Over time, rules or regulations, including a sort of dress code, have been broken. Nowadays, we are chasing freedom - the freedom to wear whatever we want, freedom of speech, and so on. You can wear anything you want, do anything you like, ignore table manners, or be rude to your parents. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Thus, if you especially want to be a gentleman - flattering and stylish - do the things you should, not just the things you like. But all that presupposes that you are willing to make changes.
Dressing like a gentleman is one of the essential things you need to be concerned about. Generally speaking, you have two chances to impress the person you meet for the first time: how you dress and how you talk.
1. Attire with Visible Logos
Luxury brands' clothing with visible logos may make you appear rich, but that comes across as superficial. As we always said, you are wearing garments instead of the opposite; your choices should support your personality rather than the brand's. Your primary considerations when purchasing any garment should be the quality of the construction, the fabrics used, and whether the item will go well with other items in your wardrobe.
2. Unbuttoned Dress Shirt With A Necktie
It's important to understand that the purpose of wearing a tie is to enhance your appearance, making you look more formal and gentlemanly. You may not want to look sloppy and goofy. Leaving the top button undone sends a subconscious signal that you don't care about your appearance. If so, nobody would care about you if you didn't care about yourself. Thus, either wear a tie properly and make yourself look formal or roll it up and find a casual style that fits you. A necktie is best for fabrics with dark colors, stripe patterns, or dark solids. Nonetheless, leaving the top button undone can achieve a business-casual look, just be sure not to pair it with a necktie.
3. Wearing a Short Sleeves Shirt Inside
Some of you might say no one would see what you wear inside your jacket. Yes, you're quite right. But gentlemen will be strict with themselves. Wearing a suit jacket means you want to look dapper and elegant; short sleeves shirts are always considered a casual style. They are good for the beach and the pool, not for formal occasions, even a date. Additionally, leaving sleeves one inch outside the jacket is the only right way to wear a suit. That being said, you still have the right to do so.
4. Incorrectly Sized Clothing
Oversize has been a kind of style for a long while. We accept it, and it does not look so bad as well. But it would never be associated with gentlemen's fashions. Elegant is what gentlemen should be like in public. Another ill-fitting type is skinny jeans; they're not designed for gentlemen at all or even for males. No one wants to see your thick thighs or slim body; they make you look so odd. Do not ever make yourself look like a female.
5. Tennis Socks
Never wear tennis socks with dress shoes; they just can't be paired with each other. Unless you're in exercise or at the gym, you don't want to make yourself look like a redneck. Additionally, sports socks are typically ribbed and made of a heavier cotton material, which tends to bunch over the dress shoe due to the bulkiness of the heavier fabric.
6. Windsor Tie Knot
The Windsor tie knot is the only widely known way to tie a tie. It's pretty famous, doesn't mean it's popular for now. Just like the economy, fashion is more like a cyclical movement. No one knows when it will be popular again, but if you're looking to make yourself more comfortable with this era's aesthetic, a half-Windsor knot might be better. Or try the Van Wijk knot.
7. Belt with A Waistcoat
From an aesthetic perspective, a belt with a waistcoat looks odd and layman. It's not sophisticated enough for a gentleman and not clean enough. Consider wearing pants with side adjusters or suspenders to pair with a waistcoat. From a fit perspective, the waistcoat should sit snugly against your midsection and waist, whether it's an off-the-rack or bespoke item. However, a belt will create a gap between your waistcoat so that you might feel uncomfortable or constricted.
8. Slogan Clothes
Based on the definition, a gentleman is a man whose conduct conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behavior. Expressing yourself through clothing is just an inferior choice. Taking action or talking to someone in person is how a gentleman does things. You may have seen the movie The Godfather, and one of the well-known lines is: "Never tell anybody outside the family what you're thinking."
9. Socks with Sandals
Believe it or not, you must've seen athletes wearing socks with slippers. Yes, those are slippers, not sandals. But we neither recommend slippers nor sandals. Athletes have some reasons to wear them like that, but it doesn't mean everyone can do so. Unless you're at some specific place, a gentleman can't allow himself to look like a peasant in public.
10. Dirty Shoes
Arguably, shoes represent the face of men. You don't want to make yourself sloppy in public; no matter how old your shoes are, make sure you keep them clean and presentable.
11. Tank Tops
Unless you're at the gym or home, there's no reason to wear a tank top in public. If you regard yourself as someone with a sense of style or if you care at all about your outward appearance, it's best to avoid wearing tank tops altogether. They will always make you look bad, which is not just rude but impolite at the same time.
As we mentioned, fashion is more like a cyclical movement. We don't know when square-toe shoes will return to people's aesthetic; however, they are just too ugly for today's aesthetic. So avoid them; otherwise, they'll make you ridiculous and clown-like.
Encourage Exploration of Personal Style and Preferences
Remember that these guidelines are meant to help you, but they shouldn't dictate your every fashion choice. It's essential to explore your personal style and preferences, allowing for individual expression. Don't be afraid to bend, break, or discard some tips as you develop your unique aesthetic.
Conclusion
All of the gentlemen's dressing principles are more like guidelines and guardrails than hard and fast rules. If you have no idea how to dress well and are just starting out on your menswear journey, following a men's fashion influencer you like might be the best and worry-free choice. Keep in mind that it's crucial to explore your personal style and preferences, and remember that some tips can be bent, broken, or discarded, allowing for individual style and expression. The key is to find a balance between looking polished and expressing your unique personality.
