Dressing up is like telling a story every time we step out of the house. What’s yours?
Life is filled with learning experiences. We learn how to read, write, count, run, and even eat. But one crucial learning often gets overlooked, and men have been suffering from it for a long time: knowing how to dress.
Everyone “knows” how to dress, that goes without saying. Every person is aware of putting on a shirt, pants, shoes, and underwear when leaving the house. But looking at it from a different perspective, who can truly claim to know how to dress when it comes to wearing a shirt and a jacket? Very few people. In fact, very few indeed.
Dressing well may often seem out of reach, but is it really as complex as it seems?
Yet, it’s based on simple foundations that can be learned in no time. We’re not talking about becoming a dandy; it’s simply about understanding the basics of coordinating the different pieces that make up an outfit to make the most of our clothing. It’s as simple as that.
What shirts should you have?
Do you need to buy six suits for your work?
What should you pair your tie with?
We spoke with Charles Desnoyers, a stylist at the Surmesur boutique in Quebec, to learn more about the basics of men’s wardrobe.
After reading this article, you will be more informed on the subject and make much more enlightened decisions in the future.
In thrift stores! For beginners starting from almost zero with their wardrobe, thrift stores are the perfect place to find the basic elements of a successful style. You can discover fantastic pieces at very low prices. Some items, like jackets for example, may not fit you perfectly initially. However, a quick visit to the tailor for some adjustments can transform them into garments that fit you perfectly, all at a fraction of the price.
For your first two garments: navy and gray. You can never go wrong with these colors. Not only are they sober and classic, but they also complement each other perfectly, allowing you to mix and match them to create a variety of outfits without spending extra.
It’s all well and good to buy shirts, but which ones? Charles simplifies it for us: blue, white, lilac/pink. That’s it. The reason is simple: these colors go with everything, are super classic, and can be worn for any occasion. You can never have too many of them!
If you want, you can still opt for patterns, but focus on simplicity rather than extravagance. But before going down that route, make sure you have the basic variations: solid, striped, checkered, light, dark, etc.
Charles - Stylist
Québec
You need more advices?
Book an appointmentCharles is very clear about this: listen to the advice of your stylist! Even if your loved ones “have a good eye” or think something looks good on you, it never equates to the expertise of an experienced stylist. It’s their profession: their advice is thoughtful and comes from years of experience. Listen to your stylist in the same way you listen to your coach or nutritionist—they are literally paid for it!
Learning about style doesn’t mean you have to become a fashion enthusiast. It’s always beneficial to be aware of your clothing choices and learn how to select the right colours, textures, and materials.
For someone starting to build their wardrobe, the first investment should be in a good pair of shoes. Don’t be afraid to spend $400 or $500 on a pair. Why? Because your feet won’t change, but as your career progresses, the rest of your body will.
If you stick to buying $50-$60 shoes, you’ll find yourself purchasing new ones almost every year due to the lower quality of materials. In the long run, you’ll end up spending the same amount as you would on a pair of high-quality shoes that can last you a decade or more.
Charles couldn’t be clearer about this: learn how to iron your shirts! There are numerous tutorials available on YouTube, and once you’ve mastered the skill, it will benefit you for life. You don’t need to spend a whole Sunday afternoon ironing your entire wardrobe; you can simply iron the shirt you’re going to wear that day. Incorporating ironing into your morning routine, just like shaving or washing, is a simple way to take care of your style without overwhelming yourself.
According to Charles, there’s something very masculine about it: the desire to look good and distance oneself from the image of a man who doesn’t care about his appearance. He takes care of his own shirts, chooses his socks, ties, handkerchiefs, and so on. For him, it’s part of the famous sartorial quest, without falling into caricature or dandyism. Just as we take the time to choose and maintain our cars or get regular oil changes, our clothes should receive the same level of attention and care.
Whether you prefer to dress exclusively in navy suits or explore colours like pink, it’s important to feel comfortable with what you have and not be afraid to wear what you want, to try new things.
After navy and gray, the stylist will recommend checks, still in the same colours. If the environment allows it and the client is open to it, checks on a brown suit are an underrated style, according to Charles.
And what about black? It’s almost out of fashion. It’s very, very classic. It gives the impression of going to a funeral or a formal ball. For those who want to explore different patterns for their next suit, the pinstripe, commonly known as the pinstripe suit, is making a comeback.
Now that you have a few suits, you can start mixing and matching! Blue and gray go perfectly together, so you can combine your gray jacket with your blue pants, and vice versa. You can then play around with beiges and browns. For example, a brown jacket with gray pants is a beautiful combination that we unfortunately don’t see often enough.
The key takeaway here is not to buy more, but to buy smarter! 99% of men need a maximum of 10 shirts and three pairs of shoes: black, oxblood (burgundy), and brown. That’s it! With these items, your style is ensured for years to come without becoming repetitive.
This step is truly optional, but it can appeal to the modern gentleman who has developed a newfound passion for sartorial art: dressing according to the seasons.
Regardless of your level of involvement in curating your wardrobe, it is advisable to steer clear of polyester and anything that is not natural.
One misconception we have about summer is that as soon as it gets hot, we should dress as minimally as possible. That’s not true! With a good lightweight wool or linen suit and a cotton shirt, you won’t feel any hotter than you would in a t-shirt.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with materials! The same goes for colours: you can try bolder shades. To take your style to the next level, you can even explore non-traditional colours like red.
In winter, opt for thicker fabrics like flannel. You’ll be much more comfortable in it than in your lightweight summer suit once January rolls around. When it comes to colours, favour more muted and understated tones over bright colours or beige.
Custom-made clothing is an investment, and we can’t emphasize it enough. If you find yourself frequently wearing suits in your professional environment, there are several reasons that might convince you to consider it.
In general, people dress poorly. It may sound harsh, but it comes from a stylist who has been dressing men for almost 15 years. Wearing a well-fitted suit immediately puts you at your best, and others notice it. It’s hard to explain, but it’s something that can be felt: you appear more in control.
Ask yourself the question, “Am I ready to invest $1000 in a suit?”
At first thought, the answer is probably no. However, when it comes to a suit that fits you perfectly, lasts for years, presents you at your best in front of colleagues and clients, and is as comfortable as your Sunday morning pajamas? The answer is likely yes.