Tips on Improving My Clothing Style

[WORKEROUTER]

I need some tips here to improve my clothing style.

I've ALWAYS had an issue with clothes, and get stuck in a constant patter of wear. This is a BIG issue of mine. I wear jeans every single day, the same shoes (either a brown pair of diesels or maddens), and a t-shirt or polo. It just feels boring, and I feel like my style in a way is being stifled by the fact that clothing has always been a problem for me.

I'm planning on going out to the mall this weekend and picking up some new clothes, but first I'd like some advice, so I don't get in the stores and start feeling overwhelmed.

First off...pants. I want to get something OTHER than jeans. I have a nice pair of express, light-colored, casual looking pants, but have no clue what to wear them with, so I haven't even worn them yet.

In terms of getting some shorts, what kind of shoes would match well with them? I'm not really the white sneaker kind of guy...more the surfer type, so I don't want to match them with a pair of white sneakers. I was thinking of maybe wearing them with some flipflops or something.

But in terms of long pants that AREN'T jeans...such as khakis or something...what would go well with them?

Secondly...shirts. I usually go with well-fitted teas or polos. I want to get some other kinds of shirts, such as long-sleeved ones. Again, the matching is the issue I have.

Thirdly, shoes. Right now, I just have a pair of workout sneakers and a dark brown pair of diesels. I want some more shoes that could fit into different outfits better.

Essentially, I want to vary up my wardrobe more. I wear the same stuff day in day out, and even some girls are making comments about it (such as my gf).

In terms of what I like, I'm more of the surfer type, not hte jock type, and tend to go with more of the punk/hippie look.

Usually, I just end up going to Express or the Gap and picking up some standard stuff.

I just need some tips and ideas to help me branch out here. What things go together, maybe some links I could look at, other stores to check out, etc.

I don't have a lot of money to spend, so nothing TOO expensive, but can afford to get decent items.

All help appreciated.

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Before going shopping go to your local big bookstore and check out their magazine section. Check out GQ or one of the many other men's magazines and find one that has the most pictures of outfits/styles that you like.

BUY THAT MAGAZINE! Do not try to memorize the look, it's not as easy as you think if you don't regularly do much cloth shopping. Take the magazine with you while shopping and find a cute salesgirl to help you put together the outfits in the magazine.

 

[Skilla_Staz]

I don't like GQ. That style just isn't for me. I prefer the classy dressed up look myself. Dress pants, nice button up shirts ( most long sleeves). It screams "rich stylish kid" when in reality I'm pretty much lower middle class.

 

[seanchai]

When GQ spouts off about a "hot new trend", you can be sure it's been dead for six months. Don't pick up GQ.

If you want to look unique, don't shop at malls. I've never found anything that conveys individuality at a mall, and that should be your personal style goal.

Whenever you go on a vacation, go shopping. Your chances of finding unique stuff are much better.

Check out www.superfuture.com and under the supershopper forum look at the "What are you wearing today?" thread. You can get a lot of ideas about what looks good from those guys.

I could put together a checklist for you if you gave me a total dollar amount to work with.

 

[Permission]

Go out to the mall and shop around. When you're out, look at how clothes look on other people and use that as a guide to see what would look good with you, and then develop your own style.

 

[Dogfish]

take a girl with you

 

[doctoroxygen]

take a girl with you

This is often a mistake. Many girls think they're stylish solely because they're female. That's not the case. Girls usually don't even know what THEY would like a guy to wear.