[quote]It may seem superficial, but the harsh reality is that a young man is judged by others within seconds of being noticed. The old saying that you only get one chance to make a first impression is true. Take the time and effort to look your best and you’ll start on good footing – dressing down to what might be fashionable in your age group only creates barriers when you are looking to rise to the top.[/quote] Hello and welcome to a guide on how to build a basic wardrobe. I'm making this because it's been a couple years since I started making an effort to change my appearance and it really has changed my life in a positive way. I now feel more confident and happy with myself. Before I start I just want to make one thing clear: You absolutely do [b]not[/b] have to spend a lot of money to dress well, in fact, most people who throw money at expensive brands usually have no idea what they're doing anyway. There are plenty of cheap ways to dress well so don't be tricked into thinking more money = a better look. [b]Part I - Basics[/b] [spoiler]- If it doesn't fit don't wear it. So many people make this mistake and it is really something we should all be more aware of. If you find something that you like [i]make sure it fits you properly[/i]. -[url=http://www.intelliskin.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/fit_shirts.gif]Here's a great way to tell if a T-shirt fits well.[/url] -[url=http://i.imgur.com/QdYjxnL.jpg]Bond will take you through the process of wearing something nicer.[/url] -[url=http://i.imgur.com/QudLU.jpg]Jeans should be roughly similar to this.[/url] Or like [url=http://www.ozdenimblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Men-skinny.jpg]this.[/url] Another great tip is to buy clothes that don't stand out too much from what you already have. That way you can wear it with what you already have. Here's some things you to be aware of: -Refer to Solonoid's section near the bottom for info about graphic tees. -Leave your anime cosplay in the closet where it belongs. -If you have bright red or strawberry blonde hair stay with darker colors. -Muscle T-Shirts don't look good whether you have muscles or not. -[url=http://www.bcit.cc/cms/lib04/NJ03000372/centricity/domain/209/plaid%20shorts.jpg]These were never cool.[/url] -If you are going to wear a hat... I really hope you know what you're doing. -Losing weight or gaining weight is still important to how you look. That's all the basic stuff I can think of for now, I'll add more later.[/spoiler] [b]Part II - What generally works?[/b] [spoiler]Examples of good outfits for a young male adult: 1. http://i.imgur.com/NtoVV9D.jpg 2. http://i.imgur.com/flFDyYx.jpg 3. http://data.whicdn.com/images/24934396/2027957_body2_large.jpg 4. http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ln96kaQHWG1qipi5bo1_400.png 5. http://i.imgur.com/C0hcjPi.jpg 6. http://i.imgur.com/NBAWQdv.jpg Places you can get great clothes: -H&M: This place has a lot of great stuff and best of all it's cheap. You can get a good pair of shorts for under 15 bucks. -Online: Yes, the internet. Use it to your advantage. -Levis: Some great stuff (Jeans and Pants are nice) but it's a lot pricier than H&M. -Uniqlo: Good quality and most of the stuff looks pretty good. [quote]Credit goes to Solonoid for this great info: Graphic tees are out as of this year, it's gone into a solid colour design. The trend leans toward mute colours, not bright. Glasses are starting to get smaller again, and the rectangular lens has rolled back around. Pants are becoming more ornate in colour, once again, mute, not bright. Colours such as wine, chocolate, and olive are trendy, but not really for regular use, once a week, tops. The most popular washes for jeans right now are Tan, Charcoal, and the timeless two, black and dark blue. I personally prefer a semi brogue boot, but also wear a canvas shoe in olive, purple, or black. For canvas designs, you literally cannot go wrong, but leather is a different story. There is a fine line to be walked between formal and every day wear. Most suede designs are going to be every day, while most smooth leather is formal, but there are exceptions. Larger stitching usually warrants every day wear, as does the colour brown. Never wear black suede shoes, blue is always stylish, but they are expensive. Shoelaces, are tricky. For canvas, find the shoe's complimentary colour. Simple. You also can't go wrong with white. For leather, black on black. Period. Brown leather, you can have fun with. You can have the same colour, or darker. You can use red, and if it's light brown/tan, green or blue too. And there is only one rule when it comes to hair. NO MULLETS [/quote] An entertaining video on how to [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFmGwh-eIAo]Dress Your Age.[/url] [/spoiler] [b]Part III - Colors[/b] [spoiler]When it comes to wearing good clothes, fit and style are nothing without color. If you are unable to choose colors that go well together, the outfit will end up looking like utter shit. [url=http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdkocmsRNv1r6ek22o1_1280.jpg]STOP USING RED AND YELLOW TOGETHER.[/url] If you're going to wear bright colors at least make sure it isn't [url=http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/kenhurst/kenhurst0811/kenhurst081100024/3836919-casual-young-african-american-man-standing-in-a-bright-green-shirt.jpg]TOO[/url] bright and that you at least have something else on that is much less eye-catching and compliments the color well. Find something to [i]tone[/i] it down a bit so it's not so in-your- face. [url=http://i.imgur.com/hiJfB.jpg]This picture helps A LOT with understanding what colors go with.[/url] Something you want to do is use the [url=http://i.imgur.com/Tl9tb.gif]Color Wheel[/url] and experiment with some stuff on your own. Remember to: Contrast bright colors with less eye-catching ones. Choose earth tones during the fall, neutral colors in the winter, and bright colors for the spring and summer. [quote] STRAIGHT FROM MFA - NOT MY WORDS In Spring: Use sparsely, for contrast and to anchor bigger pieces of lighter color. A medium/dark brown belt and shoes with lighter khakis/pastel shirt. Learn from da 'Gos. Browns and blues are best in spring. Avoid using things in the pumpkin and wine color areas, as they’re very distinctly fall colors, and will look out of place. The less patterned, the better. If you have a pattern, try to keep it clean/sharp looking. In Summer: Use as high contrast pieces. Navy and deep brown pair very well with the red and blue pastels that are iconic in the summer. You can use more adventurous fall colors like wine and blueberry if you’re pairing them with things that scream summer. Wine chinos + white oxford, with honey brown belt + shoes, for example. Avoid olive colors, and if you’re going for a color that’s yellow or orange, make sure it looks more like an ice cream flavor than a leaf. This is summer, after all. Either flat colors, or big geometric patterns with a very light color. In fall: Go nuts. Seriously. Earth tones are easily the most forgiving group when it comes to mixing and matching. Pair browns, greys, and navy generously. Get easy contrast from navy + brown combos. If you’re wearing khaki chinos, make them darker, but things like scarves and coats can still be lighter tans. Brown leather shoes all day every day. In fact, brown leather everything. There are basically two ways to go with fall outfits: muddy and monotone, or high contrast. Both involve mixing a lot of colors, the trick is in making them all very similar or very different. Patterns should be very small/fine (with the exception of things involving squares [flannel/tartan/gingham] – those can be all over the place and still work) or massive, in the form of very thick knits and fabrics. Keep the contrast low within the pattern. In winter: Use the least saturated of the bunch. The rich colorful natural things are dead now. Love is over. Browns, navys, and any shade of grey are still fair game. Make them prominent, and use the lighter stuff only for contrast. Creams and khakis can still be used in large doses, but tread carefully, it takes a bit of panache to pull this off. Textures should be chunkier here. Thick knits, heavy tweeds, dense wools.A safe rule in winter is the darker or more desaturated, the better.[/quote] [/spoiler] [b]Warning: Don't think of this as a one stop, this is all you can wear to look good, guide. It's just some mere guidelines.[/b]