8 Things ALL Guys Should STOP Wearing In Their 30s

You just turned 30 or you’re in your 30’s and have decided to get it together on the clothing front. Congratulations because this officially means you’re now a proper grownup. While you may not be be hitting your peak professionally or financially yet, you’re definitely on the way, which means you should be taking your clothing and appearance a little more seriously.

So where does that leave your wardrobe? How do you walk the tightrope that is post-twenties dressing without looking like an over-the-hill has-been, or worse – a textbook case of early mid-life crisis?

These are some of the items that categorically shouldn’t be in your rotation in your third decade. Even if you do feel young at heart.

Dirty or Faded Anything

You’re too old to have an excuse for dirty clothing and shoes. You’re not out in the playground anymore, so your excuse for having dirty or terribly worn out anything is just laziness.

Graphic Tees

There are two exceptions when it comes to wearing one: You’re headed to watch your favorite sports team play or you’re going to a concert. Outside of these two situations, wearing a graphic tee communicates your someone who can’t get over the fact he’s no longer in his twenties.

Dirty, old or worn out shoes

No self-respecting man should be walking around in old, dirty shoes. Ever. Also, did you know it’s one of the first things women look at and can be a real make it or break it when it comes to first impressions?

Baggy anything

Unless you think to yourself, I’d like a more relaxed fit with these because that’s a silhouette I’d like to go for with this outfit, then you shouldn’t be wearing anything ill-fitting. The days of you wearing clothes because they were gifted or somehow found their way into your wardrobe by happenstance are over. A man in his 30’s should know what he’s going for and should nail it.

“If a guy shows up wearing ill-fitting pants or a big shirt, game over,” said every woman on planet Earth.

White socks and novelty underwear

Nothing says this guy dresses like a grade schooler more than white socks. Replace them with literally any other color – starting with black, blue and gray, and you’ll be on the road to adulthood!

Novelty underwear is a rite of passage for most men. When you’re a teenager, it’s the go-to Christmas gift for relatives intent on finding skivvies that’ll give you a chuckle. But we’re still not laughing.

Hopefully by now, you’ll have had the sense to leave the trunks that declare you a ‘Beer Monster’ or baggy boxer shorts emblazoned with the warning ‘In Case Of Emergency, Pull Down’ far, far behind you.

We even did a super in-depth article on the best men’s underwear out there if you need to check that out.

Shorts

Cargo shorts, especially. The one type of shorts you can wear are chino cloth shorts, but frankly, now that you’re older, shorts should mostly be worn near bodies of water in the form of swim trunks. Instead, grab some chino pants and roll up the hem (or get them hemmed to be a little shorter) and you’ve got something breathable and much more age-appropriate.

Flip Flops/Sandals

Unless you’re at a body of water, get rid of them.

Unkempt Haircuts

An adult ensures he always looks good, and that definitely goes for your hair.

6 Things All Guys Should Stop Wearing By Age 20

Whether you’re fresh out of college or just about to be, you’ve entered a point in your life where there’s no longer an excuse to dress like a teenager. You’re a young man whose on his way to making a name for himself so it’s time to get your $h!t together!

Sweatpants & Sweaters

These were okay options to wear when you’re in school when studying (and partying) take priority. But if you’re out of school, this look should be relegated to around the house, at most. There’s much better options for loungewear these days, but either way, remove these out of your daily or weekly rotation and start putting together a more adult, Essential Wardrobe.

Jean Shorts A.K.A. Jorts

When you were a teenager these were passable because people assume your parents bought them for you, but those days are over. Instead, opt for some chino cloth shorts, which are more age appropriate and can be styled a bunch of different ways.

Chunky Skate Shoes

Wear these, of course, if you’re still skating. But just like a construction worker should change out of his steel-toed boots after the day is done, don’t wear these outside of their intended usage time and get some stylish low-top sneakers instead.

Ill-fitting clothing

The days of wearing clothing that doesn’t fit your body are over. Anything big and baggy (that isn’t part of a specific fit) is sloppy and shows poor judgement as a budding adult, so instead learn how clothing should fit your specific body type and get it together.

Hats

Wearing hats all day, everyday is a big sign of a young man who still is dressing like a teenager. If you’re wearing hats because you are too lazy to style your hair, then it’s time to find a hairstyle that fits your lifestyle best. Hats should be worn sparingly in the adult world, so find a hairstyle that works best for you.

Designer Anything

Unless you’re well off, the stupidest thing to do in your 20’s is get yourself into debt because you want to wear designer clothing. As we work with every major designer in the world, we can assure you that they aren’t worth going into debt for. You’ll absolutely regret it!

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.

Style Essentials For Hot Weather

No matter where you live, you’re probably battling some heat right about now. You’re probably also wondering how the hell you’re going to look put-together and stylish in this type of weather. Don’t worry though, we’re here to help! We’ve got a batch of easy tips that are not only going to have you looking cool, but staying cool as well.

Lightweight Fabrics

Start by opting for breathable, lightweight fabrics like cotton (for chinos, t-shirts, and polos) and linen and linen blends (for suits, shirting, and shorts) for hot weather dressing. One warning though, we don’t usually recommend most linen pants as they’re often too thin and sheer (yikes!).

Keep It Covered

A lightweight straw hat is a great way to keep the sun and heat off and give your head and face some protection. Don’t forget to check out my summer essentials e-book for more on what styles we think are best!

Light Colors

As you can probably imagine, dark colors are going to absorb the heat and sun and make you hot, so we highly recommend going with light colors like tan, white, light grey, and pastels if you’re looking for a pop of color. For more color tips, check out our color guide for details.

Breathable Footwear

Lightweight, low profile footwear is a stylish way to keep your cool in hot weather. I recommend canvas or fabric slip-ons like Toms or Soludos and loafers like driving mocs or boat shoes as casual and dressier options. Unless you’re at or going to some body of water, you can skip the sandals. Real talk, no one wants to see your toes, pedicure or not.

Lightweight Layers

Believe it or not, the right layers, like a linen shirt or polo w/ a linen or lightweight cotton jacket, will actually keep you cooler. There’s a reason nomadic Bedouins in desert countries wear light colors and layers, it actually traps cool air and lets it flow around you. Stylish Italians are also experts at utilizing this method of layering breathable fabrics to look put-together and stay comfortable.

Shorten Up

As I’ve shown you, there’s a right and wrong way to wear shorts, and as long as they fit properly, letting your legs breath can help keep you cool and have you looking casually stylish. One caveat though, shorts don’t transition well from day to night, so default to a lightweight pair of chinos if you’re needing to wear something for the whole day and on into the evening.

With the right choices, looking stylish and staying cool are both well within your reach this season, now don’t forget some sunscreen!

Here are some of my favorite picks for warm weather style; for more, make sure to check out the video!

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.

My Shorts Picks

Budget-Friendly Shorts:

Gap Embroidered Shorts

Banana Republic Stretch Shorts

Banana Republic Printed Shorts

Surf-Inspired Shorts:

Billabong, Hurley, Quiksilver Shorts

Other Favorites:

Bonobos Shorts

Bonobos Printed Shorts

Vince Shorts

Brooks Brothers Shorts

Brooks Brothers Linen/Cotton Shorts

Brooks Brothers Seersucker Shorts

Vineyard Vines Shorts

POTW: 2 Summer Items

This week, since I’m in New York, I wanted to feature a few summer items from a friend and one of my favorite New York-based designers. On top of that, I’ve been meaning to hang out with Barron from EffortlessGent.com, so what better way to kill a few birds with one stone?

$148 – Todd Snyder Short Sleeve Navy Floral Collared Shirt
$150 – Todd Snyder x PF Flyers Suede Rambler Lo Sneaker in Beige

Budget Friendly Options

$55 – Topman Navy Floral Print Short Sleeve Shirt
$100 – Adidas Originals Court Vantage Sneakers In Brown BB0128

Here’s why I love them:

The 100% high quality linen coupled with the navy and white color palette of the shirt will keep you cool all Summer long for years to come.
The champagne suede sneakers are a great way to add a stylish, yet neutral color to your summer wardrobe. Wear with the floral shirt and some white or light blue denim, navy or charcoal chinos or shorts.
You get what you pay for. High quality materials and construction coupled with well thought out, sharp designs are hard to come by. Trust me.
Did I mention these are neutral items that are easy to incorporate into your existing wardrobe?!

Best Ways To Wear

$125 – J.Crew 484 Slim Stretch Jeans in Whitford Wash
$40 – Uniqlo Slim Fit Flat Front Stretch Chinos in White
$25 – H&M Chino Shorts in Navy

21 Things Men Should Never Wear

In this video, I talk about the 21 things men should never wear! These are the things that’ll curl your toenails, and offend even your grandmother. Just don.do.it.