Avocados & honey.
Pickles & peanut butter.
Strawberries & sour cream.
Sound appetizing?
No right?
But they're delicious!
There’s magic in those combos… something you don’t find that often.
It’s the same deal for clothing.
Certain pairings work much better than most people think…
Learn them, master them, and you’ll come off like a rock star at your next event!
Check out these 10 incredible clothing combinations to amp up your style.
Warning: Some may surprise you. But they’re real – trust me!
Clothing Combination #1 – Mixing & Matching Patterns
Right off the bat – I’ll surprise you with this one.
Normally it's true that too much of anything is bad or distracting. But there’s an exception for multiple clothing patterns.
If you manage to incorporate 4+ different patterns in your outfit properly – the whole thing will be one of those cases where it looks “so wrong but so right.”
But beware – there are certain rules you need to follow to be successful:
- Never repeat the exact same pattern. That means the spacing between stripes must vary for each striped item (and likewise for all other items with similar patterns).
- Make sure no two patterns are of the same size.
- Keep the colors muted so that the patterns don't come off as too showy.
Here's one example of a multi-patterned combination that may just work for you:
- A solid, dark-colored suit
- A striped, light-colored dress shirt
- A dark-colored necktie with dots (or any small repeating pattern)
- A paisley-patterned pocket square (pink makes a great color)
- A Glen plaid/Glen check type of sports jacket (color depends on the other items)
Clothing Combination #2 – Rough & Smooth Textured Fabrics
This combo sort of reflects a philosophical point of view. Rough and smooth textures go together almost like buns and a burger patty. It’s basically softness and hardness joining forces – like Yin & Yang.
You might want to try out this ensemble of rough and smooth fabrics:
- A worsted wool suit/jacket (rough)
- A regular cotton shirt with a tight weave (smooth)
- A pocket square made of smooth linen
- A silk/wool tie with a nice sheen and smoothness to it
Clothing Combination #3 – Double Denim (With A Stylish Accessory)
Some may not like the idea of going double with a fabric like denim. But the truth is as long as both items do NOT appear like each other's sibling, a denim top & jeans will stand out nicely.
The trick here is you don't want the two pieces to match exactly. Some degree of contrast is needed – like a dark wash pair of jeans going with a light wash denim jacket.
Try the following methods to enhance your denim items with a darker hue or pattern: vintage wash, acid wash or stone wash.
Denim can also go perfectly with a simple and elegant accessory (not the flashy type like bling-bling worn by those hip-hop artists).
Speaking of accessories – isn’t it hard finding a nice & affordable dress watch to spice up your casual gear (or in this case, your double denim)? Many would also think that a $150 watch is just the typical cookie-cutter kind.
We’re so used to seeing the most elegant men’s watches in the market available at crazy prices – forcing you to save up a fortune if you really want them. But let me tell you about this great company that offers an amazingly cheaper alternative – Original Grain.
They offer watches which are handcrafted with surprising combinations of exotic hardwood and stainless steel. Every piece is built with a stylish Japanese Miyota quartz movement. They offer the following variations:
- Styles – Barrel, Chrono, Classic, Minimalist
- Wood Types – Ebony, Maple, Rosewood, Verawood, Whiskey Barrel
This innovative company proves that there’s a big difference between high-quality and overpriced. They currently have a total of 4 unique collections, starting at $149 (which includes free shipping worldwide). Click here to discover Original Grain
Clothing Combination #4 – A Sports Jacket / Heavy Coat + A Denim Jacket
When you think of a sports jacket that’s layered over a denim jacket, it can seem strange or redundant. But consider the following factors:
- Your denim jacket has the right fit (close to the body)
- Your sports jacket is quite looser than your denim jacket
- It's cold outside
When all of the above come together – it's the perfect scenario to wear your denim jacket under your sports jacket and keep yourself warm.
But while I do call it a stylish look, it's also a pretty fashion-forward one. Not everyone is the type who can pull it off easily.
So here's another option for the average guy to try out: wear a denim jacket under a heavier coat – as in a parka, overcoat, trench coat, fatigue jacket, etc.
The only thing you'll want to avoid is any coat which has the same color (or shade of blue) as your denim jacket.
Clothing Combination #5 – Light Colored Jackets + Dark Colored Shirts
As you might notice whenever I appear in my videos, dark-colored shirts are a big part of my wardrobe. I consistently layer a nice lighter-colored jacket to complement them.
So if your shirts have those colors that are similar to mine, you can do the same thing with these recommended jacket colors: gold, tan, white, light gray, light blue, light green or light brown.
Clothing Combination #6 – A Navy Suit + Brown Leather Shoes
The majority of gentlemen go for black dress shoes. And it's true that black is a very classy color.
But why not change it up and see how much better you're going to stand out (among colleagues or friends) with brown leather shoes – paired with a sharp navy suit?
This combo has the darker counterparts of two colors on opposite ends of the color wheel: blue & orange. That may sort of explain why navy suits go perfectly well with brown shoes.
Note: You can also try pairing up a normal blue or light-blue suit with oxblood leather shoes.
Clothing Combination #7 – A Burgundy Turtleneck Sweater + A Light Brown Blazer
Burgundy is a deep, reddish hue (the name comes from burgundy wine). So when it joins forces with a lighter brown in your wardrobe, there's something quite charming about it.
It works especially well if you've got a medium to high contrast (as in medium-colored skin + darker/medium-colored hair, or fairer skin + darker hair).
Clothing Combination #8 – A Navy Blazer + Red Chinos
One of the more difficult trousers for men to get away with is a red pair of chinos.
Wearing it, you tend to be judged as flamboyant or clownish (unless you're in the entertainment business or you're actually a clown!).
However, that's not the case when you pair it up with a well-fitted navy blazer. Younger men can rock it well (but guys in their 30s/40s can still pull it off if they're confident enough).
Note: Make sure to wear red chinos and NOT cargo pants – those are too fashion-forward.
Clothing Combination #9 – Clean White Sneakers + A Casual Suit
We first have to be clear on what a casual suit is. It's not like your typical suit where both the jacket and trousers are made from the same fabric.
Casual suits are more attention-grabbing since they often show a distinct pattern or texture, and the color tends to be a lighter one.
And since a casual suit stands out a bit more, clean white sneakers will make the perfect “vanilla” supplement. Just remember to wear this combination with lots of confidence (and always check if it's appropriate for the occasion).
Note: The word “clean” is crucial here. You probably shouldn't try this outfit during the rainy season. Watch out for even the smallest puddles whenever you wear white shoes.
Clothing Combination #10 – An Odd Vest That Contrasts With The Rest Of Your Outfit
Finally, try wearing an odd vest separately from the 3-piece suit to improvise your wardrobe. If it has a striking color – you can use it to level-up your style even further for those dressy events.
Your jacket and dress shirt can have a similar color and texture so as to make the vest pop out. You'll impress a lot of people who get to see your layered look from different angles.
