- cognac & navy, recently on the sartorialist
My name is Krissie. I adore the sight of a dapper young man. A well-dressed man’s makeoutability increases at least threefold over some of his less clothing-aware buddies. I also adore men’s fashion in general—its simplicity and adherence to tradition is what I find most appealing about the “art” of menswear. I moonlight as a men’s stylist. I stand only at 5 feet tall and act like a real spaz, but for some reason men trust me enough to buy what I suggest. It’s super fun and I’ve learned a lot from it. Unfortunately, mostly what I’ve learned is a dark truth: the average man has no concept of fashion. This is really sad, because menswear is simple enough that anyone can look good just by following some rules. Here are a few suggestions that have been inspired by the men I’ve shopped with:
1. Don’t buy all of your shoes in black. I’ve seen a lot of men who completely shy away from shades of brown. However, brown is the most versatile color. And honestly, a nice cognac shoe with a navy suit can turn a decent looking schlump into a dude I’d like to sleep with immediately. Black shoes, on the other hand, can sometimes make outfits look dated. Black shoes are for black suits. When purchasing a desert boot or a wingtip oxford (brogue), stick with shades of brown for the most use.
2. Enlist the help of sales associates. There is truly nothing better than really great customer service. And if you don’t have a girlfriend (which will surely change if you become more cognizant of your clothing choices!) or a personal shopper, your only hope might be a knowledgeable sales person. Of course, some associates and stores are better than others. I’ve had nothing but great luck shopping at Nordstrom. The sales team is helpful but not pushy. They typically make great suggestions and understand the stock. Build a relationship with an associate who you like. They can save you a lot of time while keeping you in your budget.
3. Tee-shirts don’t have to be dingey, terrible things. There is such a thing as a nice tee-shirt. Guys who seek the extra-casual look can still look good. A well-fitted tee is probably one of the most attractive clothing pieces a guy can wear. Guys who have a nice amount of chest hair can (a little, but not too much) look really smoking hot in American Apparel deep V-necks (I prefer the tri-blends). J. Crew always has a selection of nice tees at decent prices. Focus on the material and please for the sake of fashion, do not buy graphic tees, especially if they are of the Ed Hardy genre. Those squiggly lines and skulls are truly awful. On the other hand, if you are reading this blog, you are hopefully not that far out of touch with fashion to be buying those so maybe I am just preaching to the choir.
4. Wear dark jeans. This is might be an “enough said” statement. Light wash jeans are really tragic in most cases. The darker, the better.
5. Please buy a great coat. I think a really easy way of making your personal style just a tad bit better is investing in some great outerwear. If you live in Cleveland (like I do), or another freezing city, you will be seen by the most people in your outerwear. I like military style jackets right now for both men and women. Additionally, a great scarf and tweed driver’s cap exudes class and style. My heart melts at the sight of a young gentlemen wearing well-fitted and modern outerwear.
-Krissie
