10 Essential Colour and Style Tips Every Man Should Know
- Mila
- Jun 9
- 6 min read
So, you’re thinking of dating again? As a stylist, I always advise my clients that you need to feel comfortable in your clothes, but equally, women appreciate men who have made an effort with their appearance. Particularly, because women will, as a rule, have spent a lot of time thinking about what they are going to wear to a date. There is nothing more dispiriting when turning up at a date to see the guy you are meeting looking unkempt, too casual or wearing relics from their student days.
Here are my essential style tips for any man aiming to look and feel stylish - as preparation is key here. In fact, start preparing for that potential date by getting some great headshots. Looking clean, tidy, wholesome and authentically you will mean more engagement on a dating app if you are dating online.
1. Choose the right colour – Men often veer towards neutrals as their go-to, whilst women tend to be more colour adventurous as a collective, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Understand whether cool or warm colours suit you and if bright or more muted tones are for you.
If you enjoy wearing suits, using one brighter colour as an accent with two neutrals always looks smart. For casual dressing: two or three colours (contrasting or complementing). Don’t forget, the accent colour could just be in your shoes and belt, scarf, shoelaces, shirt or tie.
2. It’s the detail that counts – Whether your style veers towards the more edgy, natural or classic, the power of dressing is all in the detail. Like a breath of fresh air, the best way to update your look is with a quality new accessory. Use cufflinks or pocket square to give a pop of colour. The right style sunglasses and watch can help you ooze style.
There are many more shoe colours than brown or black boots and loafers, or white trainers! There is a lot more choice of colour and style in footwear available for men now, so be a bit more adventurous.
3. Spend more money on fewer pieces of clothing – Avoid buying poor quality, excessive items that you don’t need, eliminate mistake purchases and reduce the volume of clothes ending up in landfill. Think about buying fewer, better-quality items that will last longer. It's a win-win for your wallet and the environment.
Declutter your wardrobe and recycle any clothes you haven’t worn in the last 12 months or that don’t fit anymore.
Don’t fall into the trap of keeping things that don’t fit. Your clothes need to fit now, and all those items that are too large or too small are reminders of another time. This is a new dating journey, so it is entirely appropriate to invest in new items of clothing.
When you put something on it should make you feel like a million dollars. If it doesn’t, it is squatting in your wardrobe providing no value.
4. Think capsule - A capsule wardrobe gives you a number of benefits, like lots of outfits from a smaller number of clothes, plus confidence that you will always look great.
Think of it as a pyramid. At base level, choose everyday clothes in your best neutrals such as denim, winter coats, smart jackets, and smart boots and bags. Neutral colours go with everything.
The middle level contains patterns and textures that suit your style and colour palette e.g. in shirts, polo shirts and jumpers and other tops. This level will contain more colour.
The top level are your statement items and accessories which people will notice immediately such as a red tie, some dapper shoes in a brighter colour and wonderful statement trainers, rucksack or bag or some serious sunglasses.
5. Liven up your shirt collection – Prints and patterns are having quite the party in the men’s aisles now with assorted patterned shirts making their way onto the high street shelves. Have fun and add zest by taking the plunge with a floral, striped or perhaps, checked shirts, depending on your style, when you go out for an evening.
However, know whether bold or subtle, large or small patterns suit you. For some, lightweight linen is great for the summer - whilst polyester is a sweaty man’s nightmare and is bad for the planet.
6. Shop for a suit in person – Most men have at least one suit, but never buy your suit online because the perfect fit is so important. Consider exact arm and leg length, trouser fit (straight, slim, hem etc) and jacket fit (including single vs double breasted, buttons etc).
There is also a huge variety in weight of fabric, patterns and colours on offer. Take your time to buy the right suit and bear in mind, a good tailor can make basic alterations. Always use a suit bag for storage.
It's been said that a suit is to women what lingerie is to men! However, if you really are not a suit wearing guy, always invest in having one great jacket which you can elevate a casual jeans and shirt look with. You can experiment with texture: denim, linen, corduroy, velvet, tweed and cotton twill are all great textile choices that also show individuality.
7. Glasses - There is a huge choice on the market, so know what your best colour palette is and the frame shapes that suit you. Try on several colours such as a brown, navy, grey and gold or silver, depending on what colours suit you. For a fun, quirky look, why not try a red. Shape and weight are key – consider thin or thick frames, a sporty look, aviator, wrapped or oval lenses. If they look part of you, they are right, if they shout louder than you, they are wrong. Cheap glasses and sunglasses are usually cheap for a reason.
8. Make sure everything fits well - Clothes should skim your body so that they are neither too tight, nor too loose. There is nothing worse than the wrong trouser length, ill-fitting t-shirts and shirts, or a badly fitting suit, particularly when the buttons can’t be done up!
Most men hate shopping and want to be able to make their purchase in 15 minutes. Make sure you try the clothes on in shop or at home. You can be brand-loyal to that retailer or maker as menswear lines don’t tend to alter. For example, the basic fit of Hugo Boss, Joe Browns, Charles Tyrwhitt never alters.
If your body is a classic fit, don’t try and squeeze into a slim fit; if you’re an XL or above, classic fits will never fit around your middle or under your arms. Know your body, your fit and your brand - and you will be fine.
9. Bag it up - A stylish bag that can be worn with all the best and neutral colours in your wardrobe is a great way to express your personality whether that be an on-trend messenger bag, a brightly coloured sports rucksack, a leather weekend bag or a neutral laptop bag. Trying to fit everything into your pockets will spoil the line of a good pair of trousers and make you look bulky.
10. Be yourself - Finally and most importantly, you need to wear clothes that express your personality. If you try and wear something that is on trend but not you, you will feel uncomfortable and not look authentic. This disconnect will be picked up by your date, who will sense that you are not being yourself, which will make her wonder what else you are hiding.
Don’t strangle yourself with a tie if you don’t wear them but aim for a smart casual look. Think about the vibe of the venue or location you are going to and dress accordingly. The first person you must impress is yourself. If you feel attractive and confident in your clothes, this will resonate with your date before you have even spoken.
If in doubt, get in touch!
With best regards,
Linda Sujeewon
About:
I coach men, women, and young people to develop their personal image, enabling them to establish their own personal style or brand, to look and feel authentic and more confident.
I had a very successful career in teaching and the Education sector and trained at a time when the whole person and finding their potential was equally as important as teaching them academic skills. Although, the link may not seem immediately obvious, becoming an image coach has helped me return to my teaching roots of developing self-confidence and potential.
We often want to blend in with other people or worry that we may appear vain if we are focusing on our appearance. However, our clothes are an extension of our personality and the colours and accessories we wear can be used as tools to energise, engage, or empathise with others.
It is my mission to help my clients do this by saving them money and caring for the planet. We have been encouraged for decades to buy fast disposable fashion which has resulted in over-production and pollution as millions of tonnes of water are consumed to grow crops to turn into textiles which then often end up in landfill or being incinerated.
I help clients buy less and become more circular in their fashion habits by upcycling unwanted clothes or disposing of them ethically. Similarly, by analysing your skin tone, I can establish a harmonious palette of colours that will mean everything in your wardrobe coordinates, and you feel the joy of dopamine dressing. Investing in yourself, is time efficient, economical and good for the planet, so please do not hesitate to contact me:
07717010128
3a Priory Court, Wood Lane, Beech, Reading, Berkshire RG7 2BJ
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