When you think of a well-dressed man, your mind likely goes to suits.
While they are a staple of any dandy’s wardrobe, they’re not the only thing you should focus on. In fact, there are many newer styles that can be integrated into your closet to create a more modern wardrobe that you makes you excited to get ready in the morning, starting with these 5 pieces:
1. SNEAKERS
Growing in popularity with the athleisure trend over the last few years, running shoes have become a staple in most men’s wardrobes. While they might not seem like they can fit into a dandy’s wardrobe, with careful styling, you can create sleek yet modern looks that will turn heads.
Whether you prefer a pair of classic white sneakers or comfortable yet fashion-forward black running shoes, there are plenty of ways to style sneakers while maintaining your signature style, even with asuit.
2. TURTLENECKS
During the winter months, you’ll see turtleneck shirts and sweaters left and right. And, they’re not just for women. You can work turtlenecks into your fall and winter style to create elegant looks that are perfect for day or night. Taking your date to dinner? Make a good impression by pairing a grey turtleneck with wool dress pants and single-button blazer. Or, look sharp while exploring a new city by laying your turtleneck under a shirt. The possibilities are virtually endless. Need some more inspiration? Consider these ideas:
Feel free to get adventurous with textures and prints as you refine this look to match your own style.
3. LEATHER JACKET
The black leather jacket—an icon of cool and sexy men’s style. To work this classic into your outfit, consider pairing a black leather jacket with tartan pants and a white shirt. Finish it off with black loafers and you’re ready to hit the streets. Since leather jackets are usually sleek in design, they are easy to pair with a wide variety of looks, especially if you’re a fan of a funky patterned shirt.
4. TAILORED CHINOS
Chinos always look best when tailored to fit your body just right. These classy yet practical pants are dressy without being stuffy, perfect for anyone trying to nail the modern dandy look. Whiley they started out as part of military uniforms, today’s chinos are anything but rigid. In fact, they come in virtually every pattern and color. To integrate chinos into your wardrobe, try a few of these looks on for size:
This look translates easily to virtually any setting.
5. JEWLERY
Public service announcement, jewelry isn’t just for the ladies. For some men, it can be difficult to figure out just how to style jewelry, whether it be necklaces, bracelets, or a nice ring. However, these accessories are an important aspect of fashion that can take an outfit from just so-so to show-stopping. For starters, try adding these essentials to your collection:
When starting your jewelry collection, keep in mind which tones look best on your complexion and choose pieces that can be worn together without looking overbearing. And most importantly, wear your jewelry with confidence.
All five of these items should become part of your wardrobe basics, but make sure to make them your own. After all, style is about expressing yourself and showing the world who you are (and who you want to be) through fashion. Making your wardrobe more modern and tailored to your personal style will help you feel more confident whether you’re headed to the boardroom or to meet a blind date.