Can Men Dress Attractivelty too? Style examples for men at gym/beach
July 26, 2023 6:50 AM Subscribe
At the gym, women have jumpsuits and interesting tops. At the beach, kimonos and coverups. But men have shorts, loose tees, and flip flops.
As a man, I'd like to invite a little style (or at least coordination) into my athletic and beachy wardrobe (while feeling masculine).
I'd love to be introduced to some ideas. Even better a 'look book' or oher continuing source of inspiration.
Snowflake:
I travel a lot and prefer wrinkle free items that can be used in multiple scenararios.
Snowflake:
I travel a lot and prefer wrinkle free items that can be used in multiple scenararios.
There are lots of very printed swim trunks out there, and the companies that make them often make matching shirts. For example, Bather does matching shirts for some of their trunks.
There are also terry button-up shirts out there that would make good beach tops, and I only don't suggest linen because of your remarks about wrinkles - although a very light, casual linen shirt can handle being at least somewhat wrinkled at the beach, IMO.
posted by sagc at 7:06 AM on July 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
There are also terry button-up shirts out there that would make good beach tops, and I only don't suggest linen because of your remarks about wrinkles - although a very light, casual linen shirt can handle being at least somewhat wrinkled at the beach, IMO.
posted by sagc at 7:06 AM on July 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
For beach, you might try searching "resort wear"
posted by thivaia at 7:18 AM on July 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by thivaia at 7:18 AM on July 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
I would look to Trad for some inspiration - think JFK on his yacht, Steve McQueen in just about anything (Thomas Crown Affair is dripping with style). Old Money Cape Cod. Jetting out to the Hamptons for the weekend. That kind of thing.
Traditional (i.e. College Prep or otherwise descended from upper class British fashion rules) men's clothing tends to follow the guidelines that outfits become more casual the more patterned they are. A beach outing is an opportunity to go loud, and conveniently patterns also tend to hide sweat marks. I'm pretty partial to madras print shirts (and if you can find true "bleeding madras" it'll only look better the more you wear and wash it) paired with various solid-colored shorts (Nantucket Red is the quintessential choice here but is also a bit overdone). Agreed also that linen is a great choice and looks good a bit rumpled.
Leather moccasins without socks would be a good footwear choice. Espadrilles, too.
posted by backseatpilot at 7:19 AM on July 26, 2023 [4 favorites]
Traditional (i.e. College Prep or otherwise descended from upper class British fashion rules) men's clothing tends to follow the guidelines that outfits become more casual the more patterned they are. A beach outing is an opportunity to go loud, and conveniently patterns also tend to hide sweat marks. I'm pretty partial to madras print shirts (and if you can find true "bleeding madras" it'll only look better the more you wear and wash it) paired with various solid-colored shorts (Nantucket Red is the quintessential choice here but is also a bit overdone). Agreed also that linen is a great choice and looks good a bit rumpled.
Leather moccasins without socks would be a good footwear choice. Espadrilles, too.
posted by backseatpilot at 7:19 AM on July 26, 2023 [4 favorites]
You might get some ideas both for looks and brands on the Put This On instagram/website.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 7:21 AM on July 26, 2023
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 7:21 AM on July 26, 2023
This is a bit my wheelhouse!
Matching sets are in right now and can be found at various price points all over the place. Asos's "summer" tab has some general ideas.
Madewell has some matching shirts/shorts, if you are on the spendier end.
A camp collar shirt in a fun print or fun fabric would be on-trend. There are a lot of pull-on shorts in corduroy, patterns, seersucker, etc right now that can be worn with matching or coordinating shirts.
If money were no object, I would get a beautiful shirt from Corridor or Portuguese Flannel.
Also - and this will take a little bit of effort - dad-brand Tommy Bahama makes a small number of off-beat shirts that can be found used on eBay. Most of their shirts are jolly-good-boomer-retiree heavy Hawaiian, but I got one with this great 30s-ish floral print that looked like like a Portuguese Flannel shirt.
If I were creating a beach outfit that wasn't just a shirt and swim trunks, I would get a camp collar shirt in an interesting print or fabric, a pair of pull-on shorts, probably corduroy because I like texture but linen if I didn't and then, like, a cool pair of Vans. Fisherman sandals are all the go right now, apparently, but I don't really like them.
posted by Frowner at 7:27 AM on July 26, 2023 [3 favorites]
Matching sets are in right now and can be found at various price points all over the place. Asos's "summer" tab has some general ideas.
Madewell has some matching shirts/shorts, if you are on the spendier end.
A camp collar shirt in a fun print or fun fabric would be on-trend. There are a lot of pull-on shorts in corduroy, patterns, seersucker, etc right now that can be worn with matching or coordinating shirts.
If money were no object, I would get a beautiful shirt from Corridor or Portuguese Flannel.
Also - and this will take a little bit of effort - dad-brand Tommy Bahama makes a small number of off-beat shirts that can be found used on eBay. Most of their shirts are jolly-good-boomer-retiree heavy Hawaiian, but I got one with this great 30s-ish floral print that looked like like a Portuguese Flannel shirt.
If I were creating a beach outfit that wasn't just a shirt and swim trunks, I would get a camp collar shirt in an interesting print or fabric, a pair of pull-on shorts, probably corduroy because I like texture but linen if I didn't and then, like, a cool pair of Vans. Fisherman sandals are all the go right now, apparently, but I don't really like them.
posted by Frowner at 7:27 AM on July 26, 2023 [3 favorites]
If you want inspiration from further afield, I'd look at European highstreet brands. The Italian equivalent of Target is much more fun!
An overarching rule of thumb though: your outfit will be instantly more stylish if your clothes fit you. So many guys seem to wear clothes two sizes too big? A t-shirt can be loose fitting but still, you know, fit.
posted by EllaEm at 8:05 AM on July 26, 2023 [4 favorites]
An overarching rule of thumb though: your outfit will be instantly more stylish if your clothes fit you. So many guys seem to wear clothes two sizes too big? A t-shirt can be loose fitting but still, you know, fit.
posted by EllaEm at 8:05 AM on July 26, 2023 [4 favorites]
Hell, even Old Navy has got matching tops and shorts sets and different
posted by Jon_Evil at 8:11 AM on July 26, 2023
posted by Jon_Evil at 8:11 AM on July 26, 2023
Coordinate instead of match. Striped shorts, patterned open short sleeve shirt. Patterned shorts, linen shirt. GQ
posted by theora55 at 9:32 AM on July 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by theora55 at 9:32 AM on July 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
Classic men's styles for the beach: go sockless with loafers or leather sandals; for the lower body try linen pants, linen shorts, cotton chinos either long or short; for the upper body try linen or chambray long-sleeve button-down shirts, retro-style short-sleeve knit polos (like this) or linen short-sleeve shirts; grab an unconstructed navy blazer for when it cools off; straw hat to keep off the sun; faux tortoise shell or Persol sunglasses for your eyes.
ETA: Yeah, linen wrinkles. But it's supposed to wrinkle.
posted by slkinsey at 10:04 AM on July 26, 2023
ETA: Yeah, linen wrinkles. But it's supposed to wrinkle.
posted by slkinsey at 10:04 AM on July 26, 2023
I think the main thing is to move away from loose or baggy whether that's shirts or shorts and go for something more fitted. A fitted dry-fit top and shorts will make you look put together even though they're just bog standard gym clothes.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 10:29 AM on July 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 10:29 AM on July 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
Do you like patterns or are you going for more conservative dress?
IMO, most of these are misses due to the wild colors and far too busy patterns. Solid color trunks or shorts - fitted ending around the knee. A short-sleeve button down or polo shirt if you are at the beach but not planning on swimming for a more conservative look, like this:
Banana Republic ad picture
Also, if you want a wild pattern, then you have to pick where you are going to wear it, bottom or top. The other has to be solid.
posted by The_Vegetables at 11:21 AM on July 26, 2023
IMO, most of these are misses due to the wild colors and far too busy patterns. Solid color trunks or shorts - fitted ending around the knee. A short-sleeve button down or polo shirt if you are at the beach but not planning on swimming for a more conservative look, like this:
Banana Republic ad picture
Also, if you want a wild pattern, then you have to pick where you are going to wear it, bottom or top. The other has to be solid.
posted by The_Vegetables at 11:21 AM on July 26, 2023
I like Tod Snyder's summer collection.
posted by anansi at 10:49 AM on July 26 [+] [!]
I'm here to second the Tod Snyder recommendation, pricey yes, but typical for "modern fashion".
In particular, I would suggest taking a closer look at linen clothing, such as this short sleeve shirt. Linen is a unique look, but not too unique, if that makes sense. Good linen will wrinkle with character, and if you need to couth up and be wrinkle free, a quick ironing will make you look sharp.
Just keep in mind that for almost any category of "summer fashion" you end up with, the hidden cost is that summer activities (bbqs, going to the beach, etc.) can easily trash your clothes. So if your budget is limited, be careful.
posted by jeremias at 12:55 PM on July 26, 2023
posted by anansi at 10:49 AM on July 26 [+] [!]
I'm here to second the Tod Snyder recommendation, pricey yes, but typical for "modern fashion".
In particular, I would suggest taking a closer look at linen clothing, such as this short sleeve shirt. Linen is a unique look, but not too unique, if that makes sense. Good linen will wrinkle with character, and if you need to couth up and be wrinkle free, a quick ironing will make you look sharp.
Just keep in mind that for almost any category of "summer fashion" you end up with, the hidden cost is that summer activities (bbqs, going to the beach, etc.) can easily trash your clothes. So if your budget is limited, be careful.
posted by jeremias at 12:55 PM on July 26, 2023
Sarong. I've always thought they look great on men.
posted by mygothlaundry at 12:58 PM on July 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by mygothlaundry at 12:58 PM on July 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
I like my OluKai shoes and they've held up pretty well considering the abuse they've taken.
posted by credulous at 2:27 PM on July 26, 2023
posted by credulous at 2:27 PM on July 26, 2023
Response by poster: love all of this advice, thank you! I used it to buy some button down shirts and nicer shoes
posted by jander03 at 1:16 PM on August 25, 2023
posted by jander03 at 1:16 PM on August 25, 2023
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