Men’s fashion and style can be elusive to some as a snow leopard. Yet can be straightforward and simple to others as sliding on their favorite pair of jeans. Some men have it and some men don’t. We all want it but we can be too embarrassed to ask somebody how to get it. Well today, Gentleman’s Guru is going to teach you everything you need to know about style. Listen gentlemen there are only six rules that you need to follow to have effortless style.

You need to understand the difference between style and fashion trends. Fashion trends change about every six months. They’re usually based upon the Fashion Week’s that occur in New York, Milan, London, and Paris. To keep up to date, you’re going to have to follow fashion blogs. As well as changing out your wardrobe every six months.  It’s very complicated and time-consuming. However, if you want an effortless style that transcends fashion trends, it is relatively simple.

Let us give you an example. Frank Sinatra steps out of his limousine in the 1940’s, what would he be wearing? A black fitted suit with lapels and a skinny tie. This look worked then but it also worked in 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s and today.  Or James Bond, you see him drinking his martini wearing the same style Frank Sinatra was wearing in the 1940’s. Why? Because while fashions change every six months, style transcends and is always smooth, it’s always in vogue.

 

Men’s Fashion Rule I – Color

Gentlemen, there are only six colors that we want to see in your wardrobe. Black, white, navy, gray, olive green, and baby blue. Red is an attractive color for the ladies, we’ll consider it for other section. Take any one of those colors and put them together properly. What you will have is a timeless masterpiece. So do yourself a favor and get those brightly colored items out of your closet.

 

Men’s Fashion Rule II – Communicating Your Message

From the top of your head to the soles of your feet, it all needs to communicate the same message. We will give you an example.  Your shoes are saying hey let’s go to the office but your pants are saying it’s time to go to the beach. You’re communicating two different messages with your articles of clothing.

Look at Zac Efron, Ryan Reynolds or even Justin Timberlake. These are prime examples of men that are communicating effortless style. They are saying I’m casual, cool, and I’m ready to rock. Take a look at how you are actually going to communicate the same message with your style.

 

Men’s Fashion Rule III – Fabric Selection

Fabrics are what you used to be able to communicate dressy, casual or business casual. There are some fabrics like silk or polished leather that belong only in the dress category. There are other fabrics that can communicate multiple different messages, such as Oxford cotton, denim, and wool. I want to take a minute and highlight oxford cotton. We love Oxford cotton because it is effortless and it goes from casual all the way up to business casual.

If you’re going to the office you can take your oxford cotton button up, throw on your navy blazer, put on a nice pair of jeans and a pair of dress shoes and you’re ready to go. All you have to do to go hang out with the fellas and catch the game is take off that navy blazer, throw on your favorite pair of kicks and roll up the sleeves of that Oxford cotton shirt and you’re ready to go.

 

Men’s Fashion Rule IV – Patterns

For now gentlemen we’re going to take all those patterns out of your wardrobe, why is that,  well it’s because patterns are like fashion trends that continually evolve continually change, whereas a monochromatic wardrobe is eternally stylish as far as men’s fashion is concerned.

 

Men’s Fashion Rule V – Fit

What’s the difference between that twenty dollar pair of denim blue jeans compared to the much more expensive pair of designer blue jeans?  Well, they are both blue and made out of denim but the designer most likely spent hundreds or even thousands of dollars making sure that his pair of jeans fits you correctly in all the right places.

Let’s take a look at fit from the top of our head to the soles of our feet. If you are wearing a shirt with a crest, that crest needs to hit you at exactly the end of your shoulder. If you’re wearing a button-up shirt, that center button needs to be in the center of your chest. It shouldn’t be pulling to one side or the other because that means it’s too tight. You don’t want it too tight and you definitely don’t want it too baggy. Take them to be altered if necessary.

Now let’s move down to the lower part of your body. Whatever you’re wearing is to gently hug your backside. You never want more than two fingers width of extra fabric up and down the length of your pants, except in the ankle area you can have a little more room.  Gentlemen, let’s make sure we leave that bell bottom trend back in the seventies where it belongs.

 

Men’s Fashion Rule VI – Personal Expression

Now that you have the basics of men’s fashion down, this is where you get to be creative and express your personality and your personal brand.  This can be achieved with your accessories like sunglasses and in your timepiece.

You might be the business guy that might want to roll up in a Rolex or you might be the guy that’s a little more casual and have a black-and-white Casio. Both have their own style and both work just fine. Make sure that whatever decision you go with fits the first impression you want to make.

Well gentlemen,  there you have it, the six basic rules of men’s fashion that you need to be able to walk out of your house with effortless style every time.