Denim jeans are the perfect choice of pants for men who are always on the go. They are comfortable, durable, versatile, and available in countless different styles. Of course, one of the most popular styles of jeans is boot-cut, which lives up to its namesake by featuring a larger opening around the ankle, allowing the wearer to place it over the top of their boots.

Don’t Wear them with Sandals or Flip-Flops

If you’re going to wear sandals or flip-flops, you should choose a different pair of jeans or pants. Boot-cut jeans are not intended to be worn with low-rise footwear such as this. The problem is that boot-cut jeans only drag on the floor when worn with sandals or flip-flops, which can quickly damage and degrade the denim fabric.

Go Dark

Boot-cut jeans, like most styles of jeans, are available in dozens of different colors. But one color in particular works well for this style: indigo. The dark blue color of indigo creates a slightly more formal look that’s perfect for boot-cut jeans. So if you can’t seem to decide on a color, stick with indigo. It’s nearly impossible to go wrong with indigo-colored boot-cut jeans.

Choose a Matching Shirt

When wearing boot-cut jeans, you should choose a shirt that matches and flows cohesively with your overall appearance. Don’t make the mistake of choosing a shirt in the exact same color as your jeans, as this will create an awkward look that does your outfit no justice. Rather, choose a shirt that flows with your look. A button-up plaid dress shirt with hints of blue, for instance, is a great choice. Or if it’s hot outside, consider wearing a striped polo shirt. Polo shirts and button-up shirts are both “safe” choices to wear with boot-cut jeans.

Boots and Belt

A good rule of thumb to follow when wearing boot-cut jeans is to match your boots with your belt. If you wear a black belt, then you should also wear black boots. On the other hand, brown boots are a better choice when wearing a brown belt. Don’t make the mistake of mixing brown boots with a black belt or vise-versa.

Wash Inside Out

Of course, dark jeans are more susceptible to fading — and no wants to see their jeans faded. You can protect your indigo boot-cut jeans from this phenomenon, however, by turning them inside out before washing them.

References:

http://jeans.about.com/od/JeanStyleGuide/ss/9-Stylish-Ways-To-Wear-Bootcut-Jeans.htm

 

Outwear is an important component of a men’s suit. Without some form of outerwear, you simply won’t be able to achieve a formal appearance. But unless you’re familiar with the different types, you may struggle to choose the right one. There are several different types of men’s outwear, with the three most popular being blazers, sport coats and suit jackets. So, what’s the difference between these three types?

Although they look similar in appearance, blazers, sport coats and suit jackets are different forms of outerwear with their own unique characteristics. Some men assume they are all the same, but this isn’t the case. There are subtle nuances between them that affect both their comfort and aesthetics. So if you’re struggling to choose the right outerwear for your suit, keep reading to learn more about blazers, suit jackets and sport coats.

Sport coats are the most causal form of men’s outwear for suits.  They originated more than a century ago, during which men wore them primarily for hunting and other sporting activities. They feature a somewhat thick, heavy-duty construction that’s able to withstand the normal wear and tear of outdoor usage. While sport coats are rarely worn for hunting today, they’ve since made their way into mainstream fashion, becoming a popular choice of outwear for men’s suits.

Next in line is the blazer. Blazers fall somewhere between sport coats and suit jackets in terms of formality. They are more formal that sport coats yet less formal that suit jackets. Most blazers are made of 100% wool material, offering a warm and insulated texture that’s perfect for the otherwise chilly autumn and winter months. In recent years, however, many companies have been using alternative materials in the construction of their men’s blazers. You can now find blazers available in cotton, corduroy and even synthetic fabrics.

A third type of men’s outwear that’s commonly worn with suits is the suit jacket. It’s the most formal outwear option of the three described here. A suit jacket is typically made of either cotton or wool, depending on the season in which it is intended to be worn, and it’s often sold as a bundle with matching trousers.

So, the key thing to remember is that sport coats are the least casual; blazers fall somewhere in the middle; and suit coats are the most casual. Consider what level of formality you are trying to achieve and choose the outerwear that’s most appropriate.

Sport Coat vs. Blazer vs. Suit Jacket

It’s frustrating when you grab your favorite shirt from the closet, only to discover that it no longer fits. Even if your weight hasn’t changed, perhaps the shirt shrunk and is now too small to comfortably wear. Scenarios such as this are all too common, but thankfully there are a few steps you can take to protect your clothes from this phenomenon.

Choose the Right Fabrics

The fabrics used in a garment’s construction will influence its susceptibility to shrinking. Cotton, linen and wool, for instance, are known to shrink more than synthetic fabrics like polyester. So if you’re worried about a new garment shrinking, check the label to see what fabric it’s made of. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you should avoid buying, or wearing, cotton clothes. Rather, take into account what they are made of when shopping for new clothes.

Line-Dry

Sure, it’s probably easier and more convenient to dry your clothes by tossing them in the dryer, but doing may cause them to shrink in the process. A better solution is to line-dry your clothes. Even if you don’t have access to an outdoor line, you can always hang your clothes to dry in the bathroom. Line-drying takes longer, but it doesn’t have the same shrinking effect as using a traditional clothes dryer.

Wash with Cold Water

In addition to line-drying, you can also protect your clothes from shrinking by washing them with cold water. Some people assume that cold water isn’t as effective at cleaning stains as hot or warm water. This is just a myth, as both cold and hot water are equally as effective. However, cold water does not cause fabric to shrink, making it the ideal setting when washing garments that are susceptible to shrinking.

Low-Heat Iron

When ironing your garments, turn them on the low-heat setting. Again, this is because heat causes fabrics to shrink, which could make your garments no longer fit. You’ll still need some heat to eliminate wrinkles, but keeping your iron on the low-heat setting will reduce the risk of shrinking.

Quality Over Quantity

Not surprisingly, high-quality shirts and garments are less likely to shrink than low-quality ones. The poor craftsmanship and cheap materials in low-quality garments make them susceptible to shrinking. So instead of buying half a dozen low-quality shirts, perhaps you can buy just one or two high-quality shirts. This is one instance in which the mantra “quality over quantity” holds true.

References:

https://www.reference.com/home-garden/fabrics-shrink-dryer-8e301d651ee406df

The summer season is coming to a close, which means the cool fall weather is right around the corner. Of course, there’s no better time than the transition from summer to fall to update your wardrobe. But there are several myths regarding men’s fall fashion you need to be aware of.

You Can’t Wear White After Labor Day

Who says you can’t wear white after Labor Day? Well, lots of people. But this is just a myth with no real merit in the modern world of fashion. This unwritten fashion rule dates back to the late 19th century, during which society adopted Labor Day as being the end of summer fashion. It’s perfectly fine to wear white after Labor Day now, however, so feel free to include it in your wardrobe.

You Can’t Wear Shorts

Another all-too-common myth is that you can’t wear shorts during the fall season. Sure, if the weather is cold, shorts probably isn’t the best choice (for obvious reasons). But if the weather is mild and the sun is shining, wearing shorts is perfectly acceptable in the fall season. The bottom line is that you shouldn’t place your shorts in storage just because summer is over. With all of the recent heat waves we’ve been experiencing in the U.S., more and more men are wearing shorts late in the year.

You Can’t Mix Brown and Black

Normally, mixing brown and black together is a poor choice, as these two colors clash with one another to create an unattractive look. When done correctly, however, you can mix brown and black in your fall wardrobe. The secret is to focus on either brown or black as your primary color, and using subtle shades of the opposite color to enhance your appearance.

Your Choice of Socks Doesn’t Matter

This couldn’t be further from the truth, especially during the fall season when most men wear long trousers. Your choice of socks can and will affect the rest of your outfit, which can either be good or bad depending on which socks you choose to wear. White socks aren’t necessarily the best choice, as it may clash with your other garments. A good rule of thumb is to wear socks in the same color as your trousers. If you are wearing a pair of black trousers, for instance, wear black socks. But if you are wearing blue jeans, wear blue socks. This helps to conceal your socks by blending them more seamlessly into your outfit.

References:

http://attireclub.org/2014/10/16/fact-or-fiction-mens-fashion-myths-clarified/

http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/g3743/fashion-myths/

Denim is one of the world’s most versatile fabrics, which is why jeans have become such a popular style of pants. It’s strong, durable, stylish, and can be dressed either up or down. But denim is used in many other garments, including shirts. Because of its unique characteristics, though, there are a few things you should know about denim shirts and how to wear them.

Wear it Over a Shirt

One simple yet effective way to wear a denim shirt is to wear it like a jacket, essentially wearing it over a shirt. This is great because it allows men to wear denim shirts throughout the year, regardless of season. When the nights become cool, you can simply wear your denim jacket over an existing layer (or two) for added warmth. This multi-layered look is easy and looks great.

Wear it Tucked in

Of course, you can always wear a denim jacket fulled tucked into your waistline as well. Assuming you are wearing pants with a belt, simply tuck your denim jacket into your pants. As you may have guessed, this creates a more formal appearance that’s perfect for evening parties, business meetings and other formal/semi-formal occasions.

Wear it Untucked

Alternatively, you can leave your denim jacket untucked. An untucked denim jacket is a bit more casual, making it ideal for daytime activities. And let’s face it, most men prefer casual attire when given the opportunity.

Wear it with Short

A denim shirt is the perfect garment to wear with shorts. Both offer a “cool” vibe, making them work well together. The key thing to remember, however, is that you want to choose matching shoes. Boat shoes and low-rise sneakers are both excellent choices for this combo. And if you are wearing a belt, choose footwear that matches your belt color (e.g. brown shoes with a brown belt or black shoes with a black belt).

Short-Sleeve vs Long-Sleeve

Denim jackets are available in both short-sleeve and long-sleeve. So, which one should you choose? Well, think about when and how you’ll be wearing it. If you plan on wearing it during the summer, throughout the day, the a short-sleeve denim shirt would likely work best. But if you plan on wearing it during the fall and/or winter months, perhaps a long-sleeve denim shirt is the better choice. And if you still can’t choose between the two, why not include both in your wardrobe.

References:

http://www.gq.com/gallery/how-to-wear-denim-shirts-men

Photo credit: Marica