Denim jeans are the perfect all-around pants for casual events and occasions. They are comfortable, strong, durable and easy to match with other garments. Jeans, however, lack the formality needed for certain formal events and occasions. This is why it’s a good idea to diversify your wardrobe with a slightly more formal pair of pants, such as khakis or chinos.

Photo Credit: Robert Sheie @ www.menswear-market.com

While similar in appearance, khakis and chinos are two unique garments with their own respective characteristics. Some men assume they are the same, but each of these garments are different. So, what’s the difference between khakis and chinos, and which style should you choose?

Khakis

Khakis are usually thicker than their chinos, offering a greater level of warmth for the wearer. They are often make of either cotton or a cotton-polyester blend, with the latter being used for “stretch” khakis. You’ll also notice that khakis are available in both pleated and non-pleated fronts. Pleated fronts were once a popular choice but have declined in popularity over the years. Today, most men prefer non-pleated khakis. This doesn’t apply strictly to khakis, however. Non-pleated pants are often preferred for their clean and modern appearance.

Chinos

Chinos, on the other hand, are usually lighter and thinner than their khaki counterpart. While they are also available in cotton and cotton-polyester blends, chinos are usually made in a lighter fabric like linen. This makes them preferable for warm-weather. Chinos also tend to taper through the leg, becoming more narrow the further down they go. Chinos can be either cuffed or uncuffed.

So, should you wear khakis or chinos? It really depends on your personal style and the occasion during which you’ll wear them. In addition to the nuances listed above, another difference between these two pants lies in their formality. Chinos are typically more formal than khakis, offering a cleaner appearance. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you should avoid wearing khakis for formal occasions, but it’s still something to consider nonetheless. Chinos often have hidden stitching, adding to their formality, whereas khakis have exposed stitching.

Whether you choose to wear khakis or chinos, however, it’s important to pair them with the right shirt. Assuming you choose the traditional “khaki” color (for either khakis or chinos), you shouldn’t have a problem finding a matching shirt. This is because a variety of colors match with khakis, making the process of creating a matching outfit just a little easier.

References:

http://www.realmenrealstyle.com/khakis-versus-chinos/

The winter season is officially here, and with this seasonal transition comes bitterly cold temperatures. Thankfully, you can stay warm and comfortable throughout the winter and beyond by wearing the right jacket. But with so many different jackets, how do you know which to choose?

Material

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a winter jacket is the material. Jackets are made in a variety of different fabrics, including wool, cashmere, polyester, leather, nylon and more. Organic materials like cotton, wool and cashmere are typically the softest and warmest, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are the best. The problem with these materials is their ability to absorb and hold moisture, making them a poor choice to wear on a rainy or snowy day. Synthetic materials like polyester and nylon, on the other hand, are resistant to moisture.

Lining

Even if you choose a jacket made of a waterproof synthetic material, it may feature a soft, organic lining. Jackets such as these offer the best of both words: they are resistant to moisture, yet they are still super soft and comfortable to wear.

Color

The color of your winter jacket will play an important role in its overall appearance. Brown is always a safe choice, as it’s easy to match with other garments (and accessories like your shoes and belt). If you aren’t a fan of brown, perhaps you should choose a black winter jacket. Black is equally as versatile but offers a slightly more formal appearance. In any case, you can’t go wrong with either a brown or black winter jacket.

Hood or No Hood

Something else to consider when choosing a winter jacket is whether or not you need a hood. If you spend a significant amount of time outdoors, then a hood will certainly prove useful. It keeps your head protected from the rain and snow, while also keeping your ears and face warm in the process. But if you spend most of your time indoors, a hooded jacket probably isn’t necessary.

Pockets

Does the jacket have pockets? Some men prefer the clean-cut look of jackets without pockets. While pockets typically don’t offer any aesthetic value, they can improve the function and utility of your winter jacket. Convention wisdom should tell you that wearing a jacket with pockets offers more storage space. If you need to carry small tools and items with you, perhaps these pockets can prove useful.

References:

http://www.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip_400/418_fashion_advice.html

The cold winter temperatures offer the perfect opportunity to bring your sweaters out of storage. Whether it’s cotton, wool or cashmere — or a combination thereof — wearing a sweater will enhance your appearance while keeping you warm and comfortable in the process. But you can add a touch of style to your outfit by pairing it with a dress shirt. However, there are a few things you should know when wearing a sweater over a dress shirt.

Stick with a V-Neck

You have one of two different options when choosing a sweater: you can opt for crew cut, or you can stick with a lower V-cut. Assuming you intend to wear a dress shirt over your sweater, it’s best to stick with the latter. Why is a V-neck preferred? Well, simply because it allows you to show off your dress shirt collar more easily. You can still wear crew-cut sweaters, but they are best worn by themselves rather than paired with a dress shirt.

Line-Dry Your Sweater

Don’t make the mistake of tossing your sweater in the dryer. Depending on what it’s made of, doing so could shrink it — and not by just a size or two. To prevent your sweater from shrinking, it’s recommended that you line-dry it after washing it. An alternative solution is to use a special sweater dryer.

Press Your Shirt Collar

In addition to line-drying your sweater, you should also press your shirt collar. This “look” requires a wrinkle-free collar; otherwise, it’s messy and unflattering. You don’t have to necessarily press your entire dress shirt. Rather, make sure the collar is pressed and wrinkle-free.

Check the Bottom

Something else you should consider when wearing a sweater over a dress shirt is whether or not you can see the bottom of your dress shirt. Ideally, just a small section of fabric from your dress shirt should be visible. If your dress shirt is too big with 6+ inches of fabric showing, you should probably rethink your outfit.

Choose a Contrasting Color

What color dress shirt should you wear under a sweater? A good rule of thumb is to choose a color that contrasts with the color of your sweater. If you wear a white sweater and white dress shirt, the two garments will seemingly blend together, offering nothing in terms of aesthetics. But if you choose a dress shirt in a darker color, such as navy blue, it will stand out.

References:

http://ashleyweston.com/mens-wardrobe-essentials/the-v-neck-sweater/

Ever heard the saying “less is more”? Sure you have! Well, this adage holds true for many areas in life, including men’s fashion. By focusing your outfits around simple, basic garments and accessories, you’ll create a classic look that compliments your personal style. So, how exactly do you build a minimalist wardrobe?

Take Inventory of Your Socks

Socks are a fundamental component of a man’s wardrobe. Regardless of the occasion — casual or formal — you’ll need socks. Unfortunately, though, it’s not uncommon for socks to become lost over time. Instead of 20 pairs of matching socks, perhaps you have just a few matching pairs and a dozen mismatching socks. This is why it’s a good idea to take inventory of your socks, matching them up and discarding the ones without a match.

Remove Damaged Garments

Next up is removing damaged garments from your wardrobe. Even if you take good care of your clothes, some of them will inevitably damage over time. If a shirt has torn fabric, for instance, you should go ahead and remove it from your wardrobe. You don’t have to necessarily throw it away, but you should remove it from your main wardrobe. By eliminating damaged garments such as this, you’ll have an easier time choosing the right clothes to wear — clothes that are actually complete and not damaged.

Separate According to Type

When was the last time that you actually organized your wardrobe? Many men, including myself, are guilty of rarely, if ever, doing this. There’s no time like the present, however, to organize your wardrobe. Go through your clothes and separate them according to type. Maybe you can place your t-shirts at the front of your wardrobe, followed by polo shirts, button-up shirts, and then sweaters. This is just one of the many ways in which you can organize your wardrobe, so feel free to experiment with your own setup.

Define Your Style

You can’t expect to create a minimalist wardrobe without first identifying and defining your style. What type of “look” do you typically go for? No two men have the exact same style, and that’s okay. In fact, it’s actually good to have your own unique style. Once you’ve defined your style, you’ll have an easier time removing unnecessary items from your wardrobe while including more garments that you actually wear and use. So, take a few minutes to think about your personal style and what you hope to achieve with your outfits.

References:

http://lifehacker.com/create-a-minimalist-wardrobe-with-these-essential-cloth-1684956296