“Where do I even start?” It’s a question that’s often asked by guys who have decided to put a little more effort (or any effort) into their appearance. And it’s a great question. Dappered was created, in part, to catalog and learn from the slip-ups made along the way. It’s not easy. And if you’re not at least a little mindful, you can end up wasting a ton of time and money.

As always, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. These aren’t rules. There are always exceptions, and these are more guidelines really. Also, keep in mind that one can go too far in this whole pursuit of “style” thing. It’s easy to overthink and obsess. Keep in mind that style is a means to an end, not the end, and you’ll be looking (and more importantly feeling) better than ever in no time. So by request, here’s what’s hopefully the most useful batch of posts on this site.

Most likely, your money is hard earned, so dropping a big amount on an addition to your wardrobe can be intimidating. That doesn’t always have to be the case though. Here’s our guide to choosing which pieces are worth spending more cash on, and which are not.

An all encompassing guide to buying your first suit. The mistakes to avoid, where to save money when you can, and the importance of the tailoring which needs to get done after. Plus fit tricks, the risks of online vs in-person shopping, and more.

If you’re just getting into “suiting up“, but have no idea which styles to add to your wardrobe first, let this be your guide. A suit can be a big investment, so figuring out what suit is the best investment first, and then moving on down the line, can help you avoid making purchases you regret later.

Over the lifetime of publishing Dappered posts, our editor has learned A LOT. This site came into being because he wanted the clothes he put on his body to match the mentality he was creating about presenting himself well to the world. The style featured on Dappered may not completely resonate with you, but you’ll likely relate to at least a few of these ten observations.

Things to keep in mind for the style newbie, for the guys who have been at it for a while, and for the self appointed style “experts” out there. Even if you’re just starting out, read ahead, and maybe tuck that info away for later use.

Didn’t know there are differences? This handy infographic explains it all. Then head here for the Top 5 Blazers/Sportcoats a guy should own, with suggestions.

A guy in a well tailored sportcoat or blazer looks unfairly good. These jackets (along with suit jackets) are engineered to make us look stronger, leaner, and more confident. But all of those advantages can be nullified by wearing a jacket that’s either too casual or too dressed up for the occasion. Check out this list to be sure you’re not using the wrong coat at the wrong time.

As is often the case, it’s not what you know, but who you know. It’s important for every well dressed guy to have, well, his “guys” (or “gals”) who are his go-tos for looking good, kicking back, and staying healthy. Surround yourself with these important pros, whom you trust and like, and you’ll be well ahead of the rest.

Not sure what makes one dress shoe look a little sleeker, and/or a bit more dressy, than another? Have you heard the terms “Oxford”, “Blucher”, “Derby” and “Balmoral” thrown around, yet don’t know what the heck those terms mean? Once again, we have an inspired infographic to help explain the nuances that set each shoe apart.

Dress shirts aren’t made just to be worn with a suit. You can pair them with denim and a casual blazer in the right situation. Look to The Top 10 Dress Shirts to Own for guidance.

When it comes to looking good in your clothes, fit is key. A well fitting, $250 suit will look 10x better than an ill fitting $1500 suit. But some garments, or areas on an item, are more important than others. Look to The Fit Priority Rankings for guidance on what pieces of clothing look best tailored, and which garments you can get away with not tailoring.

Reference this handy infographic when you’re not exactly sure what areas you should ask a tailor to fit to your measurements. These four basics will ensure you look like you are wearing your clothes, and your clothes aren’t wearing you. (Photo Credit)

We all make them. A few stray hairs here, some dry skin there, or just too much cologne. This post is a good reminder of grooming habits to keep in check. And don’t worry, you’ll get the above picture when you read the post. Or maybe you just did.

In our “What To Look For” series, we lay out the attributes that make an affordable garment or accessory worthy of your hard earned cash. Here’s what to look for:

Looking for curated outfits already put together? Then check out our Style Scenario series. From weekend casual to traditional wedding, or just a cocktail on a patio, it’s good to see a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and personality.

Shoulders! Handshakes! Hugs (sorta). Because the fit, is it. Tricks that aren’t tricky. Pull up a wall. Let’s lean in.

Who doesn’t like saving a buck or two? That’s one of the main reasons why this site exists. But every so often there comes along a product that delivers well above and beyond its asking price (whether that’s thanks to sales and promos, or… *gasp* even at full price). Here’s our favorites that land in that category. The best of the best when it comes to the cost to value ratio from the world of men’s style.

It’s easy (once you get the hang of it) to create a polished look on the outside by putting on some stylish, well fitting duds. But what about self care that has nothing to do with clothes? Ever heard the saying “putting lipstick on a pig?” Right. You can be dressed to the nines in the best of the best, but that can easily be all for naught if you’re simply papering over the underlying cracks. Use these tips to work on those less superficial aspects of yourself.

You have the basics down. You know what to look for in a suit and what to have a tailor possibly do to it. You know you don’t have to dress like a slob in your downtime. You know the difference between a sportcoat and a suit jacket, and an oxford and a derby. But what about that last… little bit, that can help you stand apart from the rest of the well dressed fellas out there? Y’know, without overdoing it. Here’s a dozen things that could help you do just that.

We’re not calling you out if you have your wardrobe dialed in. Far from it. But in the online world of men’s style, where guys post pictures of themselves, things can get “judgey” real quick. So take it with a grain of salt. That wrinkle you see in the shoulder of a suit jacket in a picture? In real life, when you’re actually moving around, it won’t be an issue. Just a friendly reminder to not take all of this too seriously. Enjoy the process of finding your own style, and leave the negativity to the trolls.

So you got a bunch of cool clothes and shoes. That’s awesome! But there are a few things worth acquiring that’ll help you keep those shoes and shirts and suits and all that in good shape. Good, easy maintenance & smart storage will do wonders for the life of your wardrobe.

Getting dressed can be surprisingly difficult. But even when you get good at it, it’s still just knowing what clothes look better on you than others. Use your sense of style for more than just aesthetics. It’s a tool. Go do something with it. The world is your oyster. Get to shuckin’ you handsome devil!