mens fashion advice Archives - Page 4 of 4

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

POTW: Leather Weekender Bag

We see a ton of bags, some good ones and plenty of bad ones, and finding a good-looking AND well-priced leather weekender bag can be super tough. We recently got a chance to check out one of the weekender bags from Beckett Simonon and we were so impressed we had to make it our Pick of the Week!

The bag features excellent leather quality, a solid build and a nice set of features, all at a great price. We loved the tan color but it also comes in a few other colorways. Make sure to check out the links below for all the options!

Tan Weekender Bag

Black Weekender Bag

Oxblood Weekender Bag

Their Other Collections

Dorian’s Outfit

Topman Shirt

Barton Perreira Glasses

Nvidia Grenchen Chronomaster (Vintage)

Watch Strap

4 Colors Of Denim You Should Own

Denim, it’s an absolute staple, and you can wear jeans just about anywhere these days. But, it’s important to have the right colors for the job. I don’t recommend all colors of denim for every occasion so you should not only know what 4 colors you need to have, but also the right and wrong times to wear them

For more, don’t forget to check out our Jeans Fit Guide and our tips on how to take care of your denim!

The four colors of denim I recommend owning are dark indigo, a lighter wash of blue, grey and black.

Dark Indigo

If you own just one pair, a dark wash indigo is the one to own, so buy these first! It’s the most versatile and can be worn dressed up with something like a blazer and loafers or with everything casual like sneakers and a t-shirt. If you work in a business casual office dark indigo jeans are a great alternative to chinos on casual days.

Light Wash Blue

Not as versatile as a darker wash, I recommend a lighter blue for more casual situations. Be careful not to go too light on the wash as the very light shades tend to be a bit too trendy and can veer a bit too young.

Grey

While not as important as dark wash jeans, grey jeans can be quite versatile. Stick with a medium to darker grey wash and don’t be afraid to dress them up. Think of them kind of like a pair of grey chinos in terms of how and where you would wear them.

Black

I love a good pair of black jeans and they’re almost as vital to your wardrobe as dark indigo jeans. They have a little bit of a rocker vibe to them and look great for nighttime occasions. You can never go wrong with a pair of black jeans, a white or grey shirt, and a pair of sneakers or boots.

Denim Picks

Best Men’s Polo Shirts For 2018

We’ve talked about polo shirts in the past, and for good reason, they’re one of my favorite elevated casual items, especially for the Spring and Summer months. Here are our style tips and picks for the best men’s polos for 2018! Don’t forget to check out my picks below and for more info on fit, read our polo shirt fit guide.

Polo Picks

Designer:

Budget-Friendly:

H&M

Uniqlo

J. Crew

Men’s Shorts

Whether you live in a place with year-round warm weather or are gearing up for the Spring and Summer season, having a well-fitting shorts rotation is key to a well-rounded casual wardrobe. Despite their casualness, the effort you put into how your shorts look and fit shouldn’t be an afterthought. My Fit Guide is something I always refer back to for a reason, and just like you consider the fit, look, and fabrics of your shirts and pants, your shorts arsenal should get the same type of consideration.

Get The Right Fit

Your shorts should be as well-fitting as your favorite pair of chinos or denim, and that starts with getting the right length and taper. The sweet spot for short length is somewhere between the top of your knee up to a max of 2” above your knee, regardless of body type. This length is going to be both versatile and flattering, no matter what else you’re wearing. Ultimately you should look for shorts with a 7”-10” inseam, depending on where you are comfortable wearing them.

Avoid overly baggy or tight shorts by choosing a pair that gives you the right taper. A quick and easy way to find the right fit is, you should be able to pinch 1-2” on either side of your thigh. Much more or less and you’re headed into the shorts danger zone.

Find The Right Style

Now that you’ve got a good idea what the right fit is for you, it’s time to focus on finding the right styles. Here are a few quick tips to ensure you’re setting yourself up for shorts success.

Stick To Flat Front Styles

Pleats are a no-go here, they’re only going to age you and make you look like you’ve got a pooch.

Cotton Is King

In terms of material, you want to choose cotton or cotton blends like chino cloth, seersucker, or linen, they’re the most versatile and easy to care for.

Go With Classic Colors

In the color department, for your primary shorts you want to go with solid colors like blue, grey, and khaki because they’re timeless and will always look sharp. Once you’ve got the basics on lock, you can always mix in a plaid or a fun pattern, but just know that wearing these on a day-to-day basis, outside of a fun event, can read a little boyish. Use your discretion here but I recommend sticking with solids to start.