Help redoing my wardrobe (young male)

galwayjohn89

I have decided I need to redo my wardrobe completely. Far to many zip up hoodies, fat mans and poorly fitting jeans. I'm 21 and very slim. I'm looking to smarten up a bit and try to look a bit older, as I look quite young.

I need some help though and I am on a budget, maybe only a couple of hundred to spend although I am going to America tomorrow so hoping to get some cheap stuff over there. What should I be looking for?

So far I have decided I need a pair of dark and light jeans that fit well although not too sure what brands are good quality. Then really stay away from massive logos, try to keep everything plain.

Twee.

Look in Hollister and American Eagle for jeans and chinos. Plain colours (no bleach marks or "faded" denim) look great with casual shirts. A slim or straight cut is best IMO, it's fashionable and it looks well. Both these shops will have lovely shirts too.

Levi's is also far, far cheaper over in the US than here. You'll have no problem finding decent jeans there. The 511 is the slim cut if I recall correctly.

For tees try Urban Outfitters and American Apparel.

Old Navy is a good, well priced shop. You'll get nice shirts and tops there. Also try Gap, lovely menswear.

Middle Man

Don't make the mistake of getting your clothes too tight. Make sure there's enough fabric in your clothing to allow for movement and comfort while at the same time, cutting out fabric that's surplus to requirements. See this for example - some of his long sleeves are too short IMO, but most of his new outfits are very good guidance - his rolled up sleeves look cool.

As a general example, make sure that your shirts are not tight in the sleeve nor excessively high in the armholes - this IMO gives the appearance of a bad fit. Make sure your sleeves are long enough to sufficiently cover your arms (to the wrist) when in a raised position - otherwise, roll them up about half way. Also, if you find that you can get shirts that fit you well in the collar and sleeves but are billowing out around the waist, see if you can get them taken in (by a tailor etc) as required from the armhole downwards - avoid darts as this IMO looks too feminine.

Trousers should have plenty of length and width on the lower leg (but not sloppy) and be fairly slim (not tight though) around the thighs so as to avoid the look of skirts or tights - it's trouser's you want and such should resemble straight strips of fabric down the legs when viewed from a distance. Make sure that the back of your trousers reach the soles of your shoes (or a little below) when standing - trousers that are too short look awful on most men and IMO can look very unprofessional.

I wish you the best of luck!

hfallada

Buy jeans and chinos in Zara. They are designed for regular slim Europeans. The stuff is fairly cheap but lasts. American eagle, hollister etc are just brands and quality is nothing amazing for the price. The cuts on their jeans are horrible.

Levi jeans are excellent for their price. I have ones that are a few years old and are still fine. Try polo or tommy Hilifiger for decent woollen jumpers. Go for normal shades like navy or grey

Don't buy any logo t shirts. I think they look ridiculous on anyone after the age of 15. A V cut t shirt only looks well if you are muscular.

You can't go wrong with a plain white t shirt, slim leg black jeans and a pair of casual pumas or nikes( not running shoes and something that is either black or white).

Middle Man

In general, men should stay clear of slim jeans - they often look too feminine - if you want to be safe, straight leg is probably best on most thin males.

SPM1959

Keep it simple.

Clare's original shoes/new Balance trainers
Dark blue Levi's - straight cut.
Plain polo shirts
Plain crew neck jumpers
Parka jacket

Can't go wrong with the above. Shouldn't cost a fortune either - unless you buy more expensive brands.

hfallada

Middle Man wrote: »

In general, men should stay clear of slim jeans - they often look too feminine - if you want to be safe, straight leg is probably best on most thin males.

How does slim leg look feminine? If you wear regular jeans which make you look fatter than you are, you look more masculine? Straight leg doesn't look flattering on anyone.

Middle Man

hfallada wrote: »

How does slim leg look feminine? If you wear regular jeans which make you look fatter than you are, you look more masculine? Straight leg doesn't look flattering on anyone.

Slim jeans for your information can emphasize the rump - hardly what any person wants to achieve. They can also resemble tights from a distance, so unless a man is performing ballet or something along those lines...

Marcus Halberstram

Middle Man wrote: »

Slim jeans for your information can emphasize the rump - hardly what any person wants to achieve. They can also resemble tights from a distance, so unless a man is performing ballet or something along those lines...

Ridiculous. Your advice is so off the mark in this thread I hope the OP ignores it.

Middle Man

Marcus Halberstram wrote: »

Ridiculous. Your advice is so off the mark in this thread I hope the OP ignores it.

Well we'll see about that when we look back in 20 years and jaws start dropping...

At least I know what mens clothes are...

Twee.

Drop the bitching, please.

Red Crow

It all depends on finances tbh. I'd avoid Levi's if I were you. I just think they are horrible in general. They are decent value in the US but I think they are a very moderate style and they just don't do it for me.

You're going to buy a load of rubbish if you buy it all at once too! Style is gradual too so it'll be something that you build over a period!

loveBBhate

Make sure you've plenty of socks and underpants.

Celly Smunt

Get a pair of skinnys and live a little.Boom!

gavmcg92

Also check out malefashionadvice on reddit. Another great community. Plenty of hints, tips and picture submissions for you to look at and make a decision on what you need.

Keep it all basic. Stay away from graphic tees. Don't go overboard on one item.

padi89

Middle Man wrote: »

In general, men should stay clear of slim jeans - they often look too feminine - if you want to be safe, straight leg is probably best on most thin males.

Seriously you talk an awful lot of nonsense, what are you on about? A slim jean is slim NOT skin tight so get that out of your head. If your skinny guy and wear a straight cut jean they will resemble a loose fit because your skinny legs will not fill out the fabric accordingly, they will lack shape. A slim cut on a skinny guy is the same as a straight/regular cut on an average built male, now how hard is that to understand ??? Slim cuts have been around before it's nothing new to this era but you should know that already considering your vast knowledge of menswear.

wmpdd3

No one style of jean will affect your overall silhouette, its all about the over all look.

The same pair od slim jeans will look totally different with a long lline cardi compares to a graphic tee.

I think the best advice is to spend 50% of your budget on one piece and over the next 6 months build on that piece.

andariel

You can't go wrong with well fitted jeans, since you're slim the skinny styles would look great. In my opinion, all a guy needs in their wardrobe to look smart and casual is a white shirt, well fitted blazer (I suggest you try Topman), good jeans, a pair of trousers, some jumpers and a decent pair of shoes.

Buying a two piece suit (that isn't black.Dark grey or navy is lovely - try a subtle checked pattern if you're feeling adventurous) kills two birds with one stone cause you can wear them separately.

ongarboy

I think the poster saying slim jeans doesn't work on guys is confusing them with skinny or even spray on skinny jeans which can look unwise on a lot of guys. Slim jeans don't cling to legs but rest against them to define and enhance shape, figure and leg length. On a slim guy with slim hips, waist and legs, they look great and much better than baggy or bootcut jeans. Likewise with trousers or chinos.

OP - TK Maxx if you have time and patience to go through the racks has some great one off tops and jeans. Places like Zara, Bershka, Pull and Bear are great for inexpensive casual wear while French Connection, Reiss or Ted Baker for smarter wear. If you are near Dublin, try Genius in the Powerscourt Centre - lots of great gear but a little on the pricey side - maybe some good deals now in the winter sales.

galwayjohn89

So far I have gotten quite a bit, mainly focusing on trousers. Got around 5 pairs of jeans but will be returning some, I think 2 dark jeans and a grey pain would do, then maybe some chinos? Been getting a lot of stuff from GAP and Banana Republic. Been trying to avoid anything with a hood and anything with a logo. So far have spent $300 but gotten plenty of stuff so happy enough.

Not sure about the advice to buy one big ticket item and work around it. I notice one of my mates who has one item of clothing he always wears. Surely mixing it up would be better?

_Redzer_

Middle Man wrote: »

Slim jeans for your information can emphasize the rump - hardly what any person wants to achieve. They can also resemble tights from a distance, so unless a man is performing ballet or something along those lines...

You're confusing skinny jeans and slim fit jeans, there's a difference. If they were skin tight and looked like tights I wouldn't be able to fit into them, let alone wear them around.