Instead of bombarding you with strict, unyielding rules, let's keep things simple. Here are a few key principles - universal guidelines that can help ease your path to better style.
Take these tips and make them your own. The goal here is to help you feel more confident and stylish along the way 😁.
Learn by Imitation
There's absolutely no shame in having a fashion role model, especially when you're just starting out. In fact, I think it’s one of the best ways to get started. Without any fashion knowledge or experience, where else would you turn but to those whose style you admire? We’ve all looked at style icons like David Beckham, Adam Levine, David Gandy, Ryan Gosling, or even classic figures like James Dean and Steve McQueen for inspiration. Even the most stylish men have their own influences - they didn’t just create their look out of thin air.
I still do this regularly as a way to refine my style. Save photos of outfits you like, and over time, you'll develop your own sense of what looks good. Eventually, you'll combine the things you love into a style that's uniquely yours, but don't be afraid of mistakes along the way. Fashion mishaps are part of the process, so embrace them!
Money Can’t Buy Style
Think spending big guarantees you’ll look great? Think again. You can dress well on any budget.
Whether you're working with 10 million VND or just a few hundred thousand, it’s all about knowing where to shop and what to look for 😉. Don’t feel discouraged if you’re on a tight budget - there are plenty of affordable, stylish options out there. Take your time upgrading your wardrobe piece by piece, hunt for bargains on key items, and splurge only on essentials, like a high-quality pair of leather shoes.
Fit > Quality > Brand
When shopping, here’s your priority list:
Fit comes first, always. Even a Tom Ford or Dior suit worth thousands won’t look good if it doesn’t fit properly, while a perfectly tailored suit from a mid-range brand can look incredible for a fraction of the price.
Quality tends to correlate with price, as more time and effort are put into crafting durable pieces. A well-made item will last longer and often look better over time.
And finally, while not always true, long-standing brands often deliver reliable quality. If a brand has been around for 25, 50, or even 100 years, there’s usually a good reason for it.
Complement Colors, Don’t Match
Your outfit's colors should complement each other rather than strictly match. Even with monochrome looks like all-black or all-white, varying the shades and textures of each piece will give your outfit depth.
Learning to coordinate colors takes practice, but a good starting point is neutral tones. They pair effortlessly with each other and with most other colors, giving you a solid foundation to build on.
Confidence is Key
Confidence truly enhances your appearance. A well-dressed man who carries himself with poise is always going to stand out more than someone who just throws on anything. As much as we might try not to, we still judge books by their covers 😆.
That said, confidence doesn’t just appear overnight. You can’t force yourself to be confident instantly.
Instead, focus on a specific goal - whether it's impressing colleagues, looking more professional, or catching the eye of a potential partner. Let that goal drive your style choices each day. Who knows, as you start dressing better, you might feel more confident, and that confidence will, in turn, elevate your style. Even if you're not brimming with confidence right away, feeling good in your clothes is a step in the right direction.
Rules Are Just Guidelines
Fashion rules are rarely set in stone because style is deeply personal. What works for one person might not work for another, depending on body shape, lifestyle, and preferences.
Your task is to take the rules and tips that resonate with you and make them your own. Over time, this will sharpen your sense of aesthetics and help you figure out what complements your body best.
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