A lot of men think that by just going out and buying suits and expensive clothing, they’ll look great, but unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Without the knowledge of how to wear those items of clothing in a stylish way, they’re not worth the investment!

Do you think you make any of these mistakes?

Here’s five easy-to-fix mistakes that you should NEVER make (and if you have, we hope never again!)

#1 Wearing a Dress Shirt Untucked

I could walk out of my flat and down the high-street in Newcastle right now and I’d see a plethora of men, both with suits and without, wearing their dress shirts untucked.

Unless your shirt is designed to be worn untucked, tuck it in at all times!

How to tell when to tuck? If there’s excess fabric at the front and back, then it’s designed to be worn tucked in. If you have a casual shirt (especially flannel shirts) that have a small amount of excess at the front and back, then it’s okay to wear these untucked in a casual outfit, but this is the only exception to the rule. Tucking your shirt in creates a slim, sleek outline which is pleasing to the eye and makes you look far more put-together than an untucked shirt does. Simple mistake, simple fix, easy way to look much better!

#2 Clothing that Doesn’t Fit

Learn your measurements guys! If you have clothing that doesn’t fit you, take it to the tailor. Even if you buy an off-the-rack piece of clothing in your size, getting it tailored to fit you perfectly is a very worthwhile investment. The most common mistake I see, especially with suit jackets, is sleeves which are too long. Classic clothing that doesn’t fit you will just make you look childish and will not flatter you at all – the opposite of what it’s meant to do! Don’t just focus on sleeves; the chest size and overall length are two more areas you should seriously consider allowing your tailor to adjust to best suit you.

Brock McGoff has a fantastic guide on how to find a tailor over at The Modest Man, which I’d highly recommend as it goes over everything you need to do to find a quality tailor for your adjustments.

#3 Not Dressing for the Occasion

This covers a range of things, from wearing trainers to the office to wearing black suits in public (black suits are for funerals). If in doubt, always overdress, since you can reduce the formality by removing your pocket square, tie and other items if need be. Under-dressing shows a lack of respect and will make people think you are disinterested, sloppy and lazy. Also, you will look inexperienced and simply as if you don’t know what you are doing. I like this quote from Real Men Real Style’s article on “Proper Men’s Attire For All Occasions“;

“Being a gentleman is knowing that wearing appropriate clothing is not just about him alone. Personal presentation is a reflection of the respect one shows to those around him.”

How you dress has a massive impact on how others perceive you. Try walking into a jewellers wearing a hoodie and tracksuits bottoms, ask to try on a Rolex and see what happens. You’ll probably be shown the door. Try it again wearing a suit, and they will do their utmost to make your experience as pleasant as possible. At it’s core, style and clothing are about two things; representing yourself and showing respect for your surroundings, and by dressing appropriately, not only will others perceive you better, but you will find public interactions to be much easier and more pleasant!

#4 Tie Length

In secondary school, we all did it. Those super-short ties, with super-wide knots that were 2-3 inches from your top button. Some men seem to keep the tradition when it comes to getting older, but weirdly I tend to see more of the opposite – ties which are far too long.

Stop having the point of your tie aimed at your crotch, it’s seriously not a fantastic look!

Learn to tie a knot that flatters your face shape, with the point just touching your trouser line. A Four-in-Hand knot and a Half Windsor knot are two common knots which will cover most face shapes and will compliment your outfit. Ties.com has an extensive list of knots and in-depth how-to guides, so if you want to experiment with your knot, they’re the go-to site!

#5 Shoes and Clothing Don’t Match

This isn’t difficult to get right, so why is this faux pas such a common sight? Your shoes should always match the formality of your clothes. Whilst this rule can be relaxed for casual outfits, it’s a must for formal occasions. The amount of younger men I see wearing trainers and sports shoes with dress shirts is sadly a much more common sight than it should be, as it’s a look that really shows off your immaturity. Dress sneakers are a current fashion trend, but I suggest you steer away from following the crowd as they very rarely (if ever) actually look suitable with your outfit. Gentleman’s Gazette has a ton of in-depth guides regarding what shoes to wear, why to wear them, how to tie them and so forth – they’re a fantastic resource to gather more in-depth knowledge!

Final Thoughts

Whilst this is only a few of the style mistakes men make, these are, in my opinion, the most serious, and by fixing these, you’ll be on the right path to looking a damn sight more stylish!

If you’re looking for some cost-effective ways to look better, check out my previous post “5 Affordable Ways to Elevate Your Style”.

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Featured image photo by Bruce Mars from Pexels.