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the same advice I gave my wife
I just left this as a comment, but I'm so entertained by it that I'm posting it here too. Here's how to look like me. AKA fashion for beginners.
The key to my wardrobe is that most everything matches. I've only recently made additions to my wardrobe that only go with a select other garments. For example, almost all of my pants are khaki pants, jeans, or gray pants. I have lots of gray and black shirts. I think v-neck sweaters and shirts are good, but make sure the v doesn't go to low -- not past your collar bone. Don't be afraid to buy clothes that actually fit and possibly even cling a little -- I think it looks much neater to have a form fitting shirt that shows off a belly a little rather than a baggy sloppy shirt.
Stick with solid pants initially. No patterns or even tweed types either. Don't buy jeans too overrinsed, and if you prefer buying the dark rinse deep blue jeans, realize that you aren't buying jeans -- you're buying blue pants, so you can't get away with quite as much. Black and gray don't always work with dark blue jeans -- it's too much like mixing navy and black which CAN be done, but leave it to the professionals.
Button up shirts are a good way to look sharp, either alone or under said v-neck sweater. Sweater vests are excellent in making chests look smoother and they lengthen your torso if your short-waisted (which I am). I prefer wearing dress pants, dress shirt and tie with a sweater vest instead of a coat, but it still looks dressy. (Solid color ties or small patterns are good.)
Always match your belt and shoes. And please don't wear white socks with dark shoes. White socks should only be worn with sneakers. I like thicker cotton black socks, which feel like athletic socks and last longer (instead of those thin trouser socks).
Brown shoes are iffy. I generally stay away from them because they're often hard to pull off. I have one pair that sits and collects dust. Instead I prefer yellow shoes -- the timberland macaroni boot color. Dark red might work too.
Don't be afraid to mix brown and black. A maroon shirt with dark brown pants looks better with a black belt and black shoes. Trust me. Brown shoes are pretty hard to pull off, except for maybe with jeans when being really casual and even then....it's for advanced fashionistas frankly. Stick with black shoes for the most part.
White undershirts are good too -- I wear them under almost everything. The white collar makes every shirt looks crisper and neater.
So was this too basic? Do you need more specifics? Brands? I'm mostly an old navy man, sometimes gap. I also like van heusen, actually, and sometimes structure and polo, but only if I find them at thrift stores.
Thrift store shoppping is an excellent way to try different style and sizes without having to spend tons of money. Also, i recommend having one pair of good expensive shoes that don't hurt your feet (preferably black!) and buying the rest at payless -- another good way to get something stylish and trendy and trying out before spending hundreds of dollar on something that will look lame next year.
Good luck!!
raybear, the self-appointed wannabe fashion guru
The key to my wardrobe is that most everything matches. I've only recently made additions to my wardrobe that only go with a select other garments. For example, almost all of my pants are khaki pants, jeans, or gray pants. I have lots of gray and black shirts. I think v-neck sweaters and shirts are good, but make sure the v doesn't go to low -- not past your collar bone. Don't be afraid to buy clothes that actually fit and possibly even cling a little -- I think it looks much neater to have a form fitting shirt that shows off a belly a little rather than a baggy sloppy shirt.
Stick with solid pants initially. No patterns or even tweed types either. Don't buy jeans too overrinsed, and if you prefer buying the dark rinse deep blue jeans, realize that you aren't buying jeans -- you're buying blue pants, so you can't get away with quite as much. Black and gray don't always work with dark blue jeans -- it's too much like mixing navy and black which CAN be done, but leave it to the professionals.
Button up shirts are a good way to look sharp, either alone or under said v-neck sweater. Sweater vests are excellent in making chests look smoother and they lengthen your torso if your short-waisted (which I am). I prefer wearing dress pants, dress shirt and tie with a sweater vest instead of a coat, but it still looks dressy. (Solid color ties or small patterns are good.)
Always match your belt and shoes. And please don't wear white socks with dark shoes. White socks should only be worn with sneakers. I like thicker cotton black socks, which feel like athletic socks and last longer (instead of those thin trouser socks).
Brown shoes are iffy. I generally stay away from them because they're often hard to pull off. I have one pair that sits and collects dust. Instead I prefer yellow shoes -- the timberland macaroni boot color. Dark red might work too.
Don't be afraid to mix brown and black. A maroon shirt with dark brown pants looks better with a black belt and black shoes. Trust me. Brown shoes are pretty hard to pull off, except for maybe with jeans when being really casual and even then....it's for advanced fashionistas frankly. Stick with black shoes for the most part.
White undershirts are good too -- I wear them under almost everything. The white collar makes every shirt looks crisper and neater.
So was this too basic? Do you need more specifics? Brands? I'm mostly an old navy man, sometimes gap. I also like van heusen, actually, and sometimes structure and polo, but only if I find them at thrift stores.
Thrift store shoppping is an excellent way to try different style and sizes without having to spend tons of money. Also, i recommend having one pair of good expensive shoes that don't hurt your feet (preferably black!) and buying the rest at payless -- another good way to get something stylish and trendy and trying out before spending hundreds of dollar on something that will look lame next year.
Good luck!!
raybear, the self-appointed wannabe fashion guru
no subject
i think i sometimes work "fag-inspired punk clothing". i'll wear my gay dark grey sweater with my mechanic's jacket.
no subject
i think i actually sometimes pull of the art nerd who looks gay even when he's straight sort of look...