Statistics show that the average person only wears 20% of the clothes he or she wears. Even if you have a wardrobe filled with high-quality dress shirts, sweaters, coats and other apparel, it’s doubtful you’ll wear them all. So, what can you do with your old clothes that you no longer wear?

#1) Dye Them

Assuming the garment of clothing is still functional and intact, you can give it a fresh new look by dyeing it. Fabric dye is available at most home goods stores for just a couple bucks, making this is an expensive way to repurpose your old clothes. If you have a pair of faded light jeans, for instance, you can make them darker with indigo-colored  fabric dye.

#2) Consign Them

You can get rid of your old clothes while putting some extra cash in your pocket by selling them to a consignment shop. Not to be confused with thrift stores, consignment shops are more selective in what they buy, typically only accepting gently worn, name brand clothes. Nonetheless, this is an option to consider if you’re looking to clean out your wardrobe.

#3) Swap Them

If you live in or around a major city, perhaps you can swap your old clothes with other like-minded individuals. Countless cities throughout the United States host events during which people can swap their clothes. You might be able to trade a pair of jeans, for instance, for a new shirt or jacket.

#4) Recycle Them

Another idea is to recycle your old clothes. While it’s doubtful you’ll earn cash in exchange for recycling your clothes, this is still a great alternative to tossing them in the trash (or letting them sit in your clothes unused). It’s a little-known fact that most clothes and textiles are near-100% recyclable. When recycled, clothes are broken down into raw materials, after which they are used to make new clothes and other items using the recycled fabric.

#5) Sell Them

Of course, you can always sell your old clothes as well. If they are premium, name brand clothes, chances are other people will be interested in buying them. Listing them on eBay is always worth a shot, or you can sell multiple pieces as a “lot” on Craigslist or other sites.

These are just a few things that you can do with your old clothes. If you aren’t wearing a particular garment — and you have no plans to wear it in the future — there’s no point in keeping it in your closet.

Traditional woolen suits are typically too thick and heavy for the summer. They’ll leave you feeling hot, sweaty and downright uncomfortable. So, if you’ve been invited to a formal occasion this summer, you should choose a different, more appropriate suit. Follow the tips listed below to find the perfect summer-time men’s suit.

Linen

As most men already know, suits are available in a wide range of fabrics, some of which include wool, cotton, corduroy, polyester blends, and linen. The latter, however, is generally recommended for summer use. Linen is a type of lightweight fabric made from the flax plant. In addition to being used in bed linens and sheets, it’s also used in men’s suits. Linen suits are the single best choice for summer time because of their lightweight and “breathable” properties.

Other suit fabrics to consider for the summer include cotton, fresco (a lighter type of wool), chambray and seersucker.

Light Colors

Another helpful tip to follow when choosing a summer suit is to stick with light colors. White is a great choice that reflects the summer season. And contrary to what some people believe, there’s nothing wrong with wearing white to a wedding. With that said, you don’t have to limit yourself to only wearing white. Regardless of the occasion, there are dozens of other colors that are suitable for use during the summer. Light blue, light gray, beige and other pale/light colors are all excellent choices. Just remember to choose a suit color that matches the rest of your outfit.

What About Shorts?

There’s been a growing trend towards the use of shorts instead of trousers for men’s summer suits. While not acceptable for all occasions, there are certainly times during which you can wear shorts. Assuming it’s allowed, this is a fun way to differentiate yourself from the crowd while maintaining a fashion-forward appearance. However, your shorts should still match your suit jacket. Maintaining cohesion between your shorts and jacket is essential to creating an attractive and formal appearance.

Roll Up the Sleeves

One of the perks of wearing a suit during the summer is the freedom it offers to roll up your sleeves. If the weather is nice — and you’re staying outdoors — consider rolling up the sleeves on both your dress shirt and suit jacket. This will keep you cooler while helping you achieve a more summer-appropriate style.

References:

http://www.ties.com/blog/gentlemans-guide-summer-suits

A vest, also known as a waistcoat in the U.K., is a type of sleeveless top that’s frequently worn over a dress shirt and tie but under the coat or jacket, as part of formal wear. When referring to a three-piece business suit, it’s the third piece (the other two being a shirt and jacket or coat). Being that vests are usually optional, however, many men don’t know how to wear them. So, if you’re thinking about wearing a vest but don’t know how, keep reading for some helpful tips.

Choose the Right Color

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a vest is the color. Because it’s worn with a jacket, dress shirt and necktie, you’ll need to choose a color that flows cohesively with the rest of your outfit. A good rule of thumb is to choose a vest color that’s slightly darker than the aforementioned garments and accessories, typically in a color that matches your trousers. As shown in the photo above, this allows for a deeper, more aesthetically pleasing appearance. And best of all, it simplifies the process of choosing a vest color.

Check the Size

In addition to color, you should also consider the size of your vest. If it’s too big, it will awkward and baggy. If it’s too small, it will restrict your movement, preventing you from extending your arms. Your vest should rest against your body, providing you with just enough “wiggle room” to extend your arms up, down and from side to side. If your vest doesn’t fit correctly, consider taking it to a professional tailor for adjusting.

Press it

Don’t make the mistake of wearing a wrinkled vest. Even if it’s the “perfect” size and color, a wrinkled vest isn’t going to enhance your appearance. On the contrary, it creates an unkempt appearance that hurts the rest of your outfit. Depending on the material, you may be able to press it with a hot iron. Some vests, however, are dry clean-only, so check the manufacturer’s care label before attempting to iron it.

The Buttons

Like a suit jacket, you should leave the bottom button on a vest undone while fastening the remaining buttons. This helps to define your appearance while also giving you enough freedom to move around with feeling constricted. Even if you’re wearing a jacket over your vest, you should still follow this basic rule when buttoning your vest.

References:

http://www.realmenrealstyle.com/mans-guide-vests/

Sometimes a traditional necktie just won’t cut it. If you’re headed to a strictly formal event, you want to present yourself in the best possible manner, in which case a bowtie may be preferred. Consisting of ribbon fabric that’s tied or otherwise secured around the collar of a dress shirt, it’s synonymous with formal style. But unless you’ve worn a bowtie before, you may have some questions.

Choosing the Right Type

First, you’ll need to choose the right type of bowtie. While there are countless different styles, most bowties fall under one of three different categories: ribbon, clip-on, or self-tie. A ribbon bowtie is the standard type that’s secured by wrapping the fabric around your collar. The clip-on has an actual clip in the front, and the self-tie has a latching mechanism in the back. Of those three, the ribbon bowtie is preferred, as it offers the cleanest and most sophisticated appearance.

The Color

Of course, it’s also important to choose a bowtie in the right color. A good rule of thumb is to wear a bowtie that’s darker than your dress shirt, unless you’re wearing a white dress shirt in which case a bright color will suffice. If you’re wearing a light blue dress shirt, for instance, consider wearing a darker indigo-colored bowtie. In doing so, you’ll draw attention to your bowtie, enhancing your overall appearance. This rule doesn’t apply strictly to bowties, however. It applies to all ties, including traditional neckties.

Watch the Wrinkles

Don’t make the mistake of wearing a wrinkled bowtie. While bowties are small, they are still highly visible — and wrinkles will only hurt your efforts to achieve a clean, formal appearance. If your bowtie is wrinkled, try pressing it with a warm iron. This should make easy work of stubborn wrinkles and creases. And if that doesn’t work, you can always take it to the dry cleaners for professional servicing.

Symmetrical Design

When securing your bowtie to your dress shirt collar, make sure it’s symmetrical. In other words, don’t allow one side of your bowtie to sit higher or lower than the other side. The bowtie should sit horizontally on your shirt collar, maintaining a straight and even appearance throughout. Thankfully, adjusting a bowtie is usually easy, requiring nothing more than pushing the respective side up or down to balance the look.

References:

http://www.ties.com/blog/happy-national-bow-tie-day-10-tips-for-rocking-your-bow-tie-like-a-pro