A Style Guide for the Guys

With new trends in style emerging almost daily, it can be a demanding task to keep up with the crazy changes especially with a limited number of obvious tips on how guys can find their own look among the sea of different options. Fear not, for it is easier than you think to find your own style, although upfront it may seem like a challenge, with some basic guidelines to follow, and trial and error, in time you will be able to call yourself a fashion expert.

One of the first things you need to consider, when finding a theme that works best for you, is determining what you are drawn to, and similarly what you dislike. This could be anything from styles, colors or overall attire, and you can figure this out by scrolling through the countless Instagram pages dedicated to showcasing style trends, or even just searching on Google.

You have options like Streetwear, Casual, Business Attire, Business Casual, Formal, Vintage, Bohemian, Gothic- the list could continue. In each of these style categories comes a wide array of different options, so you are far from limited in terms of settling into a specific genre.

Choosing a style is only the first step, as once this has been determined, you have to actually try out some outfits. Chances are that you have everything you need in your closet, but if there is a style that you want to try but don't have readily available, go out and get a couple things. The key word being "a couple", and it's worth it to carve out time to actually try on what you had in mind, following the rule of if you don't absolutely love it in the fitting room, don't get it.

Maybe what you envisioned as "your style" didn't actually turn out the way you expected it to, and that's fine. Trial and error. Maybe you don't even have a specific style in mind and simply just want a better sense of how to pair clothing and chose what best suits you.

Whatever it is you're trying to do, their are a couple of basic guidelines to follow when designing an outfit, the first thing being choosing the contrasting colors. Unless you're planning on wearing a jumpsuit, the colors should vary, and in a way that is flattering and not painful to look at, and lights and darks should also be included, with exceptions for some style trends.

Any color has at least one pair, if not many. If you know you want an outfit with blue jeans as the base, but are at a loss for what to wear up top, the options are almost limitless. Blue goes with black and red as well as it goes with yellow, orange, green, and pink. This is when your personal taste comes into play, and determining what actually looks good on YOU, as not everyone can pull of yellow.

So far, we've got choosing a style or styles that you're drawn to and pairing colors for good contrast. Now it's time to get into light and dark contrast, one of the most overlooked elements when making an outfit.

An outfit, if you have no idea how to put together one, should be constructed like so: light-dark-light or dark-light-dark. This means, in more detail, pairing a lighter top with dark colored pants, and then wearing lighter shoes to finish it off. Of course, there are other options besides these combinations, but this is one of the most basic ways of designing an outfit if you are inexperienced in this field.

Adding light and dark colors to an outfit makes it interesting so that you don't get bored of it, and neither do the people who see you wearing it. It's an easy thing to get the hang of, but is not preached commonly to those who don't have a natural eye for style.

So, to recap a little, find your style first. Do some basic research that requires nothing more than scrolling through fashion pages on Instagram and find what you like and what you don't. The next thing would be to actually try out some of those styles, and see if what you thought would look good really does, or if it should stay in your head. Try on things in the store and don't buy random things, actually put thought into your choices, and remember that if something you try on isn't something you absolutely love, don't get it. Don't try to convince yourself that you'll wear it, because we both know it will end up in your closet, lost until you clean it out.

The next thing would be to find your color pallet, trying out different hues to see what best matches your personal taste. Then, with a general style established, pair lights with darks (LDL or DLD).

After all of this, adding accessories is a good next step, which includes watches, necklaces and other jewelry options. Don't be too flashy with it though, the accessories should be side notes, not the main event.

Style, colors, lights and darks, and accessories. See, it's easier than you thought. And don't be too pressured to find a certain "look", just wear what feels right, keeping in mind what will make an outfit look good. Once you get the hang of the whole fashion thing, you'll forget why you were ever afraid of it.