Suggestions for changing my style.

July 14, 2005 5:29 AM

I would like to change my style.

Who makes hip clothing? I'd like to check out some stuff online to get an idea of what I like that is stylish. Are there resources online about fashion/style in general that you can recommend? For instance, something that would show different styles (say, "urban chic"... pictures/examples follow).

I'm 6' 1" and I weigh 180lbs. with slightly longish hair (that women say they wish they had), but my current style is very, very casual- shorts, t-shirt, sandals. I like comfort, I'm just wanting to look a little more stylish. Any suggestions? Also, suggestions for cultivating style in ways other than with colthing are welcome...

This seems kind of silly, but I really want to figure this out.

posted by pissfactory to clothing, beauty, & fashion (41 comments total)

Gosh. "Stylish" is, IMO, extremely subjective - different people (even of similar build) may look good/bad in the same outfits - probably down to confidence, mannerisms, etc.

I had a quick poke at Flickr for "fashion", "trendy", "stylish" - nothing really suits!

Do you do hats? Sunglasses? Jewellery?
How about boots? Combat trousers ("pants"), ripped shirts? Gel in your hair?
Do you smoke? Wear specs?

Complicated... sorry can't help more!
posted by Chunder at 5:52 AM on July 14, 2005

Style rule #1: shorts are for little boys.
posted by dydecker at 5:54 AM on July 14, 2005

I would recommend perusing stores like Express Men, and Banana Republic for inspiration.
posted by dagnyduquette at 6:09 AM on July 14, 2005

Generally speaking, for both men and women accessories and multiple layers scream "stylish and put together" more than anything else.

Any guy can wear a pair of cargo pants and a faded tee shirt. But the guy who adds a stylish jacket, a messenger bag, a wrist cuff and the right pair of shoes suddenly looks better than every other man on the street.

If you want to peruse styles, your best bets are store catalogs and web sites. I'd point you towards JCrew, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Urban Outfitters -- lots of photos, and each has their own distinct "style." Don't let assumptions and prejudice get in your way; even if you'd "never" dress like an A&F catalog, you can still get good ideas from looking at their photos.
posted by junkbox at 6:15 AM on July 14, 2005

Generally, your own personal style should match your lifestyle; if you're corporate, go corporate. If you're a hippie, you won't look good in a suit.

This being said, style generally works around some basic rules (found in any men's magazine every month) and adding accessories that give you a sense of self. There's no hard and fast rule to style, except that it's a lot of hard work keeping up to the latest style (if that's what you want to do). You're constantly updating your wardrobe, spending tons of money and in the end, if clothes aren't that important to you, not worth the hassle.

Generally, if you're looking for better style, hang out with some people who are in the same position as you are in life, check out their clothes, ask them where they buy their clothes. Most people will be flattered by this and it gives you a great place to start.

Good luck!
posted by dflemingdotorg at 6:24 AM on July 14, 2005

dydeck: Indeed. But it is freaking hot and sunny right now here. Should we wear long trousers even if it's going to make us sweaty and look oh-so-unstylish?
posted by grouse at 6:25 AM on July 14, 2005

I agree with everything junkbox said. It's not so much the clothes as it is the layers and the accessories, that make style. A good watch, jewelry, a few really nice belts...that kind of thing. So who has a style that you'd like to adapt and modify? Is there a celeb-type person or a spread in a magazine that you've seen and would like to dress like? I would use that kind of inspiration as a springboard and then personalize it with your own ew-neek-ness. Sometimes you just need someone else to break down a look for you and explain how to put the pieces together. If you could point to a photograph of a look that you like, we could use that as a starting point. "Stylish" means different things to different people.
posted by iconomy at 6:27 AM on July 14, 2005

Oh, and despite its clichedness, if you're looking to be stylish, you can just rely on a couple of pairs of good jeans (dressy jeans), a couple of really stylish blazers and interesting t-shirts. Mix in some funky sneakers or shoes and a cool belt and most people will think that your style is unique, despite the fact it very much isn't
posted by dflemingdotorg at 6:27 AM on July 14, 2005

Find a female friend with a good eye for fashion and go shopping with her. Let her know what sorts of situations you'll need clothes for (work, casual, going out, etc) and give her an amount of money to work with. Your job: try everything she picks out on, decide if you could see yourself wearing it and buy the top choices. Just go in with an open mind and be willing to try a few new things. This worked absolute wonders for me.
posted by TommyH at 6:40 AM on July 14, 2005

grouse: don't you live in England? What was it they said about mad dogs, you guys, and the midday sun?

If it's too hot to go out in jeans, it's too hot to go out, that's my rule. Mind you I live in Tokyo where it reaches an unbearable 40 degrees plus humidity, and everyone is dripping with sweat, shorts or no shorts.

dflemingdotorg has the right idea. Best to go to a shop with your girlfriend, try on a whole bunch of expensive jeans, parade around, and get her to judge which pair make your bum look the sexiest. Then reap the benefits of all the female attention. TRUST ME THIS WORKS
posted by dydecker at 7:12 AM on July 14, 2005

I fully endorse TommyH's suggestion of getting a good female friend to help you out. I would love to have free reign to help some of my guy friends find their style. A lot of gals would consider that a fun project.

And you may want to check out "Cargo" magazine. It's a shopping/fashion quasi-magazine for guys (in the same vein as "Lucky" for women). It would give you an idea of what's being sold where.
posted by awegz at 7:17 AM on July 14, 2005

One non-clothing way to develop style is by cultivating individual tastes and learning to make aesthetic judgments, and another is to keep in mind the very important distinction between style and fashion. Carrie Donovan's owlish glasses and Chanel cuffs are stylish. People who are employed as Old Navy models are fashionable.
posted by box at 7:24 AM on July 14, 2005

Just remember that whatever style you have, make it yours. If you wear it with confidence, that gives you your own style right there.
posted by menace303 at 7:33 AM on July 14, 2005

On your search for style, be willing to spend more than you're currently spending. I didn't say break the bank, mind you- it's just that some people are unwilling to spend any money at all on clothes. My boyfriend won't buy pants at Old Navy, because they're $20, and he's content wearing pants he wore in high school (i.e. pants that don't fit).

And I agree with everyone who said shorts are generally not very stylish (especially on men).
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:48 AM on July 14, 2005 [1 favorite]

Cut your hair. If it's longer than your chin, it's anti-style.
posted by dame at 8:13 AM on July 14, 2005

I third the "men don't wear shorts" comment, with the exception of wearing them while exercising.

Best advice I have run across is to pick a celebrity you identify with and use them for styling cues. Combine that with flipping through GQ on occasion and that's as much as I can muster without feeling dirty.

That and if you have any jean shorts, burn them. Burn them now.

On preview: I wear my hair just a little bit long but I've notice that when you go through news-caster's career photos it's always the longer styles that look dated.
posted by 517 at 8:19 AM on July 14, 2005

shorts are fine, but keep them long and baggy, avoid bright colours and patterns, and worry about what you wear on your feet.

never wearing old shorts is for old men.
posted by andrew cooke at 9:20 AM on July 14, 2005

Cropped trousers are acceptable (below the knee), shorts aren't. Here in Spain, it gets hot, but you can spot the tourists by counting the knees and dividing by two...
posted by benzo8 at 9:23 AM on July 14, 2005

the guy who adds a stylish jacket, a messenger bag, a wrist cuff and the right pair of shoes suddenly looks better than every other man on the street.

But be advised, I'm laughing at the guy, 'cause that messenger bag and wrist cuff positively shout fashion victim! But then, I'm an old fart who no longer gives a shit. Dress for comfort, and remember Bogie coaching Woody Allen in "Play It Again, Sam" -- they were in a store and Woody picked up a can of deoderant, cologne or something and Bogie took it from him and put it back, saying "Smelling pretty is her job."
posted by Rash at 9:38 AM on July 14, 2005

Benzo8, in my part of the US, the only men wearing cropped trousers are European tourists.
posted by luneray at 9:43 AM on July 14, 2005

This may sound silly but, look for episodes of "What Not To Wear" on TLC when they do guys. They give good practical advice on how clothes should fit according to body type, and how to put things together. I might suggest a little "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," but I think when it comes to clothes WNTW does much better.
posted by dnash at 9:49 AM on July 14, 2005

Figure out what style you want to emulate. Go to a store with lots of magazines, and start persuing. Preppy? EuroTrash? Fashion Victim? You might even find a celebrity whose look you like. Then develop a basic wardrobe and accessories in a consistent style. Buy beautiful or cool shoes, take care of them and replace/repair as needed. Crappy shoes spol the look. I think shorts are okay, just make sure you wear the white tubesox and black shoes, 'kay? I keed. On preview, Capris for Men? heh.
posted by theora55 at 9:50 AM on July 14, 2005

Rash doesn't wear deodorant? ewwwww

and how many mefi members does it take to realise that if you're "a tourist" you probably come from a different culture? or that "fashion" is contextual?
posted by andrew cooke at 10:19 AM on July 14, 2005

Men don't wear shorts? Most men must not sweat as much as I do. I'd die if I had to wear pants everyday of my life.
posted by corpse at 10:25 AM on July 14, 2005

I'm sweating right now and I only have underwear on!
posted by corpse at 10:33 AM on July 14, 2005

Some fashion weenie must have originated the dictim 'men don't wear shorts." Not to the office, of course, nor to court. But sensibly cut, at knee length and appropriate color, shorts are perfectly acceptable for all men--eugh...even old people!

GoT THAT WEENIES? Put down your GQs and pay attention.

At 96F. with 90%humidy in the middle of July shorts are the sensible thing to wear.

Stylish too.
posted by NorthCoastCafe at 10:43 AM on July 14, 2005

Third TommyH's suggestion of finding a female friend to shop with. I recommend someone who dresses stylish without going over the top - you don't want a brand whore coercing you into dropping $1000 on your first trip.

If you're starting from scratch I recommend going with basics that mix and match well. Get a few pairs of nice, washed dark denim jeans, a stylish cut dark blazer or sportcoat, a few pinstripe dress shirts, some tees with prints, a pair of stylish black shoes, and a black belt. If your budget permits, I also recommend a pair of stylish brown shoes, brown belt, and a classy square-face wristwatch. From here, it's easy to mix and match to the occasion - jeans+tee for casual, jeans+tee+coat or jeans+dress shirt for slightly dressy, jeans+shirt+coat for dressy. Alternate the black shoes+belt and brown shoes+belt into the outfits.

From here, add pieces to suit your style. If you tend towards casual settings, invest in some more casual shoes (light- or bold-colored sneakers, loafers), outerwear (retro/vintage jacket), and accessories (sunglasses, wrist bands, watch, small bag). If you tend towards dressy settings, get more trendy dress shirts (bolder patterns, embroidered designs), nice pants (flat front), stylish shoes (angled, sharp toe dress), and slim cut jacket. Remember to watch your wardrobe and try to buy new pieces that will give you more versatility, not lock you into a particular style. Even as trends change and the edgy pieces get outdated, your basics will always work.
posted by junesix at 11:41 AM on July 14, 2005

Guess I didn't really answer the OP's question in my long, rambling post.

A quicker way of "finding your style" than browsing websites is to just head into the local shopping district and look. This may sound stalker-ish but just follow people dressed in styles you like into stores and browse. Don't be afraid of asking people (guys and girls) where they shop - most will be flattered to hear that someone appreciates their style and will be glad to point you in the right direction. Speaking from experience, if the gods are smiling, you may luck out with someone who will offer to help you pick out clothing and go on a few dates to see the "progress" :D
posted by junesix at 12:01 PM on July 14, 2005

In my own experience, if you don't have style then you shouldn't try to fake it. Some people got it, some people don't.

That said, if you're really determined, with your build and your long hair, I'd look into the European look. It may be a good look for you. Nice formal shoes--maybe even some loafers which can be worn without socks and are almost good as sandals--with some modernish straight-cut slacks and a set of simple, primary color short sleeves. You could also go for the 'Polo' look but it's boring. Look into some jewelry. If you can find a ring and/or necklace that mean something to you, not only does this send a strong message to those around you, but it's a conversation piece also. Get a nice watch.
posted by nixerman at 1:22 PM on July 14, 2005

Sunglasses are the ultimate accessory. Change the style of shades and the rest of your style changes.

"It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses."
posted by PurplePorpoise at 1:23 PM on July 14, 2005

Style rule #1: shorts are for little boys.
posted by dydecker

Style rule #2 : ignore style rules. Shorts are like any other clothing. The right style worn the right way in the right setting is perfectly fine (except for jean shorts, which yes, should be burned).

Any guy can wear a pair of cargo pants and a faded tee shirt. But the guy who adds a stylish jacket, a messenger bag, a wrist cuff and the right pair of shoes suddenly looks better than every other man on the street.

If you want to peruse styles, your best bets are store catalogs and web sites. I'd point you towards JCrew, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Urban Outfitters

A wrist cuff? Anyway, stores like abercrombie and fitch are geared more to the cargo pants and faded tee shirt look, not the look you're advocating.

I would agree with the advice of looking around you and finding what YOU like, and what you feel comfortable in. Also, for most people (unless you have a gift for style, which you probably don't, hence the question) simpler is better.

And sure, I would never knock getting a females advice, but it's not the end all be all people are indicating here. Woman can have wildly varied taste, and some, gasp, even bad taste (subjectively speaking).

Find your own style and the women who dig your style will find you, not create you.
posted by justgary at 1:34 PM on July 14, 2005

What you want is to know what your style is so you can shop for a known, instead of search for an unknown. Currently, it's an unknown.

As well as the ideas suggestions above (people watch, magazines, celebs, etc), do a bunch of shopping in thrift stores for a while. This is not to buy your New Look, but to acquire a wider range of clothes at low cost, which you can then mix at match at home over the next few weeks, and the more you do this, the more developed your idea of your style will become. Then, you will know what you are looking for and can shopping.

(At which point, armed with a newfound grasp of the alien world of clothing you will discover to your dismay that there is insufficient consumer demand for it from men, and stores simply do not sell stylish men's clothing - that you're completely screwed. Your choice is generally between the latest cookie-cutter fashion-fad, shoddily designed more to differentiate itself from last season's fad rather than to be stylish, and between less-faddish yet still poorly designed crap.)

So which to do you prefer - not knowing what to buy, and thus just buying what you wear, or knowing what to buy, but being frustrated by being unable to buy it and thus just buying what you wear?

Actually, there is a third option: something that will never lack style is taylored clothes. Do not underestimate the power of tayloring. Nothing you buy off the rack will ever look as good on you as something made for you. Whatever style you settle on, (unless the style itself is the complete antithesis of tailoring), consider that your eventual aim will be to add a few tailored items in that style to your wardrobe.

And best avoid the black turtleneck. :-)
posted by -harlequin- at 1:36 PM on July 14, 2005

Cropped pants: there is absolutely no reason for any male above the age of three to wear a pant that ends halfway between knee and ankle.
posted by TiredStarling at 1:36 PM on July 14, 2005

In my own experience, if you don't have style then you shouldn't try to fake it. Some people got it, some people don't.

This might be true but is highly misleading. If you don't have style, then you don't fake it, you learn it.

I'm a geek, with the associated "nerd" problems of style just being completely off the radar, completely unintelligible to me. One day, I decided to change this. Fast forward to now, people (women especially, heheh :) think I'm extremely stylish. Geeks solve problems, take things apart, understand them. Style is not necessarily something you Just Gotta Feel, it's just another problem. Take it apart, learn how it ticks, make it work for you. Problem solved.

Also, as others have said, there are ingrediants more important than the clothes (confidence, body language/posture, etc). Don't overlook those.
posted by -harlequin- at 1:46 PM on July 14, 2005

On the shorts issue: I'm a woman and the only time I wear shorts is when I'm at home or working out. I feel like a little girl when I were shorts and I don't really think of them as suitable out-of-the-house attire anymore.

I can think of two fashion styles for men that incorporate shorts: 1) The A&F style of baggy cargo shorts for younger men and 2) The golfer style of mid-thigh pale khaki shorts for older men. Neither of these styles really appeals to me and, perhaps coincidentally, all of the men that I've dated seriously have been dead set against short pants.

The fit is the most important thing for me when I buy clothes. It may look great on the rack, but if it's baggy where it should be tight, revealing where you need some cover, or if you just don't feel comfortable wearing it, then it's not worth the money.
posted by Crushinator at 1:53 PM on July 14, 2005

*ahem* ...when I wear shorts...
posted by Crushinator at 1:56 PM on July 14, 2005

suggestions for cultivating style in ways other than with colthing are welcome

Competitive dance training. :-) (But Do Not take fashion advice from competitive dancers. Their style is grounded on one thing only: what the judges see. You're there for the body training :)
posted by -harlequin- at 1:58 PM on July 14, 2005

I'd second the Queer Eye suggestion -- Carson is a bit on the edge, but it's really easy to pull his stuff back.
posted by o2b at 1:58 PM on July 14, 2005

Crushinator: women are except from Style Rule #1.

Women in shorts = hot.
posted by dydecker at 3:03 PM on July 14, 2005

I think the most important thing you'll want to consider is what group you're going to be lumped in with because of your clothes. Think of characters in movies; we know conventional costumes for certain personality types and partly base our expectations of them by their clothes. It's useful to be more conscious of those conventions, even if you don't agree with them.

You can try finding a character whose style you identify with, or aspire to, and emulating it. Movies, TV shows, and comic books you enjoy are all good sources for inspiration. Construct a few outfits based on popular themes. You'll find yourself with more of a sense of what works on you, and what you find pleasing with experimentation. You'll probably also notice what cuts, colours and styles work together, and how you could mix and combine items in your wardrobe in an original manner.

I rarely hear women describe men who wear shorts as stylish. In my opinion they emphasize the middle of a person, making them appear to have a large waist. I wouldn't wear them.
posted by too many notes at 4:38 PM on July 14, 2005

This may sound silly but, look for episodes of "What Not To Wear" on TLC when they do guys. They give good practical advice on how clothes should fit according to body type, and how to put things together.

I was going to say that.

My husband, at 42, just transitioned from jeans and tee-shirts (he has his own business) to wearing casual but nice trousers, polo shirts and a belt. In my opinion he looks great these days--not like a kid in high school any more. Style for men is, I think, less about being faddish but more about being comfortable and professional. I see far too many men walking around dressed, literally, like four-year-olds at the playground. I don't care for a male-model boutique look, but good grooming and clean, well-made, classic clothes work for me.

Also, don't be afraid to go into a store and try on something you think you hate. You may find that a style of shirt or trouser you don't care for actually looks good on you. You have nothing to lose by going out and trying stuff on and seeing what you think of the man you see looking back at you.

A good watch that you like and maybe one accessory that is meaningful to you is also nice.

When you buy clothes, cheap looks cheap. Good clothing in non-faddish styles can last years. Think of cost-per-wear, not cost-at-purchase. A good coat, a good pair of shoes are investment pieces. Choose classics and choose well.

But that's my opinion. Try different things--experiment--and please yourself above all.
posted by Savannah at 11:03 PM on July 14, 2005