It’s something that we all know to be true; not every man loves to get dressed up. Of course, some of us will love it and find a lot of satisfaction in putting on their Sunday best. But not all of us do. Because there’s just something about formal wear, and dressing up in your finest threads that can feel a little forced. When you’re not used to wearing this kind of thing on a daily basis, it can be hard to get your head around how to do it. Throw into that your personal taste and things can feel a whole lot harder.
But they don’t have to. Because you just need to learn how to work with what you’ve got. So you don’t like to wear suits. So what? You can make them work for you! Or you absolutely love putting on a custom, tailor-made suit? Then go for it. Dressing to impress is all about finding something that can work for you. So whether you’re someone who doesn’t care too much for clothes, or you’re a fashion front-runner, we’re going to walk through what you can wear to show off your own personal style and personality in the best light.
Preppy
When you’ve got the whole preppy thing going on, you’re probably used to dressing to impress. So this is likely to be easy for you. But you can still have a lot of fun with preppy formal wear. One of the best things about the prep way of dressing is the color. Because you’re probably a huge fan of the red trouser look, or pastel shirts. So when things get formal, you’re able to add a whole lot of personality into what you’re wearing.
And this is still the case when it comes to your accessories too. Don’t just let your shirt or your sportcoat speak for you, definitely go to town with everything from your bowtie to your shoes too. Because a killer pair of shoes can really set off your style.
Your signature statement…
Prints. Printed items aren’t always seen in formal wear. Okay, so if you’re working on a black tie affair, this isn’t going to work. But for anything else, go ahead and wear your favorite prints because they’re sure to inject some fun into what you wear.
Classic
If you’re more of a classic kind of guy, you probably don’t have a lot of time for trends or anything too out there. For you, a well-cut suit of the highest quality is all that matters. When this is the case, there’s little else that you will need to worry about. Because when you’re able to find formal wear that really speaks for itself, you don’t always need to work with anything else.
Color-wise, you’re going to want to work with whatever suits you best. Usually, an array of blacks, grays, blues, and browns will serve you well. With the right shirt, preferable in white, you’re definitely going to be all set.
Your signature statement…
A good timepiece. With the right watch, your look will be complete. It doesn’t even have to be something showy; it just needs to suit your style and be the perfect finishing piece.
Hipster
When you’ve got much more of a hipster thing going on, your style of formal wear is definitely got to be different to most. In fact, it’s quite the opposite of classic. Instead, it’s going to be much more personal and kind of quirky too. If you’re not really sure of how you should be working this, just stick to what feels most comfortable to you. Whether that’s wearing your jeans with a jacket, or a tee under your suit. Go for it. Let your hipster style speak for itself.
Don’t be afraid to play around with different colors and fabrics too. Even if you tend to wear black, you may find that working with a bit of color is exactly what you need to make your style stand out.
Your signature statement…
A hat. You love your fedora, right? So rock it with your suit. It’s definitely going to add to your look and make it feel like your own.
Athletic
When you’re athletic, trying to dress to impress can often feel quite hard. First of all, if you have an athletic build, you’re going to find that most off-the-rack formal wear just isn’t going to fit, so you may have to go to a specialist supplier. But then you’re going to want to find something you feel comfortable. Depending on what you play, this could be quite easy!
Do you have a set suit you wear for sporting presentations? If so, why not work on channeling that? Never underestimate a pair of good slacks and a traditional sportcoat. They work for a reason and will serve you well!
Your signature statement…
Your sporting stripes. If you tend to play in a set color, then work with it. You’re going to feel most comfortable in it anyway.
Casual
If you’re always dressed casually, then dressing to impress could feel impossible to you. But you’re just going to want to work with it. When you’re used to wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals all year round, having to change to a suit is going to feel completely alien to you. But don’t write it off – you could have a lot of fun too. It can be nice to get all dressed up every now and again – you just need to embrace it.
But if you have no clue where to start, workout what you need to wear based on the dress code provided. Just don’t feel too pressured into following the herd – you can definitely still inject a bit of your casual style into things too.
Your signature statement…
Your personality. Being apart of the crowd might not be your thing. Okay, so you need to dress to impress, but you can do it your way. Funky stocks or a quirky tie will help you to still feel like you!
Can’t go wrong with a bit of everything, I am casual, at times atheletic.