When was the last time that you cleaned out your wardrobe? Many men, myself included, are guilty of rarely doing this. As a result, our wardrobes become overcrowded with shirts and garments that we never wear. If this sounds like a familiar scenario, keep reading for some helpful tips and tricks on how to clean out your wardrobe.

The 1-Year Rule

When cleaning out your wardrobe, a good rule of thumb is to get rid of any garments or accessories that you haven’t worn in over a year. If it’s been longer than 12 months since you’ve worn a particular garment, it’s doubtful that you’ll be wearing it anytime soon, in which case it’s best to move it out of your wardrobe. Of course, there a few exceptions to this rule, such as suits and neckties. For the most part, though, following a the 1-year rule is a great way to free up additional space in your wardrobe.

Organize Your Wardrobe Based on Type

Another essential step in cleaning out your wardrobe is organizing it. Don’t just randomly hang up garments in your closet with no sense or order. Unless you want to spend half an hour trying to find a shirt in the morning, you need some type of structure and organization. For instance, you can place your t-shirts first, followed by polos, long-sleeved button-up shirts, dress shirts, pants, neckties, etc. This otherwise simple structure will make a world of difference in your ability to find specific garments.

Upgrade Your Clothes Hangers

Cheap plastic and wire coat hangers have a tendency to break down over time. So when you’re updating your wardrobe, consider replacing these cheap coat hangers with stronger and more durable wooden ones. You can expect to pay more for wooden coat hangers, but it’s a smart investment that will pay off in the long run. Wooden coat hangers are easier to use, maintain their shape, and last longer.

Donate Old Clothes

Don’t just toss your old clothes in the trash, but instead donate them to a charity organization. Most Goodwill stores will gladly accept used clothes. Granted, they won’t pay you, but they will give you a receipt that can be used for tax deductions come April of next year. Besides, you’ll get a warm and fuzzy feeling knowing that you are helping those who are less fortunate. And depending on how many clothes you have to donate, Goodwill may actually come to pick them up from your house.

References:

http://www.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip_200/229_fashion_advice.html

The clothes you wear say a lot about your character and personality. If you dress down, without taking the time to create a stylish and attractive outfit, it can hurt the way in which people view you But creating a stylish outfit isn’t always easy, which is why we’ve compiled a list of essential fashion tips that every man should follow.

Ditch the Graphic T-Shirts

While there are certain occasions during which graphic t-shirts may work, it’s generally best to avoid them if you are a grown man. Graphic t-shirts with logos and “funny” phrases lack any real level of style or aesthetics. A better choice is to ditch the graphic shirts and replace them with high-quality, solid-color shirts. A basic navy blue t-shirt, for instance, is a versatile garment that can be worn in dozens of different ways.

Keep it Simple

Sometimes it’s best to follow the “less is more” approach, meaning you should keep your outfits simple instead of complex. Trying to include too many different colors, patterns and styles into your outfit will often result in a messy, cluttered appearance that does you no justice. Whether it’s for a formal or casual occasion, keep your outfits simple to avoid this problem. Besides, you’ll find that simple outfits are easier to put together than complex outfits.

Choose the Right Fit

Many men are guilty of wearing clothes that are either too big or too small. You have to remember that no people two have the exact same size body; therefore, some garments may fit while others don’t. Take the time to find garments that fit your body properly. If you are lucky, you can find off-the-rack garments that fit. But if you are not lucky, you may have to take your garments to a professional tailor to have them adjusted.

Invest in a Good Pair of Shoes

Another all-too-common fashion mistake that many guys make is wearing the same pair of sneakers day in and day out. There’s nothing wrong with trying to stretch your sneakers for a little longer, but you should invest in a good pair of shoes for occasions that call for a slightly dressier appearance. A pair of brown or black leather oxfords, for instance, is an excellent choice. This versatile choice of footwear can be worn with suit trousers, khakis or even jeans, making them the preferred choice of shoes among many fashion-forward men.

References:

http://www.askmen.com/style/fashion_advice/

The necktie is an essential component in a men’s suit. Whether you are attending a job interview, wedding, formal party or any other formal event, you’ll want to wear a suit and necktie. This otherwise simple outfit will enhance your appearance while boosting your confidence in the process. But with so many different neckties on the market, how do you know which one to choose?

The Length

One of the first things you should consider when choosing a necktie is the length. Once tied, it should reach the tip of your belt. If it’s shorter or longer than this length, it will look awkward and thus should be avoided. So, choose a necktie that reaches the tip of your belt, taking into account your height as well (e.g. taller men should choose taller and more narrow neckties).

The Color

Something else to consider when choosing a necktie is the color. If you’ve ever been shopping for neckties before, you probably know just how many different colors there are. From traditional black and navy to red, yellow, green and more, neckties are available in just about every color under the rainbow. A good rule of thumb is to choose a necktie in a color that’s darker than your shirt.

The Pattern

If you don’t want a solid-colored necktie, you can always opt for a pattern instead. Unfortunately, though, many men have a tendency to choose the wrong patterns for their neckties. If you intend to wear a striped dress shirt, stick with a similar striped pattern for your necktie. On the other hand, if you intend to wear a plaid dress shirt, stick with a plaid necktie — you get the idea. Mixing plaid and stripes together is a fashion faus-pax that should be avoided.

The Fabric

Last but not least, pay attention to the fabric from which the necktie was made. Much like suits are made in a wide variety of fabrics, so are neckties. Cotton neckties are a good all-around choice, as they are inexpensive, versatile, soft, comfortable and long-lasting. However, many men prefer the ultra-luxurious feeling of silk neckties. The only downside to silk neckties is their cost — and some men may have trouble keeping them clean (silk cannot be washed with water; must be dry-cleaned).

Some of the different ways to tie a necktie include the following:

• Four-in-hand knot
• Pratt knot
• Windsor knot
• Half-windsor knot
• Small knot
• Nicky knot
• Atlantic knot
• Prince Albert knot
• Christensen knot

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necktie

It’s hard to argue that jeans the most versatile type of pants available on the market. Whether you are working, running errands, going to dinner, or just lounging around the house, you can’t go wrong with a pair of high-quality denim jeans. They offer an unmatched level of versatility, making them ideal for a wide range of different activities.

More than Just Blue…

While blue is the single most popular color for men’s jeans, you can find them available in dozens of other colors. This includes indigo (dark blue), light blue, black, white, gray, and even bold colors like red and yellow. So, which color jeans should you choose? It really depends on the circumstance as well as your personal preference. Darker colors like indigo offer a more formal appearance, whereas lighter colors are more casual. Just remember to avoid wearing jeans in the same color as your shirt, as this tends to create an awkward appearance in which your entire outfit looks like a single piece.

The Cut

When choosing a pair of jeans, consider the cut. Denim jeans are available in a variety of different cuts and styles, including boot-cut, slim-fit, straight-leg, relaxed-fit, and more. Boot-cut jeans are perfect for, well, wearing with boots. They feature a wider opening at the bottom, allowing you to place them over the tops of your boots. Straight-leg jeans, on the other hand, are straight through the thighs and legs, without the tapering found in other styles.

Quality

Don’t assume that all jeans are made equal. Some jeans are made with cheap denim, whereas others made with higher quality premium denim. If you want your jeans to last (and you should), stick with high-quality, name-brand denim. You can expect to pay more, but it’s a smart investment that will pay off in the long run.

Don’t Wash Your Jeans as Much

Most men have a tendency to wash their jeans each time after wearing them, but this may not be the best approach. Levi CEO Chip Burgh revealed in 2014 that he hadn’t washed his jeans in more than a year. Fashion designer and icon Tommy Hilfiger made a similar statement, saying that jeans should only be washed when they are visibly dirty. Of course, there’s a good reason for this: machine washing can wreck havoc on denim (and other fabrics), wearing it down while subsequently shortening the lifespan of the jeans.

References:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/22/living/dont-wash-jeans-levis-ceo/

 

Your choice of clothes says a lot about who you are. Aside from its impact on your physical appearance, clothes will affect other aspects of your personality, behavior, and the way in which others perceive you.

Professionalism

When you put forth the effort, and time, to dress nice, you’ll create a more professional look. This, of course, is essential for many jobs and occupations, as workers may be required to dress professional. On the other hand, if you wear jeans and an old t-shirt, you can expect the opposite to happen: you’ll look unprofessional. Regardless of your occupation, you should strive for a professional look.

Success

I guess you could say this goes hand-in-hand with professionalism. When you dress nice, others will view you as being more successful in life. You have to realize that most people judge based solely on looks, especially if they don’t personally know you. So if you are walking down the street wearing a stylish suit that’s properly fitted, others will assume you are successful — more so that if you wore sweatpants and a t-shirt.

Confidence

You might be surprised to learn that your choice of clothes can affect your level of self-confidence. Don’t believe me? Think back on the last time that you wore a suit and tie. Whether it was going to a job interview, participating in a wedding, etc. Now try to remember how you felt on this day. Most men will agree that wearing a suit makes them feel confident, which in turn affects their body language, demeanor, attitude, and other aspects of their behavior. The bottom line is that dressing nice can boost your self-confidence.

The Bottom Line…

This isn’t just a “theory,” either. According to a study of 300 men and women conducted by PsychologyToday, men who wore custom-tailored bespoke suits were rated as being more confident, successful and flexible than men who were non-tailored, off-the-rack suits.

So, how can you create a stylish outfit that embodies professional, success and confidence? First and foremost, you should choose clothes that are properly fitted for your body shape and size. No two men have the exact same body, which is why it’s a good idea to seek custom measurements from a local tailor. Once you’ve found your measurements, you can order clothes to fit. And if a garment is either too big or too small, have it adjusted.

Color coordination will also affect your appearance. Avoid wearing black and brown colors together, opting for a cohesive color palette in which all of the garments flow together.