Guys, let’s talk. Just us. I know most of you don’t want to be too “fashion-y.” You don’t want to spend a million bucks on clothes, and sometimes you’re not quite sure which shirt goes with which pant. But, c’mon, we need to freshen up your look a bit. And (if a sports analogy will help entice you) I’ve assembled a dream team who can tell you how to do it, simply, this Fall.
Thank you for joining us here. The first step in healing your Fashion Phobia is to admit you have one. The team is here to help. Want to meet them?
Alice Kim is the owner of Veritas Image Management, a NYC-based image and style consulting service exclusively for men who want to make a great first impression.
Omar Yapor is a NY-based fashion designer and wardrobe consultant, and he was named among the “Best of 2016” by Thumbtack.com.
Orly Schwartz is a personal stylist and co-owner of mobile boutique Zahavi & Schwartz. She says her mission is to help her clients enjoy getting dressed each day.
David A. McKnight, of McKnight Image Lab, is a published stylist and certified image consultant. He believes transforming your image boosts confidence and paves the way for career breakthroughs.
You’re in good company. The team I’ve assembled believes you can freshen up your look with simple pieces of clothing and accessories that won’t break the bank and will be the things you reach for time and time again. The goal is for you to dress in a way that helps you feel more like yourself, albeit a version of you that’s just a little more polished and current. Below, we have items to incorporate into your existing wardrobe to give you (like we did for the ladies last week), your very own “back to school” look – from head to toe.
Let’s get ready to rumble! (Or whatever.)
“Fall is a great season for hats both for function and style,” Alice says. “Instead of your usual baseball cap with a team logo, a fashion cap or hat is a fresh way to add an extra dose of flair to your look. Look for rich fabrics and colors, in timeless menswear patterns such as herringbone and plaid.”
“The bomber jacket is making a serious comeback this fall,” says Omar. “Whether in fabric or leather this is one of those easy pieces that co go with many items: jeans, chinos or slacks. Slacks would give you that retro ‘50s look. On top, the bomber works with button downs, tees, sweaters and knits.”
David, who helped us out last week with picks for the ladies, is loving the Lazio Brown Check suit from Suitsupply.
“This bold check suit is perfect for the guy who is ready to take on the world of business on his own terms,” David says.
If a blazer or sports jacket is more your thing, Omar says to go for gray this Fall.
“This is the new easy piece that, along with your black & navy sport coats, completes your wardrobe,” Omar says. “The gray sport coat will go with just about any pant, jeans, khakis and suit pants of a contrasting color.”
Orly, who also helped us out last week, says her clients love Express for its affordable and easy-to-style 1MX shirts for work. On a recent shopping trip, they also fell in love with the more casual twill button-down here:
For a cleaner, more classic look, don’t overlook white dress shirts. Especially not this one from Stantt.
“What I love about this white shirt from Stantt,” David says, “is the patented DataFit Technology that is almost guaranteed to deliver a perfect fit to any guy regardless of body type.”
That’s right. You supply three simple measurements, and you get a 100% Egyptian Cotton dress shirt that ships in 7-10 days for under $100. Run, don’t walk!
Alice says the Fall season is a great time to freshen up your look, and put your highly distressed, more casual jeans away for the season.
“After a long summer of super casual looks, Fall is a time when you want to smarten up,” she says. “A blank jean – clean dark jeans without fading, distressing, or heavy washing – is the perfect blank canvas to add polish to your look without looking too buttoned-up.”
Another Fall style staple, Omar says, are corduroy jeans. He likes the selection of colors available at Uniqlo.
As Orly points out, shoes do way more than help get us from point A to point B. She advises that you stick with the classics, like the Johnston & Murphy Tabor Plain Toe.
“I have it on good word that the shoe is extremely comfortable and made to last,” she says. “You can wear it casual with jeans, for business, or a more formal occasion, and a true investment in yourself is something you can get multiple uses out of for a long time.”
“Classics” can also be a little unexpected, too, like when you finish off a more formal look with these:
“Who doesn’t love a pair of Jordans?” Orly says. “The deconstructed Jordan is a great update on this classic sneaker. Get the white or black, and they will look fresh.”
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See, that wasn’t so hard, right? The Fall style fun doesn’t stop here! Our style team had so many ideas that they’re spilling onto social media each day. Check out @KyleCollins on Twitter and @KyleInterviews on Instagram to see more picks from our dream team throughout this week and next.
AND… Ladies and Gentlemen, check back right here next week for Back to School Tools – all the bits and baubles you need to look sharp and get s*** done, as you’re on your grind.
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Connect with our style team here:
Alice Kim | Website | Facebook | Twitter
Omar Yapor | Thumbtack | LinkedIn | Twitter | Style Portfolio