Clothing styles, what are they and how to figure it out ...

“A man should look like he bought his clothes wisely, put them on neatly and completely forgot about them” - it is with this quote from Hardy Amis that I would like to start this article. Today we'll talk about style. Some people imagine style in a very narrow sense: trousers, a T-shirt and, probably, some kind of shoes.

But what is taken to mean by this word in the fashion world?

Style is a complex image, a capacious and broad concept that includes a list of contexts: age, personal preferences, conformity to a lifestyle or profession, relevance, functionality.

Let's figure it out together with the concept of style so that in the future we will not only define stylish people on the street or in a shopping centre, our goal is to teach you how to apply, or rather try on, a stylish image for yourself. So, let's begin!

Formal / Business / Classic Style

The first association is a strict and expensive suit, isn't it? Indeed, it will be about him. A white or light-coloured shirt, a tasteful jacket, perfectly ironed trousers, a stylish tie and polished men's shoes are standard. The jacket and trousers should match exactly your size and your body structure. A black suit is designed for special events, and dark blue and grey are more often worn for business meetings. Accents in the general classic look are always behind accessories: belt, cufflinks, watch, scarf (I will talk about this in the next article). 

Sporty style

Favourite style not only of teenagers but also of many successful men - it's all about the convenience and variety of appearance. No guy doesn't have sportswear in his wardrobe. The sporty style is so versatile that with the right combination of things, they can even be worn to work.

Usually, however, such clothes are good for training, evening walks, youth events. And it's not always a T-shirt, sweatshirt, sweatpants and sneakers, as it might seem at first glance. Nowadays, a huge range of sports things is produced: jackets, windbreakers, down jackets, caps, jeans, wrestlers, shirts, sports moccasins, sneakers and much more that can set you apart from the grey mass. The main thing in this business is to have a taste and see yourself as if from the outside, only then others will appreciate your style.

Casual (casual) style

I think that now you will discover that you most often dress in this style. Casual for men has become a common, everyday style for any moment: to college, to work, to a party and even on a date. There are a lot of questions connected with casual men, so now I will try to answer them. The style first appeared in the middle of the last century, just at the time when the Teddy boys movement existed, whose supporters initially preferred the costume. Now the casual wardrobe is formed based on temperament, hobbies, working conditions of its owner. Agree that a creative person will probably wear bright pants, a checked shirt and tie a matching scarf around his neck, while a guy who is a rock fan will rather wear a screaming T-shirt, frayed jeans, chains and all that kind of stuff. ... But you will hardly see an electrician in a classic suit because his everyday version is overalls. In general, the casual style is the most versatile and does not have a strict framework, it is distinguished by a combination of convenience, beauty and practicality. He also has a combination of several styles, for example, sports and classic, in which case something average and original is obtained.

Nowadays, casual includes several subspecies, consider its main directions:

Business casual

This style cannot be called businesslike, because there are no mandatory rules for your image, and there are no strict requirements for clothes separately. What is meant by business casual? Everything convenient for you in everyday life: sweaters, shirts, vests, jackets, trousers, shoes - these are mainly boots and shoes. As mentioned earlier, this style still differs from the official one, that is, even if it is a suit, then the absence of a tie is allowed, and the shirt may not necessarily be white - use shades and brighter colours.

Sports casual

Casual style with sporty elements: sneakers, jeans, T-shirts ...

Ideal for young people who do not like an excessive formality, because you can even dress like this for work. Alternatively: put on jeans, a light, not so strict jacket with one button over a bright T-shirt, moccasins on your legs and take a gym bag with you - now, your look is ready.

Smart casual

Smart-casual "Smart" - translated means "elegant" it is also close to business-casual. Indeed, this type of casual is characterized by refinement and accuracy. So, this style is in many ways similar to the office style, but if in a classic suit, the jacket and trousers should be made from one different fabric, a combination of, for example, denim and cotton is acceptable in smart. So a shirt and jeans would be a great combination, but it's too easy. You can wear a vest or a jacket, and complement it with elegant accessories, here your imagination is not limited. The same goes for shoes - any will do.

Romantic style

Romantic style Contrary to the stereotypes that only women can afford a romantic look, there are very successful combinations of men's clothes, as a result of which we get the style of a true romantic. It completely lacks the strict lines and rough features that are inherent, for example, in a formal suit. In a romantic look, you often distinguish details, accessories, but they should also be in a reasonable amount. Also, this style is characterized by multi-layering (a characteristic feature of the storey style is short clothes on top of a longer one) - the appearance is casual, slightly casual. Elements of a romantic style are pastel-coloured shirts, vests, jackets, jumpers with a V-neck. The top tends to accentuate the broad shoulders - the bat style is a good example.

When choosing pants, I advise you to pay your attention to such models as riding breeches, skins. You can tie a scarf around your neck, and put a hat on your head. Both sneakers and men's shoes are suitable for shoes. Colour should be considered separately. In a romantic look, there should be a colour contrast: that is, if you wear a dark shirt, then you need to choose a lighter bottom - and vice versa. With regards to shoes, it is not so critical here, the main thing is that it is combined with the main elements of the image. One more point - it is important to create an accent on something: let it be a scarf with an interesting ornament or a shirt of an unusual cut/colour / with decorations. Where is a romantic style appropriate? Thus, you can safely dress for a date, for some kind of meeting (not only with a girl), in the theatre.

Military-style (military)

Military-style (military) Modern military does not just copy the military uniform in civilian clothes - it is the borrowing of strict cut lines, original solutions, functional elements. Amateurs and professionals of nature recreation, hunting and fishing are very close friends with this style. By far the most recognizable and widespread brand in this style is the camouflage pattern, but don't limit yourself to just this pattern. This style uses colours such as khaki, grey, grey-green, beige, brown, black, navy blue. The fabrics use dense and high-quality cotton, leather, cashmere. Glasses, bandanas, scarves, large bags can be accentuating accessories. Military-style clothes are distinguished, first of all, by reliability and categoricalness.

Safari-style

Hunting is a real man's business, especially in the African savannas under the scorching sun and surrounded by endless sands. The fact that we are geographically far from Africa does not exclude the use of this style in everyday life. Perhaps just a cork hat and a gun shouldn't be worn around town. T-shirts, jackets, vests, raincoats, trousers, cotton and linen shorts with patch pockets and rivets - all this with a predominance of brown, green, beige, olive and mustard shades is a safari-style complex. Additional elements, in this case, will be leather belts, harnesses, hats. Increasingly, this style is manifested in business attire - a kind of urban safari. Many modern men who lead an active lifestyle, love adventure and prefer the convenience of clothing, have become adherents of this option.

Denim style (denim)

Denim style (denim) As you may have noticed, denim clothing can be present in many formats: sporty, classic, and so on. Still, denim stands out as a separate masculine style. Denim fabric is durable, wear-resistant, comfortable, does not hinder movement, so the scope of its application is grand, which allows you to use it in clothes everywhere: in the office, in a repair shop, in the field, in a club, on a walk, at home. And all this at any time of the year. Such unprecedented versatility allows you to make any mix for your image based on denim clothes, be it trousers, shirts, jacket, vest, warm jacket, shirt or cap, so the popularity of denim style is inexhaustible.

Ethnic style

It is not at all necessary to put on a national costume and walk in it on the streets, by the ethnic style. However, it is not forbidden if you have such a desire during national holidays and traditions. Look carefully at your wardrobe, for sure you will find clothes of this style in it. Perhaps it is a knitted sweater with an ornament or a T-shirt with hieroglyphs brought from travels in hot countries, or maybe these are shorts, breeches or sandals.

Such clothing is usually the carrier of a pattern or print very variegated colours. Ethnic images are more common in the spring-summer season - it is in the warm seasons that such clothes look elegant and spectacular, and also quite comfortable in it, however, in winter, you will be warm and cosy in a stylish coat or jumper with ethnic patterns.

Avant-garde style

Avant-garde style As a style that I would like to talk about in conclusion, I have chosen the avant-garde. Interesting, extraordinary, non-standard - that's how it is in its purest form. Initially, the avant-garde was a trend in the visual arts, it could also be found in the interior, but later the avant-garde was presented as an independent style of clothing, the founder of which was the fashion designer Pierre Cardin.

Avant-garde style Usually, the avant-garde is chosen by people who are always in the spotlight, or simply creative people who are alien to the simplicity of forms. The avant-garde is characterized by asymmetry, geometry, diversity and outrageousness, a variety of bright, striking details. There are no strict canons in the avant-garde, everything is subject mainly to the designer's imagination. Often an image created exclusively in this style does not look that bold - in some cases, it is simply not appropriate. Could you come to the office wearing parachute pants, a velvet shirt and bulky accessories? I think not, since avant-garde means a combination of seemingly most incongruous fabrics and styles. It is characterized by materials such as suede, organza, wool, silk, satin, and even metal and plastic. Of course, this is not the whole list, and it will be ridiculous to put on all at once. Moreover, this style is not at all intended for work, but if you correctly use some of its elements, combining, say, with a casual style, you can get a very original image that will distinguish you from the grey mass in the good sense of the word. The avant-garde is most beneficial at a concert, on a walk or on vacation.

Let's sum up

Today we talked about the most common and interesting styles that modern men like. To look presentable and expressive every day is the task of any man. There is no need to completely destroy your wardrobe and rush to the nearest shopping centre for a bulk purchase of clothes by one of the selected styles. You should think a little and decide what and how you will wear tomorrow and for what occasion. That's all! This is how the style appears - the real masculine style. And remember: "Fashion changes, but real style never!" Take action! I wish you success!

Read also:

• The 7 styles of urban clothing for men
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• Male Styles | Casual, Sporty, Social, Surfwear
• The 7 masculine styles that make all the others possible