The Well Dressed/Confident Man

Dressing well and looking your best is a great way to boost your self-confidence. Hence, taking the time to experiment with different aspects of clothing to determine what complements you is important. Depending on your complexion, some colors will look better than others. Find out what your color palette is and use it to your advantage, yes I know what you’re thinking but trust me this works!

Similarly, some cuts of clothing would accentuate good aspects of your body type while camouflaging the not so good aspects. Let’s face it, no one is perfect but with a little knowledge of what looks good, you can come pretty close to cutting the perfect figure!

Once you find your perfect fit, take note of what the measurements are and where it was manufactured. Clothing sizes are standard for Europe, North America, China, etc, if you’re unsure about this ManofMany has a great guide. Once you know your perfect fit, it is quite easy to buy in-store as well as online without having to worry about it too much.

One of the best ways to achieve a well put together look is to be mindful of the occasion. In recent times, dress standards have become a lot more practical and relaxed which makes deciding what to wear when fairly easy to do. Office work dictates that you dress a bit more formally than you would when you go out for a casual drink with friends. Occasions like weddings, funerals, and graduations usually demand something a bit spiffier than your professional look. Despite these social cues, some men still seem to struggle with dressing appropriately for the occasion.

In a professional setting, men should wear a long-sleeved shirt and matching tie with formal pants and dress shoes. A man couldn’t go wrong wearing this ensemble on almost any occasion; work, church, job interview, conference, etc. The addition of a matching sports coat, blazer, or suit jacket is enough to take it up a notch depending on how formal the occasion is. Of course, it is very helpful if you actually know the difference between a sports coat, a blazer, and a suit jacket and how/when it is appropriate to wear each!

In recent years, celebrities have introduced the reprehensible trend of wearing sneakers with formal wear. Needless to say, that look is never impressive! a good pair of black leather shoes are usually essential in any wardrobe but oxblood leather shoes are also a great option. Why? because they are so versatile! Invest in genuine leather, it’s pricier but will last you much longer.

Keep your hair neatly trimmed and your face free of scruff! if you wear a beard and/or mustache, ensure that it is neatly trimmed and groomed. Use beard oil or other products created specifically for grooming facial hair. Honestly speaking, no one (at least no one I know!) likes the look of an unkempt beard or mustache! Remember to give your ear and nose some attention as well! every man should have a personal grooming tool like this.

Uncomfortable shoes or a too-tight waistband are definitely not confidence boosters. Always ensure that you are wearing your correct size. Your collar should not feel as though it’s choking you and your sleeve should button comfortably around your wrist. A too-long sleeve is as unsightly as a too-short one! Similarly, your pants should be the correct length so that it falls seamlessly. Your pants should not dangle above your ankles and should not be so long as to slide under your heel.

When the occasion calls for a casual outfit ensure that you look your best, casual does not mean sweatpants, shoddy, or wrinkled clothing! Jeans, shorts, linen, or chino pants with matching shirts are great for casual occasions in warmer weather. In cold weather, nothing complements a man better than a good quality V-neck T-shirt or crew neck sweater over jeans.

So why not get an instant boost by dressing well? Shouldn’t you do your best to at least feel confident most, if not all of the time? Yes, I know that social distancing has reduced the amount of time spent in the office or outside your home for that matter. Even if you work from home you still need to get dressed for video calls and meetings. Whatever you do, just remember to put some pants on!