We’re all familiar with polo shirts. A men’s clothing staple since its popularization as a tennis shirt in the 1920s, the simple polo has, in some cases, remained largely the same. Short sleeves. A simple collar. Solid colors or simple stripes.

But in other regards, it’s evolved. Today, you can find new spins on the humble polo that utilize exciting patterns, rich fabrics, and unique fits.

Of course, some polo shirts are intended to be subdued. Ones you can wear to the office, to a decent restaurant, or to a country club. The more exciting options typically serve a more casual purpose, as excellent choices for nightclub and poolside excursions.

But whichever type of polo speaks more to your personal tastes, not all of them are created equally. Cheap fabrics and unbreathable materials don’t exactly make for a good addition to your wardrobe, and pieces that are simply too generic run the risk of making you look a bit dull.

So, here are our top recommendations for the best polo shirts a man can buy in 2024. Read on to discover your new favorite!

The Best Budget Polo: Performance Pique Polo by Abercrombie & Fitch

If you’re looking for one of the cheapest options that still serves up great style, A&F’s Performance Pique Polo has everything you want, and then some.

Made from 96% cotton and 4% elastane to provide a drop of comfortable stretch, this pick features moisture-wicking properties and a classic, three-button placket. It comes in four great colors, though we’re partial to the dark brown!

For less than $35 when frequently on sale, this is one polo you can’t pass up.

The Best Basic Polo: Double L® Polo Banded, Short-Sleeve Without Pocket by L.L. Bean

Basic doesn’t have to be boring. If anything it should be solid. Sturdy. A reliable wardrobe staple. Which is exactly what this pick from legendary clothing brand L.L. Bean has to offer.

You can always rely on L.L. Bean for quality, and this polo is no exception. It’s made from 100% cotton and comes in over ten colors. To top it all off, there’s no annoying tag to tickle your neck, and it costs less than $40. What more could you want?

The Best Comfort Polo: Sueded Cotton Polo by Buck Mason

Comfort needn’t sacrifice style, as California-based brand Buck Mason so expertly demonstrates here with its Sueded Cotton Polo shirt. You can expect excellent construction with a super-soft feel that’s reminiscent of a well-worn t-shirt.

Its unique, ultra-soft texture is all thanks to the 145 GSM cotton jersey fabric, and it has a timeless look with a slight vintage twist. There are ten classic colors to choose from, and for $75, we think this polo is well worth the price of admission.

The Best Pocketed Polo: Luxury-Touch Pique Polo by Banana Republic

Banana Republic is far from the mall-brand clothing supplier you once knew. They’ve gone back to the roots of the brand and keep releasing absolute bangers onto the men’s fashion market.

Take this shirt for instance. It’s outfitted with Banana Republic’s signature all-cotton Luxury-Touch fabric, which is soft to the touch and features a subtle knitted texture.

You also get a sharp pocket on the breast, with clean lines and a straight hem. There are ten colors available too, with some especially eye-catching hues.

The best part? It’s often on sale for under $60.

The Best Preppy Polo: Classic Piqué Polo Shirt by J.Crew

The polo shirt is well-steeped in the history of prep and ivy style, so it’s refreshing to see some pieces lean into that.

J. Crew’s Classic Pique Polo Shirt features color-contrasting tips along the collar and sleeves, as well as a tennis tail that hangs slightly longer in the back. These details give this one a slightly sportier look, but don’t be fooled – it’s still a highly refined choice, made from 100% cotton.

It’s available in two colorways as well as classic and slim fit options, all for less than $40 on sale ($80 regularly).

The Best Classic Knit Polo: Liam Sweater Polo by Marine Layer

We love the color and texture options on this pick from Marine Layer. Their Liam Sweater Polo is made from a unique cotton, nylon, and wool hybrid fabric, maximizing comfort and a bit of added warmth.

Don’t worry though, this one’s still plenty breathable, so you’ll hardly break a single sweat while serving up great style.

The Eucalyptus version is fully cotton, however, and features an extra unique texture.

You can snag this one for as low as $108.

The Best Poolside Polo: Sand Crochet Buttonless Polo by SUITSUPPLY

For an ultra-casual, laid-back look, consider this crochet-textured polo as a top-tier choice. Made from 70% cotton and 30% silk, you can expect this shirt to be incredibly soft and tremendously comfortable.

Its buttonless design keeps things more casual than usual, and the semi-sheer effect makes this a perfect pick for relaxing by the pool. Ribbed hem and cuffs add a touch of elegance, however, making this piece easy to dress up or down as you please.

For $159, you get a heck of a lot of versatility out of one garment.

The Best Textured Polo: Cotton Cable-Knit Short-Sleeve Polo Sweater by Brooks Brothers

Brooks Brothers is an enduring icon of American menswear, so don’t be surprised that their polo shirt offerings can keep up with the best of them.

Their Cotton Cable-Knit Short-Sleeve Polo Sweater is richly textured and highly stylish. Of course, you can expect a 100% cotton construction and a ribbed hem to give this shirt tons of smart shaping.

The sleeves are composed of a contrasting jersey cotton, offering extra comfort and movement. In truth, this shirt nearly doubles as a performance polo, only its sharper qualities might be more at home in a country club.

Priced at $118 and with three clean color options for you to pick from, this is most certainly an outstanding choice.

The Best Retro Knit Polo: Goodfellas Salerno Knit Shirt by Scott Fraser Collection

The best knit polos have a distinguishable retro quality to them, and sometimes, that vintage style is the look you really want to go for. Interestingly enough, the best retro option on this list is also the most flexible, thanks to British brand Scott Fraser Collection.

Directly inspired by a shirt worn by Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) in Goodfellas (1990), this shirt might be the most stylish take on the polo we’ve featured yet. With distinctive vertical stripes in hues of blue, plus a dash of crimson, this is one shirt that’ll make you stand out.

It’ll run you a steep 257 GBP (roughly $328 USD), but Scott Fraser Collection knows that full-buttoned knit polos are often best worn with a tank underneath. That’s why they’ve sweetened the deal and offer you two complimentary vest tank tops with a purchase of this shirt, in either white or black.

The Poshest Polo: Linen Montauk Sweater Polo by Todd Snyder

We don’t know how they keep doing it, but Todd Snyder constantly excels at men’s style season after season. Their Linen Montauk Sweater Polo is arguably the poshest polo on this list, with five colors/texture varieties and a sleek, buttonless design.

Thanks to its 81% linen and 19% cotton blend, you get all the breathability you could want with less of the common linen wrinkling – making sure this shirt stays sleek and sharp around the clock. Its subtle ribbed trip provides a fine amount of detailed shaping, and the fabric is silky-soft, promising to be one of the most comfortable shirts you’ll ever own.

It costs just under $280, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find another shirt offering this level of quality and style around that price point.

The Wrap-Up

A good polo doesn’t need to break the bank, and you can find some great deals on solid products if you’re willing to dig a bit into the dense menswear market. Other times, you might be considering an investment piece to last you springs and summers for years to come.

Either way, you can count on Real Men Real Style to break it all down for you. We want you to dress your best, which is why we’ve taken the time putting together this list of the best polo shirts you can buy in 2024.

When it comes to polo shirts, there’s a fine line between classic and boring, and between stylish and garish. Our goal is to show you some of the very best styles for every need and budget. Stay sharp!

The post The Best Men’s Polo Shirts Make Good Style Simple appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

Dad style has been just about everywhere for the past several years. It started with the return of chunky sneakers. Suddenly, we looked down to discover we were all wearing New Balances again. Gradually, it developed into a wider appreciation of old band tees, classic fit blue jeans, ball caps, braided belts, and a whole lot more.

But what exactly is dad style? And how can you nail the look for yourself?

Well, it can be tricky to pinpoint, because dad style is a constantly evolving force of nature. What your dad wears today might not mirror the fatherly uniform of the early 2000s, late 90s, and so on.

To truly understand dad style, its better aspects, and what is worth emulating, simply read on. Or call your dad – afterwards, that is.

Enduring Classics

A great deal of what we now refer to as dad style is really just classic men’s style pieces that have stood the test of time. Wardrobe staples for generations that are reliable, versatile, and practical. Here are a few examples to give you an idea of what we mean:

• Khakis and Chinos: While originally designed to outfit British troops, khakis have cemented themselves as one of the foundational pieces of any man’s wardrobe – and that especially applies to dads. They’re a lot like blue jeans in that they pretty much go with anything, but with an ounce of more formality.

• The Oxford Shirt: Button-down shirts aren’t always formal, and the oxford shirt is proof that casual can still look incredibly sharp and put together. Their iconic buttoned collar points are a trademark of classically casual style. Crafted from typically thicker, structured, cotton oxford cloth, these shirts pair perfectly with anything – and are especially at home with a reliable pair of khakis or chinos.

• Blue Jeans: Possibly the most iconic piece of clothing ever created, dads of decades past did a lot of the legwork to get these denim icons where they are today! The most classic blue jeans are also the ones typically favored by dads, from brands like Levi’s, Wrangler, Lee, and other denim powerhouses.

• Chunky Knitwear: The best dads among us favor sweaters with a bit of extra thickness about them. No wimpy, thin merino knits. Think of chunky shetland wools, lambswool fair isle crew necks, fisherman sweaters, cable-knits.

• Crew Neck T-Shirts: Until millennials started becoming fathers, you wouldn’t have caught any dad dead wearing a v-neck tee. The way a classic crew-neck hugs the neck just feels incredibly dad-like. Then, once they tucked them into their jeans? That's a fatherly aura, no question.

• Chunky Sneakers: Remember what your old man wore when he used to mow the lawn? Money has it that he was sporting a pair of classic white New Balances. Other classic chunky sneakers might hail from brands like ASICS, Saucony, or HOKA.

• Loafers: When dad wasn’t wearing big sneakers, he might have been wearing a knockaround pair of loafers. Loved for their ability to traverse the lands between formal and casual, loafers are an enduring staple of classic men’s style, and hence, dad style.

Good Dad Style vs Bad Dad Style

A clash of titans, to be sure. But in all honesty, the differentiation between what makes a dad fit good and what makes one bad often comes down to the execution. Pulled off correctly, dad style signals a sense of responsibility, reliability, a dorky charm that you can trust and share a beer with while debating which of The Eagles’ songs is their very best.

Bad dad style? It’s sloppy. Past its prime. Things don’t fit like they did when the old man was in college, and he seems painfully unaware of this fact. Basketball shorts with flip-flops and hockey jersey from college that’s about to burst at the seams. Bad dad style doesn’t age gracefully.

Imagine two versions of a dad. One is wearing the lousy outfit described above. Oh, and he uses 5-in1 shampoo/body wash, to really sell the idea that this is a poorly-adjusted man.

The second version of your dad is wearing classic blue jeans by Lee. They’re a bit loose, but they fit him well, secured with a brown braided leather belt. He’s wearing a classic white t-shirt adorned with a tasteful Miller Lite logo. His shoes? Chunky and white. A ball cap celebrating his favorite team. He’s got a great stache, too.

Now think, which dad exudes confidence and responsibility? Which one will be able to teach you how to do your taxes, realistically?

Get what we’re saying? The best dad style is definitely a bit dorky, sure. But it’s also put-together, in its own way. It shows care and commitment. He knows how to dress up just fine too, when the occasion calls for it. He’s not blissfully unaware. His style communicates that he’s got a strong head on his shoulders.

The short version? Always strive for dorky charm over sloppiness.

When Dad Style is Suddenly Cool

The thing is, dad style can be objectively sharp, too. Dorky charm is, well, charming. But the best dad style indicates that pops knows how to dress up a bit when he needs to. It all comes down to his understanding of the classics, beyond just the most casual types of attire.

Here are a few easy steps and rules worth following.

• Sure, khakis are involved. But at their best, they’re not just any old pair. They’re full-fitting through the leg and the seat, giving the legs room to breathe. They sit higher on the waist, elongating the leg profile. They might even have a couple of pleats, to add visual depth and perhaps some extra space for thicker thighs.

• Those oxford shirts we mentioned before? Trust us, styled properly, they can look plenty cool. Again, fit is key here. The ideal oxford shirt is on the thicker side, and not terribly tight-fitting. If anything, it should be ever so slightly loose! Tucked in and with the sleeves rolled up, it creates the perfect masculine silhouette. Wearing a ribbed tank top undershirt? Pop a few buttons to expose it for extra burly dad points.

• Add a pair of full-grain leather loafers. Ones with tassels are especially fun, and they look great with a matching leather belt and watch strap.

• Heading to dinner? The versatility of this particular fatherly uniform allows it to be dressed up with total ease. All you need is a classic sport coat or blazer and you’re good to go. Go for an iconic navy blazer with gold buttons for a dash of preppiness, or perhaps a tweed sport coat to get some extra texture mileage.

Cool dads get that classic style never goes out of, well, style.

That’s why they commit to wearing foundational pieces that fit them well and work for a variety of situations. Casually, they refuse to look sloppy. Formally, they know what good tailoring is. In-between? They combine the two effortlessly.

Where to Shop for Dad Style Staples

So, you want to try it out for yourself? We don’t blame you. There’s something special about this whole genre. It’s like a soft-spin on classic menswear, but not so stuffy that it doesn’t permit you to break out shorts and a tee. But those shorts will be glorious, no doubt about it.

Here’s where to shop to get your hands on some wardrobe classics, and to find even more style inspiration.

• J.Crew: The kings of mall-prep and more recently, a return to their signature looks. Their current offerings are filled to the brim with dad-core pieces at a solid value, especially if you shop their frequent sales.

• Brooks Brothers: The granddaddy of American tailoring still has a ton to offer for slightly more sophisticated dad-inspired looks. Their oxford shirts won’t fail you, and they’re a good shout for some solid blazers, as well.

• New Balance: The king of iconic chunky sneakers, they currently offer a ton of fashion-forward options within the lifestyle and running shoe categories. Our tip? Go for something neutral, in white, gray, or beige, for maximum versatility. Their limited Made in the USA line will make your old man proud, too.

• Ralph Lauren: If you want some of the best, most timeless pieces currently available on the market, head to Ralph. From great khakis to excellent oxford shirts, not to mention spectacular knitwear and tailoring, Ralph Lauren is a shortcut to enduring dad style with a dash of elegance.

• G.H. Bass: One of the best options for a wide range of loafers, you can count on G.H. Bass for quality. If you’re feeling even more adventurous, they offer some killer lug-soled boat shoes, too. Now that’s hardcore dad-mode.

• Wrangler: With some of the best value jeans available, you can’t go wrong with Wranglers. Their Cowboy Cut jeans are especially popular, and with their slightly higher rise, absolutely scream dad vibes. In the best way, of course.

• Levi’s: Possibly the most iconic denim brand of all time, Levi’s is favored by just about everyone, and that includes stylish dads. Their 501s are timeless, but if you want our expert advice, go for their 501 ‘93 Straight Fit jeans for a slightly more retro look that your own dad very well may have worn himself.

Dad Style Endures

From icons like Tom Selleck to Billy Crystal, dad-core has been at the center of attention for longer than you’d think. It just took a bit for everyone to put a name on it.

While at its core, dad style is just about wearing classic pieces well, it’s also about standing firmly in the camp of good taste, exuding a sense of reliability and confidence.

Dad style can be dressed up. It can be dressed down. But it will always be an excellent source of style inspiration, no matter the occasion.

The post Style Inspo: How To Dress Like A (Cool) Dad appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

A lot of the time, guys looking for fashion advice or ways to scale their personal style find that some recommendations lean either too casual or too formal for everyday wear.

Boxy Carhart jackets and impeccably tailored suits are each great in their own right, but sometimes you just want to know how to dress “better” without feeling particularly dressed up or down.

Enter, “smart casual.” While technically quite a large umbrella term used to refer to all manner of aesthetics and styles, the fundamental guiding principle behind smart casual attire is the perfect balance between presentability and versatility. Outfits that you can wear almost anywhere, at almost any time.

Smart Casual “Twist”

The most basic casual uniform for most guys usually consists of jeans and a t-shirt. Maybe shorts if it’s especially hot out. While this baseline can be done better than you’d expect, it will rarely transcend its casual limits. Unless you add a twist – but more on that in a bit.

On the other end of the style spectrum, a dark navy or black worsted wool suit, worn with a white dress shirt, tie, and dress shoes is more or less the most formal most men will have to dress, unless you get invited to a lot of black or white tie events.

However, some mistakenly chalk up all suits as equal, that by virtue of being a suit alone, formality is at play. But in truth, tailoring can be worn casually as well. With a twist, once again.

This “twist” is understanding how to bridge casual pieces with more formal ones, either by utilizing the high-low dress theory or by simply refining the details of an existing casual ensemble.

There’s certainly more than one way to do smart casual, but the basic understanding of how clothing articles communicate with one another is what leads to successful outfits.

Sounds confusing? Don’t worry, by the end of this guide, you’ll have a sharp understanding of smart casual style philosophy, and you’ll undoubtedly come away with several outfit ideas you’ll want to recreate.

Wearing vs Styling

We weren’t kidding when we said a t-shirt and jeans can be elevated. The difference is in the details, or rather, “styling” an outfit instead of just “wearing” one.

Wearing a t-shirt and jeans means exactly just that. You’re wearing them. Not much thought went into them. You threw on the first pair of sneakers you could find and headed out the door.

But styling essentially means that you’ve considered everything from the ground-up. For starters, you’ll want to make sure that the t-shirt and jeans fit within certain parameters.

Go for a shirt that either has a tasteful crop, ending just around the waist. If it’s on the longer side, consider tucking it in. Many have an aversion to tucking in tees, and when done poorly, it can look quite silly. But trust us here. Trust the process.

Pair your t-shirt with well-fitting jeans. This means they shouldn’t be strangling your legs. Go for a classic straight fit jean at the very least, but if you want to express a more distinctive silhouette, feel free to go looser.

Your jeans should also be at least mid-rise. High-rise jeans are even better. This might be a bit tricky at first, because a lot of jeans on the market today are low-rise. But once you find the right air, you’ll understand.

A higher rise visually elongates your legs and breaks up your proportions in a way that is flattering on most body types. Jeans that are too tight or too low will make your legs look spindly or shorter than they actually are.

Once you have the right t-shirt and jeans combo, it’s time to style things up. You want to elevate this casual outfit. That means choosing the right finishing touches.

Consider loafers for your footwear, as they straddle the line between casual and formal perfectly. There’s hardly a more versatile shoe, and with a t-shirt and jeans, they still feel right at home.

For an ivy-inspired look, dare to wear them with white socks. If that’s too bold for you, go with something otherwise neutral. If loafers aren’t your speed, consider other options such as chelsea boots, western boots, lug-soled boat shoes, derbies, or something similar.

You’ll want a belt to match, too. It’s important that the leather is the same tone as your shoes, or you risk throwing off the outfit’s harmony. If the weather permits it, the next best thing you can add to this casual ensemble to smarten it up is a cardigan sweater, or another flexible layer, like a chore jacket or something similar.

There are many fabrics, patterns, and overall fits to choose from here, so just go with something that speaks to you. Finish it off with some tasteful jewelry, like a slim watch, rings, or chain necklace. The result is still casual, but elevated enough to feel “smart.”

Tailoring Does Not Equal Stuffy

A common misconception held by many men newer to the fashion scene is that tailoring, whether in the form of blazers, sport coats, trousers, or even full suits, are always, without exception, formal pieces. This couldn’t be further than the truth.

While a dark, worsted wool suit will almost always lean formal, there’s a whole world of casual tailoring out there that can help you build the perfect smart casual wardrobe.

It comes down to understanding the contextual history and aesthetics of various fabrics, patterns, and which pieces can be worn together.

We’ve written previously on what makes a suit casual, but the most basic principle is that tailored garments in casual fabrics such as tweed wool, cotton, linen or corduroy, will always be able to work, well, casually.

And this knowledge will prove invaluable when trying to level up casual outfits into smart casual ones.

Wearing jeans with an oxford cloth button down and cowboy boots? Take a page out of Ralph Lauren’s personal style book and throw on a gray tweed sport coat. It’s not a suit jacket. It’s a genuine sport coat. So, somehow, it just works.

Got an office outfit consisting of khakis, a knit sweater, and chunky dad sneakers? Go the extra mile and toss a corduroy jacket into the mix. The result might seem a bit too 90s dad-core at first, but you know what? Sometimes dads are cool.

This applies to pants too. Tailored trousers, especially ones with extra details like pleats, are a great way to elevate an otherwise casual outfit.

Wear them with a tee. Wear them with a knit polo shirt. They carry a permanent baseline of elegance, instantly smartening up almost any outfit.

You can even go full suit and achieve a look that still reads as smart casual – so long as the suit is, once again, made from a casual fabric. Paired with anything from a denim shirt to a turtleneck sweater, chances are you’ll pull it off spectacularly.

The point is, tailoring is basically a cheat code. Used correctly, it can bring almost any outfit up a few notches.

A Bit of Texture, A Lot of Impact

A popular outfit that many men nowadays default to entails some mix of athleisure “stretch-infused” pants, dri-fit golf polos, and either white sneakers or sneaker-dress shoe hybrids. This is, for better or worse, the standard outfit for many men in the business casual world. But business casual can be done better.

One of the issues with the aforementioned outfit is that it’s simply too flat. It lacks texture and depth. In short – it’s a bit boring.

To rectify this, remember the following: if an outfit isn’t interesting through color, it should be interesting through shape. And if it isn’t interesting through shape, it should be interesting through texture. If you have a good handle on all of these, try all three.

Texture is arguably the most important aspect of this trifecta.

Want to do smart casual ensembles well? Seeking out garments with texture is a great shortcut. Swap out that synthetic golf polo for a knit one instead. Opt for textured knitwear instead of flat merino wool weaves. Corduroy pants are great for the fall and winter. Suede loafers can be a lot of fun, too.

Get the idea? There’s a whole world of extra “oomph” factor waiting for you and your daily outfits if you successfully incorporate texture into your wardrobe. And it’s a sure way to do smart casual with prowess.

The Little Things

Lastly, it’s vital to touch on some of the oft-overlooked details that can transform an otherwise humdrum outfit into something special.

Let’s say you’ve got the gist already. Pleated corduroy trousers. An oxford cloth button down worn with a rich shetland knit sweater. Lush leather loafers. This outfit is interesting! It’s got depth, it’s textured, and most importantly, it’s smart. But it can still risk being a bit dull or amateur, if you don’t apply the right finishing touches.

A bad belt, for example, can throw everything off. In most smart casual looks, your top will often be tucked, making the belt visible. You don’t have to be a leather expert to spot a cheap fake leather belt from a mile away.

At the same time, logo-centric buckles may be from high quality designer brands, but they can be rather tacky. Try to go for full-grain leather, and make sure the metals of the belt buckle don’t clash with the other metals in your outfit. Consider your watch and other jewelry.

Speaking of watches, note that while smaller, flatter watches are highly en vogue and flatter most wrists, get something a bit larger if you have big hands. But don’t go too large, because mammoth-sized timepieces are in poor taste, too.

Finally – take care of your garments properly. A good wardrobe is only as good as it actually lasts you. To extend the lifetime of your clothing and keep them looking their best, follow the instructions on the care tag. Prioritize natural fabrics. And never, ever put cashmere in the dryer.

All in all, smart casual style is all about finding the balance between being boring and being overdressed.

It’s easier said than done, because it requires a trained eye and some trial and error. But when in doubt, you can always come back and refer to this guide as a jumping-off point.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Smart Casual Style For Men: 2024 Edition appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

“A don doesn’t wear shorts.”

Words uttered by fictional New York mob boss Carmine Lupertazzi Sr. to Tony Soprano during an exchange between the two in the fourth season premiere of The Sopranos. Essentially, the older man was admonishing Tony for having previously sported a pair of shorts in public. He felt it was immature. Unbecoming. He was wrong, however.

The thing is, we get where Carmine is coming from. Sometimes, shorts don’t meet the level of formality required for a particular setting or event. But we’re not talking about those instances. When it gets really hot out and you don’t have a member of the old mafia guard mumbling in your ear otherwise, shorts simply get the job done.

Only, some shorts do it better. With the rapid approach of summer, we’re here to tell you that cool shorts come in all types of configurations. Different inseam lengths. Different fabrics. The works.

So come along for the ride. We’re taking you on a tour of the best men’s shorts for summer 2024. With so many to choose from, it was hard to narrow them down. But consider the work done for you. Oh, and stick around to the end to see our top pick!

The Best Basic Shorts: 5” Stretch Chino Short by J.Crew

Sometimes you’ve gotta start simple. And that’s exactly where this pair comes in. J.Crew has been supplying fellas with enduring American classics for decades, and if there’s one thing you can rely on them for (besides Ivy-inspired bangers), it’s good closet staples.

Their 5-inch inseam Stretch Chino Shorts get a lot right. For one, they’re arguably the best length you can get. Many agree that a 5-inch inseam is ideal.

There’s something about a short that’s well, short. It lets you show off the goods! In this case, your legs. But there’s also a nice bit of stretch in the mix here, making these perform a heck of a lot better than stiffer counterparts.

With ten colors and a timeless look, these will run you about $50, but select colors go on sale frequently. Don’t miss out.

The Best Classic Shorts: 6-Inch Stretch Classic Fit Chino Short by Polo Ralph Lauren

Looking for something a tad bit more “old money?” Pardon our use of the TikTok-ified term, but Ralph Lauren’s aesthetics often lean into something adjacent to a lifestyle filled with country clubs and true American class.

Their 6-inch Stretch Classic Fit Chino Shorts fit right in with all of that. With six colors and a flattering length, this pair will be sure to impress. Subtle features such as the tabbed-button rear pockets and the tastefully applied, iconic Polo logo all make them an absolute winner.

Our bet? Go with the Deckwash White color for a good mix of versatility and elegance. Oh, and they’re under $90, too.

The Best Textured Shorts: 5 1/2″ Corduroy Everywear Shorts by Madewell

One of the best style hacks you can ever learn is that texture is seriously important.

Outfit feeling a bit dull? Nine times out of ten it’s because things are too flat. A great way to add more visual interest is by incorporating texture through fabric. In the case of these shorts by Madewell, that would be corduroy.

Though typically a fabric most associated with autumn, winter, and the mild days of spring, these work for summer just as well in short form. With a perfect 5 ½-inch inseam and a comfortable elastic waistband, these shorts are a great addition to any casual ensemble.

They come in some brilliant colors, too, such as Warm Coffee and Dusty Laurel. The best part? They’re less than $70.

The Best Sweat Shorts: Austin International Sweat Short by Saturdays New York City

If it’s maximum comfort you crave, look no further than the Austin International Sweat Shorts by Saturdays New York City. They come in a heathered gray as well as black, and they’ve got a solid 6-inch inseam to keep your legs free during the summer heat.

That doesn’t mean these are flimsy, though. They’re constructed from a heavyweight 14oz loopback terry that gives them a great bit of shaping – something you often don’t expect from a pair of sweat shorts. And yet, somehow, they get softer with each and every wash/wear. For less than $100, these are an excellent option you won’t regret.

The Best Military-Inspired Shorts: 5” Officer Short by Todd Snyder

Remember what we said about lending your outfits a bit of interest through texture? Well, another method is through shape and drape, both of which can be achieved through a couple of well-crafted pleats.

Pleated shorts have had somewhat of a comeback in the men’s fashion landscape, and we’re fully onboard. Todd Snyder’s 5” Officer Shorts are a great way to try out the look.

Inspired by old military shorts and crafted from 100% cotton, these shorts are tastefully short with a 5-inch inseam and feature double pleats, as well as a coin pocket. They’re a bit pricier at $148, but for Todd Snyder quality, they’re well worth the price of admission.

The Best Linen Shorts: 7.5 Pleated Linen Short by J.Crew

When it’s absolutely scorching out there, sometimes regular shorts simply won’t do. In that case, it’s time to go full throttle and break out the linen. J.Crew appeared already on this list, but they just have too many great options to offer, like their 7.5” Pleated Linen Short.

Despite their longer length, the extra shaping provided by the single pair of pleats makes these a timeless pair with a bit of extra dimension. Not to mention that flapped coin pocket, which makes for a nice additional touch. They’ll run you just under $90, but when it’s really toasty outside, you’ll be thankful you picked these up.

The Best Loose Denim Shorts: Men’s 5 Star Carpenter Short In Mid Indigo by Wrangler

Yep, jorts are back. If you’ve paid any attention to fashion spaces online, you might have noticed an uptick in denim short wearers over the past couple of years. But thankfully, today’s denim shorts are a lot cooler than the ones you wore in middle school. And with the right styling? They can look downright killer.

Currently, like many other fashion-forward shorts, jorts tend to be among one of two camps. One is loose and long. The other is a more traditional length and slimmer. Both are valid. But if you’re intrigued by the looser silhouette, Wrangler’s 5 Stat Carpenter Shorts have both you and nearly your knees covered.

These shorts have a 10-inch inseam, which while not for the faint of heart, is certain to make a statement. They’ve got a great early-2000s energy about them, and the more rugged details like the carpenter pant pockets really seal the deal. Not wholly convinced? They’re only $20. You can’t beat that.

The Best Retro-Inspired Denim Shorts: 501 ‘93 Cut Off 7” Men’s Shorts by Levi’s

Now for the other camp. Levi’s is the undisputed king of jeans. So naturally, their denim shorts are a total vibe, too. Their 501 93” Cut Off 7” Shorts have a great retro flair, with distressing along the hem and several tasteful washes.

Not to worry, because they can still be styled with ease, and their laid-back nature keeps things looking and feeling highly casual.

They cost just under $70, but Levi’s denim is damn near always worth it.

The Best All-Use Shorts: Men’s Baggies Shorts 5” by Patagonia

Patagonia Baggies have reigned supreme for quite some time. They debuted these shorts in 1982 and never looked back. They didn’t have to. These shorts have naturally stood the test of time and work with just about anything.

While they do project a somewhat more athletic look at first glance, you’d be surprised at how versatile they can be. Paired them with a plain white tee. Then a cotton crew neck sweater. Try them with a rugby polo. They just work.

Not only that, but they’re intended for water use as well. In a pinch, they make for a solid pair of swim trunks. Get them wet, and don’t sweat. For only $65, there’s no reason these should be as versatile as they are.

Our Absolute Favorite Shorts: Herringbone Twill Larsen Short by Buck Mason

A middle-ground 6-inch inseam. Two perfectly pleasing pleats. Herringbone weave texture. These might be the perfect shorts! Buck Mason always releases excellent products, but these might be some of the very best shorts you can buy for summer 2024.

They’re made from a 9.4 oz washed cotton twill fabric, and have just the right amount of extra shape and volume due to the single pleated front. They sit higher on the waist due to classic high rise, better breaking up the proportions between your legs and your chest. With a flapped coin pocket and two neutral colors, these shorts work a wide variety of occasions and an even wider number of ensembles.

For $128, we don’t think there’s a more perfect pair of shorts out there.

The Wrap-Up

Maybe Carmine is right. Maybe a don shouldn’t wear shorts. But chances are, you’re not a don. You’re a regular guy looking to upscale his style. And regular guys wear shorts. Because shorts, when executed well, can look pretty damn great!

Hopefully, this carefully curated list of the best shorts a man can buy has been helpful. Keep an eye out for future recommendations, and keep cool this summer!

The post The Best Men’s Shorts For 2024 Are Anything But Boring appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

And hey, we’re not knocking that decision. But on days that you still want to feel a bit more dressed up without sacrificing comfort and breathability, consider picking up a pair of linen pants this season.

For the less initiated, linen is a fabric made from fibers derived from flax plants. Not only is it natural, but it is highly breathable, featuring a looser weave than knotty wools and twill cottons.

This makes linen an ideal material for summertime clothing, especially pants. Their relaxed nature and subtle texture can elevate just about any summer outfit, whether you’re running morning errands or grabbing dinner outdoors. And the best linen pants absolutely double down on the cool factor.

At Real Men Real Style, we want you to look your best and feel your best this summer. So without further ado, here are our top recommendations for the best men’s linen pants in 2024, covering a variety of budgets and micro-styles. Read on!

The Budget Pick: Linen Blend Relaxed Pants by Uniqlo

The Japan-based mega-retailer of clothing basics doesn’t miss. Their Linen Blend Relaxed Pants are an excellent choice, and snagging a pair won’t hurt your wallet too much, either. While not a fully linen composition, a linen-cotton blend ensures a bit less wrinkling than you’d typically expect from fully linen pants – and it keeps things breathable, too.

With a classic silhouette, these are incredibly easy to style as well. Not sure how? Here’s a hint. Try ‘em with just about anything. Appropriate for the office, country club, cruise ship deck, and anywhere in between, there’s a heck of a lot of versatility available to you here.

With five colors and extensive unisex sizing options, you can’t get much better than these for under the $50.00 mark.

The Laid-Back Pick: Linen Drawstring Pants by Madewell

If the last option had a bit too much cotton in the mix for your taste, the Linen Drawstring Pants by Madewell might be more your thing. Made from 100%, you guessed it, linen, these casual bottoms offer a solid value for the money, and significantly more laid-back aesthetic.

Available in a unique sage green, don’t let their casual nature fool you – you can style these a ton of ways. Wear them with your favorite band tee. Wear them with loafers of Adidas Sambas. Try them out with a camp collar shirt.

You’ve got options, and the relaxed, generous fit provided by the drawstring waistband means you don’t need to bother worrying about a belt. For under $90.00, these are a damn near steal.

The Contemporary Pick: Classic-fit Linen Trouser by J.Crew

If J.Crew didn’t make this list, then something would be seriously wrong. As the parent brand to Madewell, J.Crew is known to offer serious style with a preppy twist – and their linen offerings are no exception to this rule. Their Classic-Fit Linen Trousers are 100% linen and come in four flexible colors.

Not only that, but their timeless fit makes these work exceptionally well for almost any occasion. Dressed up or down, they’ll make an impact. And for a price tag of $118.00, they feature some great extra features like button-flapped rear pockets. We can’t recommend these enough for all your summer sartorial needs.

The Detail-Centric Pick: Standard Pleated Pant in Flax Linen by Alex Mill

Launched in 2012, Alex Mill has made a profound impact on the men’s fashion landscape in only a relatively brief period of time. Well-regarded for their solid fabrics and budget-friendly casual tailoring options, they should definitely be on your radar – and so should their Standard Pleated Pants in Linen.

There’s hardly a better way to add easy visual depth to an outfit than a couple of pleats, and these pants understand that to great effect. With a slightly cropped hem and higher rise, the fit on these is exceptionally well-crafted.

There’s extras to go around too, most notably a tastefully-flapped coin pocket and cuffed legs. Available for $175.00, these offer a pretty good value if you’re ready for the next step above traditional budget options.

Oh, and did we mention they’re 100% linen, too?

The Clean Pick: Linen Hopsack Carry-On Pant by Buck Mason

The go-to brand for American classics and workwear-inspired pieces at a reasonable price-per-quality, Buck Mason is particularly good at turning great fabrics into even better clothes. Look no further than their Linen Hopsack Carry-On Pants for proof.

Inspired by the look of vintage military chinos, these pants have a particular airy weave that keeps things extra breathable. With a classic fit, natural color, and details like a coin pocket, these pants are competitively priced at $178.00 and can be paired with Buck Mason’s matching Linen-Hopsack Carry-On Jacket for a casual suit that may as well be the official uniform of taking it easy – in style.

The Five-Pocket Pick: Relaxed Fit 5-Pocket Cotton Linen Pant by Todd Snyder

Looking for a pair of linen pants that definitely air on the casual side of casual? Five-pocket pants are much like jeans – but aren’t necessarily made from denim. In the case of this offering from Todd Snyder, they can come in linen, too!

Todd Snyder is much beloved for their updated takes on classic style centerpieces, and these pants prove they’re still on the money. Available in three colors, you can forget resorting to jeans anytime you want a five-pocket configuration.

With a 73% cotton and 27% linen composition, you can expect these to be sturdier than other more linen-forward pants. But don’t be misled – they’ll still keep you feeling cool and looking fresh.

The Customizable Pick: Classic Wide-leg Trouser by Scott Fraser Collection

Scott Fraser Collection has become renowned for their exceptional fits, fabrics, and plethora of options available. The England-based brand offers some brilliant tailoring, and their Classic Wide Leg Trousers exemplify the quality you can expect.

Technically, these pants are offered in dozens of options, including cottons and wools. But they’re also available in multiple linen fabrics, ranging in color and weave. There’s guaranteed to be an option that calls out to you.

But that’s not where the customization stops. You can choose to add/remove belt loops, side tabs, cuffed legs, and more, and can expect a highly-flattering traditional fit that is full through the leg and the seat, thanks to a couple of generous pleats. All of this – available to you for around $310.00 USD (converted from GBP).

The Enthusiast Pick: Tobacco Cotton Linen Games Trousers by Drake’s

If you’re a menswear-head like us, you’re surely familiar with Drake’s. If not, then let it be told – they’ve got some serious game. While certainly pricey, the quality and pure style found in the garments of this British-based menswear powerhouse are nearly unparalleled.

Drake’s understands pants. Like, really well. Their Cotto Linen Games Trousers? Truly exceptional. A high-quality blend of linen and cotton means that these pants will hold their shape better and be less prone to excessive wrinkling, but still maintain a breathable composition suitable for summer weather.

While easily styled up, the construction is relatively relaxed and works just as well casually, with a pinched waist and fuller fit in the leg. Adorned with a pair of single forward-facing pleats, they come in a variety of colors. You can’t go wrong with any of them, but we’re especially fond of the Tobacco color – they’re incredibly versatile.

Like we said, these ones aren’t exactly cheap, coming in at $500.00, but you’ll struggle to find a pair this good anywhere else. Menswear enthusiasts love Drake’s for a lot of reasons. These pants are one of them.

The Wrap-Up

At Real Men Real Style, we want you to look your best and feel confident. Which is why we want to let you know about the best products and best practices. If you haven’t previously given linen pants a shot, let this be your sign to upgrade your style game this summer.

Like we said, shorts can be cool. But linen pants indicate a level of understanding when it comes to the intersection of fabrics and functionality. They tell the world that you don’t have to resort to shorts the moment it gets a bit warm outside. You’re prepared. You’ve got the perfect pair of pants for the job. Any of the above will most certainly help you keep your cool.

The post The Best Men’s Linen Pants Keep You Looking Cool and Feeling Cooler appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

A quick glance at the TikTok and Instagram accounts of many menswear influencers will reveal that they regularly second-hand source a lot of their best-fitting, sharpest-looking tailoring.

Whether you’re drawn to the wide, boxy fits of 1950s American suiting, or the bold banker-esque pinstripes found on 1980s powersuits, you may be wondering how to sink your teeth into the vintage/second-hand suit market. It’s big. Expansive, even, with quite literally hundreds of items available between your local thrift store, eBay, and other marketplaces.

So, how exactly do you go about it all? What should you be looking out for when surveying the second-hand suit market? Where are the best places to find quality tailoring? What are the telltale signs of quality tailoring? What should fit perfectly off-the-bat, and what can you possibly get altered?

Read on to find out!

Where to Find Vintage and Second-hand Suits

They’re actually everywhere, if you know where to look. See, up until a couple of decades ago, suits were a lot more common than they are today. The average man had at least one or two in his wardrobe, if not more. They were worn to work in all varieties of offices, and even for more casual outings at times. Today, the suit has been somewhat relegated to the most formal events.

Thanks to the growing influence of the menswear movement, they’re kinda having a moment again in fashionable spaces. You can wear a suit in all sorts of contexts – and vintage suits can be some of the coolest ones you can buy. And since suits used to be everywhere, you can easily find them filling up the racks of your local thrift store or charity shop.

Thrift Stores

Thrift stores are often the first stop along the second-hand market route. From independent shops to national chains like Goodwill, Salvation Army Thrift Stores, and Savers, you’re likely to find a decent selection.

It’s worth noting that stores like Goodwill will sometimes separate the pants from the jackets and place them on different racks – making it a bit tricker to find a matching set.

The quality of the suits in these locations will also vary a fair amount. Sometimes, you’ll spot a vintage designer gem at a great price. Other times, you’ll just end up sifting through an uninteresting selection of suits from modern mall brands like Express and Zara. Not quite what you’re looking for.

The thing with thrifting is that it does demand a certain amount of patience and persistence. Sometimes you’ll go and come back empty-handed. But when you score – the win feels absolutely incredible.

Second-Hand Shops

Similar to thrift stores, but in a somewhat different category, are second-hand shops like Buffalo Exchange, 2nd Street, Crossroads Trading, and Beacon’s Closet. Depending where you live, you may or may not have access to these exact chains, but you likely have something quite like them.

At first, these appear not much different than thrift stores, but the prices tend to be a bit higher in exchange for a better-quality selection. A lot of their stock is purchased rather than sourced from donations, and so the staff is more selective about what they’ll take. They can also be a solid source for second-hand suits, but expect to pay a bit more than you would at Goodwill.

Consignment Stores

On a level just above these, you’ll find consignment stores. These essentially function by selling someone else’s item for them, and pay them a portion of the profit.

Usually, consignment stores operate adjacent to the luxury and designer markets. They can be great to find good deals on designer items at prices that aren’t necessarily cheap, but highly competitive when compared to the item’s original value.

Flea Markets

Next, you may want to check out local flea markets and vintage fairs. The prices will vary heavily from location to location, but you can often discover vendors who specialize in vintage clothing at these venues. And quite often, they’ll have a curated selection of suits to browse.

Online Deals

Beyond in-person shopping, some of the best deals on second-hand suits can be found online. Digital marketplaces specializing in used goods are ideal. eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, Depop, Vinted, and The RealReal are all excellent places to look.

All of the aforementioned stores and marketplaces will undoubtedly have a wide variety of old suits worth your while. But now the question is, what exactly should you be looking for?

No one wants to end up with a dud. Just because something is “vintage” or used doesn’t mean it’s necessarily good, after all.

How to Spot Quality Tailoring

So, you’ve found an outlet filled to the brim with vintage suits. There’s a ton to choose from. Different cuts, colors, and configurations. How do you determine what’s worth getting?

A good place to start is by prioritizing natural fabrics. You can almost always learn a suit’s fabric composition by studying the tag found inside one of the inner breast pockets. Sometimes, this information can be found on a label sewn into the lining itself.

The majority of suits are made from some form of wool or another, most often worsted wool, which leans formal and business-forward. These suits are usually dark and smooth, but made from wool, nonetheless.

Other wool suits may lean more casual, such as one made from more rugged fabrics like tweed. While not always a definite no-no, try to avoid wool-blend suits. They tend to be poorer quality, at least as a rule of thumb.

Beyond just the fabric, you want a garment with quality construction, as well. A suit is meant to be a multi-layered garment, with clean stitching along any visible seams and a body that drapes well.

Basically, avoid suits that seem suspiciously thin or floppy in the jacket. While unstructured, unlined jackets may intentionally share these characteristics, you don’t want them in a lined, structured coat. It’s a sign that what you’re holding is poorly-produced junk.

One of the reasons vintage suiting is so attractive is that they often sport flattering features less commonly found on the contemporary suits of today (and the last 15-20 years).

Trousers with a higher rise, fuller cuts through the leg and jacket, generous lapel rolls, double-breasted enclosures, peak lapels, lower buttoning points, genuine horn buttons (these will be cool to the touch) and unique patterns and textures are all details that you’re more likely to spot on a quality vintage garment.

There should be an element of dynamism to its overall look. Cheap, modern suits often look too flat. The best tailoring of yesteryear is anything but. It has shape. It drapes. The fabric moves with you.

How Should A Suit Fit + What Can You Get Tailored?

Rarely will a suit fit you absolutely perfectly right off the rack. This is true regardless if you’re shopping new, vintage, or second-hand. However, while shopping for your next suit, it’s important to understand what needs to fit you off-the-bat and what you can get tailored with ease.

The most important aspect of fit is in the shoulders of the jacket.

If this is too tight or too large, there’s not much you can do to get it fixed. Usually, shoulder size is related to chest size, which while also important, can usually be taken in an inch or two, and sometimes let out a drop, too.

Jacket length is also highly crucial. Ideally, a jacket should cover about two thirds of your rear end. If the jacket is double-breasted, sometimes it can be a little bit longer, but not by much.

Some jacket lengths can technically be hemmed, but rarely is it cost effective. It also tends to risk throwing off the proportions as they relate to the jacket’s pockets. Basically, make sure the length works, too.

Pants can be a bit more flexible.

In the waist, you can almost always get it taken in a couple of inches. If you need it to be let out, first study the center back of the waist seam to determine if there’s any fabric there to allow for this alteration. With quality tailoring, there usually is.

The same goes for the fit of the seat. There will likely be a bit of fabric along the inner seam to loosen things up.

Pant length can always be shortened, but it can only be lengthened by the amount of fabric allowance in the existing hem.

These things can be relatively simple to determine when shopping in-person at a thrift store or flea market. But what if you’re online? That’s where you need to know your exact measurements.

First, buy some measuring tape. If you have a well-fitting suit already, lay it down flat and be sure to record the following measurements: shoulder-to-shoulder, pit-to-pit, bottom of back collar seam to the bottom of the jacket’s hem, waist, and leg inseam (crotch to pant hem).

Knowing these measurements will help you tremendously. While going off of your jacket size is a good start, knowing if the fit will be just right before you can try the garment on in-person will allow you to shop online with ease and confidence.

Often, the seller will list the garment’s measurements. If not, you can always ask! Either way, it’ll ensure you get the right fit and open up more options to you.

Sufficiently Suited!

We hope this guide has been helpful!

While you can definitely find great suits being produced today, the price barrier might seem a bit steep for many people. That’s why second-hand and vintage shopping is such an excellent resource. It’ll help you scale your style game while being relatively easy on the wallet.

Now, with this vital knowledge in hand, you’ll likely have an easier time finding your next suiting grail! Happy hunting!

The post Tips For Buying Second-Hand Suits – How To Spot Quality appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

The main thing you’re usually worried about is whether or not you and your date are vibing together. Are your jokes landing? You hope so. A couple of twenty-two dollar cocktails in, and suddenly you’re worrying about the bill. You look down at your outfit, then glance across the table, followed by a quick survey of surrounding couples.

Did I even dress right? You ask yourself.

That last part can sometimes be one of the trickiest components to a date gone well. Because truth be told, clothing choice matters. First impressions matter. Even if you’re in an established relationship, choosing the right outfit for date night can be the difference between showing you care and showing you’d rather be elsewhere.

The right outfit tells your date that you put thought into things, and it communicates your overall sense of awareness. Which is all rather important, if you ask us.

Determining the right outfit choice becomes increasingly more complicated once you consider the many types of dates you can go on. From first forays to ten-year anniversaries, from bowling alleys to the nicest cocktail lounge in town – each setting and occasion may call for something different. What’s a guy to do? Not to worry.

We’ve prepared a helpful guide to choosing better date outfits, so that next time you’re getting ready, you can refer to this page as your personal stylist.

Casual First Dates Call for Elevated Casual Outfits

Ninety-percent of the time, first dates are not meant to be complicated affairs. In today’s dating culture, some of the most common, typical first dates involve meeting each other for coffee or grabbing some light drinks at a local bar. Nothing too fancy.

While you don’t need us to tell you not to wear a top hat and tailcoat, you might be wondering how to stand out and put your best self forward when the occasion’s dress code still lands on the fairly casual side.

Meeting someone for coffee should not require any overthinking, but here are a few suggestions.

Stick with jeans or chinos that fit you well.

That means no awkward bunching or pulling from being too tight, nor pooling around your ankles as a result of being too large. Straight-fit pants and jeans tend to be the most universally flattering.

Looking for more texture? In cooler months, swap your chinos for corduroy trousers to make your outfit more visually interesting, but still rooted in a casual foundation.

If it’s on the warmer side, pair it with a simple, tasteful t-shirt. Graphic tees are acceptable if the design is either small or minimalist. But you don’t want it to be too loud. Keep the gag tees at home, fellas.

Unless it’s absolutely broiling outside, outfits almost always benefit from an additional layer. Try adding a cardigan sweater to the mix to smarten up your casual ensemble.

White sneakers are an easy addition when it comes to footwear, but don’t be afraid to wear something more colorful so long as the scale of your shoes don’t throw off the otherwise neat proportions of the outfit. A casual derby shoe, loafer, or even chukka boots are also excellent choices for footwear.

If the weather permits it, this outfit can be improved and smartened up a drop more by utilizing a piece of textured knitwear as the top layer, and smartened up a tad by swapping out the tee beneath for an oxford shirt.

If it’s really chilly out, make sure your outerwear game is on point, too! While a classic puffer jacket or parka coat is completely acceptable, a peacoat or even an overcoat can make a really strong impression, and is guaranteed to elevate your look. And don’t forget – a nice coat can actually serve as that additional layer we talked about!

Don’t forget to utilize tasteful accessories, too. A simple watch, matching belt, and coordinated jewelry can all take a simple outfit to the next level.

This outfit can work reasonably well in most bar settings, as well. However, not every bar has the same vibe.

Beyond The First Date

As a relationship progresses, you may find yourself frequenting nicer bars and cocktail lounges with your date. These aren’t your typical dives or college beer halls. Every now and then, these spots may have a dress code. No shorts. No ballcaps. You know the type.

However, most of the time, it’s up to you to determine the appropriate attire to match the vibe of the venue. No one wants to feel dramatically underdressed for their date, or compared to other patrons.

The good news is that this isn’t too tricky to get right, either. In many instances, you can get away with the following formula – take one of the outfit combos mentioned in the previous section, and simply add a blazer or a sport coat.

While there’s a lot more to it in order to do this well, the basic principle remains the same. A sport coat feels right at home with most elevated casual looks. Wearing tasteful jeans and a wool sweater? Throw a blazer over it. Wearing chinos and a chambray shirt? Toss on a sport coat. It can even work over a plain white t-shirt.

With a decent understanding of what qualifies as a blazer or a sport coat, plus some minor fine tuning of various details, you’ll be left with an outfit that works in pretty much any bar with halfway-decent digs.

Need a little more specific instruction? Try this. Pick a pair of trousers with a reasonable amount of structure to the, and pair it with a plain oxford shirt. Next, tuck that shirt in. No need to look sloppy. Pull on some loafers and a matching leather belt. Great! You can wear this to the coffee shop right after work.

But going somewhere a bit bougier? A navy blazer adds just the right amount of sophistication, plus it’s super versatile. Look for versions that feature gold buttons to lean into the preppy origins of the garment. It’s more fun that way, if you ask us.

A Couple Of Curveballs

Okay, so by now we’ve outlined a few basic outfit formulas to serve you for first dates, anniversary dinners, and everywhere in between.

Even at the most casual, you’re not gonna end up looking like a slob. These are all very classic, contemporary uniforms.

Executed well, they can look rather exceptional, but there are technically more options available to you, depending on the circumstances.

What Do I Wear If It’s Really, Really Hot Out?

We talked about layering and how it’s basically an outfit cheat code. Your look is guaranteed to be more interesting if you’ve got a nice sweater or jacket on top.

But fellas, we know that sometimes, it’s just too darn hot out to go that route. You still don’t want to look underdressed or boring – so what do you do?

If the setting is still on the casual side, we recommend the ribbed tank + camp collar shirt combo. It’s a classic summer style hack that allows you to keep a multi-layered look on top without sacrificing practicality.

Be sure to tuck the tank top into your pants or shorts, and feel free to wear the camp collar shirt either fully open or with a handful of buttons undone. Throw on some certifiably cool shades, a chain necklace, and you’re golden.

You Mentioned Sport Coats, So Can I Wear a Suit?

Totally! But be mindful of setting and occasion, as always. For more casual dates, such as a sidewalk Sunday brunch, museum visit, or just a coffee run, you might want to avoid full business or wedding attire. Not all suits are formal!

A casual suit, such as one made from a casual fabric like cotton, corduroy, linen, or tweed, can easily be paired with a simple oxford shirt or sometimes even a t-shirt. Keep the details laid back, and you’ll look sharp and put-together, without coming off as too terribly try-hard.

That said, more formal suits have their place in the dating scene. At some of the nicest restaurants or cocktail lounges, you absolutely can wear a fine suit – and even a tie, if you’re so inclined. This is especially appropriate for important occasions, such as your partner’s birthday dinner, or an anniversary celebration.

The Date? Saved.

We hope you found this guide helpful! While there are a wide variety of outfits one can wear on a date, this serves as a blueprint to turn to when in doubt.

When it comes to dating, it’s important to show respect and put your best self forward. Sometimes, a classic, timeless outfit is just what you need to get up and going.

As your style journey evolves, you may feel inclined to experiment more and try out new things. But if you ever start feeling stuck while getting ready to meet someone for that first coffee, don’t forget the basics. They’ll always have your back.

The post What A Man Should Wear On A Date appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

Enter, the wide and exciting world of fragrances. Frequently just referred to as “cologne” by most fellas, fragrances are an absolute essential to any man’s daily routine. They provide a finishing touch to any outfit, and can even help set the mood for the day going forward.

Fragrance Fundamentals

For the uninitiated, fragrances come in several “intensities” (meaning how strong they are) and generally fit under four primary scent families. For a more in-depth guide, check out this article we published a few months back. But otherwise, here’s a quick fragrance crash-course.

The lightest intensity you can get is eau fraiche, which is composed of 1% – 3% perfume oil, and typically lasts only for a very brief period of time.

Next up is eau de cologne, which contains 2% – 4% perfume oils, and usually lasts around two hours.

Eau de toilettes are one of the most common intensities, as they are made up of 5% – 15% pure perfume essence, and will normally last a moderate amount of time.

Perfume (eau de parfum) is on the stronger side. They’re made up of 15% – 20% pure perfume essence, and will often last between five and eight hours.

The strongest available intensity is perfume. These are the most concentrated, containing 20% – 30% pure perfume essence, and typically lasts for up to twenty-four hours.

Generally speaking, eau de toilettes and eau de parfums are the most highly recommended intensities, as others will often wear off too soon or linger a bit past their welcome.

Additionally, fragrances usually fall into one of four primary scent families: woody, floral, amber, and fresh. Wood-based scents are sometimes seen as the most masculine, however each scent category can offer surprisingly pleasant unisex fragrances to please just about anyone. It just takes a bit of experimentation.

However, some fragrances are best suited for specific seasons and climates types, not to mention certain occasions, as well. With summer on the way, you might be wondering which fragrance is right for you. Don’t worry, we’ve come prepared with a list.

So, without further ado, here are the top 10 men’s fragrances for summer 2024 – with a bit of advice on when and where to wear them. Each category contains two entries, but by all means feel free to experiment.

These aren’t hard rules on the designation of each listed fragrance. Rather, they're friendly suggestions. If you happen to discover your new favorite – enjoy it as you please!

#1: The Best Everyday, All-Purpose Summer Fragrance: Hermes H24

For most summer days, you want something that’s fresh, reliable, and universally flattering. Nothing too loud, but still distinct. A scent to conjure imagery of nature in a modern world, with a slightly metallic, technological wist.

To fill all these needs, look no further than Hermes H24. A relatively new fragrance released in 2022, this simple but mighty scent has, for lack of a better phrase, grabbed the fragrance world by the nose – and they refuse to give it back.

Hermes H24 for Men 3.3 oz Eau de Toilette Refillable Spray

$105.00 $55.99 ($16.97 / Fl Oz)

Buy Now Customer Reviews

05/02/2024 01:08 pm GMT

Men with all sorts of fragrance preferences have praised Hermes H24 for its aromatic, botanical freshness and its lively top notes. When in doubt of which fragrance to wear this summer, reach for Hermes H24. It won’t let you down.

#2: The Everyday Runner-Up: Ralph Lauren Polo Blue

Ralph gets it right. For another great everyday option, consider this classic all-timer. Polo Blue combines an invigorating mix of fresh citrus with geranium, oak, and more, to great effect.

Firmly placed in the fresh citrus scent family, this is a perfect scent for just about any summer day, and it is an enduring classic that has stood the test of time.

RALPH LAUREN Polo Blue - Eau de Toilette - 4.2 Fl Oz

$105.00 $89.25 ($21.25 / Fl Oz)

Buy Now Customer Reviews

05/02/2024 01:10 pm GMT

Wear it to grab brunch with your friends. Wear it to the tennis court. Wear it to that outdoor concert. It doesn’t matter – you’ll smell great.

#3: The Best Summer Date Fragrance: Cartier Déclaration

Typically, wood-based scents tend to read as more masculine. When taking that special someone out for an evening on the town this summer, you want to exude just the right, subtle degree of confidence – without sacrificing summer sensibilities.

That’s where Cartier Déclaration excels. This fragrance contains top notes of bitter orange and bergamot, before soothing down into traditionally masculine, amber notes at the base.

CARTIER Declaration for Men 3.3 oz Eau de Toilette Spray

$111.00 $70.57 ($20.88 / fl oz)

Buy Now Customer Reviews

05/02/2024 01:12 pm GMT

With a mix of cedar wood, vetiver and oak moss, there’s an undeniable year-round appeal to this scent, but the top notes make it just perfect for a romantic summer night, too. Your date will be impressed – take our word for it.

#4: The Summer Date Runner-Up: Tom Ford Azure Lime

Limes are a summer essential – a sentence no one may have ever said, but one that still more or less sounds correct. You put 'em in your cocktails, so why not your fragrances?

This scent by Tom Ford has powerful top notes of (you guessed it) lime, but is well counterbalanced by a classic sandalwood base. Highly masculine and perfect for a date, but with a twist of lime to keep up with a summery mood.

#5: The Best Summer Fragrance to Wear for a Job Interview: Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt

On a job interview, you want to come off as confident, but not overpowering. Picking the right fragrance can be key to tying your image together into a complete picture, and to truly sell yourself.

For something that’s not too intense but universally appealing, consider Jo Malone London’s popular Wood Sage & Sea Salt fragrance.

Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne Spray 3.4 oz

$129.99 $119.99 ($35.29 / Fl Oz)

Buy Now Customer Reviews

04/18/2024 07:15 pm GMT

This scent’s middle, heart note is sea salt, which evokes imagery of the fresh seaside and free-spirited nature. However, its base note of sage reinforces a confident, woody aroma that will make you come off as tasteful and tactful.

#6: The Job Interview Runner-Up: Maison Margiela REPLICA Sailing Day

A highly refined but adventurous fragrance, Sailing Day by Maison Margiela’s much-celebrated REPLICA line is a classic summer scent.

Reminiscent of days spent on a boat on the ocean, this fresh aquatic scent contains key notes of aquatic accord, coriander, and red seaweed essence.

Maison Margiela Replica Sailing Day Eau de Toilette 3.4 Ounce

$160.00 $72.20 ($21.24 / FL Oz)

Buy Now Customer Reviews

05/02/2024 01:17 pm GMT

It makes for a perfect interview scent because nothing about it is too loud or obnoxious. However, for those who do take notice of it, there’s an incredibly pleasant and memorable scent to be discovered and enjoyed, and one that is sure to leave a favorable impression.

#7: The Best Summer Fragrance to Wear to The Office: Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio

So, it looks like you landed the job! Awesome. But you might be trying to discover a great fragrance to wear to work every day. An easy recommendation? Can’t get much more classic than Acqua di gio by Giorgio Armani.

Most users of this fragrance note that it’s remarkably easy to get used to. Which is great for the office, because while you want to smell good in the boardroom, what you don’t want is for people to submit complaints to HR about your overwhelming cologne usage.

GIORGIO ARMANI Acqua Di Gio Men's Eau De Toilettes Spray 3.4oz

$110.00 $56.99 ($16.76 / Fl Oz)

Buy Now Customer Reviews

05/17/2024 12:30 pm GMT

Acqua di Gio has been a staple since 1996, and combines marine top notes with a cedarwood base note. Perfect for summer, and all year-round.

#8: The Office Runner-Up: Calvin Klein CK One

For something minimalist yet still summer-adjacent, Calvin Klein CK One is an excellent option. It’s undeniably in tune with the spirit of the season, with opening top notes filled with hints of mandarin orange, papaya, lemon, and more.

The heart contains nutmeg, rose, and other scents while the base is composed of musk and amber, retaining a masculine foundation.

Calvin Klein Ck One for Men Eau De Toilette 3.3 Fl Oz

$75.00 $65.00 ($19.70 / Fl Oz)

Buy Now Customer Reviews

05/02/2024 01:21 pm GMT

Perfect for any time of day, and hardly too bold to wear to work, CK One should most certainly be on your radar this summer.

#9: The Best Fragrance for Summer Weddings: Yves Saint Laurent L’HOMME

Yves Saint Laurent fragrances are crowd favorites for a reason, and their classic L’HOMME scent truly delivers.

Perfect for formal events but totally wearable for everyday use as well, its top notes of lemon, ginger, and bergamot are key players in a classic summer scent profile.

Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme. Eau De Toilette Spray 2-Ounces

$67.00 $61.06 ($30.53 / Ounce)

Buy Now Customer Reviews

05/02/2024 01:23 pm GMT

The tonka bean, cedar and tahitian vetiver base keeps things refreshing yet masculine, providing an all-day fragrance that works in any setting – but excels formally.

#10: The Summer Wedding Runner-Up: Coach Green

Don’t overlook this powerhouse fragrance – it packs a pretty great punch of kiwi in its top note, complemented by crisp bergamot. The middle note contains rosemary and geranium, while the base is made up of crystal moss and cedarwood.

Coach Green EDT Spray for Men 3.3 oz

$78.99 ($23.94 / Fl Oz)

Buy Now Customer Reviews

05/02/2024 01:24 pm GMT

While certainly rich and earthy in its scent profile, this fragrance is the perfect blend of woody and fruity – and will feel right at place at any summer event.

A Final “Note” of Advice

While we stand by each and every one of these fragrance recommendations, we absolutely do encourage you to visit your local retailer to try them out for yourself. The best way to determine if you like a scent is to smell it up close.

Nearly all of the fragrances listed above are universal crowd-pleasers that have won some serious popularity contests, so it’s likely you’ll enjoy them, but it still pays to test them out in-person.

Sometimes, scents react differently between people. Maybe you’ll discover that while you enjoy the top note of one fragrance, you find the base note wearisome after a while. Or you might realize that your favorite scent family isn’t the one you thought it was.

Regardless, the ideal way to choose the right fragrance for yourself this summer, and for any season or occasion, is to try it out! Who knows, you might find something new that truly helps you smell your greatest.

The post Top 10 Men’s Summer Fragrances For Every Occasion appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

Ask any stylish man, and he will tell you he wants to look great and stand out. But how do you stand out with your summer wardrobe when every guy is wearing the same thing?

That's where I come in. I'm here to give you the 7 best men's summer essentials that no other guys will be wearing.

In this article, I'll be covering:

1. Full Placket Polos
2. Espadrilles
3. Woven Panama Hats
4. Grandad Collar Shirts
5. Pink Linen Button-Down Shirts
6. NATO Watch Straps
7. Seersucker Suits

#1 Full Placket Polos

The Polo shirt is a staple item when it comes to men's summer essentials. It's versatile and easy to combine with multiple outfits.

But everyone and their brother will be wearing a regular polo this summer as it's a great collared alternative to a t-shirt. So how do you take advantage of the versatility while standing out?

This is where the full placket polo comes in.

Full placket polos are similar to regular polo shirts in that they share the same collar but deviate from the standard 2-4 button placket in exchange for a full-length placket.

This gives a more sophisticated and stylish look than its lesser-buttoned friend.

They come in various fabrics but try to opt for a silk-cotton blend versus their wool counterparts to stay cool in the heat.

Full placket polos pay homage to mid-century Hollywood as an iconic and stylish alternative to regular polos. Pair this with your favorite chino shorts for a stand-out look this summer.

#2 Espadrilles

When it comes to summer shoes, you want something lightweight and comfortable.

While most men will opt for a pair of boat shoes or sandals, you should rock a stylish pair of espadrilles to stand out from the crowd.

Inspired by 13th-century elegance, espadrilles are softly constructed shoes with a woven-style bottom. They have the breathability of a sandal while remaining a smart shoe that can be worn with trousers.

They offer a classic silhouette that allows you to wear them with shorts and pants alike.

These are a must-have in your wardrobe as they are a fantastic and unique option to add to your arsenal of men's summer essentials.

Wear a pair of these when you want to feel like James Bond in Thunderball.

#3 Woven Panama Hats

Let's face it; summer can be hot. Warm sun and hot temperatures can make for an unpleasant experience without the right accessories to combat the heat and keep you cool.

While most men will slap on the sunscreen and call it a day, you want more than that. But how do you protect yourself from the heat and stay stylish simultaneously?

This is where a great hat can help. But not just any old bucket hat; guys are already wearing those. A woven Panama hat is what you want to stand out.

Panama hats offer the perfect silhouette for something that blocks out the sun but remains small in stature – in contrast to their cowboy hat older brother.

While standard baseball-style caps may work well for casual environments, a good Panama hat classes up your outfit and is the perfect accessory to that short-sleeve button-down on the beach.

While other guys are out on the beach rocking a bucket hat with a drawstring, you'll be sipping your favorite drink with your toes in the sand, looking like an absolute gentleman.

#4 Grandad Collar Shirts

Every guy knows it's time to shed the sweater and slip into a t-shirt for those casual summer days when warmer temperatures approach.

But when you want to stand out and rock an outfit that no other guy is wearing this summer, put yourself into a grandad collar shirt.

What exactly is a grandad collar?

Grandad collar shirts (also known as the mandarin collar or band collar shirt) were popular in the British military uniform during World War I. They were seen as a practical option, less formal than traditional button-downs, yet more formal than a t-shirt.

In modern times, they are a great alternative to the henley as they feature a unique collar that offers a casual experience with the added style of the full placket.

While not on the same level as a polo, these super comfortable shirts are a perfect segway into classier casual wear. They work well in summer as they come in various lightweight materials like cotton and linen.

Grandad collar shirts are best paired with shorts and pants alike but should not be a replacement for a traditional collared shirt. They fit well as the next step from a t-shirt or henley without going too far.

#5 Pink Linen Button-Down Shirts

Wearing button-down shirts in the middle of summer can be daunting.

Most men will wear the regular cotton blend shirts and deal with the heat until they realize they have sweated so much that their armpits are stained.

Don't be that guy. Wear a linen button-down instead. But don't go for just any linen button-down; grab a pink one to really stand out.

Pink is the perfect color to wear in summer because it doesn't absorb heat. Pair that with linen as a fabric and have one of the best-looking, stand-out shirt options.

Pink linen button-down shirts give a stylish and summer-worthy appearance that no other guy will be rocking.

Pair this with your favorite shorts or chino pants, and you'll be sure to stand out amongst the crowd this summer.

#6 NATO Watch Straps

Watches are one of the most worn yet incorrectly chosen accessories in a man's wardrobe.

During the warm summer months, one of the biggest mistakes I see is that men are wearing the wrong style of watch straps.

Warm weather and casual environments don't call for that leather-strapped dress watch; they call for a simple, lightweight alternative like the NATO strap.

Inspired and adorned by their military heritage, NATO watch bands offer the most utility out of any watch strap on the market.

NATO watch straps are offered in various colors and are so versatile that they can be used on your basic Timex watch, all the way to that Rolex Submariner.

While you may not be able to put one on one of your great Casio watches, you can still easily attach them to almost any watch in your collections.

The best rule of thumb here is that the simpler the timepiece, the better the NATO strap will look. These are not meant for your dress watches, but casual timepieces and divers are fair game.

#7 Seersucker Suits

Nothing is worse than being invited to a classy outdoor event in the middle of summer and having to wear your standard black, structured suit.

Most men will throw it on because they have to, and they won't think twice. I highly recommend getting a lightweight suit option for the warmer months to avoid that pain and misery.

Specifically, a seersucker suit.

Seersucker suits stand out for their iconic fabric appearance and famous striping. They give off a country-club level of class and feel great while looking stylish in the summer months.

Typically made of cotton, seersucker suits are a lightweight, breathable option that stands out over your traditional summer suit choices.

Opt for the unstructured jacket as you want this suit to be classy but still stylish. This suit will be sure to make you stand out amongst the other lightweight options you see this summer.

There you have it, gents. These are some of the best men's summer essentials that no other guy is wearing, so you can be sure to stand out this summer with an elevated level of style that no one else has.

If you're looking for more summer accessories, check out this article I did on the 10 must-have accessories for men.

The post Men’s Summer Style Essentials No Other Guys Are Wearing appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

I'd bet good money that every man in the US owns at least a few types of tie.

Let's be honest, it's hard to go through adult life without one! After all, even if you're a tradesman that would never wear a suit to work, a tie can still come in handy for special events and occasions like weddings, job interviews, and funerals.

But here's the thing – there isn't just one type of tie a man can choose from. Across different cultures, formalities, and occasions, there are a number of different types and styles you can pick from. So how do you know which one is the right choice?

In today's article, I'm breaking the 8 types of tie every man should consider when boosting his style game..

Types Of Tie #1: Standard Necktie

The standard necktie is probably what comes to mind when you think of a tie.

It is also sometimes referred to as a ‘regular' or ‘straight' tie and is known for its classic shape and simplistic design.

A standard necktie typically has a skinny blade width with anywhere from 2-6 inches of fabric, depending on the style. Depending on the style, it can have a patterned and colorful finish or a more conservative appearance. Ultimately, it’s one of the most versatile ties a man can wear – so every guy should own at least 2.

The necktie is often used in formal business environments or special occasions such as weddings. For most guys, it’s the ‘safe’ option that will allow you to blend in with the crowd and meet the expectations of most formal environments.

Types Of Tie #2: Bow Tie

Another example of a classic, popular tie is the bow tie.

The bow tie is iconic and has been around since the mid-19th century. Bow ties are known for their unique shape, which looks like – you guessed it – a bow.

Unlike other tie types, the bow tie never has excess fabric and is fastened around the neck with an adjustable buckle or clip. Depending on the occasion, these can come in various colors and patterns.

It features two loops that meet at the center in a symmetrical knot that resembles the shape of a bow. Typically made with silk or cotton, bow ties can be found in several colors, patterns, and sizes to suit any occasion or wardrobe choice.

For many men, a bow tie represents the height of formality. A lot of guys wouldn’t wear a bow tie outside of black tie events and formal occasions.

Types Of Tie #3: Slim Tie

This type of neckwear usually sports thinner blades than regular neckties.

As a slimmer variant of the standard necktie, the slim tie is considered to be slightly more informal than its wider counterpart. The reason for this is simple: a slimmer tie gives off a more modern and stylish vibe, making it ideal for office attire or business-casual occasions.

Typically, a slim tie will have a blade width of around 2-3 inches. It has less fabric than the standard necktie but should still be long enough to reach the middle of your waistband.

This style of tie was popular in the 60s. Many musicians of the period (like The Beatles or The Animals) wore slim-fit, black suits in combination with a white shirt and thin white tie.

Today, it's more common for men to wear this style of tie with a blazer and jeans/chinos. A patterned slim tie can be a great way of maintaining some level of professionalism while still expressing a more modern and stylish vibe.

Types Of Tie #4: Ascots

Ascots were originally designed for daytime use back in the 19th century but are now seen primarily during formal events such as weddings or black-tie affairs.

They feature two large wings on each side which come together in an intricate knot at one end – some ascots even have intricate trimming along the edges!

Made with luxurious materials like silk, satin or velvet – this type of tie gives off a sophisticated yet playful vibe when paired correctly in the right situation.

Should you wear an ascot to the office? Absolutely not.

This style of tie should be exclusively reserved for black tie occasions – wear one to work and people WILL judge you for it. No one wants to be laughed at behind their backs.

To tie an ascot, simply loop the two wings around your neck and tuck them in at the front. It should be slightly loose enough that you can slip two fingers underneath it.

Types Of Tie #5: Cravat

The cravat originated from Croatian soldiers during the 17th Century ‘Cravate’ wars – hence its name!

This type of accessory looks similar to an ascot but tends to be less detailed and lacks wings – rather it stays open across your chest like scarves do today.

Its popularity was revived by British royalty in the 1600s who wore them during formal events; nowadays they are worn mainly at wedding ceremonies or other special occasions where one wants something unique but not overly flashy.

It is possible to wear a cravat in a more informal setting. However, you need to be careful when doing this so as not to appear too stuffy or pretentious.

A simple cravat tucked into the collar of a white shirt can look good with a pair of jeans and brown wing-tip shoes. Think James Bond driving with the top down next to a beautiful woman in the warm hills of Italy… it's classy, but not too stuffy.

Types Of Tie #6: Kipper Ties

Another variant of the standard necktie, Kipper ties are most commonly characterized by their bright colors and overly-wide appearance.

Traditionally, this type of tie is made out of bright silks that are printed with vivid geometric designs—sometimes featuring stripes–they make quite an impression when worn to weddings or other non-business events.

Would I suggest wearing a kipper tie to the office? That depends.

If you work in a conservative office at the heart of a city's financial district, then absolutely not. Stick to the traditional necktie in a muted color.

However, if you're the sort of guy who works in the creative industry then a kipper tie could be a great way of keeping things light at the office.

I think the key takeaway here is to ensure that you consider the situation you're in and make an informed judgement based on your own experience.

Types Of Tie #7: Knit Ties

Knit ties combine the comfort of soft knitwear with the sophistication of a classic men's tie. This combination makes them great for sporting in various situations including business meetings and cocktails parties alike!

A favorite among professionals due to their softness which allows them not to be too restricting around collars; this type of tie typically features small textures giving them depth without being overpowering.

For men who work in conservative work environments, this is probably the most casual tie option you can choose from. It can still be considered formal attire but adds a slight variation to the traditional neck tie which can relieve some of that overbearing office formality.

For guys who work in a more relaxed environment or enjoy wearing ties at the weekend, the knit tie is a great accessory to pair with an Oxford shirt for added comfort and informality.

Types Of Tie #8: Bolo Tie

Originating from an old Native American tradition, the bolo tie is probably the most interesting tie option on this list.

Made with leather ropes attached to metal tips at either end and an ornamental centerpiece (often an embossed image), this type of tie adds personality without sacrificing sophistication.

I'll be honest – the Bolo tie is most commonly associated with the southern states. It's pretty common to see guys wearing a bolo tie alongside western boots and a matching hat.

However, it's also a popular option for guys on their wedding day. While many will opt for a formal ascot or bow tie, the more adventurous will consider a Bolo tie as the perfect balance between necktie formality and individual expression.

Whether you opt for a bolo tie on your wedding day or just want to add something extra special to your wardrobe, this is definitely one of those accessories that will stand the test of time and keep you looking stylish year after year.

Looking for more information about men's accessories to wear with a suit? Click here and learn more.

The post 8 Different Types Of Tie To Boost Your Style Game appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

With so many clothing options available on the market today, it can sometimes feel quite overwhelming when considering which ones are right for you.

After all, not all brands are created equal. Even visiting your local mall or shopping district, you’ll be struck with a multitude of questions, such as “is this brand’s clothing good quality for the price?” and “will this brand’s collection stand the test of time?”

It can be pretty confusing to evaluate various men’s clothing brands based on factors such as quality, price point, accessibility, and longevity.

Which is why we’ve compiled a simple, comprehensive list of 10 brands that’ll never steer you wrong – for just about every budget.

Whether you’re just looking to get some affordable, quality basics or some elevated pieces from somewhere reputable, look no further. Allow this list to serve as a fundamental guide for brands to look out for, especially if you’re just starting out your menswear journey, and ones you’ll be able to rely on for years to come.

#1: Uniqlo

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better source of quality basics at this price point. Largely intended for the budget-minded consumer, this japan-based retail giant is known for frequently solid collections that offer some serious bang for your buck.

Many have long praised their Uniqlo U Airism Tees as among the best tee-shirts you can find for around $20. They’re also known to keep up with trends – albeit in a subtle, tasteful manner.

Uniqlo often serves as an easy and accessible way to try out the latest silhouettes and fits at a competitive price. Trying to hop back on the cargo pant wagon? Unqilo makes it real simple – for under $50, too.

The retailer also often releases exciting clothing collaborations with some of the biggest pop culture powerhouses, frequently coming out with cool new graphic tees inspired by film, music, art, and more.

Don’t sleep on their heattech thermal wear for the cooler months, and be sure to check out their sock selection. They offer great deals and a brilliant variety of colors. All in all, let Uniqlo be one of your first stops for classic and basic clothing while shopping on a budget.

#2: J.Crew

Founded in 1947, J.Crew has long been a supplier of reliable clothing infused with timeless style – albeit often with a preppy twist.

However, despite their successful history, the famous “mall brand” retailer stumbled a bit in the 2010s, with somewhat stagnating styles and even filing for bankruptcy during 2020. But today, the brand has impressively reemerged as a menswear titan.

The last several years have seen J.Crew go back to their roots, referencing and drawing inspiration from their classic collections of decades past.

Many attribute their latest success to taking on Brendon Babenzien as their new creative director in 2021, and the brand is now a one-stop destination for quality basics such as chinos and oxford shirts – as well as an excellent selection of suiting options made from quality fabrics.

J.Crew’s style is inherently preppy, and its ivy style associations can be seen in many of their pieces. But they keep on trend, too, releasing popular items over recent years such as their “Giant Fit Chinos” (they’re big, but don’t be intimidated!) and branching out into roomier suiting options such as the Kenmare suit, a more relaxed fit compared to their iconic Ludlow suit.

With new, quality collections for every season, you can rely on J.Crew to keep you looking clean-cut and cool. A bonus tip – don’t miss out on their frequent sales events! You can snag some excellent deals on some truly solid stuff.

#3 Buck Mason

One of the newer brands on this list, don’t underestimate Buck Mason’s prowess on the men’s fashion scene. Founded in 2013, Buck Mason delivers uncompromised American style classics and terrific quality for the price.

Their pieces often lean into the look of american heritage and other workwear aesthetics – sometimes even with a western twist (the brand is from California, after all).

Many have praised their Japanese Loomstate Selvedge denim – especially their now-iconic “Full Saddle” jean. It serves as an excellent gateway into the world of selvedge denim and is essentially the perfect starter pack to all of your modern cowboy dreams.

Also hugely popular is the brand’s “Slub Classic Tee,” a well-constructed tee shirt with a subtle texture, flattering fit, and incredibly soft to the touch.

Don’t forget to pay attention to their other offerings, though. Buck Mason produces some absolutely dashing, rugged outerwear, as well as some of the coolest casual suits in the game.

#4: Todd Snyder

Despite being acquired by American Eagle in 2015, Todd Snyder has had a rich and impressive run in the men’s fashion world since its debut at Bergdof Goodman in 2011. The man behind the label himself, Todd Snyder, had previously worked with other clothing giants such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Gap, and J.Crew.

In fact, many have often described Todd Snyder as feeling somewhat evocative of J.Crew and Ralph Lauren classics – however with its own elevated, contemporary twist.

Todd Snyder offers a wide range of menswear pieces for just about every occasion. From rich, textured tailoring to comfortable shorts, delightful denim, and more, the quality of their collections is something to be admired. Many of their pieces go together almost effortlessly, making it even easier to build an outfit at one destination.

While certainly not the cheapest of the brands listed here, you get a lot for what you’re paying. Whether that’s some of the sleekest Irish linen trousers on the market, iconic sportswear courtesy of their ongoing collaboration with Champion, or the perfect knit polos for your next pool party – Todd Snyder packs a punch.

#5: Madewell

Okay, maybe this one is sort of considered cheating, seeing as the brand is owned by J.Crew – but we couldn’t leave it off the list.

Madewell produces some of the cleanest pieces with a somewhat laid-back vibe. Don’t miss out on their knitwear during the winter, but their spring and summer collections are oftentimes on a whole different level.

Their knit polos, camp collar shirts, and graphic tees are absolute must-haves for warmer climates, as are their workwear-inspired pants and their selection of shorts.

#6: Abercrombie & Fitch

You might be thinking, Wait, I know this one, but if you haven't visited an A&F store in five years or so, you might be surprised at how different the brand is nowadays. Long gone are the dark, heavily-scented stores from your youth.

Now, their stores are pleasantly bright, so that you can actually see the price tags – and for what they’re offering, they’re not bad!

Abercrombie and Fitch has switched up their style quite a bit, too. Today, it says a lot less “surfer dude” and a lot more “classic style.” Some of their pieces even lean a bit into the much sought-after “old money aesthetic”, but at a much nicer price.

Hot tip: Don’t miss out on their beautifully embroidered shirts!

Their denim selection remains incredibly well-rounded, with a good fit for just about everyone. Currently, their “Loose Fit” has taken men’s fashion influencers by storm, and are some of the coolest jeans you can snag for under $100.

#7: Scott Fraser Collection

Scott Fraser Collection is a sartorial haven for those who appreciate heritage craftsmanship and classic men’s style. The Britain-based brand displays a unique fusion of vintage-inspired aesthetics and modern elements. It isn’t the most affordable – but the clothing articles themselves are of impeccable quality.

From finely tailored suits and shirts to rugged outerwear and accessories, Scott Fraser Collection exudes a distinct character that resonates with men who appreciate classic style.

Among their most popular mainstays are their Perforated Tank Tops and their brilliantly high-waisted, pleated trouser selection.

With its blend of heritage-inspired aesthetics, contemporary flair, and commitment to sustainability, Scott Fraser Collection is not just a brand; it's a testament to the enduring allure of thoughtful, well-crafted menswear.

#8: Ralph Lauren

You probably don’t need us to tell you about Ralph Lauren. You know who he is. And likely, all about the brand. But we’d like to point you in the direction of the best labels within the men’s fashion powerhouse that is the Ralph Lauren brand.

Polo Ralph Lauren is arguably best known for, well, their polos. But there is so much more to this iconic label. For one, their outstanding tailoring. You’ll find some of the very best suiting options here, from classic worsted wool business suits to rich flannel wools, to fine linen sport coats, trousers, and more.

Another Ralph Lauren label worth noting is the western-inspired RRL, which offers pieces that replicate iconic American heritage clothing and rugged menswear from previous decades.

And for the very best of the best – there’s Ralph Lauren Purple Label. We’re not gonna sugarcoat it – this is damn near as expensive as it gets. But the quality and timeless style of this sub-label is a testament to Ralph Lauren’s mastery over menswear.

All in all, you can’t really go wrong with anything by Ralph.

#9: Spier and Mackay

Often touted as “the best value in menswear,” we might have to agree with this one. Few brands can compete with the quality-to-price ratio offered by online retailer Spier and Mackay.

Based on their superior understanding of quality fits, fabrics, and tailored garments, the brand is able to offer both a selection of fine ready to wear and made-to-order suits, sportcoats, trousers, and more.

They place an extra emphasis on using quality fabrics and materials, and while their styles are undeniably classic and contemporary, there’s a lot to like about what they have to offer.

For many, Spier and Mackay are a reliable source of high-waisted trousers featuring side-tab adjusters – a favorite of many menswear enthusiasts.

#10: Drake’s

This London-based brand has operated since 1977, and is something of a cult among many who are passionate about menswear and classic men’s style. One of the most expensive options on this list, Drake’s cannot be left out of the conversation due to their powerful presence on the menswear scene.

Often well-regarded for their selection of suits, sportscoats, and ties, Drake’s offers all of that – and then some. From top-notch chore coats, to some of the highest quality knitwear around, to perfect oxford shirts with an even more perfect collar roll, there’s almost no brand that can compete with Drake’s unmatched understanding of classic style.

Much of their collection often leans into ivy style, but they offer their fair share of workwear-adjacent items as well. Their denim is especially notable, with tasteful washes and quality, rugged construction.

If you have the budget for it – you won’t regret a purchase from Drake’s.

The post 10 Quality Clothing Brands Every Man Should Know appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

As with anything in life, it's all about getting the basics right first.

Imagine two men – one builds his house on wet mud, and the other builds his house on a solid concrete base. Which of these two guys is gonna successfully create a sturdy, reliable home?

The second guy, right? The one that built his house on a solid, reliable foundation.

So how can you apply this theory to your own style? What are those all-important style basic laws that every man should know when building his personal style image?

You know me, gents. I love giving actionable style advice to help improve your image and make you feel great.

Here we go; in today's article, I'm gonna run you through my top 10 tips to boost your style in seconds.

Let's get to it.

Style Tip #1: Take A Daily Shower

A man that stinks is not attractive – simple.

Guys, I know it should go without saying, but some of you gents out there might need a quick reminder. Knowing how to look more attractive as a man sometimes comes down to the most basic hygiene routines.

Taking a daily shower is one of the simplest ways for a man to instantly up his attraction levels. Jumping in a hot shower before work will make your skin cleaner, make you smell better, and improve your mood for the day.

In fact, Drench.co.uk did some research on the psychology of showering and found that:

‘The process of showering and the environment provided promotes positive mental thought and creativity. A lot of us will find ourselves deep in thought when taking a shower, be that contemplating the day’s events or planning how to become the next Steve Jobs.'

In short – taking just 5 minutes to shower in the morning has the potential to make you clean and focused in both body and mind.

Style Tip #2: Use The Right Hair Products

This one's a little less obvious.

It's important to know which hair products suit your personal hairstyle.

The reason for this is simple; different hair products are designed to achieve different looks with hair of different lengths. Making the wrong choice can have disastrous consequences for your personal style and can actually be pretty frustrating.

For those not in the know, here's a short breakdown of the different hair products you need to know about:

Hair Gel

A medium hold product that's suited to most hair types.

Hair Gel is designed to create a high shine finish. As such, those wishing to style their hair with a ‘wet look' should consider investing in this product.

Hair Creme

Creme provides a lighter hold than most hair products. This makes it perfect for fine/medium hair types.

Those with thinner hair wishing to create a volumized look should consider this product suitable for their hairstyles. Thinner hair does not require a product with a lot of hold.

Pomade

In contrast, a pomade is far more suited to thicker hair types.

This product provides a medium level hold and won't give your hair a ‘crunchy' feel (like a gel would).

Hair Clay/Mud

Hair clay/mud is designed for medium-thick hair and will provide the maximum hold of all the hair products I've mentioned here.

Clay/mud is great for creating a textured look with a matte finish.

Style Tip #3: Exercise For 10 Minutes A Day

We're all busy men. I get it, gents – sometimes exercise isn't at the top of our priorities list.

However, you should know that fitting just 10 minutes of exercise into your daily routine can vastly improve your style throughout the day.

In the morning, your body is waking up and getting itself going. We all look in the mirror first thing and see two worrying things:

• Puffy eyes
• Poor complexion

Going for a quick run in the morning is actually a great way of solving these problems.

Get that heart pumping and do a bit of exercise. Even just a short amount will do the trick – your aim isn't to burn 1000 calories; it's just to get your blood pumping and your body moving.

Do this, and you'll see an instant reduction in that puffy, sleepy complexion as more blood will be moving throughout your problem areas.

Style Tip #4: Leverage Fragrance 

In the immortal words of Mr. Tom Ford:

‘The way you smell can make as much of an impression, if not more, than the way you look.'

In short, getting your scent right is just as important as getting your outfit right – whether that be through a great cologne or a great deodorant.

The key to getting your scent right is to ensure you know the basics of wearing a fragrance.

I could write an entire book on this topic, but to reduce the key facts down for you guys, you need to consider the following:

• Projection – Connotes how far the scent travels through the air surrounding the wearer.
• Sillage – Describes the length of time a scent lingers in the air around the wearer.
• Longevity – A measure of the lasting power of a fragrance while on the skin of the wearer.

Typically – the best men's fragrance will have a high projection and sillage and will also last a long time on the skin. However, the keynotes within a fragrance will affect all of this as well.

It's also important to consider the time of year.

• Summer fragrances are made up of lighter notes such as citrus and floral notes and last on average 5-7 hours.
• Winter fragrances commonly utilize intense base notes such as wood and tobacco, and last at least 10 hours.

Style Tip #5: Maintain Good Posture

Posture is one of those things that you don't notice about yourself.

Unfortunately, everyone else who looks at you can see what your posture is like and judge you on it. Bad posture can make you look shorter and fatter than you actually are.

To tell whether or not you have bad posture, ask yourself the following:

1. Are my ears lining up with the middle of my shoulders?
2. Does my back feel straight?
3. Do my knees, hips, and shoulders fall in line with one another?

If the answer to any of these questions is ‘No!', then chances are you have some form of bad posture.

My advice to anyone aiming to fix their posture is to pay attention to the centerline of your body. Try to imagine that you have a metal rod running from the back of your neck to the base of your spine.

Good posture won't appear overnight, but practice makes perfect, so keep imagining that metal rod and good posture will eventually become second nature.

Style Tip #6: Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Guys, you can't be stylish without good oral hygiene. Having a clean looking mouth and good breath is an essential part of a man's personal style. It's so important to keep every aspect of your mouth squeaky clean so that your body and breath are presenting you just as well as your outfit does.

I'm talking about your tongue, gums, and teeth. They've got to be kept clean or not even the most expensive, well-tailored suit will save your style game from looking unkempt.

Surveys and studies by Deltadental.com have found that:

‘3 out of 4 millennials only brush their teeth once a day while 48% of adults are concerned about not having an attractive smile as they get older.'

Those are some scary statistics, gents. That means an entire generation of people neglect their teeth, and almost 50% of older men don't feel confident in their own smile.

There's a way to solve this, guys – it's so simple! What did your mom teach you when you were a kid? Brush for two minutes twice a day – once after breakfast and then once before you go to bed.

Pro Tip: Don't forget to clean your tongue! Brushing or scraping the tongue as part of your oral hygiene routine has been found to remove a lot of the bacteria that can cause bad breath.

Style Tip #7: Take Care Of Your Hands

If you saw me in the street, what would you want to do to greet me?

Shake my hand, right?

You're in luck – my hands are sparkling clean, and my fingernails are well maintained. Nothing gross here, gents, I can assure you. Having well-kept hands is a sure-fire way of showing you know how to look more attractive.

But imagine if my hand was gross and poorly groomed. Would you be as inclined to greet me with a friendly handshake?

The answer is ‘no' – plain and simple.

Other men will remember you by the first impression you create. So maintaining the skin and nails on your hand should be an essential part of your personal style.

That means ensuring you regularly check your hands for dry skin, dirt, and excessively long nails. I know the image of a man getting a manicure is portrayed as feminine, but I'm not saying you need to book in at your local salon.

Just ensure you moisturize daily, clean your hands when they get grubby and cut your nails to a sensible length weekly.

Style Tip #8: Wear A Fitted Shirt

Do you know how to look more attractive by simply changing up your shirt choices?

It's so simple, guys – buy a shirt that fits you properly. A well-fitting shirt will flatter your figure and make you look well proportioned, regardless of your body type.

For those not in the know, a shirt that hangs loosely or balloons around the waist when tucked in is too loose. A shirt that pinches or bunches up with movement is too tight.

The proper fit for a shirt is easy to judge visually: the two sides of the collar should meet neatly at the throat, with no overlap and no gap requiring the button to stretch tightly.

The collar should extend a half-inch above the collar of a suit jacket or sport coat. The sleeve's cuffs should reach all the way over the joining of the hand and wrist, easily found by the two large knobs of bone on either side of it.

At the bottom, the shirt should fall four to six inches past the waistband of the trousers, giving enough extra cloth for the shirt to be tucked in.

Style Tip #9: Shine Your Shoes

Picture this: a successful looking guy in a tailored, navy blue suit. He's carrying a leather briefcase and checks the time on his Rolex.

Sounds pretty stylish, doesn't he? This man must know how to look more attractive than other men.

Now imagine that same guy wearing a pair of tattered, scuffed, and dull shoes with his outfit. It's ruined his stylish aesthetic, right?

That's why it's so important that you shine your shoes when dressing for work. You might not be a guy with a tailored suit and a Rolex, but you still need to portray yourself as a well put together professional.

It's a fact; you're not going to be able to achieve that professional look if your footwear is mismatched from the rest of your outfit.

Shining shoes isn't something you should rush. But if you're in a hurry, here's a quick 3 step guide on how to get your footwear looking great:

1. Clean – Brush off the dirt coating your shoes with a bristle shoe brush.
2. Polish – Use a cloth to rub a color appropriate shoe polish onto your shoes in small circular motions.
3. Buff – After letting the polish dry, take your shoe brush and lightly work away at the leather's surface.

Style Tip #10: Leverage A Pocket Square

So what if you're already a sharply dressed, well-groomed man? Is there a way for you to improve your understanding of how to look more attractive than you already do?

There sure is – it's all about taking care of those finer, finishing touches to your style.

Leveraging a pocket square is a great way of doing this. Pocket squares are an often-overlooked touch that can set a well-dressed man apart from the crowd.

They are an individual article of clothing and should not match the tie or anything else in your ensemble, but they should work with the overall color scheme and not distract from the ensemble as a whole.

My advice to men wanting to add an element of classic style to their outfit would be to opt for a white pocket square folded in the square, or ‘Presidential' style.

Leveraging a pocket square in this way adds a classic style to any suit without being creating too much of a ‘statement' look.

10 Top Tips To Boost Your Style In Seconds

Looking stylish isn't easy, guys – it takes careful consideration to build a personal style profile that will make you look consistently attractive to those around you.

However, with a bit of hard work applying the teachings of yours truly, you should be able to consistently improve your style by applying the above easy-to-implement top tips.

Remember, style isn't about fitting a mold or mimicking someone else's entire wardrobe. Instead, it's about knowing the basic principles and applying them to your own lifestyle needs.

Beyond that, it's all down to you.

Good luck, gentlemen.

Need more top tips on how to look more attractive? Check out my 5 surprising tips on how to look more attractive.

The post 10 Tips How To Look More Attractive As A Man appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

Text messaging for men can be a problem.

Why? Because while 95% of 18-35 year olds text on a regular basis, it seems that single men haven’t yet mastered this art.

Gentlemen, texting can either be your greatest ally with the ladies or your worst enemy – it all depends on how you use it.

Today, I'm going to show you how to improve your texting game by avoiding the messaging mistakes most men make.

Alright gents, let's get into it…

Text Messaging Mistake 1 – Coming On Too Strong

This may seem like common sense to most men, but it happens all the same. Ladies can certainly appreciate a measure of vigor when you pursue them, but it’s essential to know where the line is.

Don’t text her if she doesn’t know you yet. Sometimes the nerves might overtake you, and the temptation to ask a friend for her number will be there – don’t do it. It’ll come off as creepy and destroy your chances. If you want her number, strike up a conversation and get it from her directly.

It’s especially important you get her number directly because you’ll have more of a guarantee against catfishing. This simply means that you’re being pranked by a fictional online persona.

Don’t over-text or ask too many questions. Wait for her reply. Few things come off as clingy as ten messages insisting she answer before she’s had a chance to.

Running on that theme, don’t go straight for the kill. What do I mean by this? Don’t insist on taking her to bed right away – it’s plain disrespectful. Likewise, don’t go about calling her pet names like “babe” unless you’re in a relationship.

Don’t even ask her out before you’ve both had a chance to get acquainted and establish a mutual connection.

In text messaging for men, it’s essential to keep things light-hearted. This means – believe it or not – easing off on the grammar. If your texting is too perfect, you’ll come across as uptight.  Using emoji’s will go a long way to helping you here.  On that same note, never bring up your ex.

Avoid periods at all costs. Think about it – how does “That’s fine” sound against “That’s fine.” ? The latter sounds more passive aggressive.

Oh, and drunk-texting? It's a frequent texting mistake – one you should avoid at any cost.

Text Messaging Mistake 2 – Being Too Passive

Balance is key. Texting woman you like doesn’t benefit from over-eagerness, the opposite is also true.

No one-word replies – If you’re interested in her, offer her the courtesy of a real conversation. A single word is a strong indicator that you’re done talking.

Timing is also important. While you don’t want to smother her with texts, you also don’t want to take eons to reply. Answering after about a minute is a good rule of thumb as it conveys attentiveness while also telling her you’re not glued to your phone.

You don’t want to go “Straight for the kill” as I said, but you need to stay on the hunt. What does this mean? Flirting. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a playful flirt here and there – in fact, it’s encouraged. When done appropriately, it send the message that you’re interested in a more tasteful way.

Never start a question with “Can I ask you something?” It can a woman anxious because she doesn’t know what to expect from a man –  anything from an inquiry of her favorite color, to whether or not she likes sex positions. If you’re smart enough to know what’s appropriate to ask, then just ask.

If you’re taking weeks and weeks to ask her out, she’ll assume you’ve lost interest. Can you blame her?

Also – for goodness’ sake, remember her name).

Text Messaging Mistake 3 – Making Everything About Sex

There may be some overlap between this and coming on too strong, but for the sake of saving text messaging for men it needs more attention.

If you value yourself as a gentleman – don’t send dick picks. If she wants personal photos, she’ll ask for them.

Take care not to shoe-horn sexual innuendo all over the conversation. Flirting is fun, but it should neither be excessive not overtly sexual in nature. The art of carrying on some harmless chit-chat is essential.

If things go well, then they will likely lead to the bedroom. If you’re anticipating this then you need to let your actions speak for you – don’t talk a big game unless you’re absolutely sure you can follow through. No one likes being disappointed.

In Summary – Everything In Moderation

Learning how to build attraction over text with a woman is all about judgment. It’s necessary to know when to be aggressive and when to be laid back.

It seems complicated at first, but a man can usually spot the signs that a woman wants, even via text if he pays attention. Watch to see if she’s answering you in a timely manner, how she reacts to flirts and jokes.

Adjust your approach as needed. Texting can be a powerful tool of seduction when used correctly.

Find out how often should you text a girl you've just met.

The post Top Mistakes Men Make When Messaging Women appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

But this term can take on many different meanings for different people, depending on several factors, including age demographics, local culture, climate, and more.

All things considered, it can be a bit confusing to determine what business casual even means in today’s modern working world. Even harder is figuring out how to do business casual well.

If you’re trying to get to the bottom of either of these two conundrums, then buckle up. We’ll walk you through it.

What Is Business Casual?

Throughout a great deal of the twentieth century, most if not all offices required their employees to dress in a manner that was considered “business professional.”

For men, this typically meant a suit, dress shirt, and tie. Depending on the industry, there were oftentimes stricter rules on what types of fabrics, colors, and patterns were deemed acceptable for the decorum of the workplace.

In late 1800s and early-to-mid 1900s England, where much of our western ideas of dress originate, men who held important and distinguished professional positions such as law typically only wore dark, worsted wool suits with conservative shoes, ties, and hats.

The phrase “no brown in town” was coined to refer to the common practice of designating more casual suiting (often in earth tones) for the countryside, while the businessman, working in the city, should only wear darker, more formal attire.

While some rules relaxed in future decades and as American professional style found its own unique footing, the suit-reliant uniform persisted across many industries.

However, many attribute the arrival of “business casual” to Silicon Valley workers in the 1980s, who seemingly chose to shirk traditional office attire in favor of a more relaxed look. Gone were the starched dress shirts and fine wool suits.

Khakis, patterned button-downs, and optional ties became the norm, and soon this phenomenon began to spread to other business sectors across the United States.

Today, business casual has sometimes come to include jeans and even t-shirts in some circles. But at the same time, a suit can still be considered business casual if dressed down. It’s a bit confusing!

At its core, business casual rejects traditional suiting and ties as the cornerstone of office attire. In its wake, is a somewhat confusing set of loose guidelines, born out of the absence of other, older rules. And in that absence, a somewhat mediocre uniform has prevailed.

Think of the most typical, humdrum office outfit that you know. Or, if you’re sitting at your office desk or at a boardroom meeting, simply look down. Khakis? Some sort of collared shirt worn on its own? Tan shoes or white sneakers?

If that’s accurate, don’t sweat. You’re not committing any fashion crimes. But it can be better. Simply read on to discover how.

Tip #1: Layer Up

One of the problems that often comes up with the typical business casual uniform is that things feel a bit too flat. By abandoning the suit, these outfits often lack an additional layer, which, as most fashion-conscious people are aware, lends an outfit a great deal of visual depth and interest.

You can keep your jeans, khakis, oxford shirts, and the like. The problem isn’t always inherent in those pieces – it’s in what the outfit is still lacking.

The answer? A finishing layer! A casual sport coat or blazer will always work. Some may falsely assume this is considered “dressy,” but if the jacket is in a casual cloth like tweed or linen, it will mesh quite well with the rest of your ensemble.

Another way to add an additional layer to your outfits is through quality knitwear. You know, sweaters! Whether you prefer a pullover crew-neck, v-neck, quarter-zip, or cardigan, a good piece of knitwear is guaranteed to add some extra interest to your outfit, and even elevate it.

Tip #2: All Natural, Baby

Yes, we understand that many people find athleisure fabrics to be quite comfortable. But there are certainly other ways to be comfortable without your outfit clearly exhibiting a synthetic look.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with your favorite stretch-fabric slacks, but you can often spot them from a mile away. Natural fiber fabrics often look better and when the clothing article fits you properly, can be just as comfortable, if not more. Additionally, natural fibers tend to last longer.

There’s an understated elegance to wearing quality fabrics. Try saving the stretchy stuff for the gym. It’s a subtle change that can go a long way.

Tip #3: The Color/Texture/Pattern Theory

It’s a common fashion idiom that still rings true – if your outfit isn’t interesting through color, then it should be interesting through texture. And if your outfit isn’t interesting through texture, it should be interesting through pattern. And if you’re feeling confident, why not try all three?

One of the larger issues with many business casual uniforms is that they simply scream “generic.” More accurately, they’re often dull in color, flat in texture, or uninspiring in pattern.

Try swapping out one piece for another in a color that you really like. Or perhaps trade your chinos for some corduroy pants. Replace your plain merino wool crew-neck sweater with a Fair Isle knit instead.

Once you begin to understand this trifecta, your style sense will improve dramatically. Oh, and you’re bound to receive some compliments, too.

Tip #4: Do High – Low Contrast Right

You might have tried pairing jeans and a more formal shirt before, and wondered why it didn’t quite work. It can be very tricky to figure out how to combine two pieces on opposite sides of the formality spectrum. But it’s the details of each piece that make or break the deal.

If you’re looking to wear denim with a dressier shirt, make sure the fit of each compliments the other. You don’t want one to be too baggy and the other too billowy. When in doubt, aim for a straight, traditional fit.

It can take some time to acquire the right eye for high – low contrast outfits. A no fail option? Try pairing straight or boot-cut jeans in a classic wash with a western denim shirt, or even a white or blue oxford cloth button down. Top it off with a navy blazer (gold buttons seal the deal!) and you’ve got a great outfit that mixes the best of both worlds with masterful synergy. Just look at Austin Butler. He gets it.

Tip #5: Better Fitting Pants

Outfit proportions are incredibly important. Unfortunately, this is a common stumbling block for lots of guys. Most pants on the market are tight in all the wrong places and have painfully low rises. The result? They make your legs look awkward and short.

It’s time to upgrade your work khakis or jeans. Try going for a more classic, roomy fit and a higher rise. The waist should come up a bit more than you might be accustomed to, and if you want to pack an even bigger visual punch, go for something with pleats. The final result will be a lower half that appears balanced with your upper, and your legs will often look longer, too.

Tapered and skinny fits have their place, but for a lot of body types, they just make you look top-heavy. Your work outfits can appear significantly more balanced with a more generous fit. Try it out and see for yourself!

Tip #6: Start Loafing Around

Picking the right shoes can be a bit challenging when it comes to business casual. In many workplaces, common footwear variations often include tan derbies or dress shoes, white-soled dress shoe/sneaker hybrids, or classic white sneakers.

A subtle way to elevate your business casual outfit without going overboard or overly formal, lies in the versatility and enduring style of the loafer shoe.

Loafers can be dressed up or down with ease, and lend a polished touch to nearly any outfit. Wear them with chinos. Wear them with jeans. Wear them with suits. It doesn’t matter – they just work!

Black and brown loafers will typically be the most versatile colors. A simple, penny loafer is quite neutral, while a more decorated tassel loafer tends to lean a bit more casual.

A loafer with a lug-sole has a slightly more rugged appeal that’s still classy enough for the boardroom. Whichever suits your taste, loafers are an invaluable style hack, especially for business casual.

Tip #7: Upgrade That Bag

Backpacks have their place, but their association with students might take away from an otherwise professional look. If you have a lot to carry, try swapping out your backpack for a leather messenger bag, or even a sleeker, modern take on the briefcase.

Traveling light? Try an elegant leather folio instead. For something in-between, a tasteful tote bag is perfectly appropriate for business casual settings.

Tip #8: The Polo, Perfected

Polo shirts are classic, but they can be a bit dull if left on their own. Many men opt for polo shirts as a short-sleeved option during warmer months. It can be hard to layer once it gets hot, after all.

However, polos can be elevated, too! Knit polos are a vintage classic that have made quite the comeback in recent years. If fitted correctly, they can be a highly flattering and stylish choice.

Due to warmer climates inhibiting our ability to layer sometimes, it pays to remember tip #3. If you’re looking to add more texture, consider a cable-knit polo. They have an extra dose of visual appeal while still conforming to the overall configuration of a traditional polo.

Tip #9: Suit Up (Casually)!

When others go low, try going high. In this context, we mean that in terms of office attire. Of course, if no one else is wearing a suit at your workplace, as will often be the case in some business casual environments, make sure you do it correctly.

That means – do it casually. Opt for a suit made from a casual fabric such as cotton, linen, corduroy, or tweed. Pair it with an oxford cloth button down or denim shirt to keep things grounded. If you’re feeling a bit bold, add a tie! Just go for a casual option such as a cotton, linen, or knit tie.

Tip #10: Protect Your Eyes – Fashionably

It’s no secret that a full workday spent staring at our computer screens can be harmful to our eyesight. The blue light from most screens can have negative effects on health and sleep. Thankfully, there’s a stylish solution to this that also serves as a major wardrobe upgrade.

Blue light blocking glasses have risen in popularity over the last several years, and they can be just as sharp and tasteful as your favorite reading glasses or shades. They don’t appear much different than a reading pair, but come in all sorts of frames, colors, and sizes. This is one style upgrade that also happens to serve a unique workplace function!

Tying It All Together

By now, hopefully you’ve learned a thing or two about elevating your office attire. Business casual can often be a bit hard to understand, and even trickier to pull off correctly.

In the absence of hard-set style rules that once ruled the professional workplace, the default outfit often lacks a bit of flavor. But through thoughtful choices and careful understanding of how individual items play into one another, you can upgrade your business casual wardrobe in no time.

The post 10 Tips To Do Business Casual Better appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

For many, their first exposure to vintage style is through movies and television, whether original media from previous decades, or period-pieces produced in the modern day.

Some are enamored with the “old money” elegance in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), while others find themselves more drawn to Robert De Niro’s flashy ensembles in Martin Scorsese’s mob epic, Casino (1995). Perhaps you’re into the exemplary displays of Ivy Style portrayed in Dead Poets Society (1989), or the 70s take on the look in The Holdovers (2023).

The real world holds plenty of style stimulation, as well. Maybe your favorite style influencer recently put you on to an especially cool retro look. Or you passed someone on the street with head-turning taste.

Whatever your source of inspiration, and whatever particular aesthetic that’s caught your eye, there’s one truth that remains consistent across practically all of these experiences and others like it: vintage style can be pretty darn cool, and a ton of fun!

But in truth, it can be challenging to know where to start once you’re committed to the idea of incorporating more vintage styles into your wardrobe. So, we’ve put together a list of tips and expert advice to help you experiment and achieve the perfect vintage look. Ready to retro-fy your style journey? Read on!

Tip #1: Shop Secondhand Vintage

This might seem obvious, but it’s worth stating. You won’t get a more authentic vintage look than by wearing authentic vintage clothing.

Besides being a sustainable practice, shopping vintage will help you learn to appreciate the styles of previous decades in a whole new way. It truly is a hands-on learning experience that will allow you to recognize vintage details everywhere, furthering your understanding of vintage fashion.

Thrift stores, flea markets, and online marketplaces like eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, Depop, Vinted, and more are filled to the brim with vintage offerings spanning across different decades and styles. It can take a bit of work and patience, but that’s part of the fun when it comes to cultivating your vintage style.

Sometimes, you can find quality vintage-inspired pieces produced by modern brands. If this works for you, go for it! But always be mindful of quality. It’s worth noting that you can often find great deals on vintage designer pieces by shopping secondhand.

This tip is at the very top of the list because it truly is the best way to get started. Embrace the process and have fun with it!

Tip #2: Incorporate Tailoring Into Your Outfit

When in doubt, tailoring has got your back. And sometimes your legs, too!

What many outfits some may categorize as “boring” often lack is a degree of extra dimension or texture. That’s where tailoring comes in.

Take a look at pretty much any vintage photograph, and you’ll often see it front and center. Men wearing suits, jackets, wool trousers – the works! It doesn’t even need to read as formal if you opt for a casual suit or sportcoat. But it will undoubtedly add a touch of sophistication to nearly any outfit.

Blazers and sportcoats feature lapels that frame your torso and neck, while padded shoulders will compliment and accentuate your form.

This extends to bottoms, as well. Try swapping your regular work chinos for a pair of tailored trousers to elevate your ensemble. This can work any time of the year if you go with the right fabric. Try wool or corduroy for fall and winter, cotton for spring, and linen or seersucker for summer!

Looking to try a bit more? Wear a full suit!

Until the late 1990s, it was more common than you might think. Hence, the vintage association. If you have the option, opt for more casual suiting made from casual fabrics like tweed, corduroy, or linen. When the occasion calls for it, smoother, worsted wools should be your go-to for business or more formal settings.

Tip #3: Try Out New Silhouettes

A lot of modern, contemporary clothing has fit very similarly for a while now. Slim and skinny fits were all the rage in the 2010s. Even today, it remains a very common style. For the fashion-conscious, wider, roomier fits have been back for a few years now. But if you have yet to give it a try, maybe now’s the time!

Not all larger fits are the same, either. For example, during various decades across the twentieth century, the fit of pants, in both refined tailoring or casual workwear, was constantly evolving, much like our trends today.

The 1920s saw an influx of relaxed suits, with lots of room in the seat, thigh, and leg of the pants. In the 1970s, flared pants were accentuated with a slimmer thigh. Big shoulders in jackets and a tasteful excess of fabric characterized much of the look of tailoring in the 1980s.

If you’ve been wearing the same slim or skinny fit chinos and slim fit suits since 2010, it might be time to switch things up! There will always be a place for tasteful slim fits, but it can be a lot of fun to experiment with roomier clothes, too.

Tip #4: High-Rise Pants Are Iconic

Sometimes, a low-rise jean looks pretty cool! The Ramones certainly had the right idea. But for a good chunk of menswear history, pants have traditionally sat significantly higher on the waist, falling closer to one’s natural waistline.

The rise of a pair of pants refers to how much fabric exists between the top of the waistband and the crotch seam. The more fabric, the higher the rise.

Aside from lending your outfits a classic, vintage look, high-rise pants can actually make you look taller by elongating your legs and breaking up your body proportions in a way that is almost always universally flattering to all body types.

With the right amount of room in the seat, sometimes afforded by pleats (see tip #6), they can be highly comfortable, and typically slip a lot less than many lower-rise pants.

Generally speaking, high-rise pants extend to around your belly button. But sometimes, they can be a little higher or a little bit shorter. Finding which exact fit is right for you can take some trial and error, but a good pair of high rise jeans or tailored trousers are a great way to give your outfits a vintage touch.

Tip #5: Frame Your Face With Retro Shades

There are tons of sunglasses with timeless, classic frames that stand the test of time. But if you want to make a statement, go bold! Big shades in tinted colors offer a lot of 70s appeal.

Tortoiseshell sunglasses have a bit of a softer touch, but work well with all sorts of classic menswear aesthetics.

Maybe you’re going for a 1980s stockbroker look? Keep things big, bold, and boxy! A good pair of vintage style shades can be a brilliant capstone on an already brilliant retro outfit.

Tip #6: Pleated Pants, Perchance?

One of the chief characteristics of classic menswear and vintage tailoring is the amount of depth and dimension afforded by the fabric, fit, and details.

Today, a lot of contemporary fashion can feel a bit flat. But if you keep an eye on the forefront of fashion, you may have observed that pleated pants have made quite the comeback in the past few years!

And for good reason, too. Gone is the somewhat dorky, dad-like association of ill-fitting, pleated khakis. Quality pleated pants lend an extra dose of visual interest to all types of outfits, from casual linen trousers to the most refined tailoring.

Flat-front pants are just fine, but pleats offer a subtle yet noticeable charge of detail and dimension. They afford pants a bit more shaping, and as you very well know by now, silhouette is vital to getting a vintage look right.

And they can be practical, too. If you happen to have thicker thighs, you’re likely to enjoy the added comfort and room of pleated pants. A little pleat goes a long way!

Whether you prefer a single, reversed pleat, double, forward-facing pleats, or a different configuration, like double reversed pleats, they’re guaranteed to signal that your outfit considers classic detailing.

Tip #7: It’s Time For Ties

Modern menswear seems to be rather split on the necktie. Many have all but abandoned it, even at traditionally formal events like weddings or political forums. Others still maintain that traditional tailoring almost always required a tie.

Regardless of where you fall, the tie has certainly become less and less popular over the twenty-first century. But for most of classic menswear history, the tie has held a place across many shapes, forms, and aesthetics. And if you’re trying to go for a vintage look, the right neckwear can make a big difference.

Classic silk ties in simpler patterns will work best for formalwear, whereas bolder ties are more of a statement piece. Textured ties, such as knits or wool compositions, can really add to an ivy or academic look. Wider ties tend to be seen as more vintage – but bear in mind that skinnier ties were popular in the late 1950s and 1960s!

To stand out and really sell a vintage ensemble, it might just be time to revisit the necktie.

Tip #8: Prioritize Natural Fabrics

With the exception of 1970s style, which popularized polyester in the form of double-knit synthetic suits for leisure, disco, and more, vintage style is often entirely composed from natural fiber fabrics.

Today, a lot of modern clothing is made from polyester or other synthetic fabrics. This changes how a garment feels, wears, and lasts. Vintage clothing is often made entirely from natural fabrics like wool, cotton, and linen.

Unless you’re going for a 70s look, polyester or synthetic-blend clothing is often a staple of more modern clothing. A suit made from stretch-infused athleisure fabric might be comfortable, but it won’t exactly communicate a vintage style.

Prioritizing natural fabrics will ensure that most of your outfits read as more period-accurate, and they’ll likely last longer, as well.

Tip #9: Vintage Bling Counts, Too

Vintage jewelry can be a great finishing touch to your outfit, and an even better way to express your individuality. Like authentic vintage clothing, you often can’t beat the genuine article when it comes to antique jewelry.

Necklaces, rings, bracelets, and more, can often be found at flea markets or online marketplaces for competitive price points. Where you can, try to stick with genuine silver or gold. In the long run, it’ll often look a lot better than some cheaper alternatives.

Nervous about trying out jewelry? Start small!

A simple chain, pendant, or ring is an easy access point to experiment. Historically, rings have many hidden meanings and old-world associations, often depending on the finger you choose to wear them on. For an easy vintage look, a simple signet ring will most likely suffice.

Signet rings are adorned with seals, often bearing a family crest, signature, or similar, used to confirm authority on documentation and the like. Today, they just look great as a top-tier vintage accessory.

Tip #10: These Shoes Are Made For Walking

Don’t discount your footwear! When it comes to putting together an outfit, your shoes will sometimes be the first thing people notice, and they can truly make or break your overall look.

For more casual outfits, consider timeless classics such as Converse Chuck 70s, brown leather derbies, loafers, or even a western boot.

For more formal styles, choose authentic dress shoes. These will almost always be black, and unlike open-laced derbies, sport a more polished, closed-laced lacing system.

If you’re interested in investing in quality dress shoes, consider goodyear welted shoes and full-grain leather. These may cost more up-front, but they’ll age more gracefully, too, and can typically be expected to last longer.

Bonus Tip: Don’t Forget to Have Fun with the Process

Thought we were done, did you? Well, we nearly are.

But it’s worth noting that the most important part of experimenting with style, vintage or not, is to allow yourself to enjoy the process.

If you start to feel frustrated that your outfits aren’t looking exactly the way you pictured in your head – that’s okay! Fashion and style journeys are rarely completed in one trip. So, be sure to experiment. Learn. And enjoy yourself along the way!

The post 10 Ways To Give Your Outfit A Vintage Look appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

Whether for a typical day at the office, or for an elegant evening out on the town, men used to don suits for all sorts of occasions.

But today, suits and tailoring tend to be thought of as wholly “formal.” Something you really only ever wear for very specific events, such as weddings. And even then, there are those who prefer weddings with an entirely casual dress code.

But this was not always the case. For much of the twentieth century, there existed the notion of the “casual suit.” This was more or less a middle-ground of sorts that existed between formalwear and casualwear.

Today, the concept of business casual often fills this gap. But instead of the drab khakis and cheap dress shirts found on sad discount store racks, casual suits still contain all of the depth and visual complexity of traditional tailoring!

Believe it or not, the concept of the “casual suit” was once well-accepted. In the past, men understood that not all tailored garments read as formalwear.

And today, many menswear enthusiasts hold by the same truths and standards, educating themselves about the history and context for the various fabrics, patterns, and colors that qualify some tailoring as timeless, casual styles.

Read on to discover it all for yourself!

The History of Casual Suiting

Like so many western menswear traditions, the origins of the casual suit (and suits in general, for that matter), can be traced to England. In this particular case, we can look to the lounge suit, born out of Scotland in the mid nineteenth century, and the arguable granddaddy of all suits.

Typically made from heavier wool fabrics, the lounge suit wasn’t actually intended for lounging. Instead, it was essentially the sportswear of that era. Used for hunting and other outdoor activities, the coats on these suits were shorter than the longer frock-style jackets worn in town for business matters. This shorter length would accommodate easier movement for sporting activities. It was all about performance!

Of course, the construction of these garments, often seen in three-piece configurations, was still rather elegant, using rich, earthy tones and quality wool. As the 1800s progressed, and the 1900s began, the trends of the lounge suit eventually made their way from the English and Scottish countryside to dense, bustling cities.

The business suits frequently seen in the professional world kept their darker appearance and their finer, subtler wool fabrics, but adopted the shorter coat configuration of the sportier lounge suits. And thus, the modern blueprint for the suit was born.

In the United States, suits followed the trend timeline set by the British, as Brooks Brothers debuted their famous “sack suit” in 1895, in accordance to the rising popularity of shorter coats.

Frock and tailcoat demand was down! And Brooks Brothers was there to claim the opportunity. The sack suit quickly cemented itself in the American fashion vernacular, while carrying over the cultural associations of various fabrics born out of England.

Rougher, heavier wools such as tweed became a hallmark of academia and the American Ivy League, a setting in which the aforementioned “middle-ground” of formality thrived. Meanwhile, just like in England, business suits and formalwear retained their smoother, sleeker look.

You may be thinking, well, thanks for the history lesson. But how does this apply to the idea of casual tailoring today?

What History Teaches Us About Fabrics

The rich history of tailoring and the fabrics used for different occasions, locales, and eras, all point to modern contextual clues we can use to determine a suit’s formality.

In the Scottish countryside, aristocrats donned heavy, three-piece tweeds to go hunting. It wasn’t really something they wore on their wedding day, per se. Or even to do business!

You may have heard the old phrase, “no brown in town” before. While this needn't be followed so stringently today, it did refer to the practice of brown tweed and tweed-adjacent suits being designated for countryside wear.

But the lesson remains the same. A gentleman had tailoring for recreation. For casual affairs. At the same time, he also maintained a wardrobe for more formal occasions.

This path of thought can still be followed today to determine the modern-day implications for a tailored garment. Because clothing is so strongly informed by our culture, those associations are often already there whether we’re aware of it, or not.

The gentleman’s difference? He understands the association and the historical context of different garments – right down to the fabric and pattern itself.

Therefore, the casual suits of yesteryear can still read as casual today to the informed mind. Where some may still just see a suit and equate it to a fancy vibe, the casual suit teaches us that one can still be “put-together” without sacrificing a degree of elegance.

Because good tailoring is three-dimensional. It drapes. It creates interesting shapes to compliment your figure. But it can still be casual!

How to Identify Casual Suits

Now that you know the history, and how that history influences our cultural aesthetics, you’re ready to discover casual suiting for yourself! Here are some tips on how you can do this successfully.

1. Fabric Is King: This is arguably the most important aspect of determining the formality level of a suit. Fabrics like tweed, flannel wool, corduroy, cotton, linen, and seersucker are all examples of fabrics that typically “casualize” a piece of tailoring. More formal suits are usually made from smooth, worsted wool.

2. Pattern Matters, Too: Usually, the bigger and bolder the pattern on a tailored garment, the more casual it’s intended to be. Look for big, bold stripes, windowpane patterns, houndstooth (often found on tweeds), and more.

3. It’s a Colorful World: Light-tones suits in shades of white, cream, beige, and light gray are usually less formal. An exception to note would be the white dinner jacket, which is the most important component of white tie attire (very formal).

While you don’t need to take “no brown in town” too seriously, do know that most shades of brown are still considered fairly casual. Less conventional colors, and especially anything on the louder end of the spectrum, also deformalize the overall look.

Dark suits aren’t always casual, however, as you need to take into account other aspects mentioned on this list.

4. The Devil Is in the Details: It pays to look out for the small things, as well. A less structured suit, for example, such as one with minimal to no internal padding in the jacket, is inherently a bit less formal.

Fewer than three buttons on the sleeve cuff are also often a dead giveaway, and are sometimes found on suits similar to those worn in the English countryside. Cuffed pants can be very tasteful, but they are also traditionally more casual. So are patch pockets on a jacket. The little things go a long way in identifying if a suit reads as formal, or not.

How You Can Style a Casual Suit Today

So, you’ve learned all there is to know about the history, why it matters, and how to determine if a suit is casual-coded. Good work! However, you may still be wondering how to style a casual suit.

Maybe you’ve already got yourself a corduroy two-piece you’re itching to rock out on the town, or even a cream-colored, cotton, double-breasted suit.
Regardless of what kind of casual suit speaks to you, here are a few style tips to avoid clashing your casual tailoring against pieces that might be too formal.

1. Oxford Cloth Button-Downs Are Your Best Friend: Ah, the oxford cloth button down. Or, to its friends, OCBD, for short. Much like the sack suit, this style of shirt was popularized by Brooks Brothers, and it pairs magically with nearly any casual style suit. Tweed, corduroy, cotton, flannel, linen, seersucker, you name it – the OCBD is almost guaranteed to go well.

This is because, much like the less sleek nature of most of these fabrics, oxford cloth is typically made from a slightly more textured cotton. While some dress shirts can go well with some casual suits, it takes a well-trained eye. OCBDs have a built-in history and cultural association that allows them to just work.

2. Avoid True Dress Shoes: Don’t pair your casual suit with black, closed-laced oxford shoes. Rather, consider something just a step down, like an open-laced derby shoe, leather boots, or loafers in a complimentary color.

3. Appropriate Accessories: To really communicate that your outfit is casual, even to those who can’t quite distinguish the suiting formality scale, you can let your accessories do the talking.

For example, a braided or embossed belt is often considered more laid-back than a sleeker, simpler one. Or try a western belt if you’re feeling like a cowboy!

When it comes to ties, sometimes silk works just fine in casual ensembles, but something with a bit more texture, like cotton, wool, or a knit can really finalize a classic, casual Ivy League look.

4. Consider a Denim Shirt: Going without a tie? With a more casual suit, that’s totally a valid option. But once you’re forging neckwear, you may as well lean into the playful nature of your outfit. A denim or chambray shirt can look brilliant under all sorts of casual suits. It works especially well with cotton, corduroy, linen, tweed, and seersucker.

5. Ditch The Pants: Well, provided you replace them with another pair of pants. The fun thing about many casual suits, is that unlike their more formal counterparts, they can be broken up into suit separates with ease.

Try combining a tweed jacket with some corduroy pants for an academic look. Or even the reverse! A cotton jacket is right at home with some linen or seersucker pants. Or perhaps pair a linen jacket with some cotton trousers!

There’s a world of possibility when it comes to casual tailoring. Experiment, and you might just find your new favorite outfit!

Well, that about concludes our deep-dive into the world of casual suits. We hope you found it informative!

There’s so much more to the deep and fascinating history of tailoring across all ends of the formality spectrum – this was really just a sneak peek!

But don’t forget, it’s the history of fashion that tells us how to best style our clothing – even in the modern day.

Also read: Buying Second-Hand Suits – How To Spot Quality

The post Fabric and Formality: What Makes a Suit “Casual?” appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

With the passage of time, beard styles have evolved becoming more creative and eye-catching.

Choosing a right style for you might be confusing though.

But rest assured, you're in the right place. We're here to guide you towards the perfect beard styles that not only complement your personality but also ensure you stand out in any crowd.

These styles are designed to elevate your appearance and boost confidence in your look.

Top Black Men's Beard Styles For 2024

1. Full Beard Style

A full beard style is the most common and classic beard style for African-American men. The hair grows freely on the cheeks, jawline, and chin in full beard style, making dense hair coverage.

This style enhances the virile and masculine look of black men. This sleek style suits all facial shapes, particularly diamond-shaped or heart-shaped faces. 

You must be patient to attain the full beard style to the desired length. A well-groomed full beard style enhances your confidence as it can be styled into various looks, from professional to untamed appearance. 

2. The Five O'clock Beard

The Five O'clock beard gives black men a classy, simple, and natural look and is characterized by a 1-2 millimeters subtle appearance after several hours of shaving.

This type of beard style gives your face a shady look. It is given the name “five o'clock” so that if you shave in the morning, it will appear at 5 o'clock in the evening. 

A man with a five-o'clock beard style looks attractive and young. This style requires you to let your beard hair grow freely for a few days; after that, you must trim it.

You can maintain this style easily by a regular subtle trimming on your face, generally after every three days. 

3. The Goatee Beard Style

It is one of the most trending and elegant beard styles for black men now. It holds significant esteem, particularly in professional environments, where it's highly regarded.

There is only a beard at the chin's level, and it is named because it looks like hairs on a goat's chin. To bring out the goatee, the rest of the face must be shaved, requiring a lot of attention.

It's a traditional look popular among movie stars and has long been popular among black males. It is ideal for a face with a square jaw and short hair. The fact that these black men's beard styles focus on the mouth sets them apart.

4. The Carved Beard

Black men frequently adopt this beard style because it allows them to convey their sophisticated personalities more effectively.

This style elaborates patterns paired with a precisely sculpted contour. Perfecting the shape and contours takes dedication, artistic talent, and some barbering skills.

Use a razor or precision trimmer to shape the cheekbones, goatee, neck, and mustache. This is the perfect look for black males with thick facial hair. You must work on this look every day to keep it that way.

5. The Moustache

The facial features of the mustache and beard involve the growth of hair on the chin and upper lip, respectively. It provides the face with a very subtle, clean appearance.

Depending on the wearer's preference, the finish of the mustache can be either thick or thin. It's best to shave clean and maintain a clean face to keep that air fresh.

This style draws attention to the longer hairs in the beard that stop at the mustache. You trim your mustache less frequently to give it more density to get this effect. If you have holes and uneven hairiness, this is perfect for you. It is because the mustache deflects attention, making the holes in the beard less noticeable.

6. The Circular Beard

This form of beard for black guys are based on the concept of creating a thin and short beard strip along the beard. Beginning from the ears, it travels across the jawline and ends at the goatee. To become the focus point, the goatee can grow a little longer.

Starting from the mustache, everything will be rounded up to the chin beard, and then it will be rounded up towards the ear.

Black males who wish to maintain a sense of mystique while displaying a sense of maturity are the ideal candidates for this sophisticated style.

7. Bushy Beard

The bushy beard style gives a bold and classy look that suits any black man. It involves thick beard hair with v-shaped corners and a distinct mustache. The beard can be trimmed to balance your looks because it covers up the lower portion of your face. It also gives you a strong jawline, which lengthens the appearance of your face. 

This beard style provides more mature and sophisticated look. To maintain its shape, comb the brush in the direction of the hair you want to grow. 

8. The Stubble Beard

Another fantastic beard style for people who are just starting or who want to avoid sports with an 8-inch beard is a stubble beard.

This is one of the beard styles that creates a lovely and carefree look for black men. All it needs from you – is a few days a week to keep it in shape and manageable texture. In addition, the touch-ups must be completed while the Adam's apple is at its tallest.

Any facial shape, whether oval, round, square, or elongated, looks good with a stubble beard.

9. The Sculpted Beard

It is a style of beard prevalent among people of younger age. The features of this beard are drawn crisply and precisely, and it is of a short length.

To achieve this kind of look, it is essential to determine the contours using a manual razor or a precision trimmer. In addition, it should be maintained daily.

This type of beard's clean and sophisticated appearance is one reason it is so popular among women.

10. HOLLYWOODIAN Beard Style

Because Leonardo DiCaprio and Christian Bale have both been seen wearing a low cheek line appearance similar to this one, the Hollywoodian got its name from them. Although specific sources will tell you that a Hollywood beard does not link to the sideburns, we believe you should allow it to connect if you can have it do so.

When the cheek lines are lowered, it helps create a more apparent jawline. When you cut the neckline, keep it high; otherwise, you will start creeping into chinstrap territory, which is only where you want to be if you are a rapper from the early 2000s.

Not only is this style designated for performers, but anybody can use it. This is not the only time that LeBron James has been seen wearing the Hollywood chinstrap. 

Factors for Selecting the Right Beard Style: 

Here are some distinct factors that you have to consider before selecting an ideal beard style for you.

Face Shape

Your facial shape is one aspect that immediately influences your decision. Though not everyone has this genetic trait, an oval face shape is the perfect canvas for a beard.

Beards that round off the edges of square faces are better for them than those that add length and angles to circles.

Less is more for longer faces.

By matching your beard style to your face shape, facial hair can enhance and balance your features.

Face Features

You should also take into account the peculiarities of your face. Beards are great tools for drawing attention to or concealing particular features:

Robust Jawline: A well-defined goatee or a trim beard can draw attention to a strong jawline.

Sharp Cheekbones: You can accentuate sharp facial features with a boxed or traditional full beard.

Beard Growth Patterns

Individuals differ in how their hair develops; some men's beards grow even, while others may have patches. Depending on your natural growth pattern, some beard styles might not be possible, so set realistic expectations.

For instance, a goatee can suit someone with uneven growth, but a full beard requires a consistent growth pattern.

Knowing your development pattern will help you choose a style for your beard that is simple to manage and style.

Personal Style and Preference

The most important consideration when selecting a beard style is your personal preferences and style.

Would you instead look polished and modern?

Would an innovative, edgy look suit you better?

Are you willing to invest more time in grooming, or is low maintenance more your style?

When you wear a beard, it should reflect your personality and bring you joy.

The post Top 10 Black Men’s Beard Styles 2024 appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

Do you believe that styles come and go?

Well, one thing is for sure: our fashion landscape is revving up for a radical transformation as we move forward in 2024.

If you are a little nostalgic and appreciate the vintage looks but would prefer some modern updates, your time has come.

This fashion-forward forecast will captivate the sartorial senses of every modern man, from low-top basketball sneakers and baggy pants to leather biker jackets and sleek trenches.

Irrespective of which aesthetic you favor, all men will don an ensemble that suits them to a tee!

The casual styles that have prevailed in 2024 will provide us with a glimpse of what’s to come. I believe it can be summed up in two words: tradition and innovation.

Read on to discover just exactly which hot items are blazing the trail for 2024 and beyond!

Low Top Basketball Sneakers

If you want to really step up your game in style, be sure to grab some low-top basketball sneakers. To keep that laid-back vibe going, pair them with some cool and effortless relaxed-fit pants.

No matter if you are rocking straight or wide-leg chinos, these awesome low tops will take your outfit to a whole new level.

Just one caveat, however – make sure those sneaks are composed of no greater than three colors to keep things sleek and understated. Trust me on this one.

Leather Biker Jacket

Well, I must tell you, the leather biker jacket has never been hotter. Talk about being both retro-chic and fashion-forward. 

Forget about the full-on Marlon Brando vibe by switching it up with some wide-leg pants, cozy hoodies, and hefty sneakers for starters.

These classic leather jackets are always in vogue and add an extra punch to any outfit. Purchase one soon to become effortlessly fashionable for today and beyond today!

Baggy Pants

Your slim and skinny-fit pants—not this year, gentlemen. A new fashion figure in town is stirring things up in men’s casual dressing and is prepared to grab the spotlight. 

Wide-leg trousers are staging a fierce comeback. Oh, but not the ones of yesteryear—no, now we want style and comfort. It’s about time, I do believe!

This year, it’s all about pants that grab you from the knee down, allowing more room where it is needed, creating a sleek and contemporary silhouette without a heap of fabric.

Trench Coats

Have you heard? The trench coat is back, but with some sexier upgrades!

Yes, you heard me right—long and classy, it boasts only one row of buttons without the shoulder strap in today's fashion world. Made from hardy fabrics for strong durability, it's a garment you don’t want to be without.

Many designers provide nuances to keep the trench coat stylish and up-to-date, such as technologically advanced materials, streamlined shapes, and minimalistic features. Their goal is to keep the trench coat new and enticing while maintaining its classic appeal.

Be sure to check out some exciting designs from Burberry, created by their talented mind, Daniel Lee.

Tank Tops

Love your T-shirt?

Well, get ready to swap it out for something even breezier and more casual. Yep—it's the tank top, my man.

This time around, however, the neckline needs to be low and chic, transmitting that cool and edging vibe.

Over this tank, pair it with a casual blazer, breathable jacket, or a button-down shirt to complete your fashionable statement. Cool, right?

Galactic Metallics

Now, here’s when things really take a turn! Designers are now reaching for the stars by launching fashion into the galaxy with glittering galactic metallics.

Sparkling tops, futuristic pants, and menswear in metallic silver – on my! 

This may not be your cup of tea, but who knows, it just might be the boost you have been looking for! Time to fasten your seatbelts, gentlemen, because this is a chic adventure to infinity and beyond!

Double Denim

One fabric that never gets old is denim. So, how about double denim?

If one is good, two are, well, you know. To turn heads even further, why not go for triple denim?

Unleash your inner denim chicness. Fashionistas have made it perfectly clear—fusing denim ponchos with trench coats, matching cowboy-styled shirts with rugged denim, and blending sleeveless vests with edgy ripped jeans is ‘haute couture'.

Formal Shorts

The spring of 2024 is the time for fashion to break many rules. Get ready!

This season, modernity and relaxation are fused to the extreme. Designers are introducing formal shorts. Valentino is the fearless leader in this regard by offering a bold cobalt look that marries tailored finesse with laid-back comfort.

Your chic blazer will be handsomely paired with a matching pair of formal shorts, promising a clean and striking appearance. The sleek lines and vibrant color demand attention, while the shorter length adds a youthful vibe. A perfect balance between class and cool!

Sweater Vests

I bet you remember seeing your grandpa in a good old-fashioned sweater vest at least on one occasion or more.  Once upon a time, they were considered unfashionable and put in the back of the closet like a dusty old rag. I have some fashion news for you, though: they have made a comeback!

So push them to the forefront of your clothes closet, and let’s begin rocking those vests once again. But how do you embrace this trend without looking like the days of old?

Simply pair your sweater vest with a relaxed T-shirt and some trendy jeans. Now, to take things up a style notch, don a pair of striking sneakers that scream, “I’m the coolest.”

Now you have gone from fashion zero to style hero!

Y2K

Who can forget the recognizable styles of the early 2000s? I hope you hung on to a garment or two from this era because, guess what?

That’s right—they are back in full force! There is a bit of a twist, incidentally. The baggy jeans and flamboyant rugby tops are in the limelight once again, but this time around, they are injecting new vitality and vigor into the fashion icon with today’s styles.

So, it is not quite the trip down memory lane you may be envisioning, but with an added Y2K charm that promises to be fabulous!

Tailoring Loosens Up

There has been a definite shift in men’s wear this year. The tight, slim-fitting styles we typically wear are no longer in style. Today, we are flashing back to the suave looks of the 1940s and 1950s. Classic and timeless have returned. 

I believe most men would prefer comfort and style. Well, you are in luck because a more relaxed silhouette is all the rage starting now and hopefully will continue. After all, it’s not impossible to look both smart and at ease simultaneously.

Allow this vintage elegance to shine with a contemporary flair while enjoying the best of both worlds!

Final Thoughts

We have entered the modern world of men’s fashion. Let’s recap a few of the finer points discussed. 

What’s old can become new with a few tweaks and modifications. Remember, there is no need to sacrifice comfort for style. Not anymore! The dynamic wardrobes of 2024 will have you feeling confident and sharp in no time.

For example, low-top basketball sneakers are back in a big way. Plus, they look really cool! Don’t forget to pair those sneaks with some baggy pants for a truly relaxed vibe.

For heaven's sake, what about a timeless leather biker jacket? Also, a sleek trench coat will be popping up all over the runway, so be sure to grab one.

No, we are not quite done. Double denim, anyone? Don’t forget to invite your double and even triple denim outfits to today’s fashion world.

Okay, the formal shorts. I’m not kidding with this one! With its tailored finesse and laid-back comfort, it is the perfect combination. Why not give it a try? It really is a fashion statement. Play with textures and colors to achieve a look that is uniquely yours.

Who can forget about the futuristic galactic metallics? These sparkling gems are truly out of this world!

Now, here comes Y2K all over again.  For a completely retro-chic look, embrace bold colors and funky patterns from the early 2000s. It really was a fun time, don’t you agree?

Here comes the most amazing part—flexibility and comfort reign supreme—no more stiff ensembles with tight stitching. Instead, say hello and welcome to easy-fitting that allows you to move and breathe.

No matter where you are going – to the office or to a summer barbeque – these 2024 trends have your back. (and front)!

If you want to keep the classics, that's no problem. Infuse them with a few modern updates, and you will be the talk of the town. 

Are you looking for a new style? Go ahead and go for it. Creativity is what it’s all about, so don’t hold back! After all, there is an aesthetic style for man, so let’s see your personality shine in 2024 and beyond!

The post 11 Casual Fashion Trends for Men: What’s Next in 2024 and Beyond? appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

Every body type has its challenges.

Short, thin, and petite men, however, have the challenge in that they have less room for error as their proportions have to be balanced just right.

Tailoring and fitting to the half-inch matters.

Pattern, silhouette, and cut are all critical to avoid looking like you're wearing your older brother's clothes.

Suits For Short Men 1. Get A Close-Fitted Suit

A custom-made men's suit is your best option if you can afford it — next to that, you'll want to go with a designer brand that not only specializes on classic lines, but also has a slim silhouette.

Always have the tailor fit the suit snugly. As Americans, we normally wear our clothes too big – this is the worst thing you can do to your body type. You want as streamlined a profile as you can get with no extra cloth billowing or hanging.

If you're shopping off the rack, focus on getting a close fit in the shoulders, chest, waist, and crotch even if the sleeves or trouser legs are a little too long or short.

Those can be adjusted much more easily than the fit on the body. Any local tailor (and some of the better dry cleaners as well) should be able to do the small adjustments for you quite cheaply.

Suits For Short Men 2. Wear Longer Sleeves & Legs

Most men want their suit sleeve to end a little high on their wrist, exposing about a half-inch of shirt cuff beneath it.

A shorter man can go a little bit longer, leaving just a small band of cloth visible; this makes the arm appear longer and makes the visual impact of that band of cloth less distracting.

Don't, however, let the sleeve hide the shirt entirely — that makes the suit look too big for you.

The key is proportion — more than any body type, you want to nail this on the head.

Trousers should sit high on your waist to make your body appear as long as possible. Avoid a belt. Wear suspenders instead; that way there's one less horizontal line dividing your body up into shorter segments.

The trouser legs should be long enough to form a “break” on the tops of your shoes: this is where the cuff rests on the shoe leather and pushes out very slightly.

Anything that bunches up on the shoe is too long and should be shortened; anything that doesn't make it to the shoe at all will look badly-fitted and draw attention downward rather than letting it sweep up your body for a better impression of height.

Similarly, avoid any excess detailing on your trousers. Un-cuffed hems will make your legs look longer than cuffed, and close-fitted plain fronts will look better than pleats.

Suits For Short Men 3. Get The Details Proportional To Your Size

This one can be a bit tricky. If you're not having your suit custom-made, shopping around for a while before making the final purchase is recommended. You want the little details that adorn the suit to look like they're in the right place on your body.

Generic off-the-rack suits in S or XS might not not need those adjustments — if you're having trouble, look for brands that cater specifically to smaller men.

Some key details to watch for:

• The lower pockets on the jacket should sit above the hips, not down where the coat widens over them.  Shorter men will want a slit pocket with no flaps — less distracting.
• The upper breast pocket should be firmly over the front of your chest and not wrapped around the side of your body at all.
• Lapels should match the width of your torso — if you have a slender chest, you need skinnier lapels.
• If the back is vented, the vent should not rise significantly higher than your waist.  You don't want a split all the way up the back of your coat.
• The front of the coat should button directly at your waist.  On a two-button, single-breasted jacket that's with the top button; on a three-button it's the middle.

Suits For Short Men 4. Wear A Vertically-Oriented Pattern

If the suit has a pattern, it should be a minimal one and one that orients the viewer's eye upward.

Small stripes are ideal; solid monochrome works well too, especially in a fabric that has some up-and-down weaving of its own.

Narrow herringbone is very good on short men; so is a corduroy suit for more casual settings.

Avoid any kind of check — the horizontal lines will just draw the viewer's attention to the sides and make you look shorter and wider.

Suits For Short Men 5. Draw The Eye Upward

Smaller men will, in general, want their look to be less cluttered with details — the smoother the path for the eye up your body is, the taller you'll seem. But don't shy away from helping draw the eye upward with a splash of bright color on the upper body.

A pocket square that really stands out against the jacket can help keep people's attention up toward your face. Keep their eyes moving with a crisp, peaked fold making a triangle pointing up!

What to read next? Top 10 Hairstyles For Short Men To Appear Taller

The post How To Buy A Suit For Short, Skinny, & Small Men appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

Stylish men earn $232,000 more over a lifetime –

Invest 5 minutes to boost your earnings with this QUICK shot of 101 easy, powerful style hacks.

1. Don't be afraid to buy specialty grooming products – especially men's skincare products.
2. Moisturizing around your eyes daily is the key to not looking tired and/or old, especially if you're over 40.
3. Irritation from shaving? Get an aftershave with antiseptic so you kill the irritation and don't risk getting an infection.
4. Rash on your face? Red spots after swimming in the pool? Get something specifically for your face.
5. Cracked hands? Get a heavy-duty hand moisturizer.
6. Cracked lips? Use something natural like beeswax.
7. Don't be afraid to carry around a few little cases of lip balm.
8. Put on sunblock when you get dressed in the morning.
9. Using a disposable razor? Try upgrading to a single blade razor or safety razor.
10. Already mastered the safety razor? Try a cut-throat razor and have some fun.
11. Using a shaving cream that comes out of a can? Throw that can out and try shaving soap.
12. Too lazy to make your own lather? Get a shaving cream that comes out of a tube with no propellant.
13. Don't own a nose and ear hair trimmer? Get one and use it.
14. Don't be afraid to spend a little money on a good grooming kit.
15. Have a time every week when you actually use your grooming kit.
16. Brush your teeth with baking soda or salt for a quick whitening hack – but don't do this every day or you'll wear down the enamel.
17. Upgrade to an electric toothbrush – so much better for taking care of teeth. There's no comparison.
18. Own more than one hairbrush. Nothing wrong with having a paddle brush AND a styling brush.
19. Own more than one comb. It can make a big difference when you're parting and styling your hair.
20. Experiment with hair products. Try different types like pomades, putties, or waxes.
21. Also try different brands.
22. Learn how to apply fragrance.
23. No, you're not supposed to spray it and then walk into the cloud.
24. Remember that basically all fragrances smell stronger in hot weather.
25. Don't be afraid to spend good money on a foundation piece that's gonna get you compliments every time you wear it.
26. Jacket sleeves should show half an inch of your shirt cuff.
27. Don't be afraid to ask people if they've got clothing they don't want. A jacket your friend never wore could become a staple of your wardrobe.
28. Have a uniform. A uniform is a set of clothing that sends the message you want to send and that you can default to on a daily basis.
29. When you start to invest in your interchangeable wardrobe and spend good money on shoes you're going to have to make a tough decision – brown or black? Think carefully about what you prefer and what will go with the majority of your clothes.
30. Gym shoes are for the gym.
31. Middle-of-the-road clothes that fit well and are well taken care of can look as good as or better than designer clothes.
32. White dress shirts get gray over time. Check the label when you buy – you want to be able to bleach them.
33. But DON'T bleach sweat stains – sweat and bleach can react and ruin the shirt. Use an oxygenated detergent (like Oxiclean) instead.
34. Hang linen clothes in the bathroom while you shower to steam the creases out of them.
35. T-shirts can be stylish. T-shirts with big graphics and slogans can't – at least not on grown men.
36. You ALWAYS have to tuck in dress shirts. You NEVER tuck in an oxford or other casual button down shirt.
37. Nervous about matching shirts and ties? There are subtleties to it, but you should be able to eyeball it if you start with this guiding rule of thumb: the main color of your tie should contrast with your shirt, while the secondary color should match it.
38. When you try on pants in a store, try them with your shoes on, or you may end up with the wrong length.
39. If you find a basic off-the-rack item (like a shirt or pair of trousers) that fits well, buy two.
40. If you're in doubt about what color suit or blazer to buy, go for a warm charcoal gray or a navy blue. Both flatter almost every skin tone and never go out of style.
41. But if you want a really versatile sports jacket, get one in brown. (Blue can look too matchy with jeans.)
42. A suit you buy in the store will almost never be ready to wear. You have to take it to the tailor and get it fitted.
43. Always keep the lowest button on your suit jacket unbuttoned.
44. Always unbutton your suit jacket when you sit down. (#43 is about tradition, but #44 is a matter of the long-term health of your suit.)
45. Bigger guys should opt for a wider tie knot when wearing a suit. It helps you look more in proportion.
46. If you're investing in a nice pair of dress shoes, invest in a pair of cedar shoe trees too to keep them in good shape for years to come.
47. Chelsea boots are probably the most versatile shoe you can own.
48. Keep the heels of your dress shoes and boots from being crushed by using a shoehorn when you put them on.
49. You can use a toothpick to keep shoe polish out of the perforations in your brogues.
50. When you buy a belt, go for a size 1-2 inches bigger than the size of your pants waist (so if you take a 40 in pants you want a 41 or 42 in belts.)
51. Check out high-end menswear shops, even if you can't afford them, just so that you know what the best quality version of what you're shopping for looks like. This will help you avoid getting ripped off.
52. On a similar note, go to a jewelry store that sells luxury watches and try a few on. It will help you decide for yourself whether it's something you would ever want to invest in.
53. When you're traveling and you're gonna have a layover try to stop at an airport with luxury shops. It can be a chance to spend time checking out famous brands from around the world.
54. If you own over a hundred watches you are obsessed with watches and there's no problem with that.
55. If you only own ONE watch, it should be a low-key dress watch you can wear to work, with a band and case that match the majority of your outfits.
56. If you usually wear a leather watch band, swap it out for a mesh, Perlon, Zulu, or NATO band in summer – sweat ruins leather.
57. Drink more water. You'll feel better, look better and have better breath.
58. Don't let a woman plan your outfits. A man should dress himself.
59. Casual does not equal sloppy.
60. Resist the urge to correct other men's style, especially in public.
61. Every man should carry a nice pen.
62. Tactical pens are stylish and useful.
63. Never wear a backpack with a suit.
64. Backpacks can damage the shoulders, and in general they're for kids. A man should invest in a nice professional briefcase.
65. If you really want to step up your look and get some compliments try wearing a boutonniere.
66. Ties and pocket squares are not meant to exactly match each other. You might see them in the same fabric on a store shelf together, but they're meant to be coordinated, not matched.
67. Invest in outerwear of varying formality levels. Leather jackets are awesome, but you can't wear one with a suit.
68. When you're getting ready in the morning dress with the assumption that you're going to run into somebody important today.
69. If you don't know how dressed up you need to be, layer a nice button-down shirt with a sweater or jacket. You can always take one off if you feel overdressed.
70. Heavyweight knitted sweaters will keep you warm but they're casual and they're not the best for layering.
71. Lightweight sweaters that stick close to the body and have a v-neck are great for layering.
72. Leverage the color gray. It's an interchangeable color that's going to go with a wide variety of different items in your wardrobe.
73. There are cool grays and warm grays. Go for the one that best matches the undertones of your complexion.
74. Don't be afraid to bring in color, especially when it comes to sweaters.
75. Cotton is the least expensive sweater material and the easiest to take care of – you can throw it in the wash.
76. Wool is more expensive and harder to take care of but it'll do a better job of keeping you warm.
77. Bright colors are generally for spring and summer. When the weather gets cold, bring out the jewel tones.
78. Fair-skinned guys CAN look good in pink – just skip the pastel pinks that will wash you out and go for a bold, pure shade.
79. A navy pindot tie will go with almost anything.
80. If you're shopping secondhand, it's worth the drive to check out what you can thrift in the swankier parts of town.
81. Match your socks to your pants. It makes your legs look longer.
82. Go shopping in your best fitting shirt so you can use it for comparison.
83. Carry a Swiss Army knife. Not only will you be ready to save the day with a cool-looking tool, you'll also start cleaning and trimming your nails when you want something to fiddle with.
84. When you're traveling with a lot of electronics, opt for shorter cables.
85. Also look for dual use cables that can both transfer data and charge your device.
86. Test them at home before you go.
87. Recycle those extra cases you never use – for sunglasses, for small devices, for you-don't-even-remember-what – to keep your cords in check when you travel.
88. When I travel I take expensive cameras that have specialty cases, but I don't use those cases. Instead I use extra underwear or an extra shirt to wrap them up so that if my luggage gets lost I've got clothes and my cameras are well protected.
89. Always bring food when you travel.
90. I try to take items which can last a long time and can handle getting smashed. If you're traveling with kids and you don't have food when they're hungry you are in for a world of pain.
91. Tissues, wet wipes, an old school handkerchief in your back pocket – it doesn't matter which you go for. The main thing is that when you sneeze or there's a mess to clean up, you've got something handy to take care of it.
92. Bring a small book when you travel. There won't always be Wi-Fi.
93. And travel with a pair of headphones – the universal signal for “leave me alone.”
94. Wayfarer and aviator sunglasses look good with every face shape.
95. If you're not sure which to pick, go for aviators if you're more of a classic style guy and wayfarers if you're a little more edgy and casual.
96. Paying attention to your posture is a 100% free way to stand out from the crowd.
97. Move your shoulders slightly for a sexier, more masculine walk.
98. If you want to dress sharper, find a community that can provide style support and feedback – whether that's on social media or with your brick-and-mortar-world friends.
99. You can also start dressing sharper around the house to build confidence before going out in public.
100. Wrap masking tape around your hand (sticky side out) to get pet hair off clothing if you don't have a garment brush. And if you don't have pet hair on your clothing…
101. Get a dog. This study says well-dressed men are even more approachable in public if they have a pet dog.

The post 101 QUICK Men’s Style Tips (Read These In 5 Minutes) appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

In most events, 80% of the perceivable effects come from 20% of the known causes.

In other words, in just about every system there are only a few tangibles that are really driving things. The rest make small, localized differences. They matter – but don't do most of the work.

In fashion, there are three qualities that drive nearly all of your wardrobe's effects on your appearance: Fit, Fabric, and Function.

These three make up the “Style Pyramid” – The characteristics that define a garment, for better or worse. They're where you're getting the most “bang for your buck” in your clothing purchases.

Let's go over these in more detail.

1. The Style Pyramid – Fit

Out of all three aspects of the Style Pyramid, Fit is perhaps the most critical.

A good fit is one that doesn't just slide onto the body without discomfort — it's one that's tailored to flatter your frame, emphasizing the features you want to draw attention to and minimizing the ones you want to conceal.

Lengths Of Your Garment

The easiest bad fit to spot is one where the garment is either too short or too long. Sleeves and trouser cuffs are the most common places for a bad length, but the hems of shirts and jackets can be a concern as well.

In general, clothing should stick to the following guidelines:

Trouser cuffs should brush the tops of the shoes they are worn with.

Shirt cuffs should cover the large bone on the upper outside of the wrist when the arms are slack.

Shirt tails should tuck at least an inch into the trousers they are worn with (two or more inches is preferable).

Cuffs should stop a half-inch or so shorter than shirt cuffs, usually at the base of the large wrist bone.

Jacket hems should fall far enough to cover the upper curve of a man's buttocks when he is standing still.

The Style Pyramid always allows some room for personal taste, but these are ideal guidelines for beginners. Anything that deviates substantially from them is a stylistic experiment that requires careful evaluation.

Width

Different bodies need vastly different widths. This can be a problem when buying clothing in simplistic sizes like Small and Large. Many men need minor alterations to bring off-the-rack clothing within comfortable parameters.

Legs should taper slightly from the thigh to the ankle, following the thickness of the leg. They should not narrow and then widen again.

Waists should be tight enough that they cannot be taken on and off without unzipping the trousers. Waists worn with suspenders should be slightly looser than those worn with belts.

The crotch and seat of a pair of trousers should not hang more than a half-inch or so from the skin beneath. A little sag in the seat or crotch goes a long way toward making pants look bad.

Shirts should follow the contours of the chest – tapered toward the bottom for slender men; straight-sided for stout men.

Shirt cuffs should be just tight enough that they must be unbuttoned to remove.

Collars should touch the skin lightly (but not pinch) when the collar button is fastened.

The shoulders of a jacket should end precisely where the shoulder of the body turns downward into the bicep. The shoulder seam should not hang down the arm or end partway across the shoulder.

Jackets may taper at the waist or fall straight, but in either case, they should button without hanging loosely off the torso or strained taut.

You can usually get a good sense of whether or not a garment's width is correct just from how it feels to wear it.

If the fabric is pinching and wrinkling because it's being stretched too far or swaying because it's hanging too loose, it's going to need adjustment.

A  fit that is too tight or too loose is uncomfortable as well as unsightly and should be your top priority to fix.

2. The Style Pyramid – Fabric

When you buy a custom-made suit, most tailors will set their price based on the fabric you select. This should give you an idea of how important fabric selection is. It's the most fundamental aspect in a garment's construction.

The fabric used can affect many things about a garment including its weight and texture – but also the way it drapes on the body, the way it feels after hours of prolonged wear, and the care it requires.

Most menswear is made of either wool or cotton. You should familiarize yourself with the highest-quality properties of both.

Wool

Sheep's wool is the staple material for men's suits, jackets, and dress trousers. It comes in thousands of different weights and weaves, and can be set to many different purposes.

Wool is warmer than cotton and has a smoother drape over the body. It's also more expensive to produce and requires more careful cleaning and maintenance.

Suits, jackets, and trousers made from wool are usually measured with a two or three-digit “fineness.” The smoothest worsteds, called “superfines,” range into the high $100s, while sturdier suits tend to fall between $70-$100. Anything over $150 is getting into the luxury item territory and may be too prone to creasing and damage for practical day-to-day wear.

Cotton

Some very casual items like T-shirts and sweatshirts are made from knit cotton rather than woven, which creates a looser, softer, and more shapeless garment.

Cotton is sometimes measured with a “thread count,” but the number is often inaccurate or misleading. The “handfeel” of a shirt is a more accurate judge of how it will actually feel on the body.

Men's dress shirts and more casual trousers are usually made from woven cotton fabrics.

The best shirts are 100% cotton, preferably “longstaple” cotton (Sea Island, Pima, and some Egyptian cottons qualify). Wrinkle-free treatments can make them more convenient for travel, but may also make them stiffer and less comfortable. Visually, the best look is always going to come from an untreated but well-pressed cotton shirt.

Synthetics

Ever consider how synthetic fibers figure into a man's wardrobe? Nylon is fine for shell jackets, and polyester can make an acceptable casual shirt,  but your best-looking clothing should be made from cotton and wool.

Most man-made fabrics do not make flattering clothing.

The exception is wool or cotton blends that incorporate a very small amount of a mildew-resistant synthetic for extra durability. These should still have the same form-flattering drape of the natural fiber, so long as the artificial fibers make up no more than a percent or two of the blend at most.

3. The Style Pyramid – Function

This cornerstone is the most straightforward of the trio. Take a look at your outfit, then consider its purpose.

Is it meant to be formal, business casual, or versatile casual? Is this the right uniform for the job? 

Clothing should act as a tool to enhance your ability to achieve your immediate goals. How can this fail? Say you've overdressed for a casual networking lunch. You might look impeccable, but it's likely that fewer people will approach you and many might find you pretentious.

Even if you master the rest of the Style Pyramid, you still need to make sure the clothing you've invested in is appropriate for you and the message you want to send to the world. Whether it be for a job or a hobby, you need to zero in on those characteristics you want to show through in your outfit.

To summarize gents, you can't shirk on any of the three Style Pyramid cornerstones. Fit determines how well your garments compliment your body type, Fabric can have implications for the maintenance and funds required, and Function represents the purpose of your investment.

Ideally, all of these would receive equal treatment. However, if you have limited resources and need to prioritize, go by our order (Fit>Function>Fabric). Once you learn these, you'll be a master of menswear.

Click Here To Watch The Video – The Style Pyramid

The post The Style Pyramid – Fit, Fabric, and Function appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

but it can only take you so far.

If you have one of these problems, someone is likely to notice when it matters – and all the sharp dressing in the world won't save you.

So let's see what are the things that are in your control to change and no style hacks won't help to hide:

#1. Your Facial Expression

There's nothing wrong with being a little stoic, but if you don't at least smile when you greet people there's a chance you're coming off as grumpy or unfriendly.

Making a conscious effort to smile more has unexpected benefits too.

Smiling actually makes you, the person smiling, happier – regardless of the situation.

It causes your brain to release endorphins, lowering stress and improving your overall mood. If it feels like there's nothing to smile about, try cracking a grin anyway – it might just make things feel more manageable.

A genuine smile is universally attractive, and when you're in a group, smiling tends to be contagious. Want to get a group of people energized and ready to accomplish things, or even just lift the awkwardness? A smile and a little conversation works like a charm.

#2. Your Attitude

If you believe you're a victim, chances are you will be. Make a conscious effort to approach your life with gratitude and challenge yourself daily. Human beings are built to thrive on a balance of struggle and appreciation of the abundance around us. Even if all you have is a new day to wake up to, say thank you for it.

Ultimately your attitude defines your outcomes. A negative attitude makes success pointless; a positive attitude makes success easy.

Another important attitude adjustment to make, if you haven't already, is to get better at being rejected. Learn to laugh at yourself, use setbacks to improve your skills, and take action without pinning all your hopes on results. If you never fail, you're living too timidly.

#3. The Effect You Have On Others

No matter your intentions, your effect on others determines the mark your life leaves on the world. That's why it pays off to pay attention to others' happiness – and to your own.

It's hard to be a breath of fresh air for other people if you're gasping for breath. In other words, if you want to try to make others happy, then you'll need to start with yourself. What makes you happy? What brings you joy?

Make a list of the times you've been happiest in your life. Now make it a priority to set time aside to do these things. Get your life in order – once you manage to figure things out, you'll be in an excellent position to help others who are in positions like your own.

Try to make a point of doing one kind thing per day that you'll see no personal reward for besides the good feelings it brings.

This is what people mean by “random acts of kindness.”

When you make cheering up random strangers a practice, you'll stop seeing the world through a fearful or judging lens and start seeing people for their needs, passions, and favorite things. In other words, you'll trade cynicism for humanity.

Compassion and kindness reduce stress, boost our immune systems, and help reduce the impact of negative mental states such as anger, anxiety, and depression. But more importantly, they make the world a little better.

#4. Your Personal Organization

Instead of letting life happen to you, take time to plan, organize and evaluate. Create daily routines that’ll keep you on task. Practice sticking to a to-do list.

Prioritize – if you struggle with this, try defining just ONE main goal every day and focusing only on that until it's done.

Declutter your home, your computer, and your mind. Stop holding onto things that are bringing you down – like useless clutter, unaddressed emails, or bad habits like watching too much T.V. Take a hard look at your life and really say to yourself: what here can go?

#5. Your Bad Breath

On the more down-to-earth side of things: bad breath is an incredibly common yet incredibly nasty issue, and if you've got it, you need to take action.

Drink plenty of water and swish cool water around in your mouth. This is especially helpful to freshen “morning breath.” Actually brush after every meal and floss, preferably twice a day. Replace your toothbrush every two to three months and arrange regular dental checkups and cleanings.

If you've done all that there's still a problem, try scraping your tongue each morning with a tongue scraper or spoon to decrease the bacteria, fungi, and dead cells that can cause odor. Hold the tip of the tongue with gauze to pull it forward in order to clean the back of the tongue.

You can also try a 30-second mouthwash rinse that is alcohol-free (unlike many off-the-shelf products). Or mix a cup of water with a teaspoon of baking soda (which changes the pH level and fights odor in the mouth) and a few drops of antimicrobial peppermint essential oil. This recipe gives you enough for several rinses – do it once or twice a week. Don’t swallow it!

#6. Your Body Odor

If you struggle to eliminate body odor, start by taking a warm bath or shower every day to kill the bacteria on your skin. If it's very hot or you're being very active, you may need to shower more than once in a day. Wash your armpits thoroughly using an antibacterial soap, and regularly trim your armpit hair – this allows sweat to evaporate quicker, giving bacteria less time to break it down.

You probably know to always wear deodorant (if you didn't, consider this your cue), but wearing natural fibers – such as wool, silk or cotton – will also cut down on sweat and odor throughout the day. They allow your skin to breathe, which means your sweat will evaporate faster.

Finally, watch your diet. Too much spicy food can lead to sweat buildup, and some studies show that a diet high in red meat can make body odor worse.

#7. Your Bald Spot

By the age of thirty-five two-thirds of American men will experience some degree of appreciable hair loss. Being bald is fine, having a bald spot is not.

Go for a hair loss treatment if you really don’t like the idea of being bald – but don't forget that you can simply shave your head.

A shaved head indicates dominance, authority and… being in control. Whatever you do, just don’t go for a comb-over.

#8. Your Integrity

The majority of us are trying to be good people, but trying isn't enough. Having integrity means consciously knowing what you stand for.

Integrity is defined as “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.” The root enemy of integrity is selfishness.

All other positive qualities – bravery, compassion, responsibility – are rooted in the fact that you have to live in the world with other people, and doing so successfully absolutely depends on treating others the way you want to be treated.

Try writing down your values to help you start thinking about what facets of integrity you most want to exemplify. It also pays to reflect on actions you regret and determine what to keep in mind to prevent making the same type of mistake in the future. Just don't fall into dwelling on the past. Think about the man you want to be today and going forward.

#9. Your Manners

Etiquette – the specific rules of polite behavior – vary from culture to culture. But the willingness to prioritize other people's comfort and happiness – what we call “manners” – is a universal tenet of mature adult behavior.

Learn basic dining etiquette – or if in doubt copy your hosts. Notice other people around you. Say excuse me and hold doors – not just for women but for anyone who's coming in behind you. Say please and thank you; do everything you can to be on time.

These are all things we learn as children, yet in our fast-paced culture, it's common to let them fall by the wayside.

Don't be that guy. Be the guy who makes people's day a little easier. Be the guy who makes his grandma and/or kindergarten teacher proud. Manners really do matter.

#10. Your Relationship

A good romantic relationship can upgrade your whole life and make you feel like you always have a safe place to land. A negative relationship will stress you out, bring you down, and breed years of resentment.

What makes the difference? Sure, obvious things like compatibility, but even if you're with your soul mate, building a healthy and happy life together takes work, humility, and empathy.

Seek to understand before trying to be understood.

Listen and validate – don’t just give advice. Put yourself in your partner's shoes to foster a closer connection. Recognize your emotional triggers, and learn to self-soothe instead of taking your feelings out on the person closest to you.

Think of yourselves as a team – never let a major problem be just one of yours to tackle alone. At the same time, try to maintain a strong support network of friends and family who you're emotionally open with, instead of relying on your partner to handle 100% of your baggage.

And find new fun things to do together. Part of the reason couples have a “honeymoon phase” when they first fall in love is because they're actively going on dates, trying to get to know each other more deeply and searching for memorable, romantic adventures.

Of course you'll settle into a routine when you've been together a long time – but keep that fun new-relationship mindset when it comes to your free time together, and it won't be hard to keep the spark alive.

#13. Your Intelligence

First off: “intelligence” is just a name we assign to a collection of skills society deems valuable. You shouldn't doubt how much you have to contribute if you've never been described as intelligent – and you shouldn't doubt your human fallibility if you've been described as intelligent all your life.

Style won't make you smarter, but by the same token, being able to remember facts and solve logic puzzles won't replace hard work, emotional maturity, or a willingness to keep coming back to something even if it's difficult.

All that aside, your current level of “intelligence” isn't your final destiny.

You can get smarter – your brain can grow new cells and form new connections (this is a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity).

Get variety and rest every day so your brain can bounce back from the day's stresses. You'll be amazed at how much it helps you take in new information and build new skills.

Reading every day is another proven way to boost intelligence. If you're trying to build your knowledge on a topic, remember that memory functions through repetition, preferably repetition that's spaced out over time (not infrequent enough that you forget, but infrequent enough that you're always challenged to retrieve the information).

The post 13 Things Style WON’T Fix appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

You’ve been learning the rules and looking better and better each day.

I would say you’re almost a pro… which is why today I’m going to tell you the style rules you should break to look even better.

I can hear you now – “Antonio, why have I been learning all of these rules if I can just break them?!”

As Pablo Picasso once said, “Learn the rules like a pro so that you can break them like an artist.”

Today, you’re becoming an artist – and here are the 10 men’s style rules you must break to look like a style pro.

1. Everything Must Match (Leather, Metals, Etc)
2. No Brown in Town
3. No White After Labor Day
4. Don't Mix Black With Brown
5. Never Buy A Matching Set (Pocket Sq & Tie)
6. Never Wear More Than Three Colors/Certain Colors Are Off Limits
7. Always Wear a Tie When You Ask For Money
8. Belt Must Match Your Shoes
9. Only Wear Oxfords with a Suit
10. Socks Should Match Your Trousers

Style Rule You Should Break #1 – Match Your Metals and Leathers

This rule is there to set a standard for the novice. In theory, that's great, but let's be honest…

People have:

• Wedding rings
• Class rings
• Family heirlooms
• Signet rings
• Watches that have been in the family for generations

Breaking this rule allows you to incorporate more accessories into your outfits. Just because your wedding band is gold – that doesn't mean you can't wear your stainless steel watch.

Much like wearing double denim, the contrast has to be bold. This is critical as metals or leathers that are very close in color can look like you don't know how to match.

You want the contrast to be bold. Announce to the world – yes, I know the rule, but I'm choosing to break it.

Style Rule You Should Break #2 – “No Brown in Town”

This old British adage held that men should not wear brown clothing or shoes while he was in the city. Brown was considered the color of the countryman. Think tweed and felt hats.

For the English, business meant black – especially as the color of shoes. So if you were wearing brown shoes you would be thought to be off-duty and not ready to work.

The brown shoe has since been accepted and loved. It isn’t easy to go to a professional environment nowadays and not see a brown shoe. Black is still the color that is most worn for formal occasions.

Style Rule To Break #3 – No White After Labor Day

This inane rule has its roots in classism.

It’s believed that white was reserved for the financial and social elite. White garments were costly.

After the depression ended and the economy began to rebound, folks who couldn’t afford to wear white suddenly could.

Some say the rule was set in place so that those with “new money” would be noticed and potentially ostracized.

There are elements of this fashion faux pa that are still around. Notice that you don’t see white a lot in stores during the fall and winter months. White shows up in fashion and style when the weather gets warm.

I can’t think of anyone who follows this rule to the letter. Many may do it out of practicality (not wanting to get white clothes dirty during cold and wet seasons), but it’s really not that serious.

Style Rule To Break #4 – Don't Mix Black With Brown

One of the most common men's style rules, this is there to protect the novice.

Black is the most formal of colors, while brown is considered a little more casual. You can easily go wrong with this combination if you opt to wear lighter color brown with blacks. 

But If you know what you're doing, it can work if you:

• Are dark skin complected.
• Make sure the colors are dark enough not to contrast.

For example, you can wear a black leather jacket and add a dark brown chocolate Chelsea boot. Go for it. 

Dark colors work well with each other. It is essential to pay attention to proportionality when wearing these colors.

Style Rule To Break #5 – Never Buy A Matching Set (Pocket Square & Tie) 

When referring to pocket square and necktie matching sets, many aficionados will say, “Don't buy a matching set; it doesn't look good.”

This men's style rule's actual logic is that it shows a lack of creativity when worn together. It isn't saying you shouldn't buy it.

If you understand that and still choose to buy it, you can always wear them separately.  Or if you like the matching set together then go for it!

Most men don't even wear a pocket square. The fact that you're actually wearing one sets you apart from the crowd. Confidence will help you overcome 99% of these rules.

Style Rule To Break #6 – Avoid “Un-Manly” Colors

It was thought to be less manly in the old days if you wore certain colors or too many colors. At the end of the day, it’s all about comfort.

A color is a color – it has nothing to do with your masculinity.

If you are comfortable in pink or lavender, then wear it with pride. There are hundreds of colors and shades of colors that are available to us all.

Certain colors that you can wear can be tricky as well. There is a concept called color blocking but many guys aren’t too comfortable with that.

Color-blocking is a method of style in which opposites on the color wheel are paired together to make interesting and complementary color combinations.

Style Rule To Break #7 – Wear a Tie When You Ask For Money

This isn't a set in stone rule. You should really be concerned with two things when asking for money, and they have nothing to do when neckties.

#1 Know your audience

#2 Never betray expectations

If you're in a city like Austin, Texas, and you're meeting with an angel investor, chances are he'll be in a sports jacket and cowboy boots. You don't have to mimic his attire, but you can still mimic the formality.

The important thing is to pay attention to the audience & the environment in which you're asking. Don't make them feel uncomfortable or betray expectations by severely over or underdressing.

Assess the situation and dress accordingly.

Style Rule To Break #8 – Belt Must Match Your Shoes

This men's style rule is generally seen as a sign of sophistication and refinement when this detail level was given.

While I believe this should adhere to a professional environment, the rules have relaxed a bit outside of that realm. The browns don’t have to be exact or a tan belt and a brown shoe may work well.

This is also acceptable in casual wear. For example, you can wear a brown or black belt with gray suede loafers.

When your belt doesn't have to match, you wear sneakers, grey shoes, and navy shoes.

Style Rule To Break #9 – Only Wear Dress Oxfords with a Suit

While it is still preferable to wear formal dress shoes with a suit, there are exceptions. Suits made of 100% cotton and suits made of linen don’t require a pair of leather oxford or wingtips.

Less formal suits can be worn with:

• Suede brogues
• Loafers
• Slippers
• Moccasins
• Casual sneakers (this is riskier, approach with caution)

Style Rule To Break #10 – Your Socks Should Match Your Trousers

This rule was for business standards. It’s thought that it was developed to help young lads look the part and not make bad choices when wearing the “professional uniform.”

Also, when socks match your trousers, they have an elongating effect on your legs. It might be prudent for a shorter gentleman to adhere to this rule.

As men's style has changed and become more relaxed, it is now acceptable to wear a patterned sock that complements your tie or pocket square.

Doing this makes colors in your outfit pop. Socks have moved from an afterthought to a highlight of the outfit now.

Socks with personality have been making waves into style, and it's safe to say they are here to stay. If you want to take it a step further, you can match your socks to your undergarments.

This, of course, benefits the person you may be getting intimate with later and will be an excellent conversation topic to lighten the mood.

It also helps take the strain of digging through your top dresser drawer for 10 minutes to find socks & underwear. Just grab and go.

Since you already know your men's style rules (or at least you should), it's time to break them like a pro. I promise if you break these – you will immediately look better and stand out in a crowd.

You may know your style rules and which ones to break but – do you understand women?

Well, I thought I did, but to be sure, I interviewed a bunch of women to find out what they truly want men to wear… the results may shock you.

Click here to discover exactly what women want you to wear now!

The post 10 Style Rules That Can Be Broken appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

With more people graduating – and those graduating doing it with more debt to pay off – the stakes for how you present yourself as a student are high.

Don't panic.

The good news is, all the people you could possibly want to impress – the professors who will write your recommendation letters, the guest lecturers who might become network connections, even a future significant other – are looking for your genuine self and what he has to offer.

But they won't see your potential if it comes in a scruffy package. That's why student style matters – here's how to get it right.

#1. Be Your Own Man

Your late teens and twenties are a great point in your life to start figuring out your individual student style. People around you are, and will continue to be, forming impressions about who you are based on how you dress.

There are four main parts to a man's individual style: physical characteristics, resources, physical and professional environment, and your inner needs and wants.

When it comes to physical characteristics, there are some you can't control and some you can't. You can work out and lose fat or build muscle, but you can't control your height, your genetic body type, or the colors of your hair, skin and eyes.

Resources mean how much time and money a man has. If you've got plenty of money but no time, look to custom clothiers.

If you've got no time and also no money then you'll probably want to wait to catch the best deals of the year around Black and Friday Cyber Monday and buy in bulk.

If you've got more time but not much money, you can scour thrift stores for secondhand deals.

Your physical and professional environment has a huge effect on both the aesthetics of your wardrobe and the specific types of materials you'll want to look for.

Not only will you want a different style of clothing but you'll be choosing your fabrics for the weather and for the nature of your work.

When it comes to student style, you may not know exactly the jobs you have ahead of you, but you can still observe the way stylish men in your field tend to dress and begin to prepare for it.

Within all three of these areas you'll also keep in mind your personal wants – how you're going to express your own personality.

When you bring all these factors together, they'll coalesce into something you can eventually call your personal style brand.

#2. Learn Your History

If you study the development of menswear, you'll notice that there are foundation pieces that never seem to go out of style – pieces that get better with age.

Watches become heirlooms.

Shoes develop a unique character.

If you invest a relatively small amount in a really good starter item, like a small piece of quality leather luggage, you'll still be using it in your 40s.

#3. Stop Thinking Your Education Is All You Need

Doing well in a respected degree program doesn't exempt you from improving your student style.

It will definitely get your foot in the door – but as soon as you walk in for that interview and you don't look and act the part, you betray expectations. You probably won't get the job, or if you do you may not last long.

People don't want to have to deal with someone who has no interpersonal skills or doesn't care enough to show up looking respectable – even if he's good at what he does.

#4. Build An Interchangeable Student Style

Buy pieces you can wear over and over again without people recognizing them as the same outfit.

It's hard to overstate how powerful this is – if you have:

• three suits
• three pairs of shoes
• three shirts
• three ties and
• three pocket squares

which are all 100% interchangeable you would have 81 outfits.

That's enough to go almost three months without wearing the same thing twice. Interchangeability gives you more options for less money, and hopefully means that what you do spend money on you can invest a little more in.

#5. Package Yourself As The Best Option – Daily

You should have a daily uniform that is a step above the rest. When recruiters go to a university, they know they'll meet dozens of students with high GPAs and strong credentials.

The decision often comes down to packaging: who knows how to present themselves and really sell their skills?

#6. Ditch The Oversized Logos

This is literally the biggest, most obvious sign of BAD student style.

The only excuse to wear a huge oversized logo is if the company is paying you to wear it. Otherwise, why be a walking ad? Small logo or no logo is the classiest option.

#7. Practice The Style Pyramid

Fit, fabric and function make up the style pyramid. Anything you put on your body needs to fit your body, be right for the occasion, and be made of the best fabric you can afford.

When you're first starting off you've got to watch every penny, so maybe that won't be all that impressive yet. As soon as you start making money, though, make sure to upgrade your basics.

#8. When It Comes To Hair – Think Ahead

Your 20s are the time to have fun with this. If you want to shave your head, if you want to color your hair, if you want to grow a beard – do it.

But understand that during interview season you may want to temper that a bit.

You want to be completely confident going into the interview, and you're confident when you have things under your control and going as expected.

That means you shouldn't be going to your buddy down the hall who cuts hair for fun two days before the interview. Even if it doesn't look that bad, your confidence will be shot.

#9. Have A Grooming Routine

It's important to have a grooming routine so you're not caught off guard by those unplanned opportunities.

When people from a company you'd love to work for come to campus and say they'd like to take some students out to lunch, you want to be thinking about bringing your A-game, not that you forgot to clean under your fingernails.

To beat this problem you want to have a grooming routine.

• Set a time every month that you can go to a barber you trust.
• Set a time every week that you cut your nails.
• Set a time every day to shave during the interview season.

Keep things under control by systematizing it all.

#10. Get Liquid Courage

No, I'm not talking about shots of Wild Turkey before you give a presentation. I'm talking about a signature scent.

Once you're used to a scent and you've formed a positive association with it, it will start to instantly calm you and boost your confidence.

If you're freaking out before a big interview, you want to have something that will bring you back into the right state of mind. A fragrance that makes you feel like your best self can do that.

This article is brought to you by Mahi Leather, makers of some of my favorite leather bags. How about one monogrammed with your initials? They make each piece individual for the person whenever you order it – so they can adjust it and make it unique to you.

The post 10 Student Style Tips To Get Your Dream Job appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

Did you recently lose your job? 

Are you fighting with your spouse? 

When was the last time you were passionate about what you did for a living?

If you’re not currently in a rut, that’s GREAT!

But I’m sure you’ve been stuck in a rut before, and you may find yourself in a rut in the future.

Do you like ruts?

Probably not.

They’re depressing and painful.

So let’s make a pact, right now, to either get you out of your current rut or to prevent future ruts.

I’m going to give you 11 tips on getting out of your rut and turning your luck around, one turn at a time.

Now, let’s get INTO the tips to help you get OUT of your rut.

Tip #1 – Understand That Feeling Stuck Is Normal

You are NOT alone.

Everybody feels stuck at one point in their lives.

Sure, it’s not a pleasant feeling, but it’s a universal phenomenon.  Your friends and family know what it’s like to be stuck in a rut.

So instead of feeling alone when you’re stuck, you should open up to your circle and seek out others’ advice.

This way, you can get a better idea of how other people get out of their ruts.  More importantly, you can use their insights to help you get out of YOUR rut. 

Most importantly, you can get out of your own head and fight through your challenges alongside your group of friends and family members.  You are NEVER alone.

Tip #2 –  Change Your Perspective

What’s your perspective like?

If you keep seeing your rut as negative and depressing, you won’t be inspired to get out of it.  Instead of looking at your rut as a valley in your life, look at it as a side road that can help propel you up your mountain!

If you view your rut as an opportunity to grow, you reframe your rut from something negative into something positive. 

And remember, your positive thoughts will lead to positive actions, which will create positive results in your life.

Change your perspective – don’t look at your rut as a failure or as a test, but look at it as a chance to learn and grow.  And you’ll soon start to see yourself get out of your rut and climb even farther up your mountain of success.

Tip #3 – Identify The Source Of The Problem

You can’t kill the fly that you can’t see.

Similarly, you need to know WHY you’re stuck in a rut so you can get out of it AND ensure that you avoid that kind of rut in the future.

If you’re not happy at your job, is it something related to the work itself?  Do you not like the people you work with?  Or do you love what you do, but you don’t like the lack of upward mobility?

If you’re fighting with your spouse, is it something related to a comment you made?  Did your spouse have a tough day, and she’s frustrated that you’re not listening to her?  Or did you forget about date night?

Once you figure out WHY you’re in a rut, you can pinpoint the causes and come up with a solution to get yourself unstuck.

Let the problem become part of the solution.  As you become more self-aware, you become more self-reliant in getting out of your rut!  When you're stuck in a rut, use anything and EVERYTHING you can to overcome it.

Tip #4 – Change Something Up

DO something!  Anything.  Even if it’s just something small. 

When you take action, you’ll create the necessary momentum to take more action and get out of your rut once and for all.  Actions speak louder than words, right?

Change your hairstyle.  Order something new at your favorite restaurant.  Exercise four days a week instead of two.

Just make sure to do something, no matter how tiny of an action, and you’ll see yourself start to progress and take the necessary steps to escape your rut.

Tip #5 – Break It Down

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by how large of a rut you’re in.

At the very least, it certainly FEELS like a large rut.

You won’t do any good if you’re overwhelmed or worried.  Instead of looking at the size of your rut, I want you to break it down by focusing on small goals that you can accomplish quickly.  That way, you can continually motivate yourself and feel good about what you’re doing.

Focus on small actions and small goals that compound, and you’ll soon see the light at the end of your rut.

And celebrate your victories along the way!  It’ll keep your spirits up and encourage you to keep going strong.

Tip #6 – Focus On The Process, Not The Outcome

I know you want to get out of your rut.  It’s the outcome you want, and it’s the outcome that is most important to you when you feel stuck.

It takes time to progress when you're stuck in a rut.  If you keep thinking about the outcome, you’ll get impatient with yourself and start to doubt your efforts.

Instead of worrying about the outcome, you need to KNOW, without a doubt, that you’ll get out of your rut. 

Focus on the process of getting out, like your actions and your small goals, and you will see daily improvements in your life that will motivate you to keep up your process and let the outcome crystallize when it’s ready.

Tip #7 – Surround Yourself With Oddly Positive People

You are the average of the five people you most associate with. 

If you want to stay in a negative headspace, you’ll hang around with negative people.  If you want to grow and become more positive, you’ll hang around with collaborative, positive people.

Especially when you’re stuck in a rut, you NEED as much positivity as you can get.

Hang around with the oddly positive people in your life, and you can ride their wave of positivity all the way to the end of your rut.

And when you DO escape your rut, don't kick these oddly positive people to the curb!  Keep them by your side as a way to nurture your mindset and keep you afloat during future challenges.

Tip #8 – Remember To Be Grateful

An attitude of gratitude will always benefit you when times are tough.

In fact, some people would love to have your “rut.”  All over the world, people are facing worse circumstances than you, and can only dream of being exactly where you are, in your life, right now.

Plus, if you’re able to show gratitude for the little things in your life, like your ability to walk around or observe the world around you, you can instantly shift your perspective and turn your rut into something positive. 

Gratitude will ease your burdens and put you in a much better headspace, as you’ll always have something to appreciate or look forward to, even in the worst of times.

Tip #9 –  Practice Being Your Best Self

When you’re stuck in a rut, are you in a position you want to be?

NO.

But, if you envision the ideal version of you, and imagine how your best self would get out of your rut, you can help yourself get unstuck even faster!

If you can see it, you can achieve it.  

And if you can see how your ideal self would act during a rut, you can become more like your ideal self in the process of becoming unstuck from whatever is holding you back.

Embrace the ideal you and use it to kick your rut to the curb!

Tip #10 – Figure Out Who You Want To Be

It’s hard to see the need for change unless a crisis comes and smacks you in the face.

But, on the other hand, a crisis makes people more resilient and resourceful.  It allows them to become better at overcoming different challenges and adapting to future circumstances.

Similarly, whatever rut you’re facing will reveal how you respond to adversity. 

When you’re stuck in a rut, you can figure out what you want to be more of, and what you want to be less of. 

And when you get out of your rut, you can build on what you’ve learned about yourself and be confident battling anything else that comes your way.

Tip #11 – Engage With Very Successful People

We talked earlier about associating with oddly positive people, which will help you keep a positive headspace during tough times.

Likewise, I encourage you to associate with very successful people when you’re stuck in a rut.  These people can be successful in business, in love, or in life itself.  The type of success doesn’t matter, but the level of success is what’s important.

These people can teach you about their experiences and provide you with unique insights to help you get unstuck. 

Every successful person has faced a rut or a challenge along the way to success, and you can further motivate yourself by leaning on the lessons learned from successful people.  And as you do this, you’ll not only get out of your rut, but you’ll become even more successful yourself!

11 tips.  1 you.  And 0 ruts that you can’t escape when you apply these tips to your life.

Stop letting your rut dictate your life.  And use your life to overcome your ruts, liberate yourself, and embrace the person you KNOW you were meant to be.

The post Stuck In A Rut? 11 Simple Tips How To Get Yourself Out Of A Rut appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

They have entirely different fits, styles, and functions.

I know a lot of guys just they're interchangeable – they're both trousers, right? They've both got pockets, belt loops, and legs.

Sure – but a Ferrari and a Ford Fiesta both have 4 wheels, a trunk, and a steering wheel. Are you telling me they're the same thing too?

You want to be the Ferrari, not the Fiesta – so you need to know the basic rules of fit, fabric, and function when it comes to your pants! This is men's style 101, gents.

As ever, it’s my mission to help you look like the best-dressed man in the room, which is why I’m setting the record straight once and for all. 

In this definitive style guide, we’ll explore: 

1. The Differences Between Slacks And Dress Pants
2. Top Styling Tips For Slacks And Dress Pants
3. Your Lifestyle – Which Style of Trousers Is Best For You?

#1. The Differences Between Slacks and Dress Pants

The most significant differences between slacks and dress pants are in their fit, fabric, and function. 

Like any other trouser style, both slacks and dress pants have distinct features. I‘d go as far as to say that they contrast in many different ways. 

Slacks Vs. Dress Pants: Differences In Fit 

What does ‘slack’ mean? Loose, right?

Coincidence? I think not. 

Slacks are loose-fitting trousers designed to fall baggier on the leg. 

Dress pants, on the other hand, can be tighter. Often, they feature a slim design that hugs the thigh to match the tailored silhouette of a formal suit. 

Slacks Vs. Dress Pants: Differences In Fabric 

The contrasting construction of slacks vs. dress pants is a result of fabric. 

Slacks are usually made of heavier materials like wool or corduroy. This makes them an excellent option for colder weather or when comfort is a high priority. 

Their heavier construction makes the looser fit essential. A tight-fitting garment made from wool or corduroy would become a sweat disaster! Your skin would have no room to breathe. 

Dress pants are lighter in construction and material. In general, this style of trouser is made from either:

1. Cotton
2. Linen 
3. Polyester
4. A Polyester-cotton mix 

This lighter construction means that dress pants can be slimmer in fit. The thinner/more breathable materials are less likely to cause excessive sweat. 

Slacks Vs. Dress Pants: Differences In Function 

As with any garment in a man’s wardrobe – slacks and dress pants have unique functions. 

Slacks are more informal in their cut and fabric. Wear them in casual/smart-casual environments where a slim silhouette isn’t required. Outdoor fun, family meals, and gatherings are great examples of slack-appropriate events. 

Dress pants, on the other hand, are more formal. As the name suggests, they suit ‘dressier’ situations where formality is the priority. Wear dress pants at the office, to weddings, or on a trip to an upscale restaurant. 

#2. Top Styling Tips For Slacks and Dress Pants

Dress pants and slacks can be styled very differently. As a result of their differing cuts, fabrics, and formality, a man can wear them in very contrasting ways. 

When deciding what to wear with these different styles of pants, you must consider WHY you are wearing them. What occasion are you attending? Are you opting for comfort or a sharp silhouette?

Slacks

When wearing slacks, a man can sport a more casual style. The looser fit of slacks is similar to that of straight-cut jeans – not too baggy but not too tight. 

The critical thing to remember is not to wear anything skinny/oversized on your top half. This will either make your legs and rear look huge in comparison or make you appear fatter than you are. 

Instead, pair your slacks with regular fit clothing. For example:

1. Light-brown corduroy slacks with a brown belt
2. A light blue Oxford shirt
3. A brown leather strap timepiece
4. Brogue Oxford or Derby shoes in brown 
5. A navy wool sports coat

Dress Pants

Dress pants are more formal than slacks, so a slimmer silhouette is often required when wearing them. 

I’m not saying you should go skinny-fit all over. However, it’s essential to ensure that the fit of your dress pants matches the fit of your overall outfit. 

Wearing slim-fit dress pants with an oversized shirt will make you look much fatter than you are, so be careful!

Create an outfit with a slim silhouette. For example:

1. Charcoal gray, cotton dress pants with a black belt
2. A crisp, white poplin shirt 
3. A slim navy and burnt orange tie in a design of your choice
4. A navy cotton blazer with a burnt orange pocket square 
5. Black leather Chelsea boots to finish 

#3. Your Lifestyle – Which Style Of Trousers Is Best For You?

Slacks vs. Dress pants – which one wins in your books?

At the end of the day, it’s hard to compare them. They serve entirely different purposes and suit completely different situations. 

So what’s the answer? Choose the pants that are right for your lifestyle. 

You need to figure out the sort of guy you are. 

The Family Man

If you consider yourself a family man, chances are a pair of slacks will serve you well. 

A stylish man at home with his kids needs a flexible and durable wardrobe. Kids are messy; dogs get mud everywhere; DIY is risky. 

That’s why a solid pair of slacks is your best bet. Tough corduroy will withstand a heck of a lot of punishment and is often machine washable. This makes them the perfect pant option for guys who want to spend time with their kids playing ball in the yard. 

The Businessman 

The high-powered businessman has no time for slacks. They’re too baggy, thick, and don’t look professional enough. He should opt for a pair of quality dress pants. 

For a man that needs to dress to impress daily, dress pants offer a great alternative to suit trousers. Paired with a well-tailored blazer, dress pants offer the well-cut look of a formal suit. 

Sure, when the businessman gets home, he might throw on something a bit comfier. But when at work, he needs to look like a million bucks in a pair of quality dress pants. 

The Handy Man 

Not all men work in an office. Dress pants won’t last long on a building site. 

For the man who needs durable but professional trousers, woolen slacks are best. Should you build a house wearing these? Absolutely not. 

However, during a promotion meeting with the foreman, a pair of woolen slacks will serve you well. They present a professional appearance without looking too ‘business.’ 

Slacks vs. dress pants – which is the winner? The answer’s pretty simple – both of them. Trousers are never one type fits all! A man needs to assess his own needs and lifestyle to make the right choice. 

In short, the decision is yours to make. Click here for an outfit guide to help you boost your style even further

The post Slacks Vs. Dress Pants (Definitive Style Guide)  appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

It may have been okay back in the '80s, but today that unkempt body hair makes you look like Chewbacca.

But do you know how to remove men's body hair properly? Or are you still guessing?

Don't worry, gents. I'm going to share with you the best tips on grooming men's body hair so that you can look and feel like the stylish guy you are.

Today, I'll be covering:

1. Facial Hair Grooming
2. Should You Shave Your Chest And Back?
3. Hairy Or Shaved Armpits?
4. Manscaping In 2022
5. Can You Shave Your Legs As A Guy?

#1 Facial Hair Grooming

Your face is the first thing people notice when meeting you. That's why it's crucial to upkeep your facial hair often.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for facial hair as we all have different styles. Some of us will have beards, and others will like a clean-shaven appearance.

While there are many ways to groom your facial hair, there are only two main ways you can accomplish the goal: trim it or shave it.

Trimming Your Facial Hair

This is for you guys who like to rock beards. Beards are fantastic at giving off a rustic and strong appearance. But it is essential to maintain your beard so you don't look like a mountain man.

When trimming your facial hair, you want to make sure everything is uniform in length.

Utilizing an electric trimmer, make sure you use the proper length guide to fit what length you want to achieve.

After that, it's as simple as running the trimmer over the entirety of your beard to make sure it's all the same length. Once you have done that, you can remove the guide and use the trimmer to touch up lines and smaller areas to make it look perfect.

Getting The Perfect Shave

Now for you clean-shaven gents. Shaving your face daily will often provide you with the best results; however, you must be careful if you have sensitive skin. But how do you get the perfect shave?

The best time to shave is after you have just taken a warm shower, so the hairs on your face are nice and soft.

Try using a pre-shave oil or cream that further softens the hairs to prevent issues later. Then lather up with your favorite shaving cream and begin.

You can use a multiblade razor for this or if you have sensitive skin, try a safety razor. Safety razors are a great way to shave; they take away a lot of the potential issues of ingrown hairs and tugging by using only one blade.

Multiblade razors cut below the skin level and can cause ingrown hairs, so be mindful.

After you've completed your shave, rinse your face with cold water and use a post-shave balm for the best effects. Aftershaves can also be used but can burn and cause irritation, so again, if you have sensitive skin, be aware.

#2 Should You Shave Your Chest And Back?

You've got a well-groomed face; now it's time to move to the upper body. The real question is whether you should shave or trim your chest and back hair. The answer – it depends.

It depends because, just like facial hair, this is a personal preference. We all know that body hair shaving affects attractiveness and that women prefer well-groomed guys. So if you like to maintain hair on your chest and back, use an electric trimmer to keep the length, so it doesn't get out of control.

Now, if you're looking to shave it off, use a multiblade razor and plenty of shaving cream to get the job done. You may need a handheld mirror to get your back done correctly, but otherwise, it's pretty straightforward.

Shaving your chest and back hair has become regular as most guys prefer its cleanliness and appeal. It also only requires maintenance once or twice per week.

Regardless of whichever route you go, ensure it's neat. The rule of thumb to remember is that you either trim it or shave, not one of each. For example, don't shave your chest and leave your back hair growing wild, and vice versa.

You'll look much more attractive when they are both uniform.

#3 Hairy Or Shaved Armpits?

Should you shave your armpits? While this is a simple question, it's not odd considering that women have been doing it for ages.

While the evidence doesn't support the benefits of shaved armpits, it is essential to note that men prefer things that leave them feeling clean and fresh.

But why would a man want to shave his armpits?

• Sweat: While shaving your underarms won't produce less sweat, the sweat stains on your clothes can be less pronounced as the hair can hold sweat longer.
• Aesthetics: Whether you're a model or a regular guy, no one wants to see that armpit hair poking out of your shirt.
• Hygiene: Bacteria can grow in the damp area of your armpit and cause odor. By shaving, you can reduce that area and decrease bacteria.

Shaving your armpit hair can help you feel more comfortable and reduce sweat stains on clothing.

So if you're interested in trying this out, get some shaving cream and a razor, and give it a go. It grows back quickly, so what do you have to lose?

#4 Manscaping – Keep It Simple

One of the biggest mistakes guys make in their body hair grooming regiment is not taking the proper time to manscape.

But what is manscaping?

Manscaping is a term dubbed for grooming hair in the pubic region. We all have it and should take the proper steps to ensure it's neat and tidy.

The best rule of thumb regarding manscaping is to keep it simple.

Use an electric trimmer to keep things neat. Your goal here is to trim things and not cut things, so try avoiding a razor.

Make sure you get everything trimmed up nicely and edged well. This will be the best way to keep that well-groomed appearance without looking like you just got a bikini wax.

Manscaping can also help better your hygiene as removing extra hair can help reduce the surface area bacteria has to cling to, causing odor.

#5 Can You Shave Your Legs As A Guy?

We recently conducted a poll here at RMRS and asked the question – should men shave their legs?

The majority of people voted NO.

While the results showed that most people feel this way, it is essential to note why men would want to do so.

Reasons to shave your legs as a man:

• You want to
• You have extremely hairy legs
• You are a competitive swimmer or triathlete
• You want to show off your muscles
• Getting a tattoo

Reasons NOT to shave your legs as a man:

• It takes work to maintain
• The cost of razors or waxing
• It can be painful
• It can itch when it grows back
• People can find it weird

With this information, it's best to keep your leg hair trimmed with an electric trimmer. And if you find yourself wanting to shave it all off, do so accordingly but know it may not be the most acceptable thing you can do.

That's it, gents. You no longer have to wonder how to remove that body hair correctly.

After you've mastered this guide, check out these grooming mistakes all men make.

The post The Ultimate Guide To Grooming Men’s Body Hair appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

And did you know that the hair on your face is on average x4 thicker than the hair on your head?

Or that your beard can grow over x4 your height?

Nor did I! So in today's article, I'm giving you 10 strange but true facts you never knew about shaving and facial hair.

Shaving Fact #1. Beard Tax Was A Thing

In 1698, Emperor Peter the Great of Russia imposed a tax on beards. Police enforced this law and collected the tax at the entrance to every town.

And what if you didn't comply?

Well, men who refused to pay had their beards publicly shaved off!

Men who paid the tax had to carry a ‘beard token' (a copper or silver coin with a picture of a beard) with them as proof of payment.

It is said that King Henry VIII also imposed a tax on beards – even though he had one and presumably didn't tax himself – and his daughter Elizabeth I of England continued this legacy by taxing every beard of over 2 weeks' growth. This was not a good time to grow a beard!

Today's article is sponsored by VITAMAN – they make the best natural men's shaving products you'll find anywhere online. No alcohol, no chemicals, no additives – just natural and organic Australian ingredients specially formulated to soothe your face and banish razor burn for good!

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Shaving Fact #2. Alcohol Can Make Your Facial Hair Grow

Testosterone in the body creates a hormone called DHT which plays a major role in the development of body hair.

Drinking alcohol increases the conversion of DHT into ‘3-alpha diol' – the main hormone responsible for hair growth speed and this can lead to your facial hair growing more quickly than normal.

And beer contains silicon which is believed to increase circulation and stimulate facial hair growth. This is great news for any beer drinkers out there – you're not going to a bar, you're going to work on improving your beard! (Remember that one!)

Shaving Fact #3. Mini Facts

1. Eyebrows help keep our eyes clean and clear – they keep sweat and rain water away from our eyes so we can keep focused on what's in front of us.
2. Ever wondered why some people have curly hair and some have straight? It's all in the hair shaft. Hairs with round shafts are straight and hairs with oval/oblate shafts curl up.
3. The average man shaves about 10,000 times in his lifetime! This is why it's important to use the best shaving products you can find.

Shaving Fact #4. Fidel Castro's Beard Wasn't All It Seemed

Cuban Revolutionary Fidel Castro is famous for many things: some see him as a hero, others a tyrant. He was also synonymous with his long, unkempt beard. Castro's official line was that his beard was a symbol of the Cuban Revolution; that he and other guerilla fighters let their beards grow while engaged in jungle warfare.

To quote the man himself:

“If you save 15 minutes a day by not shaving your beard, you gain about 10 days a year that you can devote to work, to reading, to sport, to whatever you like. And you save on razors, soap and hot water, too”.

Makes sense…

…but, later on in life he reportedly told Journalist Barbara Walters that the real reason he grew his beard was that his supplies of Gillette Razors blades were cut off by the US Embargo on Cuba at the time!

Here's a bonus fact for you – In an operation known as ‘The Cuban Project', the Kennedy presidency included a plan to contaminate Castro’s clothing with thallium salts which would make his beard fall out.

Shaving Fact #5. Men & Women Have The Same No. Of Hair Follicles On Their Face

Hair follicles on a man's jaw are stimulated by the hormone dihydrotestosterone. And this is the reason men grow beards (and women don't).

There are about 30,000 beard hairs on the face of the average man with the greatest concentration being on the chin and upper lip and the average man’s face contains anywhere from 5,000 to 25,000 hairs.

The average man's beard grows at around 1/2 inch per month and it is believed that historically women came to find men with thicker beards more attractive because it implied the bearded individual was more dominant than his lowly friend with poor growth.

Shaving Fact #6. Some Animals Also Have Beards

It's not just us men who have various types of facial hair.

The Lion-Tailed Macaque, the Bearded Emperor Tamarin (looks like a monkey and is native to Brazil and Peru) and Scottish Highland Cattle also sport impressive beards.

And did you know that only lions grow manes? A lion's mane color is indicative of the lion's strength and health. The darker his mane – the more important he is in his pride. And get this – lions with manes treat lions without manes differently.

The poor animals with little or no manes are attacked more often and have less success with the ladies – this suggests that beards have survival and reproductive benefits. (Remember that one when you're impressing a woman with your facial hair.)

#7. Beard Growing Contests Exist

Yes, that's right! The World Beard and Moustache Championships is a real event and it is taken very seriously by those in the business of growing facial hair.

The World Beard and Moustache Championships came to Texas in 2017 and had 738 competitors from 33 countries and 27 categories. It's for men AND women.

Categories include best partial beard, full beard, full mustache, and a freestyle category. The competition was dominated by the USA. who took first place in 27 different categories and in case you want to go – next year it's being held in Antwerp, Belgium.

Shaving Fact #7. Hair Removal Isn't A Modern Trend

Egyptians shaved their beards and heads. And the Greeks and Romans adopted this custom around 330BC, during the reign of Alexander the Great.

It is believed this was to distinguish themselves from brutish barbarian peoples who were hairier. Some Roman men had a servant to shave them (it's alright for some!); otherwise they'd start their day with a trip to the barber.

Roman soldiers were encouraged to shave as a defensive measure to stop enemies from grabbing their hair in hand-to-hand combat.

The oldest known remaining barbershop in the world is Truefitt & Hill in Mayfair, London, which was established by William Francis Truefitt in 1805.

And this one is my favorite – Anthony Mancinelli is the oldest practicing barber in the world – aged 107! He was born in Italy in 1911 and at the age of 8 moved to Newburgh, New York with his family.

Shaving Fact #8. In the USA, Beards Are Banned by Militaries & Police Departments

The US Coast Guard allowed beards until 1986, when Commandant Admiral Paul Yost banned them. The U.S. military also prohibited beards because they prevent a tight seal for gas masks.

The majority of police forces in the United States still ban their officers from wearing beards but Dallas PD is one of the few police departments that have recently allowed police officers to grow facial hair.

Shaving Fact #9. Shaving Your Facial Hair Does NOT Make It Grow Back Thicker

This is a common misconception.

Shaving facial hair gives the hair a blunt tip; this means it feels stubbly or coarse and may look darker but it is no thicker.

Shaving Fact #10. Beards Can't Commit Treason

Sir Thomas More was an English lawyer, philosopher, and philanthropist. In 1533 he refused to attend the coronation of Queen Anne Boleyn. This did not impress King Henry, who ordered More arrested for treason.

The court found More guilty and sentenced him to death by beheading. As More laid his head on the execution block, he told the executioner his beard had not committed a crime and should be spared his punishment, before positioning it out of the way of the executioner's ax. His beard lived on! (Although the head it was attached to was dead, so it actually died too.)

So, there we have it.

10 strange but true facts about shaving, beard and beard styles. How many did you know? Did any take you by surprise? I want to hear from you – so let me know down in the video comments. And gentlemen, if you want to know how to get a perfect shave every time with an electric razor: Learn which electric razor is best for you.

You've got the knowledge, now what about the tools?

Click below to watch the video – 10 Strange (But True) Facts About Facial Hair & Shaving

The post 10 Strange (But True) Facts About Facial Hair & Shaving appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

It's a piece that combines practicality and emotional beauty within one – especially a sports watch, which most men tend to wear these days.

Traditionally, dress watches existed before the popularity of these watches with oversized dials, metallic straps, and fancy chronographs.

They are classy, sleek, and elegant, making them a perfect pair for the day when you want to portray an understated sophistication.

The good news is you can always find one that fits your budget.

In this article, I will show you the 12 Best Dress Watches for Men in Every Budget Range (From under $500 to over $10000)

What Is Considered A Dress Watch?

First, let's clarify the definition of a dress watch.

A dress watch is an understated timepiece designed to be elegant and minimalistic – mainly intended for formal and business attire.

Here are the five components of a dress watch.

• Simplicity: They usually have a simple, clean dial with few complications.
• Size: Their diameter tends to be smaller than sports watches.
• Materials: They are often made from precious metals like gold or platinum.
• Strap: They usually use leather straps to increase the refined look.
• Colour: Their dial is typically white, black, or muted colour.

The main purpose of this kind of watch is to complement formal attire and blend the whole ensemble without drawing attention away from it – a contrast from a sports watch, which is usually a statement piece.

Below here are 12 choices from Real Men's Real Style for dress watches in these different budget ranges.

• Entry-Level (Under $500)
• Mid-Range ($500-$2,500)
• Upper Mid-Range ($2500-$10,000)
• High-End Luxury (Above $10,000)

Entry-Level Dress Watch #1. Orient Bambino

The first one on the list is an all-time favourite among watch enthusiasts for its classic design, versatility, and excellent value—the Orient Bambino.

Orient is a Japanese watchmaker with a rich heritage, and the Bambino line demonstrates its expertise in creating quality and affordable timepieces.

From the in-house automatic movements to an elegant aesthetic with a domed crystal and various dial options, the Bambino is an ideal entry point for any man who wants to try owning a first dress watch.

ORIENT Men's '2nd Gen. Bambino

$207.00 $186.46

Buy Now Customer Reviews

05/17/2024 02:35 pm GMT

Specs (Ref: AC00004B)

• Case Size/Diameter: 40.5mm
• Case Thickness: 11.8mm
• Case Material: Stainless Steel
• Movement: Mechanical Automatic
• Glass: Mineral Crystal
• Water Resistance: 30m

Entry-Level Dress Watch #2. Seiko Presage

Seiko will always be at the top of men's minds regarding watchmaking manufacturers. It's a dedicated timepiece to excellence that combines traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern technology.

Seiko Presage offers a sense of luxury with attention to detail in its textured dials, especially with its ‘cocktail' line inspired by classic drinks. This model from Seiko is a fine dress watch suitable for formal events or everyday wear at an accessible price point.

SEIKO SRPK15J1, Men Presage, Mechanical

$375.06

Buy Now Customer Reviews

05/17/2024 02:40 pm GMT

Specs (Ref: SRPB41)

• Case Size/Diameter: 40.5mm
• Case Thickness: 11.8mm
• Case Material: Stainless Steel
• Movement: Mechanical Automatic
• Glass: Mineral Crystal (Box-shaped Hardlex)
• Water Resistance: 50m

Entry-Level Dress Watch #3. Timex Marlin

Reminiscent of the Mad Men Era, Timex Marlin is a timepiece that reflects the essence of the mid-20th century – embodying elegance and simplicity while combining contemporary reliability.

From the hand-wound mechanical movement, which adds an element of traditional watchmaking, to the simple, clean design of the dial, Timex Marlin can offer you a unique choice for understated elegance in formal attire and everyday office space.

If you're inspired to dress like Don Draper but don't want to afford the price and risk of Vintage Omega Seamaster Deville, this one can be a perfect alternative.

Timex 40 mm Marlin Automatic Leather Strap Watch Brown One Size

Buy Now Customer Reviews

Specs (Ref: TW2R47900)

• Case Size/Diameter: 34mm
• Case Thickness: 10mm
• Case Material: Stainless Steel
• Movement: Mechanical Manual Winding
• Glass: Acrylic
• Water Resistance: 30m

Mid-Range Dress Watch #1. Tissot Le Locle

Tissot Le Locle symbolizes Swiss elegance, precision and commitment to traditional watchmaking. It features Roman numerals, a date display, and a distinctive ‘Le Locle' – the name of Tissot's hometown in Switzerland- on the dial.

This dress watch from Tissot is powered by a reliable automatic movement and is recognized for its elegance and classy characteristics. It is a favourite among men who want a timepiece that reflects the brand's appreciation for craftsmanship and heritage.

Tissot Men's Le Locle Stainless Steel Dress Watch Black T0064071605300

$625.00

Buy Now Customer Reviews

05/17/2024 02:55 pm GMT

Specs (Ref: T006.407.16.033.00)

• Case Size/Diameter: 39.3mm
• Case Thickness: 9.8mm
• Case Material: Stainless Steel
• Movement: Mechanical Automatic
• Glass: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 30m

Mid-Range Dress Watch #2. Longines Dolce Vita

Another renowned Swiss watchmaker with a rich heritage and the classic slogan ‘Elegance is an Attitude'—Longines Dolce Vita—is the piece that makes this statement.

Inspired by the Italian term ‘Dolce Vita' (Sweet Life), it's a unique rectangular dress watch that offers a distinctive and stylish alternative to traditional watches.

This square dress watch from Longines is the perfect blend of form and function – an ideal choice for men seeking a unique character and a touch of luxury in their attire.

Longines Dolcevita Black Leather L5.757.4.71.0

$1,369.50

Buy Now Customer Reviews

05/17/2024 03:05 pm GMT

Specs (Ref: L5.255.4.71.0)

• Case Size/Diameter: 32.00 X 20.80 mm
• Case Thickness: 6.9 mm
• Case Material: Stainless Steel
• Movement: Quartz
• Glass: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 30m

Mid-Range Dress Watch #3. Junghans Max Bill

This German watchmaker might be a little niche, yet one universal truth is that you can always rely on German Engineering – and Junghans is like a Porsche of watches.

The Bauhaus principles of clean, uncluttered dials and minimalist design inspire this iconic model, Junghans Max Bill. It is available with quartz and automatic movements—a perfect choice for men who appreciate the minimalist aesthetic and favour high-quality engineering.

Junghans Max Bill Silver Dial Sapphire Crystal Quartz Watch 41/4817.02

$740.00

Buy Now

05/17/2024 03:11 pm GMT

Specs (Ref: 27/4700.02)

• Case Size/Diameter: 38mm
• Case Thickness: 10mm
• Movement: Mechanical Automatic
• Case Material: Stainless Steel
• Glass: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 50m

Upper Mid-Range Dress Watch  #1. Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso was initially designed for British Army officers who played polo in India. It's now known as the ‘Reverso' with a flipping case, which aims to protect the watch face during matches.

But beyond its practical design, JLC Reverso has become a symbol of sophisticated elegance. With its classic rectangular shape and Art Deco design, this JLC watch is timeless. It embodies deep beauty and a sense of heritage history while remaining versatile for various occasions.

Specs (Ref: Q2608140)

• Case Size/Diameter: 35.78 x 21 mm
• Case Thickness: 7.4 mm
• Movement: Mechanical Manual Winding
• Case Material: Stainless Steel
• Glass: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 30m

Upper Mid-Range Dress Watch #2. Omega De Ville Prestige

Omega De Ville Prestige is a testament to Omega's commitment to classic elegance and watchmaking excellence. Even though the line ‘De Ville' might not be as popular as ‘Speedmaster' or ‘Seamaster' today, the signature Omega's precision movements are still the same.

Additionally, the De Ville Prestige features a variety of dial designs and many different details for each model, from date windows to small seconds sub-dials, making this dress watch a symbol of timeless luxury and a sophisticated option for men who are fans of Omega and seek something different from the crowd.

Omega De Ville Prestige Automatic Men's Watch 424.13.40.20.03.002

$3,100.00

Buy Now Customer Reviews

05/17/2024 03:15 pm GMT

Specs (Ref: 424.13.40.20.01.001)

• Case Size/Diameter: 39.5mm
• Case Thickness: 9.8mm
• Movement: Mechanical Automatic
• Case Material: Stainless Steel
• Glass: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 30m

Upper Mid-Range Dress Watch #3. Grand Seiko Elegance

If Seiko represents Japanese craftsmanship, the Grand Seiko is that pinnacle. With innovative technology and the pursuit of perfection in every detail, the Grand Seiko Elegance line reflects dedicated art and precision in watchmaking.

The signature ‘Spring Drive' technology combines the beauty and craftsmanship of mechanical and quartz technology, making this watch a groundbreaking piece in the watch industry.

Also, with designs that contain all the harmonious elements, this watch is a distinct and refined alternative to luxurious dress watches from the Swiss side.

The Grand Seiko Elegance is an ideal timepiece for men who prioritize perfection in life.

Grand Seiko Elegance Manual 39mm Watch SBGK007

$6,000.00

Buy Now

05/17/2024 03:20 pm GMT

Specs (Ref: SBGK007)

• Case Size/Diameter: 39mm
• Case Thickness: 11.6mm
• Movement: Mechanical Manual Winding
• Case Material: Stainless Steel
• Glass: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 30m

High-End Luxury Dress Watch #1. Patek Philippe Calatrava

I might not need to tell you much about Patek Philippe since the brand is already a statement of high status and excellence in craftsmanship. That being said, the Patek Philippe Calatrava is the epitome of a dress watch.

The Calatrava is known for its elegant and minimalist design (different from other Patek Philippe lines), featuring a round case and a simple, refined dial. Owning this watch for men is more than just timekeeping; it is investing in a piece of art that symbolizes status, heritage, and the pursuit of perfection.

Like Patek Philippe's motto, “You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation.”

Specs (Ref: 5227G)

• Case Size/Diameter: 39mm
• Case Thickness: 9.24mm
• Movement: Mechanical Automatic
• Case Material: White Gold
• Glass: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 30m

High-End Luxury Dress Watch #2. Vacheron Constantin Patrimony

Vacheron Constantin is one of the oldest watchmaking manufacturers in the world, and the Patrimony collection captures the brand's dedication to timeless design and aesthetics.

The Vacheron Constantin Patrimony has a clean, classic aesthetic, a slim profile, and a minimalist dial—reflecting the mastery of traditional watchmaking and featuring excellent detailing.

For men who value the rich history and finest traditional sense of watchmaking, Patrimony is the choice to consider, as it is connected to Vacheron Constantin's story and a piece that blends simplicity, elegance, and heritage.

Specs (Ref: 85180/000G-9230)

• Case Size/Diameter: 40mm
• Case Thickness: 8.55mm
• Movement: Mechanical Automatic
• Case Material: White Gold
• Glass: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 30m

High-End Luxury Dress Watch #3. A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia

This is the pinnacle of German watchmaking excellence — A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia is a statement of precision, understated luxury, and innovation.

With its straightforward, uncluttered design and high-quality materials, this watch allows A. Lange & Söhne to demonstrate their approach to watchmaking.

It is the ideal choice for men seeking a dress watch that combines German minimalist design with traditional craftsmanship, representing Germany's rich watchmaking history.

Specs (Ref: 380.027)

• Case Size/Diameter: 38.5mm
• Case Thickness: 7.8mm
• Movement: Mechanical Automatic
• Case Material: White Gold
• Glass: Sapphire
• · Water Resistance: 30m

For Which Occasion Can You Wear A Dress Watch?

Until now, you might wonder, “How necessary it is to own a dress watch and when to wear it if James Bond can wear a Rolex Submariner or an Omega Seamaster with a tuxedo?”

Gents, just like other clothing, watches are an expression of your individual style.

If you're a man who lives a rugged outdoor lifestyle most of the time, then daily wear and heavy investment in a dress watch might not be the thing for you.

But if you're a man who works in a corporate environment, lives in an urban lifestyle, and loves dressing from smart casual to formal attire, then dress watches are an excellent choice for you to own, invest in, and wear daily.

Still curious about the occasion for each type of watch? 

To learn more about dress and casual watches for men, see this article, ‘Dress & Casual Watches For Men | How To Style A Watch'.

The post 12 Best Dress Watches For Men in Every Budget Range appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

Society and social media have influenced the perception of ‘success' as a young man.

• Earn at least $10,000 per month online.
• Have a tremendous aesthetic physique.
• Dating multiple beautiful women.

They have spread the idea that you are a failure if you can't achieve all those milestones in your 20s.

Gents, you need to realize that those YouTubers and TikTok Influencers who seem to live a dream life and be uncanny successful when they are young – are a tiny percentage of people your age.

Don't get me wrong – I think those goals and milestones are worthy goals, and it would be perfect if you could achieve them all within your 20s.

The truth is, life as a young man is much more than financial and materialistic success.

In this article, I will reveal the essential 7 Ways to Make The Most Out of Your 20s as a Young Man.

The Nature of Being a Young Man

I have to admire young men these days because they have a great sense of awareness in life – even before they turn 20.

I saw many young men in high school work out, trying to make an income online, starting on a ‘self-improvement' journey.

But as you might know, things get more serious when life hits the 20s.

You (and the people around you) are expecting more from life. Whether it's a career path you will embark on, the financial responsibilities or finding a potential romantic partner – you were expected to get your life together.

And that's come with a lot of mental challenges.

While most of you want to be successful in life, many have lost hope due to the toughness of modern dating or the uncertainty of the economy. They are out of your control and cause you a hard time.

But what if I say that these challenges and hard times – are the best opportunities for young men to improve and develop themselves and become full-grown men?

By adopting these 7 things below, you can be sure that your 20s will be fully maximized to their highest potential and pave the way for a bright future for your 30s and beyond.

#1: Cultivate Healthy Habits

What is the number one thing that older people usually say is most important for them?

Health.

As a young man, there won't be any better time to start and cultivate your daily healthy habits even if your body is still functioning well and full of energy with a poor diet, lack of exercise, and sleep deprivation.

Young people, especially men, can survive and live with poor health habits. Yet the faster you develop and cultivate a healthy one, the more enjoyable life will be when you are older – both physically and mentally.

You might have heard that men's mental health in these days are currently an issue in our society. With the rise of social media and many platforms on the Internet, they're undoubtedly the main factors for this. Still, we can develop healthy habits to counter them.

Here are the five essential pillars to develop a significant physical and mental health foundation in the long run that you can adapt and start doing today with zero $ cost. 

• Clean Diet
• Regularly Exercise
• Get Enough Sleep
• Meditation
• Journaling

When you start practising and doing these habits, I guarantee that you will feel awesome from day one and gradually increase daily as long as you commit to them.

#2: Develop Social Skills

When was the last time you talked to a stranger?

Seriously, gents, they don't have to be women, but when was the last time you decided to walk toward someone and say ‘Hello' or ‘Hi'?

It's not an easy thing to do since most people these days need to remember the art of real-life conversation – not constantly glued to the phone, even at the dinner table.

This is where you can set yourself apart from others and create a charismatic personality that will serve you well in the short and long term.

My tips here are to be ‘curious' more about other people. Take your electronic device back when you're outside, looking at people, seeing their faces, and simply saying ‘Hi'.

The easiest way to practice is to start a conversation with a coffee barista or concierge – go further than a quick transaction, asking about their day, complimenting their work or wishing them a great day.

Who knows? Your curiosity and confidence to walk and talk to people might lead you to a better opportunity in your career or dating life!

You just need to start the conversation.

#3: Learn High-Income Skills

Money is essential. I can't deny that.

Back in the old days, before the Internet, accepting a low salary, working hard, and climbing the corporate ladder were essential things almost every young man had to face.

Since the basic principle of making money in modern capitalism is to contribute value to society – traditional career paths tend not to give you much money as a young man because you still lack experience or expertise. (at least in their perception)

Today, the Internet has changed all of that.

Education is more accessible and affordable. Young men can learn and practice everything this world offers for free and paid – including high-income skills that allow them to provide much more value to society faster.

You might ask, “Which skills are categorized as High-Income?”

Basically, it's an ability to move other people to make a transaction, which you might have heard of in the form of sales, marketing, or persuasion since that's the core principle of the capitalist economy.

I know they might sound a little evil, but that's how the world works. Men who acquire these high-income skills can earn a lot of money.

This doesn't mean that I recommend you pursue a career in sales or marketing, but to be aware that whichever path you choose in life, mastering these skills can help you earn more money in life – even as a young man.

#4: Take Full Ownership of Your Life

When you are in your 20s, your families and friends expect you to take ownership of your life.

• Live with your own money
• Responsible for the consequences of your decision
• Have a precise vision for the future

And that's why these periods are challenging for young men. 

During the primary education system, whether in school or college, young men didn't have to take full ownership of life or even need to. After that, when we graduated and faced the real world, it completely differed from what we had met.

It takes a lot of courage and maturity to take ownership of your life while still maintaining a sense of bravery to take risks and action. A supportive environment will play a huge role here. Find a group of people willing to give you positive support and feedback so you can learn and grow with them.

That way, you can develop the trait of a full ownership taker and become a full-grown man in no days.  

#5: Create Your Personal Brand 

You might have heard this term more frequently because establishing one's own brand has never been so essential and accessible for a young man.

First, ‘Branding' is not just a marketing term; it's how humans memorize and perceive a thing.

For instance, at Real Men Real Style, we aim to establish ourselves as a place where men's style and success meet altogether. This has influenced and shaped everything we do – from the content we create to the community we build.

Having your unique purpose and creating how you want the world to perceive you is one of the greatest assets you can leverage. With social media in your hand, you can create a movement to make something people notice and perceive who you are through content.

That's how you create your positioning in both the physical and digital space. It leads to many benefits, from faster career progression to connecting with like-minded people – just because they perceive your brand and remember your uniqueness that no one can replace.

#6: Experiment Your Personal Style

Speaking of your personal brand, one thing that can impact other perceptions about you is your style.

Of course, in your 20s, it's pretty challenging to know the exact style and way to dress – that's why I recommend you to ‘experiment'.

My advice is to find inspiration from your favourite figures that you like and resonate with how they dress.

• Characters from movies and television shows
• Men Influencers on Instagram
• Style Icons in Hollywood

When you collect ideas from these figures, you notice the style pattern and try them on. Then, try to gather more knowledge about their garment choices, colours, and overall aesthetics – they will make you way ahead in the style game in your 20s. 

That way, you can avoid mistakes and enjoy being yourself while looking at your best.

#7: Embrace Failure

This one might be a hard pill to swallow, but this is the most important thing young men can do in their 20s.

Even with a little more expectation and pressure to succeed in life, people in their 20s are far from avoiding risk and failure compared to those in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.

With fresh energy, ideas, and, most importantly, an optimistic self-belief to accomplish a dream, there are endless possibilities for you as a young man. But one thing will always be resistant and stop many of us from achieving more in life – fear of failure.

It's human nature to avoid them, but in the meantime, those who embrace failure will likely experience a more meaningful life.

When men get older day by day, the price of failure will be higher because it will affect the entire family and others. That's the beauty of being a young man. You don't have much to lose, while the upside from pursuing your vision, even if it's failed, is still worthwhile.

Courage is what it takes to make the most of your 20s.

The last thing I want to recommend is to be brave to live as a young man.

While these seven things I told you are easy to say, they're hard to do. Not every young man is willing to do them—only a few. That's why you heard many successful men on the Internet say, “It's so easy to win and stand out these days.”

So go out there and make the most of it. You will have many memorable experiences and life lessons that will make your future self turn back and say “Thank you” in the next decade.

Just like these 10 life lessons that I would tell my younger self.

The post How To Make The Most Out Of The 20s As A Young Man appeared first on Real Men Real Style.