Fashion Rules Are Set for Men and Not Men for the Rule

Perhaps this year you’re looking to improve the way you dress? You've noticed over the last couple of years that the number of style conscious men has risen significantly and yeah! It’s called progression. When you first start out in men’s fashion and style, it can all be a bit too much to take in. Men’s fashion has seriously caught up with its female counterpart in the last decade.

How do you start?

Begin by understanding the fashion acceptable rules, embrace it, and then think of how to tweak around it. After all, men set rules, not rules set men.

Break the Rules

Red and pink Don’t go for men

Somewhere along the way, these two shades got a ‘No’ from the guys, but when paired purposefully; they can actually look quite modern and eye-catching. This is a great rule to tweak around. Keep the red true, and add any shade of pink.

Navy and black don’t go together

It’s time we break this rule.  Navy and black look super-chic together. Try pairing this combo, you will be amazed at what you have been missing.  It’s a rule worth breaking.

Mixed prints are too busy

False! Actually, mixed prints can look extremely fresh, and elevate your look from ordinary to street-style ready.

Horizontal stripes make you look larger

Horizontal lines making you look wider is a pretty cliché “rule.” Pieces that are made well and fit well flatters every man.

Men Style Rules

1.  Care about your appearance.

2.  Have understanding of the menswear that came before you.

3.  Know that sometimes you’ll be the best-dressed man in the room.

4.  Realize that “rules” are there for a reason, even if they can sometimes be broken. And be sure of your own reason for breaking any of the rules.

5.  A good fit should always be your first priority when purchasing new clothing.

6.  Avoid temporary fashion trends and fluctuations of fashion

7.  Treat your clothing like an investment, and shop slowly but smart.

8.  Make excuses to wear the good stuff, instead of letting it get dusty in the closet.

9. Dress appropriately, whether that means dressing up or dressing down.

10. Expand your wardrobe with clothes that work together, not standalone pieces.

Rules for Men Who Want To Dress Better

Keep Your Measurements

Find a good your tailor, have him take your measurements and keep them for yourself.
This will help when buying clothes, and it will save you money, because better fits means fewer alterations.
 

Find a Good Laundry Person

A cleaner you can trust is crucial. Knowing your clothes will come back is great but knowing that they will come back better than you left them is even better. Once you have one, never, ever let them go.

Ironing is Important

Ironing is the easiest way to freshen up your clothes and make them look sharp. Knowing how to do this will also save you money, requiring you to get your shirts and suits cleaned and pressed just a little bit less.

Learn the Basics Of Sewing

This is the easiest way to prolong the life of your clothes, and just might save your ass when your jacket or shirt buttons pop off on a business trip. You don't need to know how to do it all, but at least know the basics and be able to help yourself sew a button back on. Try to carry a sewing kit while you travel, it’s even available in most hotels today.

Keep a Shoehorn

Young men often overlook this but a shoehorn is one of the best tools for lengthening the life of your shoes. Stomping down the heels of your shoes tweaks the leather and cracks the structure of your shoe. Plus, it's just sloppy. Instead, get a good shoehorn and slip those shoes on like a gentleman.

Be Sincere About Your Body Shape

Look, you've got to work with what you've got. Be honest with yourself. Knowing that you have a bigger belly, a weak chest, or wide hips will only help you buy the right clothes. And remember, black and navy blue always lengthen and slim the body.

Know Colors That Suit Your Skin Tone

This is a bit trickier, and you may need to seek advice from fashion designers or check some fashion blogs. Navy blue, black, and most shades of gray look good on everyone, but brighter colors can present problems. With warm, dark skin, you can pull off bright oranges, reds, and yellows that would wash out or overwhelm a fairer-skinned man. Cool, lighter skin tones work best with emeralds, blues, and purples. Experiment and ask for advice.

Know the Trends

Even in staid menswear, trends are important. They're just subtler and slower-moving than womenswear. Slim suits are on trend now. Act accordingly, but don't follow trends blindly. The goal here is to build a versatile, high-quality wardrobe that will last a long time. Be wise.

Find Someone You Admire and Learn From Their Style

This is simple, see someone you like and take hints for how to dress yourself. Mine is Dr. Legend; he has a clothing line (Dr. Legend Clothing). He is a menswear idol for a reason, as are Victor Okoro, Yomi Casual and Mudi Africa. But be honest with yourself and only take what you can truly use.

See Above, And Don't Go Nuts.  

Before you leave the house, take a look in the mirror. Men deceive themselves by saying mirror is made for women. Better take advantage of the mirror than be sorry. Be subtle, be classic.

Why Nigerian Made Suit Is BetterThan A Foreign Suit

Foreign suit (Ready to wear) is bought off the rack, in a cut and style determined by the designer. The designer determines the style, size and specification. So as long as you are happy with the size and style, you can purchase it. Foreign suit leaves you with no option. You have no fantasy nor dream because the suit is imagined for you. 

From observations, few men are likely to possess the dimension of a foreign suit exact size. So while a suit may fit well in some areas, it may be too long, short, loose or tight in others.

Obviously, those interested in menswear will over time want to start making their own sartorial choices around cloth, cut and finishing. This brings us to Nigerian-made suit.

Fabric used in sewing a suit is ultimately only as good as its raw ingredients. Fabric selection is the most important choice you should make. Having Nigerian fashion designers or tailors in Nigeria sew your suit, will give you the privilege to decide the fabric of your choice. Not only does it determine how your suit will look and feel, but also how it will perform and last over time.

Even though there is nothing inherently wrong with a well-tailored foreign suit that people buy off the rack, it simply cannot compare to having a suit made to your specifications.

A Nigerian-made suit takes countless measurements to make sure that every aspect is created to fit your body and your shape. If you buy a suit off the peg, it has a generic shape which will often need to be altered to fit comfortable and even when it has been altered, the fit still won’t be perfect.

Most of the foreign suits are often made with far cheaper material, which wears quickly and you find yourself needing to buy new suits more frequently. The fabric used by Nigerian fashion designers and tailors in Nigeria are often e so superior in quality, that the suit ends up lasting a lot longer. When I visited a fashion designer in Nigeria, I made my choice of fabric; lining and the fashion designer also gave me aftercare guidelines on the fabrics. 

 

Think of your first visit to a Nigerian fashion House as the first step in building your new wardrobe. Start with versatile basics and slowly build out to seasonal fabrics with more personality. You can wear a solid black or blue suit to the office three times a week and nobody will notice.

Fashion and style is simply about personality and self-expression, this you can’t get with a foreign suit but a Nigerian-made suit gives you a large scope to express yourself. Have a little patient and let your suit be sewn by Nigerian fashion designers or tailors.