Men’s Style: The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Body Type

Supreet ChahalLeave a comment

The Golden Rule: Just because it’s trending doesn’t mean it’s for you.

I’m a huge believer in dressing for your body type simply for the reason that it’s going to make you look better instantly. Simple things like tucking your shirt in, wearing the right length, opting for a certain direction of stripe can do wonders for things like making you appear taller, have your shoulders look more broad, and give an illusion of a V-shape to your body.

In the guides, I’ve allowed you to filter information by body type, so you can skip what’s not applicable to you and focus on what is. If you feel you are in-between two body types, feel free to select both. I don’t expect every man in the world to fit into these categories, but take your best guess as to which one applies to you and check out the tips.

 TRIANGLE

Triangle men are defined by their narrow chest and shoulders, and wider hips and waist. Triangle men can have sloping shoulders as well. Whether it’s aging or just your love for beer, men can fall into this shape easily. The goal with clothing is to broaden up the shoulders and chest, make the stomach appear slimmer and balance out the lower body with the upper body.

Key Factors:
  • Narrow Chest and Shoulders
  • Larger Around the Waist and Hips
  • Hips are Wider Than Shoulders

Goal: Broaden up shoulders and create a taper from chest to waist with clothing.

Examples:

Photo Credit: Pinterest, The Sun, Getty Images

INVERTED TRIANGLE

Inverted Triangles are the guys that hit the gym more often than not. They have broad muscular shoulders and a narrow waist. Muscular thighs and legs also come with the package.

Key Factors:

  • Broad and Muscular Shoulders
  • Narrow Waist
  • Muscular Arms and Legs

Goal: Make sure the upper body doesn’t look huge compared to the lower body.

Examples:

Photo Credit: Pinterest, Men’s Fitness, Pinterest

RECTANGLE

Men with a rectangular body shape usually have a straight upper body. The shoulders are roughly the same width as their waist and hips, making a straight line. There is a range from slim men to athletic men who have this shape.

Key Factors:

  • Slim Shape
  • Straight Line From Chest to Hips
  • Can Be Considered “Tall and Lanky”

Goal: Add some bulk and shape to the top half of the body by create an illusion of a “v” shape.

Examples:


Photo Credit: MTV UK, GQ, H&M

OVAL

Ovals carry weight in their upper body, specifically at the chest and stomach area. Some men are naturally rounder, while other men can become this shape with age.

Key Factors:

  • Bigger Stomach and Chest
  • Round Shape
  • Slimmer Legs and Shoulders in Comparison to Torso

Goal: Balance out the upper and lower body.

Examples:

Photo Credit: Notoriously Dapper, Star Now, Esquire

TRAPEZOID

Clothing designers design for this shape because it can be considered desirable and “average”. The shoulders are the broadest part, while there is a slight taper going down to the waist. The legs are defined and lean.

Key Factors:

  • The waist is the narrowest point in the upper body
  • The rib cage widens steadily up to the collarbone and shoulders
  • Muscles are defined, but not overtly athletic

Goal: Work with clothes that define the body to show off the shape.

Examples:

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News, Pinterest, Canal Masculino

There you have it, the common body types amongst men. It’s understandable that not every man in the world fits into these shapes. If you feel you are between two body types, you can read the advice for both body types in the guides. The body type tips are there to help you look your best by working with your body and ensuring your clothes fit you properly.

 

Men’s Style: Why You Should Have Dressy Sneakers

Supreet Chahal2 Comments

Nothing kills an outfit like the wrong shoes. I see it all the time, guys wearing running shoes with a giant athletic logo splashed across the side with their day to day outfits. Guys, please don’t do this. Save your running shoes for the gym, there’s a much better looking and equally comfortable solution that should have your attention instead: The Dressy Sneaker. You’ve probably seen me mention “dressy” sneakers as a wardrobe must and they are! In this post, I’m going to dive a little deeper to explain exactly what is a “dressy” sneaker and how and when you should wear them.

Don’t let the word “dressy” throw you off, it’s just a way to describe a sneaker not meant for the gym or other athletic activities. Instead, dressy sneakers are great for day to day wear like hanging around town, coffee shops, brunch, bars, casual dates, picnics, running errands, day parties, casual work environments, traveling etc. Alright, let’s dive in to the wonderful world of dressy sneakers!

What Are Dressy Sneakers?

When the word sneaker comes to mind, it’s easy to think of your classic Nike or Adidas brightly colored running shoes. There is nothing wrong with those shoes, but I don’t want those to be your go-to shoes for casual wear. Dressy sneakers are more sleek and subtle by usually being solid in color, made of leather or suede, and have a 1 inch flat rubber sole.

Compare the footwear in the image on the left and right…. Good Example

 

Photo Credit: Pinterest, I Am Galla

The right looks so much better and way more intentional and put together. The one on the left looks amateur.

How Do You Wear Them

Whenever you want to dress casually or dress down a dressy look, your sneakers can help you achieve this without sacrificing style. Whether it’s t-shirts, henleys, button downs or jeans, chinos or shorts, your sneakers will work with all your looks. To better explain how to put your outfits together, let me breakdown a couple of looks for you.

Casual

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Outfit Breakdown: Sweatshirt, joggers, white sneaker

Note: The white sneakers make this very casual look very well put together.

Photo Credit: Primer Magazine

Outfit Breakdown: Henley, cardigan, jeans and sneakers

Note: This is such an easy and comfortable look and the rolled up jeans and sneakers pull the look together perfectly.

Photo Credit: D’Marge

Outfit Breakdown: Bomber jacket, t-shirt, shorts and sneakers.

Note: The beauty of sneakers is they can go with shorts and make a very casual outfit look very stylish and sophisticated.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Outfit Breakdown: Casual denim shirt, white t-shirt, rolled up black jeans and white sneakers

Note: If you’re into the unbuttoned shirt look, your sneakers will work really well with it.

Smart Casual

Photo Credit: He Spoke Style

Outfit Breakdown: Leather jacket, tucked in button down, chinos and leather sneakers.

Note: If you like looking a little more dressed up, your sneakers can keep the look relaxed, but still sophisticated.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Outfit Breakdown: Crew neck sweater, casual slacks, brown leather slip on sneakers.

Note: If you want to make the most of your slacks, you can dress them down by wearing no show socks and sneakers. If you hate laces, this is a great example of slip on sneakers instead of lace ups.

Photo Credit: I Am Galla

Outfit Breakdown: Button down, chinos, brown leather sneakers

Note: If you love a classic button down and chinos look, your sneakers can help make this look weekend friendly.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Outfit Breakdown: Casual blazer, t-shirt, chinos and white sneakers

Note: This is the perfect example of how sneakers can make a casual blazer look very comfortable, stylish and weekend appropriate.

Photo Credit: TheCuff.co

Outfit Breakdown: Half sleeve button down, rolled up chinos, no-show socks, and white leather sneakers

Note: I love this look for summer, it’s so stylish and easy to wear. You will be sure to stick out of the crowd in a very stylish way.

Dressy

Outfit Breakdown: Casual suit, dress shirt, sneakers

Photo Credit: Lifestyle By PS

Note: If you’ve ever wanted to wear a suit casually, your dressy sneakers will help you achieve it.

Photo Credit: Lifestyle By PS

Outfit Breakdown: Casual suit, dress shirt, sneakers

Note: Curious to try a t-shirt and casual suit look? Throw on a pair of dressy sneakers and you’ll be good to go! Jay-Z (the rapper) wears this look a lot and I love it. The key is to wear a cotton or other casual fabric suit.

No Show Socks

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Wearing no show socks when you’re wearing joggers or rolling your pants with your sneakers is going to earn you 100x style points. This small detail shows you know how to rock a pair of dressy leather sneakers the right way. No-Show socks can be purchased from anywhere. The key is to have a rubber backing in your sock to prevent them from slipping. Trust me, the most annoying thing is when you need to constantly pull up your no show socks. Here’s what I found on Amazon!

How To Lace Them

Some laces end up being very long and you end up getting a giant bunny loop situation happening in your shoes, which throws off the clean and sleek look. It happened with a client of mine, he had these beautiful black dressy leather sneakers on and every time he’d try them on with an outfit, something was putting me off. I couldn’t quite figure out what it was that made them look very amateur and young. I took his shoes and hid the bunny loops behind the tongue of the shoe and he slipped them on. Boom! There it was, the amateur look was gone and a minimal sleek sneaker was shining in all its glory. He was even blown away of how big of a difference this small detail made.

Photo Credit: Pinterest, TheCuff.co

The laces on the left look terrible, the laces on the right look so sleek!

To achieve this clean look, try the “Display” shoelace method.

Photo Credit: FatSuckingMisquitoes.tumblr.com

“Display” refers to how stores set up their shoes to look nice and sleek. The key have the very top of the laces go into the lace hole rather than come out. You can tie the laces behind the tongue and make them slip on shoes. Additionally, you can get Shoelace Lock Clips, so you don’t have to constantly re-tie your shoes.

Slip-On Sneakers

If you hate the thought of laces all together, you can go for dressy slip on sneakers. You can wear them exactly the same as lace up sneakers.

Photo Credit: The Style City

Slip on sneakers look slightly more casual than sneakers with laces, however, they can achieve a very similar effect. Who doesn’t want shoes that are easy to slip in and out of?

Hybrid Sneakers

Hybrid sneakers are interesting mix of dress shoes and sneakers. They offer a stylish and unique look if you’re ready to step up from a simple sneaker. Hybrid shoes have the look of a dress shoe (i.e. oxford, derby, monk strap etc.) at the top, but the sole of a running shoe. My personal favorite is the hybrid monk strap sneaker.

 

Photo Credit: Cole Haan, Florsheim

The photo on the left is an Oxford Hybrid Sneaker. The photo on the right is a Monk Strap Hybrid Sneaker.

 

Photo Credit: DG Manila, Pinterest

 

The key is to wear no shoe socks and ankle pants to make this look modern and sleek. You can wear this style of sneaker with a blazer and chinos for a Smart Casual look as well.

Colors

My top recommendtions for dressy sneaker colors are: white, black, grey or brown. These neutral colors will go with almost all of your outfits. Let’s look at the colors in more detail!

White

Photo Credit: Common Projects

White is pretty classic when it comes to dressy sneakers. You will notice the majority of my photos had white sneakers because those are the ones that look the freshest. However, they do require a bit more maintence because you want to keep them white and clean. If you’re up for the challenge, I personally say white sneakers look the most stylish.

Black

Photo Credit: Greats

If white makes you feel overwhelmed, go for black sneakers instead. They’ll go with everything and be easier to maintain.

Brown or Burgundy

Photo Credit: Magnanni

Grey

I personally love brown sneakers, especially when they have a “wood” finish like the example above. They are great for breaking up dark outfits and are more rare than black and white.

Photo Credit: To Boot New York

If you want something softer than black, but not as bright as white, try grey! Grey shoes are very neutral and will go with a lot of colors. Grey suede is a favorite of mine because it has a softer effect and looks very classy. However, you never want to wear suede out in the rain because it will get ruined. Alternately, grey leather is a great option if maintaining suede scares you.

Care

Photo Credit: Amazon

Get a protect all spray (left) and an odor spray (right) .

 

The more you take care of your shoes, the longer they will last. Clean your shoes every couple of months (or when they start looking a bit worn) and spray them with a water-repellent protector. Protectors are great because if you spill anything like red wine on your white shoes, the drops will slip right off. I like the Jason Markk spray because it doesn’t yellow your shoes like some sprays can.

Dirty laces are a style killer, so make sure your laces look fresh. You can wash your laces if they start to look dirty. However, if they are really looking worn, replace them.

If you have a tendency to ruin your shoes because of odor, keep a odor fighting spray around and spray them after a couple of wears or more often if you need to. I personally like this Spray. It’s normal for shoes to smell eventually, especially if you are wearing thin socks. Don’t ever not wear socks for the no-show sock look, you will ruin your shoes much faster.

When Are Dressy Sneakers Appropriate?

Just because they are considered a “dressy” sneaker, doesn’t mean you should be wearing them at formal events or parties. Save your leather sneakers for your casual and smart-casual outfits. If your workplace is casual, you can wear them there.

The casual suit look with sneakers is best for weekend or vacation, when you want to look sleek and relaxed. Day time parties are great for this look as well!

When Are Actual Running Shoes Okay?

For the most part, save them for the gym or athletic activities. However, if your outfit is very casual like joggers or sweatshirts, you can wear your running shoes out and about. When you are wearing jeans or chinos, don’t wear your running shoes. I know sneakerheads won’t agree with me on this, but we’re aiming for smart and classic styles, not trends.

My Top Sneaker Picks

Dressy leather sneakers can range anywhere from $50 to $500, depending on what you are looking for and your budget. The most important thing to look for is comfort since you’ll be wearing these instead of your running shoes. Try a couple of different brands on to see what fits your foot the best. There are new brands popping up everyday specializing in dressy sneakers, so it’s best to order a couple of pairs and see what fits the best. Here are a couple of my top recommendations going from the lowest to highest pricetag:

Adidas Stan Smith or Neo ($45+)

Photo Credit: Adidas

Adidas is a classic brand that comes to mind when it comes to sneakers. They have their Neo white on white sneaker that is super clean and at a low price point. The Stan Smith is their more popular one, which will run you about $75.

Cole Haan Crosscourt ($70+)

Photo Credit: Cole Haan

Cole Haan makes really lightweight classic dressy sneakers at a good price point. You can typically find them for $70 to $100, depending on if you can get them on sale. Cole Haan also plays around with hybrid sneakers a lot.

Ecco Soft 8 ($150+)

Photo Credit: Ecco

Eccos are one of the most comfortable shoes you will probably try on. I especially like their Danish collaboration for very minimal and sleek sneakers. Eccos will run you about $150, but you can sometimes find them on sale.

Greats Royale ($180)

Photo Credit: Greats

Greats is a Brooklyn based brand that has been around for a couple of years and produce excellent quality Italian sneakers. They have a weatherproof version too! Greats will run you about $180 for the classic leather sneaker, but you will get free shipping, free returns and great customer service. If you sign up for their email list, you can get 10% off.

To Boot Knoxx ($325)

Photo Credit: To Boot

If you’re ready to invest in your sneakers and absolutely love quality and crafttmanship, To Boot makes an excellent dressy sneaker. If you love the suede look, they have a couple colors out every season. They will run you about $325. Keep a look out for them on sale.

Magnanni Elonso ($325)

Photo Credit: Magnanni

Common Projects ($400)

If you’re ready to splurge, Magnanni is an Italian brand that nails the dressy leather sneaker as well. I love their wood finish sneaker I showed in the brown category as well as the clean look they offer. You can sometimes find them on sale, so keep a look out. These will run you about $325.

Photo Credit: Common Project

If you’re looking for the trendiest brand and quality dressy sneakers, Common Projects could be for you. They are handmade Italian sneakers that became very popular in the last couple of years. Be prepared to spend a shiny penny, but they do look pretty sleek and have a cool logo. Common Projects will run you about $400.

There you have it, one of the easiest and most comfy swaps you can make in your wardrobe to look modern and stylish. Hope you enjoyed the post! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or want me to tackle other burning questions you may have.

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Men’s Style: The Perfect Smart Casual Starter Wardrobe

Supreet ChahalLeave a comment

Not knowing where to start is a huge pain point for anyone trying to get their wardrobe together. It can feel overwhelming and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be! Whenever I have a client that is starting from scratch, meaning most of their wardrobe is outdated and they want to start anew, I have a formula I like to follow. The formula ensures their needs are met and they have numerous combinations to wear day in and day out. The formula is as follows:

Starter Wardrobe = Perfect Dozen Shirts + 3 Pairs of Jeans + 1 Chino + 1 Jacket + 2 Shoes

This formula allows for a minimum of 50 outfits to start off with and, moving forward, we can add a piece at a time to create more. That number can be doubled if we stick to a specific color palette, making it more of a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is when all the tops go with all the bottoms, but it limits you with what colors you can work with. With my system, I like for my clients to have a variety of colors, so I go as capsule as I can with a few easy exceptions.

If you are doing this on your own, you don’t have to buy everything at once. Instead, use this formula as a blueprint to make targeted purchases and not get distracted by sale or bargain items that don’t serve you. It’s really fun to plan and research your next purchase and get a couple of high quality items that will last you a long time versus a bunch of cheap things that only last a couple of wears before they start looking beat up.

Perfect Dozen Shirts

Nailing your perfect dozen shirts allows you to have a shirt for every occasion. Your perfect dozen can be a mix of button downs, henleys, polo shirts, and/or t-shirts.

Here’s an example of a perfect dozen I’ve created:

For the average guy, I like to break it up by: 4 button downs, 3 henleys, 2 polo shirts and 3 t-shirts. However, your lifestyle and personal taste dictates how you would distribute your dozen. For example, if you would never wear polo shirts, but love button downs and henleys, go for 5 button downs and 4 henleys.

Why these shirts?

Polos

Polo shirts are great for dressing up or down and go well with a range of bottoms from chinos to shorts. When picking out a polo shirt, go for something a little more modern and fun like the burgundy polo I picked with the subtle pocket detail in my example. If you like to keep it simple, go for a soft cotton or cotton-blend unstructured polo (unstructured = loose collar) and avoid the textured sports polos you see everywhere (remember, you’re not playing tennis in this). I went for burgundy and army green because these colors look great both at night and during the day.

T-Shirts

Once you do find the perfect t-shirt, grab a couple of colors. You can never go wrong with having a classic black and grey t-shirt. For your third t-shirt, go for a bit of color, in this case I picked deep green. The color you pick can vary on the season you are in. Remember, you can always make a t-shirt look fashionable by wearing it with a pair of boots and fitted jeans, so don’t underestimate the power of a good t-shirt! Make sure you focus on fit and quality.

Henleys

I love henleys! In case you don’t know what a henley is, it’s a long sleeve t-shirt with a couple of buttons at the top. Think of it as a step up from a t-shirt and a nice change of pace from a button down. They come in a variety of fabrics and styles, letting you dress them up (i.e. cotton-blend fabric with subtle stitching) or keep it casual (i.e. 100% cotton with more obvious stitching). In my example, I went for grey, cream and medium blue. Cream and blue can be dressed up by wearing them with black jeans and brown boots, while the grey would still look casual with the same combo.

Button Downs

It’s always good to have a couple of button downs in your arsenal. When picking out your shirts, go for a range of prints and colors. In this example, I went for plaid, micro-print (blue), a pop of color (red with a white pattern), and a solid one (light grey). Whatever your mood or occasion, you’ll have a button down for it. You can wear these untucked and tucked.

Look at that… your perfect dozen shirts, smart-casual style! Again, you can distribute yours based on what you personally like and where you live. In my example, I picked these because San Francisco has a temperate climate ranging from 50s to high 60s, so muted colors work well here. However, if you live in Florida, long sleeves might not make sense, so you could go for short sleeve button downs and henleys. Also, your color palette might be a bit brighter for hotter environments. Take your time finding the perfect tops. Start with one from each category. Once you find a brand that works for you, see what other styles and colors are available to keep building up. Now that you have your tops, let’s gets your bottoms squared away!

3 Pairs of Jeans

Having 3 pairs of jeans that go with your perfect dozen is the next step. All jeans don’t have to go with all your shirts, but make sure at least two pairs of bottoms go with each top to get the most out of them. For example, all the tops work with dark blue and black jeans, making 24 different outfits. If I were to add in another pair of jeans, I would pick dark grey since they would easily go with all the shirts I picked. Note: the light grey henley works with the grey jeans for a monochromatic look, I would just make sure the shoe breaks up all the grey (i.e. your shoe can be white, brown or even black). Now you have 34 different outfits!

Note: If you live in a warm place and wear shorts, you may want to start with 2 pairs of jeans and 1 pair of shorts.

Note: If you have a harder time finding pants rather than tops, you should start by finding your 3 pairs of bottoms and match the tops to them.

A Pair of Chinos

It’s always nice to have a chino in the mix to switch it up from wearing jeans all the time. With the shirts I picked, I would add in a light chino since it would work with all of my button downs, t-shirts, polos and henleys. Since Spring is around the corner, this light stone chino can take me into Spring and Summer, but still work in Fall and Winter with a darker top.

Again, if you live in a hot environment, you may want to opt for chino shorts.

A Minimal Jacket

Nothing breaks a look like the wrong jacket. I see it all the time, a perfect outfit topped off with a bright orange North Face jacket that doesn’t go with the rest of the outfit. Your jacket doesn’t have to be anything over the top, instead, the more minimal the jacket, the more it’s going to go with. Going for a minimal jacket is not only going to complete all your looks, but gives you a stylish go-to layer you don’t need to think twice about.

With the palette I selected, a navy blue or black jacket will go with all the picks. I went for a collar jacket because it looks great with anything from a t-shirt to a button down and can be worn open to look effortlessly stylish. The style and weight of your jacket will depend on where you live and what your needs are. For example, if it stays cold until the end of Spring where you live, you may want to go for a peacoat or heavier wool jacket. However, if it’s pretty warm where you live and you sometimes need a jacket in the evenings, you can go for something thin like linen.

2 Pairs of Go-To Shoes

For your first two pairs of shoes, I would pick a pair of smart-casual boots and a sleek leather sneaker. Your sneaker will go with all your looks and keep them dressed down, while your boot can dress up even the most simple t-shirt and jeans outfit.

I went for a brown Chukka style boot for this example because brown goes with everything and adds a pop of color to my otherwise muted wardrobe. Alternatively, you can go for a black boot, which will also go with everything, but will keep things subtle. For my sneaker, I would go for black, white or light grey.

To me, a sneaker and running shoe are two different things. Save your running shoes for the gym and keep your sleek leather sneakers for day to day wear. You’ll always catch me saying “sleek leather sneakers”, and when I say that, I am refering to the black example above and the white one below. Your “running shoes” with a giant logo splashed across the side, on the other hand, makes your outfit look amateur. It’s the easiest and most comfortable switch you can make to step up your game.

Alright guys, there you are, your blueprint to master the smart-casual look. What’s awesome about these picks is you have an outfit for each occasion and can make so many different combos. When you are ready to expand your wardrobe further, you can add in sweaters (i.e. zip up sweaters, cardigans etc.) and “nice” sweatshirts (i.e. bomber style sweatshirts, zip up collar sweatshirts etc). Colored bottom are also a great way to expand your collection, for example, you can add in a green or burgundy pair of jeans or chinos to turn it up a notch. Green and burgundy go really well with white, navy blue, grey tops.

Remember, you don’t need to get all these things at once. By spreading out your purchases, you can focus on quality and not quantity. My clients spend a little more on their jeans, but they’ve been wearing them for years on end with no wear in sight. Also, investing in a nice t-shirt or henley ensures they don’t pill or look worn after 5 washes. You can always keep a look out for nice brands in discount stores like Nordstrom Rack or Off Saks 5th to get more bang for your buck. Shop smart my friends!

Still feeling overwhelmed? Check out my new Digital Styling Service where I personally make outfits for you, and once you approve them, you’ll get them shipped right to your door.

Men’s Style: A Case For Fitted Pants

Supreet Chahal2 Comments

One of the easiest style mistakes to correct is wearing pants that fit well and compliment your body. Baggy or loose pants not only make you look shorter, but also unpolished and sloppy. On the other hand, wearing pants that are too tight can make your upper body look way larger in comparison to your lower body. The key is balance. The perfect fitting pants can make you look taller, like you hit the gym, and effortlessly stylish.

Photo Credit: Zappos, Nordstrom

Loose pants don’t do anything for you (left), while fitted pants make you look more put together (right).

When deciding on how tight your jeans should be, you have to work with your body type. Your body type can tell you if you can pull off “slim” or even “skinny” jeans or if you’re better off with a straight pair. The rule is easy, the slimmer you are, the slimmer you can go. If you’re an average build, stick to slim. If you are on the bigger side, stick to “slim-straight”. Men rarely need to go into the “straight” or “relaxed” territory unless they are really big. When I say really big, I’m talking about Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock big.

Not convinced? Below are some examples of what an ill-fitted pair of jeans can do to you vs what a well-fitted pair can do for you. I broke down the advice by body type, if you don’t know your body type, check out THIS POST.

Trapezoid

Trapezoids should stick to slim fits in pants since a slim leg compliments the rest of their shape and looks modern.

Photo Credit: Pop Sugar, I Am Galla

Don’t wear pants too loose and bunching at the bottom (left). Instead, go for a slimmer fit and get them hemmed to your correct length (right).

Oval

It’s important for Ovals not go too skinny their pants since it will make their upper body look really big in comparison to their lower body. Create balance by going for slim or slim-straight. Don’t go too baggy or it will make you look wider than you are.

Photo Credit: ASOS, Notoriously Dapper

Don’t go too skinny in your pants either, it will make your upper body look way bigger than your lower half (left). Instead, work with your body and go for a slim-straight (right).

Triangle

Stick to slim or slim-straight depending on how big your upper body is. Baggy pants will make you look much wider and shorter than you are.

  • Processed with VSCO with a5 preset

Photo Credit: Pinterest, Cool Artisan

Pants too loose will make you look short and small (left), while going for well-fitted pants helps give you shape (right).

Inverted Triangle

Photo Credit: Pinterest, Esquire

Inverted Triangles hit the gym a lot, so it’s easy to think you need relaxed fit pants, but you don’t (left). Show off your body with fitted jeans, but go for “athletic” fits which are slim and give you more room in the thighs (right).

Rectangle

Guys on the slimmer side should not wear baggy pants. Not only does it not look modern, but the loose clothing can make your head look smaller than the rest of your body. Work with your body and wear pants that fit well. You don’t need to go “skinny”, but at least stick to “slim”.

Photo Credit: Pinterest, Newscom

The image on the left shows pants with no taper from knee to ankle. The image on the right shows how clean a slight taper looks.

Length Matters

Another tip on making sure your pants fit well is to make sure they are the proper length. Having jeans or chinos that slouch at the bottom due to excess fabric is going to make it look like your pants are too long for you, hence making you look short. Getting your pants adjusted to the right length is called getting them “hemmed”. Hemming is a very common alteration tailors do and is usually in the $10 to $20 range and is worth it. Lots of department stores have in-house tailors that can do it for you so you don’t have to go searching for a tailor elsewhere.

Photo Credit: Pinterest, Nordstrom

Avoid your jeans scrunching at the bottom, it looks bad (left). Instead, get your pants hemmed to the correct length and have a small break (right)

Waist Height Also Matters

Last, but not least, wear your pants at the right length. Wearing your pants too low on your waist will make your legs look short and your upper body look unproportionately long. Wearing them at the right length will balance out your body. The waist height is called a “rise”. Avoid low rise jeans, mid-rise is the way to go. Low rise works for guys whose hips sit really high, in which case they would make your hips look like they sit at a normal length.

Photo Credit: Fashion Beast, Notoriously Dapper

Wear your jeans at the correct height. The rise in the photo on the right makes his legs look longer, the photo on the left makes his legs short and waist very long.

Next time you get a new pair of jeans, chino or dress pants, keep this advice in mind and you’ll be looking effortlessly stylish.

Men’s Style: Bloggers You Should Follow on Instagram

Supreet ChahalLeave a comment

I love following style bloggers on Instagram for a daily dose of style inspiration! Whenever I see an outfit I like, I tap the “bookmark” button and have it saved for when i’m ready to shop for my clients. Getting inspired by other people’s looks will not only help you get excited about dressing better, but can also help you discover your personal style. Let me save you a lot of time by telling you who my favorite style stars are and you can pick your favorites.

Also, don’t forget to follow @pocketstylist.io where I curate my favorite menswear looks from all over.

1. He Spoke Style

Photo Credit: Instagram: @hespokestyle

Brian Sacaw of @hespokestyle dresses to impress. What I like about his style is it’s practical and something you can wear to work and on the weekends. This account is great for a guy who likes a classic upscale style.

2. Blake Scott

Photo Credit: Instagram: @blakescott

LA’s own Blake Scott is a trendy guy who can wear everything from casual to dressy really well. He does a great job of incorporating prints, accessories, and the no-show sock look in his outfits. If you want some modern suit inspiration, @blakescott is your guy!.

3. Rules of Thumb

Photo Credit: Instagram: @rule_of_thumbs

Also LA based is J Fig of @rule_of_thumbs, who rocks casual-trendy and smart-casual to the T. This account is perfect for the guy who likes a splash of color in his outfits and isn’t afraid of fun prints. What I love about J Fig is he knows which colors compliment his skin tone and makes awesome outfits out of them.

4. Notoriously Dapper

Photo Credit: Instagram: @notoriouslydapper

Kelvin Davis is all about body positivity and, of course, dressing well. Straight out of South Carolina, Kelvin’s style can range from classic to fun, and shows you can look amazing if you dress for your body. There are no shortage of fun prints and easy clothing combinations in his Instagram account @notoriouslydapper.

5. I Am Galla

Photo Credit: Instagram: @iamgalla

It seems Adam Gallagher has travelled the world and dressed impeccably for each adventure. You can find anything from casual to dressy outfits in this NYC based fashion blogger’s account called @iamgalla, all accompanied with beautiful settings. This account is for the guy who likes classic looks, but doesn’t mind a twist here and there.

6. I Am Sapra

Photo Credit: Instagram: @iamsapra

Straight from London, Raja Sapra delivers effortless style through streetwear, smart-casual and dressy looks. What I like about his looks is he can get serious with a head to toe dressy look, but can also show you how to dress it down with fresh white kicks. There is no shortage of streetwear in his photos either, making @iamsapra perfect for the younger casual guy. It’s also great seeing diversity in the male fashion blogger world with Raja staying true to his roots by rocking a turban with all his looks.

7. What My Boyfriend Wore

Photo Credit: Instagram: @whatmyboyfriendwore

If you love business casual and dressy styles with a twist, you will love South Africa’s Sergio Ines’s accounts called @whatmyboyfriendwore. Dapper, colorful, smart, and gorgeous backgrounds can only start to describe his account. Sergio is the blazer master, making great combos with jeans, chinos and dress pants. The name “What My Boyfriend Wore” comes from his girlfriend at the time who loved documenting his outfits.

8. Magic Fox

Photo Credit: Instagram: @magic_fox

If you hit the gym more often than not, @magic_fox might just be the one for you. Daniel’s account is great inspiration for dressing for a built body. His looks include ripped jeans, leather jackets, sneakers and boots, which embodies his rugged style, but also includes the occasional dressy outfits. This account is for the guy who likes to keep things casual and rugged, but stylish at the same time.

9. The Cuff.co

Photo Credit: Instagram: @thecuff.co

NYC’s Ben Brewster’s account, @thecuff.co, is perfect for the guy who likes to keep it casual and minimal. Mostly wearing neutrals and sometimes earthy tones, Ben shows us clean lines and minimalist clothing combos can make a statement. Ben also throws in fun prints and dressy surprises to show you you can do it all! You will find plenty of ideas on how to make a t-shirt look stylish in this account.

10. Chris Mehan

Photo Credit: Instagram: @chrismehan

Chris Mehan is an excellent account to follow for guys who are just getting started in elevating their style. Whether it’s for work or weekend, he rocks casual, smart-casual, and business casual really well. @chrismehan gives us plenty of ideas for effortless and stylish color and clothing combinations.

11. PocketStylist.io

Of course, you can follow @PocketStylist.io where I share favorite looks from all the bloggers I follow all in one place. From casual to dressy, I love it all and make it easy for you to get inspired!

There you have it, my collection of male style stars I love getting inspired by on Instagram. What’s great about Instagram is once you follow an account, it gives you some suggestions on related accounts to check out. Click through and see if any others appeal to you and don’t forgot to bookmark your favorites!

Men’s Style: How to Add More Flair to Your Outfits

Supreet ChahalLeave a comment

Ever wonder how can you add a little more “flair” to your outfits? By “flair” I mean, when men have such limited pieces of clothing they can wear, how can you stand out of the crowd? Surprisingly, it’s the little details that can help you achieve a unique style.

Here are a couple of tweaks that I share with my clients to help them add some flair to their outfits!

Pocket Squares

Photo Credit: The Coolist

Don’t underestimate the power of a pocket square! It’s the perfect little touch that makes you look extra stylish. Some guys think they can only wear them at weddings or formal occasions, but they pair really well with a classic jeans, blazer and button down look.

When picking out a pocket square, make sure it compliments your outfit. By compliment, I don’t mean the same color (i.e. solid green tie + solid green pocket square = don’t do it!). Instead, use the tie to bring out a color in your pocket square. In the example below, you will see there is a hint of burgundy in the pocket square, which is then brought out with the tie. This is the easiest way to make sure you match. That’s the beauty of printed pocket squares, you can match more than one tie to the look.

Photo Credit: Anosart, Pinterest

Alternatively, you don’t have to have the color of the tie in the pocket square. However, you should compliment the two colors (i.e. burgundy tie and navy blue pocket square).

If you are not wearing a tie, make sure your blazer and pocket square colors compliment each other.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Here are 3 ways to fold your pocket square:

Photo Credit: Fashion Infographics

Socks

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Have fun with your socks! Next time you’re in the market for some socks, ditch the white ones and go for some pattern and color. Let socks reflect your personality, for example, if you’re obsessed with space, get some socks with astronauts on them.

Suspenders

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Next time you wear a suit, put on a pair of suspenders! Suspenders are the perfect addition to your suit that says, “I know style”. Some guys prefer them with suits only, and that’s okay. If you love the look and want to see how you can incorporate it into your other outfits, you can pair them with jeans and slacks.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

If you are wearing suspenders with a suit, they should be worn with a tie and match the tie as well. By match, I mean they can be the same color or a color that compliments the tie (i.e. navy blue tie, burgundy suspenders).

If you are not wearing suspenders formally, you don’t need a tie. If this concept is new to you, try a pair of leather suspenders like in the photo above as a “safe” place to start.

Unique Prints in Shirts

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Ditch the plaid and go for prints that have a little more personality. Now days, you see more and more fun prints in stores and it’s for a reason, they look good! You can go all out with bigger statement prints or if you like more of a subtle look, go for a micro-prints, which are tiny repeated patterns.

Photo Credit: Instagram: @rule_of_thumbs, Ted Baker

If you’re going for a black and white or grey and white print, you can play around with pant colors. If you go for a busy print with a couple of colors in the shirt, pick one color from the shirt to make it your pant color. You can also pick a complementary color.

Colorful Pants

Photo Credit: I Am Galla, Pinterest

Think outside of the box when it comes to your pant colors. It’s easy to fall into the pattern of neutrals chinos or blue jeans, but you should experiment a bit if you want to stand out of the crowd. If you’re new to colorful bottoms, stick to earthy or jewel tones like burgundy, burnt orange or green since you can pair them with neutral colored shirts.

Photo Credit: Bonobos

Photo Credit: Idle Man

Cuffing Jeans

Cuffing your jeans is an easy way to add some flair and something you can do tomorrow. You can cuff your jeans with any type of shoe, such as sneakers, oxfords, boots etc.

Photo Credit: Dress Code Clothing

You can cuff them a couple of ways:

(1) one simple outward cuff like in the photo below (~2 inches). Careful not to make it too thick.

Photo Credit: Articles of Style

(2) Or roll it one more time to have the style of cuff below

Photo Credit: Idle Man

(3) Thin roll your jeans, which is a thinner cuff (~1 inch)

Photo Credit: Gear Patrol

(4) Pin roll your jeans, which makes the ankle slimmer

Photo Credit: Gear Patrol

No Show Socks

Photo Credit: Nordstrom

If you are cuffing or rolling your jeans, try the look with no-show socks. Although discreet, this little flair shows that you made an intentional style choice. You can try this look with shorts, jeans, chinos or dress pants. In terms of footwear, you can try this look with anything from sneakers to dress shoes.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

The key here is to get a good pair of no-show socks that grips the back of your foot so they don’t keep slipping.

Alright guys, there you have it, a handful of tricks you can do to stand out of the crowd! When it comes to looking more put together, sometimes it’s the small details that play a huge role in appearing more stylish.

Men’s Style: 6 Easy Clothing Upgrades To Get You Started

Supreet ChahalLeave a comment

I get this scenario a lot: I’m a twenty/thirty-something year old guy. I live in a t-shirt, jeans, and running shoes. I know this doesn’t cut it. I want to look more put together, especially because I like to go on dates, happy hour with friends, and out on the town on weekends. How do I look stylish without sacrificing comfort or my budget?

Look guys, being stylish doesn’t mean spending hours getting ready every morning. Being stylish is about having a wardrobe that’s easy to work with. The key is having staples that look good and fit well.

Here are my top 6 picks to get you started on building your dream wardrobe.

1. Perfect Pair of Black Jeans 

Photo Credit: J.Crew

Black jeans are your best friend. They go with virtually anything and are easy to dress up or down. Look for a pair with stretch (about 1%-2% elastane), so they feel nice and stretchy rather than stiff jeans. Fit wise, opt for a slim fit to keep the look modern. It’s very important to make sure your jeans are the right length, so hem them to the right length. You can ask the sales associate for the best place to get this done. Major department stores usually have an in house tailor. If you lack a well fitted pair of dark blue jeans, get those first.

Some companies that make good stretchy black jeans: Levi’s, Uniqlo, Paige Denim, and AG Jeans. The latter two brands run on the pricier side, but discount stores like Nordstrom Rack are amazing to find a good deal.

2. Henleys 

Photo Credit: Nordstrom

I take it you have plenty of short sleeve t-shirts, but what about long sleeves? Add a couple of buttons at the top and you have a henley! Henleys are a great addition to your wardrobe because they look good and are comfortable. Yes, you read that right, long sleeve t-shirts can be stylish. If you like hitting the gym, henleys are a great way to show off those arms. They pair really well with with jeans and boots to achieve a “smart-casual” look. You can pick these up from stores like Nordstrom, Macy’s, J. Crew, H&M and plenty of others.

3. Boots 

Photo Credit: Nordstrom

Ditch the running shoes and invest in a comfortable pair of boots. One of my favorite day to day style of boot is called a Chukka boot. I love them because they are so easy to wear and can dress up the simplest t-shirt and jeans outfit.

4. Minimal Jacket 

Photo Credit: Superdry

Nothing is worse than having the perfect outfit on and not having anything to wear on top when it’s a little chilly. Having a minimal neutral colored jacket can help complete your looks without sacrificing style. A simple Harrington jacket can do the trick, but feel free to play around with other styles. Here’s a post on jackets and layering to find which ones appeals to you.

5. Button Down Shirt 

Photo Credit: Nordstrom

Alright, this one might be more daring if you’re used to wearing t-shirts all the time, but a well-fitted button down is hands down the easiest way to look effortlessly stylish. They make great outfits for dates, going out to bars or clubs, or just being out and about. If you’re worried about comfort, look for ones with stretch. If you’re not sure about prints and patterns, get a solid colored one to test out. If you want to dive deep into the world of button downs, make sure you check out the Ultimate Guide!

6. Dressy Leather Sneakers

Photo Credit: Zappos

Save the colorful running shoes with a giant logo splashed across the side for the gym and replace your “comfortable shoes” with a fresh pair of leather sneakers. A sleek pair of sneakers can upgrade your style without losing the comfort of your beloved running shoes. The easiest place to start is with a white, grey or black pair. Suede sneakers are also a great option if you like a softer look.

There you have it, 6 easy items you can add to your wardrobe to instantly look more stylish. Besides adding these items to your wardrobe, it’s important to make sure your clothes fit well. Ill-fitted clothing is a style killer! If you’re not sure where to start, check out these guides I made on men’s clothing.