Ashley is always super focused on as a stylist), our friends at Straight Laces have an ingenious shoelace set up that creates a clean, tucked look and basically turns all your shoes into slip on’s. It’s such a smart, useful product and we’re using them on all our shoes personally and with Ashley’s clients. Seriously, they’re that good. Just for our readers and viewers, we’ve got a deal for 40% off 3 or more laces! Shop here and use code AshWeston40.

Not dressing your age

We’ve discussed how to dress well in your 40’s before and a big part of it is embracing your age and wearing items that are classy and age-appropriate.

Wearing dirty, old shoes

Hopefully, this goes without saying, but a bad pair of shoes can absolutely ruin your entire look. Keep them in good condition and shined up.

Not Grooming Regularly

Overgrown hair, beards, and fingernails are no bueno. Make sure you’re taking proper care of your grooming and putting your best foot forward. Especially important in professional environments. We’ve got a ton of tips in all of our grooming guides.

Not taking care of your skin

Just like your grooming, proper skin care is an important part of your overall routine. It doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated but you should find a morning routine and an evening routine that works for you. Focus on moisturizing, good shaving techniques, and using the right products.

Wearing faded, ripped or pilled items

When items are faded (especially shirts, pants and sweaters), it’s time to send them off to the donation bin and get some replacements. If your sweaters are pilled, you just need to get a sweater shaver (we like this one best) to remove the little balls and get it back in good shape.

Back To School Style Mistakes Men Make

You’re headed back to campus and we’ve got some style tips to help you look your best this Fall. We see a lot of these common mistakes young guys make by either trying too hard or not trying enough. You want to find a balance between effort and casual dress, all while staying comfortable.

The good news is a little birt of effort in the style department goes a long way, so all of these back to school style mistakes are easily avoidable.

Socks and Slides

There’s no excuse ever. Pick up some Vans slip-ons, they’re just as comfortable and low-maintenance, plus they’re much more stylish.

Slip-On Picks:

Vans

SeeVees

Sperry

Too many logo tees

Leave that for all the annoying kids who are decked out in their logo tee, pants, and socks. They look ridiculous, don’t join them. Stick with the basics and go with something from H&M and Uniqlo, they make our favorite t-shirts that Ashley uses all the time with clients.

Not Putting In Any Effort

Your wardrobe doesn’t have to be fancy but you should care about what you’re wearing. That’s why we made it easy on you and put together a list of all the essentials you need for a stylish back to school wardrobe.

Basketball Shorts All The Time

Why? Unless you’re on the court or on the couch you shouldn’t be wearing basketball shorts. Grab some dark joggers instead, they’re just as comfortable and look a lot better.

Jogger Picks:

Too much hypebeasting

It reeks of trying too hard. If you want to sprinkle it in here and there, totally fine. But don’t jump in with both feet and wear all the trends at once, all the time. Again, we did a back to school essentials article that sprinkles in just the right amount.

Not caring about grooming

Look, there might be days you don’t want to style your hair. Fine, no problem, throw on your favorite baseball cap. But, here’s no excuse to have overgrown, unwashed hair or neglected skin. Your overall appearance, especially when it concerns hygiene, will be a huge make it or break it situation when it comes to people wanting to hang out with you. Check out all of our grooming tips in our grooming section. From haircuts to skincare, we’ve got all the tips you need.

Wearing only workout gear

Unless your an athlete and it’s absolutely necessary because of your schedule, then there’s no excuse. It’s lazy and looks like you might be hiding a less than desirable physique. You wanna feel just as comfortable? A pair of some Adidas Ultraboosts, black joggers, a tee or a hooded sweatshirt, and a bomber jacket will look 100 times sharper. All of our picks are right here.

Men’s Back To School Essentials

You’re headed back to campus and we’ve got some picks to help you look your best this Fall. We know that school can be stressful and the last thing you have time for is thinking about what to wear. However, we can all agree that you still want to look your best which is why picking up these pieces will take the guesswork out of what outfit you should wear because they all can go together easily and stylishly.

The key to solid back to school items are ones that are comfortable, stylish, inexpensive, and versatile, and these back to school style essentials will have you covered for the entire year.

Sneakers

You need a good everyday sneaker that’s comfortable, stylish, and affordable. We’re huge fans of the Vans Old Skool sneakers which come in a bunch of different colors and patterns, though I love the black and white ones the most. If you’re going to get a pair of white sneakers, I’d opt for leather like the Stan Smiths which are easier to keep clean than canvas kicks.

Picks:

Vans

Stan Smiths

More Sneaker Picks

Jason Markk sneaker cleaning wipes

Like everyone, you need something to carry your notebooks, laptop, and gear every day and just like your clothes, it’s important to pick up a backpack that keeps you organized, looks sharp, will last you all year, and won’t break the bank. We’ve discussed the ins and outs of our favorite backpacks before, and the key is finding the right size and style.

Picks:

Sunglasses

The right shape can instantly up your style game, but the wrong shape can really work against you. Stick with a classic style that compliments your face shape. Check out this article for more on how to choose the right sunglasses for your face shape.

Picks:

A Second Pair Of Pants

A man can’t live on denim alone so it’s wise to consider a few more options. We definitely recommend chinos, they’re comfortable, stylish, and affordable. If you go for chinos, go with navy or charcoal grey as that’ll go with everything. If chinos aren’t your style grab some sharp jogger pants for a different option. Go with black or charcoal as they’ll not only look the best but it will keep them from looking too much like your workout gear.

Chinos:

Joggers:

Best Men’s Swim Trunks | Swimsuits For 2019

It’s peak swim trunk season and we want to help you look your most stylish at the pool or beach. There are a ton of different styles out there, but generally-speaking we always lean towards swimwear that can also look like you’re wearing shorts. That way you look great in and out of the pool.

Fit-wise, as we talked about in our swim trunk fit guide, you want to look for inseams around 5″ as they will hit around mid-thigh for most men. We also recommend versions that have fabric on the thicker/stiffer side as they’ll look less clingy and keep their shape. All our picks are below and Ashley chose her favorites at several different price points.

Here are our picks for the best men’s swim trunks for 2019!

H&M – $25

These floral print shorts have a 5″ inseam and come in a cotton blend, The fabric is going to be on the thinner side but that’s okay because the design is of a more runner-style with the elastic waistband and drawstring. Ashley chose this because this is a design that will hide any fabric sticking to you when you get out of the pool. We love a fun pattern and the price is very affordable. They also come in a range of solid colors too.

Hill City – $68

Clean, simple and ready for anything, we love these basic swim trunks from Hill City thanks to their high-quality material and minimal design. They’ve got a comfortable drawstring waist and handy pockets that will keep them looking sharp enough to be worn outside of the beach or pool. The 6″ inseam is a nice middle-ground for guys of any height and they come in a range of basic colors.

Banana Republic – $98

We love this retro-inspired print and the zip fly and snap closure style. It really does look like a pair of shorts and will have you looking sharp in and out of the water, that’s why this style of trunks are our favorite. The polyester material is durable and a little bit stiff so they will lay nicely against the body with a trim fit.

Saturdays NYC – $95

Another classic, minimal design, these trunks from Saturdays feature a fixed-waist boardshort design and a 6.5″ inseam with a nice trim fit. We loved the streamlined design and very minimal branding. The shorts also feature very nice, thick material with a bit of stretch for comfort and movement in and out of the water.

Onia – $140

We’re huge fans of the shorts from Onia, a luxury swimwear company from New York. They feature a really sharp and summery blue color with just a hint of pattern. This pair of shorts comes in a nylon blend that’s nice and thick but with a hint of stretch so it will lay flat against the body. We like this version with a 5″ inseam best but there’s a 7.5″ inseam version for you taller guys too. It has two front pockets and a handy rear pocket plus a thin mesh lining. The snap closure and zip fly meet a fixed waistband in the front but the back portion of the waist has some elastic for added comfort, a really cool feature. As with anything you invest in, these shorts will last you a long time.

Orlebar Brown – $195

Orelebar Brown is another luxury swimwear brand and they’re known for their retro prints and photo print shorts. We loved this retro-style version because it’s got a fun pop but it’s not overwhelming. The quality is really excellent and the material is both durable and stretchy but also very comfortable. They have a snap waist and zip fly and a nice 5.5″ inseam that’s perfect for a range of heights. The design also features adjustable waist tabs, a very cool feature that not only gives you a precise fit but is s a nice detail you don’t normally see on swim trunks.

How Should Men’s Swim Trunks Fit?

Just because swim trunks are a casual item doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider their fit just like you do the rest of the items in your Essential Wardrobe. Like with anything else in our Fit Guide, a few missteps here or there and you could really not be doing your physique any favors.

So, now that you’re probably in the mindset for beach and pool time we thought we’d cover how your swim trunks should fit in our latest episode of 2 Minute Tuesday.

Length

Proportionally and visually, this is what looks best on men and as a basic rule, no matter how tall you are, your trunks should always above the knee by at least 3” above your knee.

Shorter Men

The length should hit at mid-thigh, at the longest. This proper length will make akes you (and your legs) look longer.

Taller Men

For the right proportions, you can go a little longer between 3” above the knee to mid-thigh, at the shortest.

Average Height Men

Go with the same guidelines as a taller guy, otherwise, your proportions will look off.

Fit

Ideally, you want to be able to pinch between a 1/2″ to 1” on either side of your thigh. You can go up a little bit if you must but any more and you’re right on the edge of looking a little bit baggy and sloppy.

The waist should fit perfectly around without too much sagging or tightness.

Should You Tailor Swim Trunks?

You can shorten them, but we don’t recommend trying to get the legs slimmed, because there’s usually pockets and other things in the way and it can get expensive. There are enough styles out there for every man to be able to find a good fit.

How To Dress For Your Body Type: Thin/Slim

For those thin men out there (like Dorian!), you can probably just walk into most stores and find something that generally fits your frame. But, understanding how to properly dress for your body type when you’re thin is more than just wearing the right size. And, since a great fit is probably the biggest factor in making you look your best, we’re going to dive in on some specific tips for those of you who have thin or slim builds.

For item-specific fit tips, be sure to check out all the different Fit Guides we have available!

General Tips

Thin men can struggle to find things that fit trim enough and often just settle for wearing oversized clothes; don’t do it! It can be tempting to wear clothes a bit big to feel like you’re adding mass to your frame but actually, it’s the opposite. You want clothes that fit properly and highlight your shape.

Since a “slim fit” can vary widely across brands, it’s really important to try lots of brands and find the one with the right slim fit for you. Then, it’s important and to find a good tailor to make the tweaks you need to your wardrobe.

Shirts

Say no to v-necks, they’ll only make your neck look overly long and this isn’t flattering. Focus on crew neck t-shirts, polo shirts, oxfords, and dress shirts. You can wear all patterns, stripes, and prints. Vertical stripes are fine but horizontal stripes will add some visual width. Make sure shirts and tops are tapered in the waist to give your body some shape. You don’t want things to hang off your frame in any area as baggy fits will just enhance your slim frame.

Fit Guides: T-Shirts, Polo Shirts, Dress and Oxford Shirts

Jackets/Suits

Bomber jackets and blazers are best for a thinner man’s frame. Just make sure you have them tailored if necessary to fit you in the sleeves and body. Any suit style will work for you but just make sure you have the proper size and a slim fit. Try a double-breasted suit or blazer to add a bit of size to your torso.

Fit Guides: Suits, Blazers, Jackets

Sweaters & Cardigans

Shawl collar sweaters and cardigans can add some size to your shoulders so we highly recommend them as a good option for your frame, but stay away from standard cardigans, they can hang off you too much. Crewneck sweaters will also look great and can be layered with a t-shirt or a collared shirt. But, if you’re going to wear a v-neck sweater, make sure you only wear it with a colled dress shirt or oxford underneath. Like a v-neck t-shirt, it’s going to accentuate the length of your neck in a bad way without a collared shirt underneath.

Fit Guides: Sweaters, Cardigans

Pants/Jeans/Trousers

For jeans, trousers, and chinos, a slim fit with a tapered leg will look the best. Stay away from straight or relaxed fits and avoid super skinny or tight pants, they will only enhance your slim legs. Pants should be fitted at the waist and in the seat. Tailor if there’s too much fabric in the seat. From there you can focus on tapered fit from the knee down – straight leg or no taper will give your leg the incorrect proportions. Again, try on a bunch of different brands to find one that works best for you.

Fit Guides: Jeans, Chinos, Trousers

How Shirts Should Fit A Muscular Man With Steve Cook

Finding the right shirt fit can be a challenge, especially when you’re very muscular up top and have a narrow waist. We’re excited to be joined by our friend and fitness guru Steve Cook to discuss Ashley’s shirt fit tips for all of you fit, muscular guys!

In terms of fit details, there are four main areas you want to focus on in terms of a good or bad fit.

Chest/Shoulder Fit

Make sure you’re buying your appropriate chest/shoulder size. Focus on this area first and foremost as other areas (sleeve, waist) can be tailored much more easily. Look for trim/fitted but not tight. You don’t want button-up shirts pulling at the chest or riding up into your armpit. When you’re shopping, look for slim fit or athletic fit t-shirts for the ideal starting point. From there, test out a bunch of brands so you can figure out which ones work best for your body type.

Neck Fit

For dress shirts, make sure the neck isn’t squeezing or tight, you should be able to insert a finger or two between the collar. For t-shirts, I recommend going with a v-neck as it will highlight those neck and shoulder muscles you’ve worked so hard on in a really great way. Just make sure the v doesn’t extend too low, it should hit just above your armpit line. This rule goes for scoop neck t-shirts as well. In terms of polos and casual button-ups, you can mimic a v-neck by unbuttoning one or two buttons (but not too many, don’t be that guy!) and highlight those muscles we spoke about before.

Sleeve Fit

Again, trim and fitted (depending on preference) but not skin tight is what you want. You want the sleeves to lightly hug your bicep but not pull. For short sleeves, I also recommend keeping an eye on sleeve length. Your sleeve should hit midway down your bicep, you don’t want too short of a sleeve. If your sleeves need a bit of taper, a tailor can help.

Waist Fit

As with other areas, you want your clothing fit to accentuate the v-shape you work so hard for, and the waist area is a hugely important spot to keep an eye on. If the shirt fits your chest and arms properly but is loose and baggy around the waist it’s time to visit a tailor. Ideally, you want to be able to pull 1-2” max from the sides of your shirt, any more and it’s probably too baggy. The great news is, this is a simple alteration that a tailor can make, and trust me, it’s money well spent, even for t-shirts.

Don’t forget to check out our companion video on pants fit for muscular men over on Steve’s channel!

Extra special thanks to Steve for joining us, for more, check out his channel and site:

Youtube

Instagram

Website

7 Ways You’re Killing Your Style

As you’re on the road to developing your personal style it’s easy to make mistakes along the way. Whether it’s neglecting the small details that can make a big impact or just trying to do too much with the goal of being “stylish”, there are many common mistakes I see men make along the way.

Don’t forget to check out our Clothing Fit Guide for more tips!