How to crack a dress code men…Part 1: Casual by Lydia

‘Great men are seldom over-scrupulous in the arrangement of their attire.’  Charles Dickens

As a woman I, like many others, have become an expert in obsessing over and selecting what to wear in order to conform to social dress codes, and not only that but I have perfected the ability to modify my outfit throughout the day depending on the occasion. However the men in my life tell me that it’s not as easy for a man to follow the same rules and know what and how to wear their clothes for different occasions, which is why I believe that men are often forced to dress in similar and safe fashion! So I’m setting out to explain in 3 blogs, what the difference is between, casual, smart-casual and formal. Here are a few simple rules on how to approach dressing so that it needn’t be as confusing or boring….

Part 1: Casual

If there is one time when you have complete freedom to express yourself and your style then this is it – in essence there are no rules! Of course the safe option is to have a couple pairs of jeans, some T-shirts, a jumper or two and mix and match them depending on your mood but I’m going to give you a few different options so you can stand out from the crowd!

Trousers:

Why not swap your standard blue jeans for joggers, cargos, coloured corduroys, chinos, grey wool flannel trousers or just jeans in a darker colour and close fit. These simple upgrades can go a long way in improving your style!

Shoes:

Of course I haven’t forgotten footwear – as a rule of thumb don’t be tempted to wear your running or workout shoes as it’s a lazy option and won’t do anything for your outfit! Keep it casual but fashion-forward and opt for sporty lace-ups in cooler months and slip-on plimsolls or open toed shoes in the summer if you feel like standing out a bit. For something that works all year round opt for a trainer from Nike or Adidas – an every day must-have!

Tops:

The one question I often get asked by men is whether to wear long sleeved or short sleeved t-shirts? Of course the time of year plays a big part but in general I would say if you want a layered look then long is always a winner and still a big trend for SS15 –  they are also a great trans-seasonal piece. Why not mix it up a bit though and look at incorporating the latest trends – contrasting details, bold prints, zipped hems, skater styles and baseball tees. Of course the fit will also impact the appearance with oversized and longline tops for a more relaxed casual style and slim fit eluding to a smarter look. Here are a few options to try to dispel the myth that short sleeved crew neck t-shirts in black, white and grey are your only wardrobe options.

Hoodies and Sweatshirts

You can’t have too many hoodies and sweatshirts as these are the ultimate in casual cool but can be dressed up or down depending on the look your want.

I hope you enjoyed my round up of how to dress casually, I’ve enjoyed writing it and hope you’ll continue to follow my menswear updates – Part 2: Smart/Casual coming soon!

Happy shopping!

Lydia x