Ask the Edit: A Men’s Fashion Question

Hi Belle,

Can you help me with men’s fashion? My boyfriend is 6’6″ and hates shopping, so he would just buy whatever fit that was on sale, so his wardrobe definitely needs an upgrade. Since I love shopping and will do it for him, he’s not opposed to upping his style game…I’m just not entirely sure where to start. I can look at a man’s outfit and know if it’s stylish, but buying actual pieces is harder. And I wouldn’t really know what basics belong in a man’s wardrobe these days. Do you have any tips or resources you can share?

– Anna 

I don’t, but I’m sure Kyle does.  So let me tag him into the game.

The guiding principal with men’s fashion is fit.  Let me say that again, the guiding principal of men’s fashion is FIT! (But we’ll get back to that.)

The range of available style options is much more limited than women’s fashion. There are no dresses, few accessories, and if he wears leather pants…well, we have much bigger issues to cover. The simplicity of men’s fashion is great and difficult at the same time. Most of your clothes will work in conjunction with one another, but you’re occasionally going to wind up looking like you and a coworker planned outfits. #twinsies

Back to your boyfriend, for someone 6’6” and a medium build…..off the rack doesn’t exist, it’s “not a thing” as the kids say.  Which leads us back to fit…

Shirts. You need to measure your boyfriend (his sleeve, neck, and chest) and buy shirts that are cut to fit. An ill-fitting shirt (too big, sleeves too short, buttons pulling) wrecks the rest of the outfit. Shirts are your foundation, spend accordingly.  You should be spending minimum $60+ per shirt. Look for thicker material; thin material wrinkles and requires an iron or steam almost no-matter what.

Start at Nordstrom Rack; they have shirts sold by neck size, sleeve length, in all price ranges, and colors/patterns. Start with blues, purples, and whites. In both patterns and solid colors. These colors work with both brown and black foundations (shoes and belts) allowing for the most overlap.

Shirt Suggestions: Hugo Boss Plaid Shirt ($59) // BR Gingham Camden Shirt ($79, also in tall) // Club Monaco Cluster Dot Shirt ($79)

Pants. Again, fit. This isn’t a “what is your waist size” and done. You need an inseam measurement and more than likely you’re going to be getting them tailored. (With Nordstrom’s, or Rack, basic alterations are free).

Even more important than shirts, spending a little more on pants is critical. Once guys find a pair of pants they like, they keep them around. You don’t want them to wear out quickly and him to keep wearing them long after they’ve expired.  Then, you’re dating faded pants guy.

Dark Jeans are quickly becoming the standard. If you read my holiday guide, AG’s are my current favorite brand.  I was a 7’s guy way back; they make a good jean, too.

Look for jeans with as little spandex in them as possible. The more cotton, the longer they last and hold their shape.

Full disclosure, I’m not a fan of khakis for any reason. While I understand they serve a purpose, I feel like there are better options. Grey, blue, purple, red, or dark brown jeans and trousers.  Color is your friend.

Pant Suggestions: Lacoste Slim Fit Corduroy ($125) // Bonobos Slim Wash Chinos ($98) // AG Slim Straight Jeans ($178)

Shoes. I would be happy to write a whole post on just shoes, but I will keep this short(ish). You need six pair of staple footwear. A simple dark brown dress, a patterned light brown dress, a brown boot, a dress sneaker, a simple black dress shoe, and a trendy black dress shoe.  (Don’t listen to him, I would be grateful if all he had were six pairs of shoes.  Also, you can probably get by with three to start.)

Men’s shoes are unlike women’s shoes; there is no such thing as a good looking pair of cheap men’s shoes. Good shoes are going to be expensive. The good news, styles don’t change much and shoes last forever if they’re cared for. Between polish and resoling, a good men’s shoe can last for years.

To Boot NY and Taft are both great brands.  I’ve walked a mile in each, so I can personally recommend all of them for quality and comfort.  Lastly, as an aside, if your boyfriend has square-toed dress shoes that are any wider than your knuckle throw them away.  So dated.

Shoe Suggestions: Taft Jack Boots ($250) // Cole Haan Williams Wingtip ($120) // To Boot NY Oxfords ($160)

Jackets. As a guy, sport coats are your best friend. They take an average outfit to dinner party ready. Blue of all shades and pattern, colors for summer, black for nights out, Herringbone for a rare fall occasion.  Buy a jacket or two, wear them, maybe (if you’re brave), add a pocket square.  (Get ready to be folding pocket squares and commenting on the folds of pocket squares, ladies.)

Jacket Suggestions: Brooks Brothers Regent Fit Camel Coat ($280) // Slim Navy Blazer ($248) // Boss Teal Mini-Dot Sport Coat ($245)

Sweaters. Again, sweaters could be a whole post. Keep to simple sweaters, no patterns when you’re starting out.  Choose thin-to-medium materials (cashmere, if you want to splurge); heavier sweaters just add bulk.  Also, avoid sweaters that are too short, unless you want your boyfriend to look like a cartoon character.

Sweater Suggestions: Ted Baker Quarter Zip ($114) // J.Crew Melange Sweater ($75) // Todd & Duncan Cashmere Crew ($198)

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