Hello everyone, it's been a while since i
dropped something useful here, the busy nature of the world has taken a lot out
of my time. Good to be back tho.
In this article, i will try and discuss some
dos and don’ts for mens cloth combinations. Nothing too serious and very basic
stuffs that we can always remember and apply daily. There are certain “rules”
that aren’t so strict when it comes to mens fashion clothing combinations.
Sometimes, you can bend them in a way that works better. But that takes
research and lots of practice (don’t expect to get it right the first time
tho...lol).
So in the meantime, here are some easy rules
to follow…
RULE #1: GO FOR COMPLEMENTARY OVER MATCHING...
The first rule in matching is you don’t have
to match things exactly! Specifically for your trousers and the multiple layers
on top.
The ranking goes as follows:
Complementary > Matching > Bad match > Putting no thought
Complementary > Matching > Bad match > Putting no thought
The reason we have complementary ahead
of matching is between both techniques – the first one lets
the clothes “build each other up” to create a higher-level look. So if you’re
going the “complementary” route – pay attention to the color wheel. The trick is to ensure the main colors of
your wardrobe are as far apart on the color wheel as possible.
But that doesn’t mean you ought to avoid
“matching” altogether. It’s actually safer than “complementary” (as there are
cases when people get distracted by a combination of 2+ strong colors you’re
wearing). When you’re worried about crossing the line and showing a stark
contrast, the fallback is to match your items based on a single color (like an
oxblood belt with oxblood shoes).
In the end, matching = a pretty decent
appearance. But it’s not likely going to amaze everybody around you the way a
successful “complementary” outfit could. A “bad match” might occur if the
colors are closer to each other on the color wheel, or if there’s more
than one bright color used. But it still beats making random choices and
putting no thought! The effort still counts for something.
RULE #2: LEATHERS SHOULD MATCH…
Simply put, leather is AWESOME. History shows
how it represents wealth and status. So take advantage of that and let your
leather pieces stand out as a group – with the same color.
But this rule isn’t strict. Two things you
should focus on matching are (1) your shoes and (2) your belt. Then follow-up
by means of the color of your (3) watch strap and (4) leather bag – but only if
it’s convenient. Don’t spend money just for that purpose.
And it’s important to remember in this case –
the more different the colors of your leathers are, the worse of a match you’ll
end up with. So pairing sleek black boots with a light brown belt is out of the
question (unless you cover up the belt). Chocolate brown boots are a better
alternative here.
Your black leather footwear can go with a
belt that’s any shade of gray (since gray is a non-color). But if your want
each leather piece to stand out equally – I suggest finding ONE particular
color you like and stick to it.
That’s probably what you’ll need to do if
your belt options are limited. Most of us have about 2-3 individual belts at
home. Buying more could feel like a waste…
RULE #3: METALS SHOULD MATCH…
It’s the same deal. You want your watch, belt
buckle and other pieces of metal to match if possible.
Think about the item you like wearing most.
If it’s a certain watch – take note of the color and consider getting a
matching belt buckle. Silver goes with silver, while gold goes with gold (or
even brass if there’s no obvious difference). But this is a mere GUIDE. There
are exceptions. Maybe your wedding ring
is gold but you look good with silver metals. Or maybe you have a silver watch
that’s been passed on by your father. So don’t even think about replacing items
with sentimental value! Because contrasting metals are really minor problems.
RULE #4: WEAR ITEMS WITH THE SAME LEVEL OF FORMALITY…
Would you pair up a black tie suit jacket
with basketball shorts? You get the idea.
All clothing items fall somewhere along
the formality scale. And since your outfit is primarily based
on its “weakest link” – don’t match your most formal stuff with your least. It
will only spoil how good you look as a whole.
A formal-casual combo is like oil and water.
The two elements don’t mix. You’ll only end up raising a question mark in
people’s heads. They’ll wonder if you had trouble finding something to wear,
got dressed in a hurry, or were simply trying out a new (but strange) style. However
– it does get tricky regarding some types of leather shoes. A given pair may
appear more casual than formal (especially if it has more broguing or details).
You might be able to wear it with jeans but not with a business attire. So
those things will require some trial and error.
And in general:
- Darker colors = higher level of formality (especially
for suit jackets and shoes)
- Lighter colors = lower level of formality; best for
casual events or summer wear
RULE #5: LEARN FROM FAMOUS PEOPLE…
You might be processing all this information
and thinking “A doesn’t go with B but goes with C…” quite a
lot. Juggling all these yes’s and no’s.
But the art of matching is much easier when
you have a ROLE MODEL. Someone who’s always seen in public with a killer
ensemble. It could be Idris Elba or Ryan Gosling on the red carpet, Bruno Mars
when he performs on live television, or Roger Federer when he appears on watch
ads. Those are the masters you want to learn from. They present what works every
time (or at least their stylists never fail to make the right calls, but that’s
beside the point). Take inspiration from them – but don’t copy every little
detail. Your individuality still needs to pop out.
It helps if you know how to incorporate texture and pattern in mens wear. So take the time to read up. And
here’s something you may not know: You
can actually get away with 4+ unique patterns at once! It’s a cool clothing combination worth trying.
Just make sure the colors are muted, and no two patterns are of the same size
or form. That’s one of many things you’ll figure out by experimenting. By trying this and
that. It’s part of being a good matcher – and developing your own personal
style.
So don’t be afraid to experiment now and then
(even if it means breaking some of the rules above). But do have some trusted
friends to preview your new outfit and say whether or not it looks fine.
