Stuck in a style rut? We get it. It’s easy to wear the same bland outfit over and over again, especially when work and family start taking up “your” time.
Maybe your wardrobe has been stagnant for so long that you don’t know where to start. Or maybe you start to realize that none of your clothes really fit you. No matter what prompted you to make a change, you know it’s time to make a change, and we’re here to make the process of reinventing your style even easier.
From a complete closet clean-out to seeking help from the right hairdresser, we’ve put together a series of steps that can help you look more stylish. So sit back, start scrolling, and let us help you unlock your sartorial potential.
Purge Your Wardrobe
First things first: If your current wardrobe choices aren’t working for you, get rid of them. It can be hard to say goodbye to something, but be brutal and get rid of something you haven’t worn in the past year. This way, you can sell your unwanted clothes on eBay or Depop and earn yourself some cash to buy new clothes while clearing space.
If you’re not sure what items to get rid of, start keeping track of the clothes you wear most. You don’t have to create a complicated Excel spreadsheet or anything (unless you want to!). When you hang up your old clothes, simply start turning the hangers in the opposite way. After a few months, you’ll be able to actually see what has been worn and what hasn’t.
Then Streamline It
Here at Ape, we’re big advocates of the capsule wardrobe concept. If you’re not familiar with the term, it’s essentially carefully curated clothing that can be easily mixed and matched for all possible situations. This includes a versatile suit, plenty of plain T-shirts, an Oxford shirt or two, and a versatile winter coat.
Not only does this method help organize your wardrobe, it also makes matching outfits easier. If you have a collection of clothes that you know go well with each other, you can throw them together to look great without a second thought.
Dress For Your Body
One of the most common ways men let themselves down when it comes to fashion is by choosing styles that don’t fit well. We think a lot of this is due to people not understanding how to dress for their body type.
Getting this right is one of the most effective things you can do to make yourself look better. There is a ton of information out there on this subject, but in short, thin people should avoid any clothing that is too baggy or oversized, larger people should avoid tight clothing, and tall people should avoid any overly-cut clothing that can stretch their limbs deeper.
Wear Colours That Suit Your Skin
One pro tip that can make a huge difference in how your outfit looks is to choose a color that suits your skin tone. If you find that a particular color doesn’t seem to suit you, it may be because it doesn’t match your skin tone.
If you are pale, light pastel colors may make you look gray and pale. Or, if you have dark skin, you might find yourself getting lost in certain earthy tones. Use contrast to your advantage.
Make friends with a local tailor
Again (and we really can’t stress this enough) fit is everything. You can wear the most expensive designer clothes in the world, but if they don’t fit you, they’ll never look good. Obviously, it’s always a good idea to buy clothes in the right size from the start, but if you really want your entire wardrobe to fit, the best way is to find a tailor you can trust and let them help you out.
A few tweaks by a professional doesn’t cost a lot, but it can have a huge impact on how you look and feel. Why not test the waters and learn from it by making some small changes to a few pieces of clothing?
Classic first, popular second
Dressing head to toe in the latest trends is the most effective way to ensure your style goes out of style as quickly and unsightly as possible. Instead, focus on classic, time-tested pieces that have staying power.