If you are 25 or younger, your image is more important than you may think. If you want to impact this world, you have to present yourself as someone who can. There are many places you can find style tips for young men, but you need to ensure you can trust them.
Don't let clothing issues get in the way of your reputation (both in and out of the office). In this article, we give you 11 style tips for young men.
Here are the tips:
- Develop Self-Confidence
- Value Style & Image
- Level-Up Your Footwear
- Take Care Of Your Clothing
- Nail The Fit
- Own A Well-Fitted Suit
- Choose QUALITY Over Quantity
- Get Rid Of Worn Out Clothing
- Throw Out T-Shirts & Hoodies
- Ignore Fashion Trends
- Be Aware Of Personal Style
Style Tip For Young Men #1 Develop Self-Confidence
Before any other style tips for young men, understand that a big chunk of style depends on a confident attitude.
Self-confidence doesn't just help you engage with women. It's an internal driving force for remembering who are you are and what you stand for.
When you're in sync with your sense of purpose, it sends a strong signal that affects the “aura” you give off – and even the clothes you wear.
So how do you build that confidence? Start by learning from a good mentor. An older guy who exudes confidence the second he makes eye contact with anybody (without coming off as arrogant).
Aside from that, master the art of power posing whenever you lack self-confidence. You'd be surprised by how much simple actions like the “Superman pose” can benefit us mentally.
Style Tip For Young Men #2 Value Style & Image
Entering the real world – you've got to open your eyes to the inconvenient truth: we all judge books by their cover.
Appearances do matter, especially when it comes to first impressions.
Isn't a good personality still important? Absolutely. But some people won't ever be exposed to it if they can't see past your lackluster “cover.”
Your style and image have to work within society's system of what's acceptable to make a great first impression as a young professional.
You want to dress in a way that can easily grant you those precious seconds to sell a thought, make your case, and influence others.
That means you must stick to crisp, clean, and well-fitted clothing. That's what encourages people to take you more seriously. Any young doctor, lawyer, consultant, or salesman needs to understand this.
It also matters to dress appropriately for your age. If your wardrobe screams “student” or “teenager,” – you're going to be treated like you are one. It would be best if you had dressier clothes that show your maturity so you'll gain the respect and trust of everyone (older and younger).
Style Tip For Young Men #3 Level-Up Your Footwear
Are you still wearing running shoes all the time (even when you're NOT running)? Explore other options. Why? It boils down to a traditional school of thought that's still alive and well these days: you can judge a man by his shoes.
People see shoes as a way of measuring your net worth – or assuming your career and social status.
So I believe in spending good money on a pair of high-quality dress shoes. It's a classic type of footwear that works for nearly all occasions.
A pair of quality leather shoes is one of the best investments – provided it's durable and comfortable to wear for many years (with nothing more than some light cleaning and the occasional shine required).
It's not just about looking sharp. These shoes represent attention to detail and how carefully you present yourself.
Style Tip For Young Men #4 Take Care Of Your Clothing
In general, style tips for young men has to account for less disposable income. Budgeting is a must. But at the same time – there's no excuse for not keeping your clothes in great shape.
With just a few bucks, be selective with buying things such as wooden hangers for your suits, shoe trees for your shoes, a reliable iron, and detergent.
And then there's the free stuff – information. Be educated on ironing your shirt correctly (this helps avoid ruining the fabric or leaving marks).
You also want to learn how to wash and dry certain fabrics or materials, as well as treating stains on your clothes safely.
Those bits of information go a long way – sparing you from making costly mistakes in the future.
Style Tip For Young Men #5 Nail The Fit
At home, you might still enjoy wearing those baggy shorts or oversized shirts even though you have slimmed down.
But outside, remember that fit is king. It's your top concern in the style pyramid (before you think of fabric and function/style) for any clothing item.
Rule of thumb: If it doesn't fit (and can't be slightly adjusted to fit) – do NOT buy it. It won't work.
Style Tip For Young Men #6 Own A Well-Fitted Suit
No matter what your job is, you'll most likely wear a high-quality suit at some point in life. And no matter which you get, the suit needs to fit well.
So if you're going to buy one, make sure it's a classic suit. Consider factors like notch lapels, the proper length of the jacket (the backside shouldn't completely cover your butt), and clean, consistent stitching (check this by opening the vents and breast pocket).
Fewer people in your life will have more valuable style tips for young men than a professional tailor.
For any suit off the rack – do take the time to have it adjusted. Some department stores still offer the service, but chances are you'll need to find a tailor independently.
Skilled tailors would know how to make small changes that take it from “mediocre” to “perfect for you.” They could even turn a ten-dollar suit from the thrift shop into a staple of your dress wardrobe. That's right – it doesn't matter where it comes from as long as it looks fantastic on you!
Note: Be careful in picking the color of your suit. You wouldn't wear something bright or flashy to a funeral or corporate event. Make the best choice based on the relevant occasion and your shoe color.
Style Tip For Young Men #7 Choose QUALITY Over Quantity
What good is a wardrobe oversaturated with items that (A) doesn't feel good or (B) are challenging to match?
The truth is it's pretty much a dump – where the good stuff gets lost in the mix while the rest have to be cleared or replaced. While you're still young, this is one of those mistakes you'll be glad you made because it gives you the wisdom to make better purchases (even beyond clothing) at an early age.
It would be best if you aimed to build your interchangeable wardrobe, which includes:
- A good core of white and blue dress shirts (the backbone of most sharp outfits)
- Simple ties with dark shades of blue, green, or red (a small repeating pattern is acceptable)
- Jackets, trousers, shoes with the right colors and textures (which don't clash with your shirts)
This system provides a set of all clothes you'll need 99% of the time – and every single piece is something you'll enjoy wearing.
Style Tip For Young Men #8 Get Rid Of Worn Out Clothing
Certain jean styles might've been trendy during your teenage years (like tears, holes, or distressed looks). Eliminate those pants (or clothes with similar styles) from your closet right away. You want to move past that rebellious, individualistic phase for good.
Upgrade your legwear by sticking to what works: clean, well-fitted indigo jeans.
Also, get a couple of dark-colored slacks or chinos (either straight or slim fit) to add some variety.
Style Tips For Young Men #9 Throw Out T-Shirts & Hoodies
We know that Mark Zuckerberg typically comes to work in a gray hoodie – as if he was running a local gym instead of Facebook.
But how many men like Zuckerberg are on this planet?
The average guy doesn't have such privileges – others judge him negatively if he wears UN-dressy shirts or tops.
That includes different hoodies and t-shirts. To play it safe, donate the majority of those items to charity.
Save a small portion for home or gym use.
Your focus should be on having different well-fitted casual button-downs and long-sleeved sweaters. You can also opt for sports shirts or polo shirts during warmer days.
Style Tip For Young Men#10 Ignore Fashion Trends
Don't fall prey to the whims of fashion.
Mainstream fashion trends change too fast to become staples of your style. And young men can't afford a complete wardrobe overhaul every month. So avoid anything that doesn't survive past an “in” season (like skinny ties and jeans).
Stick to timeless clothing pieces and classic colors, patterns, textures, and combinations (those which have existed since your parents' and grandparents' younger years) – since those will never disappoint.
Style Tip For Young Men #11 Be Aware Of Personal Style
Lastly, after building on clean and fitted clothes, the next level of dressing sharp is to be aware of personal style. The way of mastering this awareness is to disregard mainstream trends in fashion. Following fashion trends is some of the worst advice I have ever received.
Skinny jeans and a popped pink polo might look good on the cover model; for real young men, these fluctuations in fashion will only prove counterproductive.
Educate yourself by understanding how your build, hair and skin tones, environment, and wallet affect your style. We are all not the same: an outfit you see on the young man next to you may or may not work for you.
Read next:
