Men's Guide to Getting Dressed

Fellas, here's your primer for dressing yourself confidently. If you want a more advanced lesson, follow the links on the Style Resources for Men or go to the specific articles of clothing in the Clothing for Men directory.

• Wash your clothes regularly--with soap. Remember clothing comes with washing directions on its tags--read them or suffer the consequences.
• If it says "Dry Clean Only," take it to the dry cleaner's. Find a reputable cleaner in your area (ask a well-groomed neighbor or friend) and invest in proper care of your garments.
• Are you a messy eater? Lucky for you, Science Daily has a guide on how to remove 250 types of stains from your clothes.

• Clothing will either have a numerical measure or be on the small to x-large scale.
• Pants  are measured with your waist circumference and inseam length in inches. Run a flexible tape measure around your waist and up your inner leg to get these numbers.
• If pants drags, they don't fit. Hem them or buy another pair.
• Jackets ' shoulders should be exactly as wide as yours--No more, no less. A tailor cannot take in shoulders or lapels, but everything else on a jacket can be altered.
• Dress shirts  are generally labeled by neck size and sleeve length. Measure both on your body and buy accordingly.
• Ties  should hit your belt, no more, no less. Buy a length that does that.
• If it hurts, binds or pinches, it doesn't fit.
• If ankles and wrists are popping out when you cross your arms and legs, it doesn't fit.
• If better-dressed friends offer to take you shopping when you're wearing a particular article of clothing, it doesn't fit--toss it.
• Remember, a tailor can make anything smaller, but very few people can make something bigger.
• Sizes differ from brand to brand. It's more important to find something that fits well, rather than something that conforms to the number you think you are.
• Reevaluate (in the mirror) every few months to see if you look too skinny or fat for your clothing.

• Colors you should not combine:
• Black and navy blue.
• Light grey and light khaki.
• Brown and black is a negotiable pairing. Black shoes do not belong with a brown outfit and vice versa.
• Prints of the same general "weight" (e.g., thick stripes with thick checks, tiny polka dots with pinstripes) should not be mixed.
• Prints of different "weights" (e.g., pinstripes with big diagonal stripes) can be mixed.
• Pleated pants are the mark of a man who hasn't bought new pants in six years.
• Ditto for woven belts, cargo pants, and acid-washed, tapered, carpenter, and black jeans.
• Socks should match your pants.
• If not monochrome, socks should be darker than your pants and lighter than your shoes.
• Belts  should match your shoes.
• Short sleeve shirts never get ties.
• Suspenders and belts are mutually exclusive. Do not combine them.
• Never button the bottom button of a suit or blazer.
• Your shirt sleeve and shirt collar should extend past your jacket sleeve and collar, but just a bit.
• Pocket squares, in the breast pocket of a suit, should accent your tie.
• Once you graduate to upper tiers of fashion, you can break any number of these rules.

Jeans  and a white T-shirt .

Don't know why, but it's damn sexy.

A soft sweater  and flat-front khakis .

Women love a man who's strong and soft.

Simple boxer briefs  and a smile.

Conservative

Style demands:

• Suit ,dress shirt  and tie  are required.
• Dress shoes  required. Shoes should match belt in color.
• Must wear socks  (no holes).
• Dark suits  are preferred.

Conservative offices include, but certainly aren't limited to: law firms, accounting firms, government agencies, and the banking industry.

There are two guides designed to help guys in conservative workplaces pull it together: Shirts and Ties and Suits.  These two articles will help the fashion neophyte look appropriate in the most stuffy office.

Business Casual

Style demands:

• No denim.
• Shirts  must have collars.
• Loafers  are acceptable--skip the sandals and flip flops.
• A tie is not necessary.
• A sportcoat  or blazer  is a nice touch (especially for managers).
• Shirts should be tucked into pants.

The pants guide will help you decide what bottoms to wear to flatter your look and your wallet.

Casual

Style demands;

• Look clean and tidy--no holes in your clothes.
• No ratty sneakers.
• Avoid t-shirts with writing on them.

Casual office attire would be suitable for men who are in construction, deliveries, maintenance, repair, or other jobs that are physically demanding and may result in stains and sweat.

If you are gunning to move up in your present job to a position in management, dressing well can show you've got what it takes to get out of the trenches and into a desk job.

Jobs in fashion, advertising, public relations, media, film and television and a few other creative industries often have their own clothing standards.

How to dress:

1. Observe your coworkers and take their lead.
2. Once you feel comfortable in your position, take a few fashion risks and gauge the reactions of your coworkers.
3. Subscribe to a men's magazine like GQ ,Men's Vogue , or Esquire  to keep up to date on the trends.

Things that may be acceptable:

• turtlenecks 
• flat front trousers 
• denim worn with a blazer 
• bright colors and bold patterned shirts 

According to Rutger's University these are the basic standards for a standard first job interview:

• A two-piece suit in a solid color.
• Shirts should be solid blue or white.
• Ties should have a simple pattern is best for an interview.
• Shoes should be polished and socks should be high enough so no skin is visible when you sit down and cross your legs.

Don't forget:

• Skip the cologne.
• Shoes and belts should match in color.
• Keep the jewelry to a minimum: watch and wedding band.

Of course, use your noggin when planning your interview wardrobe.  Obviously if you are applying for a job where you'd look absurd walking into the lobby in a suit and tie--skip them and dress like your potential coworkers.

Hair Care for Men

Organic Health and Beauty Products for Men

Men's Grooming

Fashion for Men

Men's Winter Style Guide