TheBrandlet: All you need to know about men's fashion styles and news
Understanding the ultimate men's dress codes!
by VASILIS GIDARIS on Sep 08, 2023
Style has long been dominated by the world of women's fashion. Fortunately, men's style is now catching up big time!
However, with ever-changing fashion trends, it can be a real struggle for men to find outfits that reflect their personality and values, as well as exuding a trendy yet timeless vibe. We are here to help solve this conundrum by providing inspiration, lifestyle ideas and trend alerts.
With a better understanding of men's dress codes, you can gain the knowledge and inspiration to discover the looks of your favourite style icons - and make them your own. We give you the ultimate fashion tips on what dress codes actually mean, what trends to follow and how to dress with the seasons.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here is the most important advice: start by buying neutral staples and colours that will allow you to work with and find your own personal style. Then you can move on to buying some 'more luxurious' items in a bolder fabric or colour.
Traditionally, men's style can be divided into 5 categories:
- Casual: The key is to look fashionable but comfortable and relaxed. For this everyday style, you'll need a well-fitting pair of denim jeans (dark is dressier, lighter washes less so), a handful of plain cotton T-shirts, a light jacket (we suggest a bomber) or hoodie and a pair of classic white trainers. With these staples, you're sure to nail the smart yet comfortable brief.
- Smart casual: This style allows for a mature look, but is adaptable enough to suit the occasion. A smart casual look for a birthday party is very different from one for a wedding. Chinos, long-sleeved shirts and blazers are the essentials for this style. This structure will take your outfit above casual. Some leather shoes are also a good addition to ensure the look stays smart.
- Business casual: This look is highly dependent on your own workplace, but usually refers to a slightly more casual version of what you'd normally wear to work. For example, if you normally wear a suit and tie, you might leave the tie at home for business casual, but not the suit jacket. Business casual is about embracing the company culture while showing your employer that you care by making an effort.
- Business Professional: This corporate look is all about the message you send to your colleagues. In a traditional workplace, you want to convey ambition, intelligence and efficiency, and this style will do just that. To achieve this, you need a versatile business suit (made from the same fabric), tie, buttoned shirts with collars and dress shoes. The best way to personalise this look is through your accessories and tie.
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- Cocktail attire: where the idea is to look neat and elegant, whether the event is business or social, with slightly different interpretations and adaptations. A suit is a good choice here, with either a tie or bow tie. Often a cocktail suit will have more structure (such as a three-piece suit with a waistcoat) and heavier fabric, as it's not a daytime suit.
As a general rule, we recommend that you choose your dress code based on the specific needs of the situation, choosing one of these styles based on your goals for the outfit. For example, are you trying to convey a certain aesthetic or is the outfit more functional?
Now that you have the basics down, the next step is to incorporate current trends into your wardrobe. If you've got a friend or celebrity who always seems to hit the mark with their outfits, grab a few of your favourite man's fashion ideas to use as inspiration for each of the dress code styles.
Keep in mind that you should focus on clothes that are timeless and sure to get you your money's worth. Any trendy statement piece is a riskier purchase should it go out of fashion or become overused, so make sure you're buying it because you love it and that way it will always be timeless for you.
What about this winter fashion advice?
Winter is all about practicality. Try to opt for tough, quality materials that will stand up to the elements. When most people hear 'quality' they also hear 'expensive' and sometimes this can be true, so it's best to find pieces from brands you want to commit to. Look for labels that have green initiatives and great sustainable menswear.
