MENS CLOTHING COMBO

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

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.