There comes a time in our lives where we grow bored of the way we dress. We feel like all our outfits look the same. What used to be your favorite shirt now only reminds you of your ex and you just want a fresh outlook. To elevate your style isn’t to change it but to allow it to evolve into something greater. These tips will give you the inspiration to transform your own wardrobe, recall the tricks you forgot and call you to think about your clothes differently. This is 33 Ways to Elevate Your Style Instantly.
Wear A Belt
Belts have the power to completely transform a look. However, they also do a great job of breaking up the synergy of an outfit, when there’s a harsh line going through the center of it. To avoid this monstrosity of a situation, assess your pants and choose your belt accordingly. Think of it like this, the heavier the pant, the thicker the belt. The lighter-weight the pant, the thinner the belt.
Less Is More
We’ve all been there. Standing in the mirror asking ourselves, is this too much. Well, if you have to ask the answer is yes. When you find yourself in this situation, it’s more than likely because you have multiple elements within the look competing for your attention. Choose a focal point for your outfit. And remove anything that takes attention from it. Fill in the gaps where necessary, and you’re good to go!
Give It A Tuck
Tucking in your shirt is an easy way to give a lack luster outfit some much needed dimension. Of course you can go the old fashion route and tuck your shirt in completely, but you do have other options. Whether you go for a sneaky tuck into the back waist of your pants or the classic french tuck, this is an effortless way to elevate your style.
Play With Proportions
Proportion juxtaposing may be a little underrated in the mens fashion world. But once you learn this trick there’s no going back. It’s a simple as this. If you have a pair of pants that are wide and baggy, pair them with a closer fitting top. And if you have a top that is oversized, opt for a pant that fits more closely. And that’t it. This ensures that you never look overly sloppy or trapped in what looks like a romper designed by your high school weight lifting coach.
Throw On A Hat
Hats… we know them as our trusted friend on bad hair days. But not only do they save you from your unruly tresses of youth, they could also save you from your boring outfit. Hats comes in many shapes and sizes. Try styling them with your next outfit.
Step Up Your Sneaker Game
Sneakers have long been a staple in the modern wardrobe. But your plain white kicks could be holding you back from your style evolution. Of course I’m not recommending you abandon your classic Air Force Ones. However, do consider incorporating some more colorful options into the mix. Even if your style leans more smart casual, a sporty trainer could take you far.
Keep It Simple
Less is more is a die hard motto, and The Tainted Gent stands behind it. If you’re ever fresh out of ideas of what to wear, the simplest option may be the best. Even the most fashionable of eyes need a dopamine cleanse.
Dress For Your Body Type
Understanding the layout of your skin suit and how to dress it is crucial. Take some time to study your silhouette and what styles of clothing you like on it, and also the things you don’t like. Pay close attention to design details likes collars, shoulder cuts and sleeve hems. Once you figure out this simple trick, your style will elevate from novice to aficionado.
Put On A Necklace
It seems that most guys have figured this out by now but if you haven’t. Put in on a chain or a pearl necklace, a choker style chain or necklace… there’s so many options to choose from. Pick one that suits you best and wear it. Your style with thank you.
Grab Your Man Bag
With new found acceptance and appreciation, the man bag is coming for the number one spot! While it may not be number one on this list, it is definitely a great way to elevate your style. Coming in a variety of styles, sizes and colors, the man bag has the potential to complement almost any outfit.
Go Oversized
The oversized tee has certainly spent its time circulating the trend cycles, nonetheless, it provides a solid foundation to an effortless look. Albeit casual, this style is pretty much timeless and does act as a switch up from the basic regular fit tee. So if you’re looking for ways to elevate your style. The oversized tee is certainly an option.
Layer Your Look
We all know it, but I find this one is sometimes easier to forget. Layering is not only a solution for frigid and fickle weather, but it could also prove useful in your arsenal of ways to dress better. Layering a button down over a tank top in summer or a crewneck on top of a polo in spring are timeless style hacks and can transform your outfit.
Wear A Tracksuit
While this one could have made its way to the lazy man’s guide to dressing better and ranked number one, we’ll allow it. A tracksuit is a simple and effortless way to dress better without batting an eye. While your mind may wander to a velour matching set in the middle of summer, remember this. Tracksuits are available for every season so there’s no excuses.
Monochrome It Out
Much like the matching set this is an effortless solution to dressing better. Of course you’ve seen it done with neutrals such as black. But if you’re looking to take your style up a notch, try a more bold option like green or pink. It will stand out way more and your colorful aura will give joy to the population at large. Don’t you just love giving back?
Wear A Watch
While you may be familiar with rap stars boasting their Audemars Piagets. That isn’t exactly the goal here. A watch is simply a way to add an elegant touch to your look. There are many watches you can get an affordable price while still achieving that refined look.
Wear A Polo
The classic polo shirt serves a much greater purpose than providing comfort while at your 9 to 5. If your style is in dire need of a boost, trading in your dingy white tee for a simple polo could do the trick. Depending on the style, a polo can pair with just about anything, even a pair of joggers. Yeah, right?! I’m glad you see it my way.
Wear More Rings
Rings are a small way to add a subtle touch to a simpler outfit. Whether you’re wearing a plain white tee and jeans or an all black avant-garde ensemble, rings can give your look an added layer of visual interest. Plus they’re a nice way to show off that fresh manicure.
Pair Long Sleeves With Shorts
This preppy styling technique has been around for quite some time, and it seems to always do the trick. A simple juxtaposition of seasons could be the style hack you’re looking for. For spring try a loose knit sweater with chino shorts. And in the summer you could pair a long sleeve polo with dock shorts. Either way, I think you get the idea.
Roll Your Sleeves Up
While you could just let your sleeves hang and do as they please, being intentional with their placement and positioning will transform your look. Experiment with rolling versing cuffing and even try letting a few buttons loose. Your forearms and new watch will thank you.
Get A Haircut
A fresh cut does wonders for your mood and style. As someone once said “When you look better, you feel better”. Whether you decide to try something new or stick with your go to, a new err of confidence may be all you need to elevate your look.
Dress It Down
Taking a dressier garment from your wardrobe and styling it casually is the recipe for a visually compelling masterpiece. An easy way to do this is with trousers. While you may feel the urge to pair your pleated pants with a white button down, a graphic tee tucked in with sneakers could give those dressy pants a new life.
Choose Cargo Pants
The cargo pant has long been around, but the style proves more useful than simply paying homage to its military roots. Cargo pants are are a great alternative to the default style of jeans. And with a variety of styles, colors and patterns available, a few of these functional trousers in your wardrobe could truly elevate your style.
Seek New Inspiration
Seeking inspiration is a no brainer here, but maybe you haven’t considered the different places you could find these ideas. Of course you have instagram and other social media platforms like Pinterest, but movies are also a great source for outfit inspo. Now let’s remember, imitation is not flattery, so you don’t have to go and copy Cary Grant’s look exactly. But taking the essence of a look and recreating it with the pieces you already own could prove useful.
Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone
There’s nothing like coming home with a shiny new purchase, giddy to try it on and play around with the styling of it. If you feel your outfits have been a little stale lately, maybe a new statement piece could pull you out the rut. The challenge of styling something completely new to your wardrobe could lead to a treasure trove of outfitting possibilities.
Dress For The Occasion
While this one may seem like a no brainer, occasional dressing will work your outfitting neurons more than you think. Reaching for the same t shirt and jeans no matter the occasion is obviously going to feel like a bore. But if you actually take the time to consider each setting and the outfit to best suit that setting, your brain will search for outfits to suit each circumstance individually.
Get Conceptual
Dressing by way of concepts is fun way to come up with creative solutions to your outfitting needs. Concepts can be inspired by a number of things, from anime characters to places and experiences. While people may not know that your outfit was inspired by Lucas from Stranger Things just by looking at you, at least your outfit will feel inspired. Consequently inspiring people to look in the first place.
Go Graphic
Graphic tees are a great switch up from their plain predecessors and could be all your outfit needs to take it up a notch. These tops come with a plethora of styling potential, giving you the option to pair them with jeans, shorts, joggers, casual pants, need I go on?
Dress It Up
Casual staples in your wardrobe can easily be given a new life by dressing them up. Take a baseball jersey for example, you could easily dress it up by pairing it with chino shorts and loafers. This gives your sports paraphernalia a completely different feel and this technique can easily translate to other casual pieces in your closet.
Accessorize First
If there was a cheat code to elevating your style, unique accessories would be the go to. Styling around a unique accessory will instantly change the game. By considering your outfit with the accessories first it will force you to think about your outfit differently. Try this hack when you need to look at your wardrobe with a pair of fresh eyes.
Leave The Jeans At Home
While denim is a tried and true staple of the modern wardrobe, maybe giving your Faded Glory’s a break is what’s needed in order to elevate. Casual pants are a great alternative and will give you the opportunity to form a whole new perspective within your style.
Pair Your Look With Sandals
If you’ve decided to take the advice previously given, pairing sandals with your casual pants could reinvent your look. Socks with sandals, leather sandals, clogs, it doesn’t matter. If the weather permits, experiment and find a pair that suit your style best.
Show Some Ankle
If you feel like the nether region of your outift looks a little bland, it’s probably because it does. Styling your pant hems could be all that’s needed to elevate your style. So let your ankles breathe and give those casual pant legs a cuff or two.
Wear Your Style With Confidence
Above all, personal style is all about dressing for you. If you feel good wearing it, then you should wear it. A care free attitude and authenticity will forever make more of a statement than any random tip on the internet. Now THAT attitude is how you elevate your style.
