18 Fashion Tips for Men

by Alli

18 Fashion Tips For Men was written for men like my husband. He’s not into fashion at all so it’s up to me to make sure he looks his best. I hope these tips will help you as well. 

Clothing says so much about a person. So, with that in mind, I’m about to make you men (or your man) the best-dressed man in town. Ready?

Fashion Tips for Men

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Dressing Up – Fashion Tips For Men

1.  Every man should invest in at least one good quality suit that fits well.

2.  A man’s tie (except bow ties, of course) should end right at his belt buckle.

My number one pet peeve is a tie that ends halfway down a man’s shirt. It just looks sloppy and old fashioned. There should not be a strip of shirt showing between the end of the tie and the belt buckle.

3.  Invest in a nice pair of dress shoes (or two).

Shoes should be shined and match the belt. I have a personal rule about men’s dress shoes: Black shoes are worn with black suits and gray suits.  Brown shoes go nicely with brown/tan and navy suits.  Pet Peeve: Black shoes with a navy suit. I know it’s a thing but it sends me over the top.  

4.  Just say no to pleated pants.

I think pleated pants should be outlawed immediately. Flat front pants that fit well look so nice and they don’t add the bulk that pleats do.

5.  Want to look taller?

Ditch the cuffed pants. Personally, I think cuffed pants look very nice, but if you are short, you will look shorter. Fool the eye by not wearing cuffed pants if you want to look taller.

6.  Want to look slimmer? This fashion tip applies to everyone!

Never ever wear a double-breasted jacket. It makes a person look wider.

7.  Ditch those white socks!

Dress socks should match the pants, not the shirt. However, I like socks with a colorful pattern. If you’re wearing black slacks, a pair of socks with a black background and a pattern that matches your shirt is just so trendy and I personally love it!

8.  Say goodbye to high-waters!

The medium break is the classic look for all men’s dress pants. Ask your tailor to adjust the length of your pants to hit midway between the top of your dress loafer and the top of your shoe sole.

Updated: In 2020, men are wearing shorts and pants a tad shorter. 

9.  It’s A-OK to buy a few trendy pieces, but stick with the classics when dressing up and you will never go wrong.

Dressing Down

1.  Don’t wear t-shirts with big honking designer logos.

You’ll look like a walking billboard. Smaller is better. And a plain v-neck t-shirt is simply adorable.

2.  Men’s shorts should ideally hit right at the top of the knee.

Anything below the knees is no longer considered shorts. They are shants. Again, just say no to pleated shorts.  (See #4 above)

Note: It’s currently the trend to wear shorts much shorter than this (updated 2020). 

 3.  Never, ever wear socks with sandals.

Or boat shoes. Or loafers (paired with shorts). When men wear shorts, boat shoes and loafers look best, in my humble opinion.

4.  Never leave a button-down shirt unbuttoned to your waist.

No one wants to see your man cleavage. Leaving the top two buttons unbuttoned is acceptable.

5.  Leave the speedos to Olympic divers.

I apologize in advance to all of my southern and eastern European friends. But this is such a no for American men unless you have the body of an Olympic diver, then when in Rome . . .

6.  Stay well-groomed!

You don’t want to look like a bear that has been hibernating all summer. If need be, wax that back (see a pro, of course).

7.  Yes, we want you to smell good, but don’t overdo the cologne.

A summer fragrance should be light and airy.

8.   Tanks (commonly called wife-beaters in the south – I know, I know . . .) are meant to be worn as an undershirt only.

9.  Wear more color!

Spring and summer 2014 call for more colors other than black and gray.  Want to know what the trending colors for men are this spring and summer?  Of course, you do!  Placid Blue, Freesia Yellow, and Celosia Orange!

colors

Because I’m an avid reader, I’ve always kept up with the latest trends in fashion, home decor, etc. That doesn’t mean I follow them all, but it’s always a good thing to know.

Do you have a men’s fashion tip or question/comment about any of mine? Do share!

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32 comments

Shirley Wood March 10, 2014 - 7:54 am

Alli, these are all so awesome, I am not sure which is my favorite! #8 is great! I hate to see men wearing those in the summer but here in the south it is going to happen. I have been blessed with a fashion conscious husband who loves clothes. He looks nice even when he is mowing the grass. I just love that man! I am Pinning this!

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Alli March 10, 2014 - 8:12 am

Thanks for pinning, Shirley! I just love fashion and keeping up with the latest trends.

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Melanie March 10, 2014 - 10:30 am

We have been saying no to pleated pants for a long time haha

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Alli March 10, 2014 - 10:33 am

Me, too! But I still see them. They’re everywhere! 🙂

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Prototype Mama March 10, 2014 - 12:01 pm

I’m going to have to share this with my husband. I have a constant struggle trying to get him to update his look. We just had a debate about his pleated front pants–he just doesn’t want to get rid of them. I’m going to sneak and buy new flat front ones to replace them with.

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Alli March 10, 2014 - 12:26 pm

My husband has a couple of pair that he loves! I try to keep him stylish, but it’s a lot of work. 🙂

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Jess March 10, 2014 - 12:22 pm

Haha…I love this post! 🙂

Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!

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Alli March 10, 2014 - 12:25 pm

I always enjoy your linkup! Thanks for hosting.

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Kristen from The Road to Domestication March 10, 2014 - 1:57 pm

This is great, Alli! My hubby has always dressed himself quite well. In fact, whenever he asks me what he should wear and I choose, he normally ends up vetoing it and doing his own thing again LOL

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Alli March 10, 2014 - 2:23 pm

Way to go, Kristen’s husband!!

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Anna @ Northern Homestead March 10, 2014 - 2:20 pm

Oh yes, I agree, Just say no to pleated pants! Not just because of the look, the work it took to pleat them too. Great tips here. Great tips here, pinning!

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Alli March 10, 2014 - 2:22 pm

Thanks, Anna! You’re so sweet.

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Jeannie March 10, 2014 - 6:13 pm

#4 should be a cardinal rule

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Renee @ Renew Your Space March 10, 2014 - 6:17 pm

Very interesting subject Alli & also interesting that you have more men followers…. These are all very good to keep in mind – especially #6 😉 I also wonder what people are thinking when they wear socks with sandals, but maybe it’s just too comfortable to pass up 🙂

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Alli March 10, 2014 - 6:23 pm

I know, right about the men! I don’t really understand how that happened, but, oh, well. 🙂

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Kim Ellet March 10, 2014 - 8:40 pm

Found you on the collective blog share

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Alli March 11, 2014 - 6:38 am

Thanks for stopping by!

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Ryan April 20, 2017 - 6:03 pm

These are really great fashion tips! And I couldn’t agree more about just say no to pleated pants and wearing socks with sandals! well this is very helpful, thanks for sharing!

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Shirley Cheng May 12, 2017 - 6:38 am

Hello Alli, It’s always a good thing to know every man. These tips will helpful for my husband. I try to keep him stylish. I love this post. Thank you for sharing these nice tips.

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Trimmer Adviser January 24, 2018 - 1:34 am

I love that you have personified men’s style and separated them out by names. Most men are mixtures of each of these styles and conform into one style or another based on the events for the day. Well written post, thanks for sharing

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Jason March 16, 2018 - 3:34 pm

Thanks for your kind information. Love it.

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Men Fashion April 10, 2018 - 3:04 am

HI when i am searching about men fashion on google i am reached on your site you have a such beautiful and nice content and item i like it so much.Thanks for sharing with us.

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Madras Shorts May 28, 2018 - 9:24 am

You should always remember to make sure your clothes ACTUALLY fit.

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Footwear Boss - Comfortable Dress Shoes May 29, 2018 - 12:08 pm

This is great, Alli! My hubby has always dressed himself quite well. In fact, whenever he asks me what he should wear and I choose, he normally ends up vetoing it and doing his own thing again LOL

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Edgar August 28, 2018 - 11:45 am

I love your tips! Do you have any suggestions about haircuts? I seen that you touched base about staying well groomed! Seeing if you have any posts about haircuts with certain styles of clothing? Great Article, thanks for the great information

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Myron Harris December 11, 2018 - 12:29 am

I’m very much glad to find this article. It gives me some great Information that I’m looking for and I hope you a great knowledge about It. Thanks and keep sharing 🙂

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Miguel Cardona February 15, 2019 - 10:48 pm

Nice post! This really helps me to find the answers to my question. that you will continue posting articles having lots of useful information. Thanks a lot!.

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Enna Starc February 18, 2019 - 7:42 am

Thanks for sharing amazing men’s fashion tips with us. I will surely share this post with my friends and on my social platform as well. Keep sharing good work with us.

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samcuren12 May 29, 2019 - 7:35 am

hi,

Nice your Blog. Thanks for Sharing information.

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Manish July 30, 2019 - 11:08 am

I ditched those boring white, black socks long ago!

Good one Alli!

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Aditya December 31, 2019 - 12:28 am

This is great, thanks for sharing ideas, it will be really helpful as far as men can’t afford a complete wardrobe overhaul every month

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Abhishekh January 2, 2020 - 4:33 am

Hey Thank you Alli!!
These all tips that you mention are very helpful.
Amazing post 🙂

Reply

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