Does He Have a Good Sense of Style?
Sure, most men aren't as fashion-conscious as women, but even then, it's probably a good idea to put at least some effort into the outfit. For the fellas out there: sorry, but the ladies just aren't going to swoon over you wearing your pants ridden down to your bum or throwing on a jersey wherever you go—you've gotta put more oomph into your styling decisions! If you want to know whether you're doing it right or wrong, we've listed out all the telltale signs of a poorly dressed (and well-dressed!) man.
1. No Sense of Color Coordination
Sticking to only black isn't a good call, but you know what's worse? Combining two shades that do not go together. We get it: mixing colors is hard! But all you need to do is do some research (or ask a friend) to pair the right tones. It'll make an enormous difference in how your outfit looks.
2. It's Always the Sports Jersey
Okay, sure, it's game day. But are you really going to wear that sports jersey everywhere you go, even when it's no game day? We're sorry to say, but men whose entire wardrobe consists of basketball jerseys, football shirts, and athletic shorts are not the most attractive. It just makes you look lazy.
3. Pairing Sandals with Formal Wear
Imagine showing up to a friend's big day, and you're wearing a tuxedo with sandals. No matter how open the dress code (or how carefree your friend is), this combination just shows you have no sense of style. Sandals certainly have their place, but pairing them with formal clothing? Hard pass.
4. Always Wears Oversized Clothing
Oversized clothing can be fashionable, but there's a difference between choosing a relaxed silhouette and wearing clothes that simply don't fit. Without considering proportions, your outfits will only look sloppy, so please—no more baggy pants and XXL hoodies, thanks.
5. Low-Ride Pants
Speaking of baggy pants, fellas: letting your jeans sag so far down that your underwear is completely exposed is just not it. Yes, yes, we know you think it makes you look hip, but really, it just shows you don't know how to dress yourself. Pull your pants up, for goodness' sake.
6. Too Many Patterns
Patterns are kind of like colors—mix the wrong ones or too many at once, and you'll end up with something drastic. If you're going to wear patterns, you'll want to pay attention to how overwhelming the combination might look. Don't experiment without intention!
7. Thinks Every Shirt Looks Better Unbuttoned
If you want to impress the ladies, you might think unbuttoning your shirt will do the trick. But wearing nearly every button-down open to the middle of your torso? Unless you've got rock-hard abs or something to show off, this style choice just makes you look sleazy.
8. It's the Crocs Again
We already talked about the sandals, but fellas. The Crocs are worse. If you insist on pairing every outfit you have with those awful cheese-looking shoes, you're not doing yourself any favors. Crocs have a time and place (the beach), but not everywhere or any time.
9. Logos, Logos, and More Logos
Wearing expensive brands doesn't automatically mean you understand fashion, and it certainly doesn't make you look richer. Sorry. Plus, flaunting logos left and right may even backfire, because others might just assume you're some snobby dude.
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10. What Dress Code?
If an invitation specifically requests cocktail attire, don't show up in cargo shorts and a hoodie. In fact, if you're the type to treat business casual and formal dress codes as interchangeable, you're only showing that you don't know how to adapt your wardrobe, and that you rely on the same outfit for everything.
Now that we've got the poorly dressed signs out of the way, let's jump into the good stuff. Here's how to tell when a man truly knows how to dress well:
1. Knows Exactly How His Clothes Should Fit
Instead of just throwing on oversized clothes on top of each other, a well-dressed man knows exactly how his clothes should fit on him. Got a good body? Show it off! Rather than automatically buying everything in the same size, you should always consider the cut and intended fit of each piece.
2. Coordinates Footwear
Sandals and Crocs have a time and place, and men who know what they're doing have several types of footwear in rotation. Some outfits go great with clean white sneakers; others look better with loafers or proper dress shoes. In any case, the formality, color, and style should be taken into account.
3. Proper Layering
If you're layering oversized on top of oversized, don't be surprised if you look like a bulky mess afterward! A stylish man, however, knows exactly how to layer properly. He might, for example, pair a lightweight sweater over an Oxford shirt before finishing off with a structured jacket.
4. Personalized Palette
Not every color looks good on everyone, and men with a keen sense of style know which shades complement them most. If you refrain from buying "fashionable" shades and instead choose tones that work with both your appearance and your existing wardrobe, that's a good sign.
5. Just Enough Accessorizing
Another sign that you're well-dressed? You know how to accessorize. From a thoughtfully chosen watch to a leather belt, you're aware of which items enhance an outfit without taking away too much attention, and you also recognize that different occasions call for different details.
6. Owns Clothes for Different Occasions
A man with a well-rounded wardrobe will never panic when he's invited somewhere with a particular dress code. After all, he's got all the bases covered: he has suitable options for casual weekends, professional meetings, and weddings! And it's all because he knows which pieces are versatile enough to be combined appropriately.
7. Pays Attention to Fabric and Material
When you go shopping, what do you pay attention to? If you say fabric and quality, you've got it right on the nose. Experienced dressers understand that two shirts with identical designs can still look and feel completely different depending on how and what they're made from. And since texture and drape influence how an outfit looks, those two factors are always taken into account.
8. Knows the Perfect Shirt-Tuck
It might seem like a minor detail, but if you know how to tuck in a shirt, that can do wonders for your overall appearance. You don't want to end up with a muffin top, after all! If you've got good fashion instincts, you also understand that shirt length and hem shape can affect the overall styling.
9. How to Balance Proportions
A fashionable man knows how to balance the delicate relationship between different garments and their proportions. For instance, you might pair wide-leg trousers with a more fitted top, or throw on a tailored jacket with fitted pants, and you always consider how your entire silhouette looks.
10. Keeps Clothes Properly Maintained
Even the best-dressed would look sloppy if the clothes they wore were poorly taken care of! Maintenance matters, so men who have great style know how to ensure their outfits always look presentable. Anything that's stained or damaged gets fixed or altered immediately, demonstrating that condition matters just as much as owning the right pieces.
