The Fashion Issue

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THE FASHION ISSUE

C O V E R

P H O T O

O F

T O M M Y

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T A B L E

WELL $PENT

O F

C O N T E N T S

Mishi New York

Lalkarka

Mishi’s collections share a story of the empowered badass female living a bicoastal life.

The products, cleated by designers, owing to their thought-out style, use of materials and manufacturing techniques that are particular to the brand, will be relevant throughout all seasons.

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True Religion

Astrnemē

The iconic horseshoe was born from the silhouette of a Buddha's smile, and their hardware was inspired by the romance of denim's 140-year history.

Built for comfort and the pursuit of passion in each individual, contemporary apparel with a strong transitional appeal.

STS Blue Styles are true to size, and are made in a variety of fabrics to execute perfectly authentic washes while maintaining a flattering fit.

STYLE GURUS

Mr. Junho

MyBelonging

Raymond Kim combines a unique sense

What began as an exercise in finding meaning amongst material possessions, Tommy Lei says

of style with minimalism.

MyBelonging has evolved a state of mind.

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Two Trends

Can't Imagine It

Sebastian and Espe have always shared

Krumislav Dzhermanov is a United Kingdom will prove that simple is the best way.

a love for fashion, experiencing the world and living life to the fullest.

Aesthetic Distance Eliza Romero combines her passions of art, fashion and photography.

freeSTYLE

The Hunter Collector Zia Domic chose the name Hunter Collector to convey her personal philosophy toward shopping: Hunt for the great investment pieces and keep to create your own collection.

How To Wear Flowers With Your Fall Looks Every flower can represent a different kind of girl, and in addition to being the symbol of purity, we picture them with a very sophisticated, minimalist style.

Things To Consider Before Building Your Wardrobe “Dressing well” is relative, just like how the idea of “clean, healthy food” is relative.

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8 Men’s Fashion Tips To Becoming The Best Dressed Guy In The Room You don’t need to be a menswear expert well-versed in the terminology and minutiae to put together a good-looking outfit.

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WELL $PENT For those with a colorful sense of style, these fashion brands will keep you fresh during fall while not breaking the bank.

Mishi New York Located in New York City, designer Michelle Kim created MĂ­shi, a modern womenswear brand inspired by the streets of NYC and LA. Mishiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collections share a story of the empowered badass female living a bicoastal life.

True Religion In 2002, True Religion emerged onto the Los Angeles denim scene by blowing up the construction of the classic five-pocket jean. Industry-standard sewing machines couldn’t handle their designs, so they broke them apart and rebuilt them to produce a one-of-a-kind vision.

As their stitching evolved, True Religion became synonymous with quality craftsmanship and bold style designed to stand out. Their specialty denim fits, washes & treatments, were all designed with amplified details to grab attention at every turn. The iconic horseshoe was born from the silhouette of a Buddha’s smile, and their hardware was inspired by the romance of denim’s 140-year history.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

Lalkarka Lalkarka by Loyanich is a Ukrainian brand, created by sisters Anna and Aleksandra Loyanich in 2014. A thought-out style, natural fabrics, limited series, cultural details embodied in embroidery â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are all characteristics of the brand. The aesthetics of the brand is stylishness and beauty in a day-to-day setting.

A Lalkarka by Loyanich woman, charismatic and independent, successful, har-monious and sensual â&#x20AC;&#x201C; creates her own unique style.

The philosophy of the brand is intelligent utilization. The products, cleated by designers, owing to their thought-out style, use of materials and manufacturing techniques that are particular to the brand, will be relevant throughout all seasons.

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Astrnemē Live in the every day with adventurous, affordable styles from Astrnemē! Built for comfort and the pursuit of passion in each individual, the laid-back brand’s focus is to create forward-thinking, contemporary apparel with a strong transitional appeal.

While hailing from California, you can create looks from coast to coast as well as globally with the sophisticated styles from this collection. Whether you’re a world traveler or more of the artistic, active type, transition from cruising around a new town to exploring during the day to drinks and dinner with functional fashion for the trendy traveler.

Innovation through creation, built on the motivation to pursue personal passion – whatever that may be. An em-bodiment of the brand’s message is to partner with all genres of people pursuing passions in music, art, and sports to tell inspirational stories of their journeys and celebrate their dreams.

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STS Blue STS Blue can help you with your wardrobe refresh. The line offers trendy, adorable and affordable options for girls anywhere who want to wear the Southern California, LA style look that can be seen at all the music festivals.

They live, breathe and love denim! Styles are true to size, and are made in a variety of fabrics to execute perfectly authentic washes while maintaining a flattering fit. They offer cotton, polyester, spandex and rayon blends for that comfortable, laid back, and effortless fall looks.

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Style Gurus Discover the most stylish and influential people around the globe and their favorite trends for fall. These style gurus will teach you how to incorporate stylish outfits in your everyday life, using tips and tricks.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to get inspired.

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Where is home?

Born in Chicago, made in Los Angeles, California.

Mr. Junho

What’s a typical day like for you?

After work, I will come home and research styles/trends, put together outfit grids for the next day, respond to e-mails, etc.

Mr. Junho combines a unique sense of style with minimalism. Every outfit curated is simplistic, clean, and good for any occasion.

The style guru continues to collaborate with brands across the globe and makes it look effortless.

Get to know Raymond Kim~

How much has your style changed since you started blogging?

My style hasn’t changed much since I started my Instagram feed.

I’ve always been into casual wear so I’m excited to share my vision and sense of fashion with the world.

What trends are you most excited about for Fall 17’?

I’m excited that a lot of designs will be centered around quilt patterns this fall! I love that quilt patterns are simple, classic, and easy to pair.

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The Fox Magazine is all about inspiration, what/who inspires you the most?

I draw inspiration from everywhere. However, I would say that my biggest inspiration is Gary Vaynerchuk. He’s all about hustle and going the “extra mile” that very few are willing to take to be successful and stand out. I take “time” as a gift and make sure every minute of my day is used and never wasted.

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I hate to pay full-price for clothes. 99% of the time I will buy clothes that are on sale.

How do you separate fashion and style?

Fashion is a trend and style is a representation of who you are.

Where do you find the most inspiration? Celebrity culture, or what’s trending?

Less celebrity culture and more of what’s in season and trending.

Do you have any fundamental fashion tips for young professionals?

Be true to who you are and don’t identify yourself through others. The world has enough trending fashionistas. Create your own style and identity. Leave your own unique mark in this world.

“Fashions fade, style is eternal.” - YSL

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Two Trends Sebastian + Espe

Having met in Miami FL, Sebastian and Espe always shared a love for fashion, experiencing the world and living life to the fullest. Just as any ordinary couple would, they pursued these things together until their passions grew strong enough to create an inseparable bond between them. Little did they know, TwoTrends would come into existence by simply dressing and living life together.

Coming from Architectural and Journalist backgrounds, TwoTrends add a unique perspective in the blog space in undoubtedly more than one way. Currently, Sebastian and Espe continue their journey to share their passion as influencers in the industry for gentlemen, ladies and loving couples around the globe.

Get to know Espe and Sebastian~

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What’s a typical day like for you?

Waking up together, following up on emails, creating content and closing the day watching our favorite shows.

How much has your style changed since you started in the industry?

We noticed that as we continue to blog, our style has continuously shifted to “Less is more”.

What trends are you most excited about for Fall 17’?

Plaid, Chelsea boots and leather jackets!

The Fox Magazine is all about inspiration, what/who inspires you the most?

Being able to capture unique moments around the world together.

How do you separate fashion and style?

Style is making the current fashion trends your own.

Where do you find the most inspiration? Celebrity culture, or what’s trending?

We find most inspiration by being with like minded creators who always push us to improve.

Do you have any fundamental fashion tips for young professionals?

It’s not always about the price tag but the fit.

How do you translate trends to your readers?

We make sure everyone can relate to what we’re doing by showcasing cute things couples can do together.

“Fashion is the best version of you.”

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Aesthetic Distance Started in January 2015 by Eliza Romero, a fashion photographer, style blogger, creative director, educator, and pop culture critic - Aesthetic Distance was a way to finally create her “dream job” by combining her passions of art, fashion and photography.

Since the beginning, Eliza used her blog to showcase her personal style and love of photography and each post was accompanied by her musings on pop culture. People started to take notice and the response was incredible. That’s when Aesthetic Distance shifted from being a blog to a community and a calling. It is Eliza’s vision combined with her passion and talent for visual storytelling and building community.

Get to know Eliza Romero~

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Where is home?

Home is in Baltimore, MD. I was born and raised here and after college, I lived in NYC and Austin, TX for a bit but Baltimore will always be home to me.

Has fashion/lifestyle blogging always been your career plan?

I got my MFA in Integrated Design and thought I wanted to be a photographer/filmmaker after graduating. I always had a love for fashion and thanks to my MFA, I was also good at visual storytelling. I originally started my blog Aesthetic Distance as a creative outlet but soon it became my full-time job.

What trends are you most excited about for Fall 17’?

For Fall 2017, I’m still not over the 80s trend. I am most excited about wearing lots of color. I’ll be wearing a lot of colored tights under denim shorts, plenty of layered on statement jewelry and brightly colored tops. I also recently invested in 3 leather motorcycle jackets in a variety of colors (red, cobalt blue and apple green).

The Fox Magazine is all about inspiration, what/who inspires you the most?

I am inspired by pop culture. That is what I tend to write about the most and it’s what motivates me to keep going. I don’t have an editorial calendar so I’m constantly reacting to what’s trending in the news.

What’s your best advice for people looking to get into fashion and lifestyle blogging?

Don’t get into it just for the freebies. I see a lot of bloggers that start a blog and immediately try to monetize without having many followers, very little quality content or a proven track record. Also, content is king: visuals matter so invest in a good camera and some portrait lenses and have a message.

How do you translate trends to your readers?

I like to show the clothing in context. I love to shoot my outfit photos in the most mundane locations: gas stations, parking lots, grocery stores, takeout spots. I like to show my readers how a certain trend will look in everyday life rather than a studio setting or a location where they normally wouldn’t hang out (faraway, exotic locations, for example).

What advice do you have for someone who wants to push the restart button and make over their look?

Start slowly! If you always wear black, start by adding a pop of color by getting a brightly colored jacket or bag. If you’re the kind of the person who always wears jeans, try pairing tights under shorts. Pair unexpected elements together.

Experiment with mixing patterns.

What style item is a must have that you can never go wrong with?

Big gold hoop earrings. They go with every hairstyle and every outfit. Also, having my nails done. I don’t feel complete unless my nails are painted or I’ve got some press-on nails.

“People are not afraid of failure. They’re afraid of criticism.”

My Belonging What began as an exercise in finding meaning amongst material possesions, My Belonging has gradually evolved to what it is now - a state of mind, an extension of an intereactive conversation on what it means to be essentially and unapologetically you.

Get to know Tommy Lei~

Where is home?

Home is where my next flight is. Otherwise, it is primarily Los Angeles, CA. How much has your style changed since you started blogging?

It has certainly evolved, but my penchant for androgynous and high fashion aesthetics remain constant. Personal style is, after all, like a second skin and a blueprint of identity.

What trends are you most excited about for Fall 17’?

I am most excited for designs that echo and reflect the rapidly-changing times we live in — interesting proportions, mixed materials, contrasts in textures, billowy silhouettes and more gender crossover in terms of apparel. And men in skirts and blouses, always.

The Fox Magazine is all about inspiration, what/who inspires you the most?

Inspiration is hard to pin down for me. Sometimes, it just comes to me very suddenly without much prior notice. It could happen as I am traveling, catching up on my favorite websites or simply taking a walk around my neighborhood. It’s all about keeping an open mind and eyes wide open.

Do you have any tips or tricks for achieving an aesthetically awesome Instagram page? Any social media tips?

I personally believe it’s important to do Instagram according to your own mood and aesthetic. The key to maintaining engagement is consistency; the more you post, the more the community rewards you. It’s also about finding your niche, whether that be travel, lifestyle, food, or perhaps an entire account based on memes.

If you are a creative like me, it’s important to have a few apps in your arsenal. My favorites are VSCO, Lightroom, Snapseed and UltraLight to edit my images and, in turn, make them more visually distinct.

Where do you find the most inspiration? Celebrity culture, or what’s trending?

Neither. I find the most inspiration from people who walk the talk and to the beat of their own drum. People who own their individuality are usually the most inspired and empowered.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to push the restart button and make over their look?

Pushing the restart button isn’t easy for most people, but what’s more important is to utilize and employ what you already have.

Focus on what makes you stand out, really believe in what your intuition is telling you and go from there. Try to keep the transformation as simple as possible, to avoid being overwhelmed.

The most important aspect of a makeover is to truly build trust and confidence from within, and those things take time and patience!

What style item is a must have that you can never go wrong with?

My vast collection of leather jackets have rescued me from many sartorial conundrums.

What do you see as some of the economic and design challenges of the industry?

Oversaturation. There’s a certain kind of sameness that is a recurring theme, especially within mainstream fast-fashion. As style influencers, we have to take an active role in curbing the retail landscape also needs to go through a major overhaul. I predict that more and more traditional brick-and-mortars will eventually become lifestyle showroom spaces, where purchases are made-to-order rather than overstocked inventory.

It’s no longer about a one-size fits all philosophy and all about selling a kind of aspirational lifestyle that is achievable within the realms of social media.

“Creation takes things forward. Without anything new there is no progress. Creation equals new.” - Rei Kawakubo

Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Imagine It Krum is a United Kingdom based menswear blogger. Focused on street style and minimalism, this style guru will prove that simple is the best way.

Get to know Krumislav Dzhermanov~

Where is home?

I am born in Sofia, Bulgaria, however, I am currently living and studying in the UK, which has become my home for the past couple of years.

How much has your style changed since you started blogging?

My style has definitely changed quite considerably for the past year and a half. I shifted from less formal and dressy looks to a more comfortable and unpretentious style but still managed to keep a slightly preppy notch in my outfit combinations.

What trends are you most excited about for Fall 17â&#x20AC;&#x2122;?

I am definitely looking forward to the Fall season as I genuinely enjoy layering up a bit. Should I have to pick a trend, that would be wearing minimal leather sneakers with a proper wool overcoat.

The Fox Magazine is all about inspiration, what/who inspires you the most?

I am hugely influenced by the minimal movement in the design and architecture and the Nordic minimalist style, which has became most prominent in the interior design. I believe that aiming for simplicity in everything can deliver unexpectedly great results and implementing a rather slow living lifestyle can be very beneficial, yet quite significant.

Do you have any tips or tricks for achieving an aesthetically awesome Instagram page? Any social media tips?

Some of the most important aspects of achieving a visually pleasing Instagram feed in my view are being consistent, having a homogenic feed, trying to incorporate a common theme for all your photos - a similar color palette or a filter. Social media is growing bigger and bigger and it is harder to stand out nowadays, but some key points are patience, consistency, and engagement and the numbers will follow with time.

Do you have any fundamental fashion tips for young professionals?

One of the first things I did as a young professional was to invest in a few essential good quality and versatile pieces. A crisp white shirt, neutral color chino trousers, a good pair of shoes, a navy blazer, dark denim jeans, grey sweater, for example. This would allow me to create a lot of different combinations with a limited amount of clothes. Furthermore, I believe this should be the starting point in every wardrobe rebuild too.

What style item is a must have that you can never go wrong with?

A white oxford shirt is my absolute go to piece of clothing, which always works. It can be easily dressed up and worn with a tie or you can untuck it, roll the sleeves and wear it casually.

Do you like pointing your clients in the right direction or taking a more hands on approach to crafting their style?

I always aim to point them in the right direction, but since fashion is not black and white the right direction may be entirely different for them, hence why I prefer to approach everyone personally and explore the best possible solution for themselves and not judging it from my perspective only. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Always dress well, but keep it simple!â&#x20AC;?

The Hunter Collector Zia chose the name Hunter Collector to convey her personal philosophy toward shopping: Hunt for the great investment pieces (they don’t always have to be “classic” but something that will last a lifetime) and keep to create your own collection. Fashion is so cyclical you never know when a trend will return. She regularly finds herself rummaging through fashion archives. The archive consists of items that have stood the test of time because they were of great quality to begin with and because they have been cared for faithfully.

Get to know Zia Domic~

Where is home?

Los Angeles via Vancouver, Canada. I am also an actor, so I came to LA for college and to pursue a career in entertainment.

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I speak four languages but the fun fact that people enjoy hearing about more is that I had a part in Princess Diaries 2. I played a duchess arranging a tennis match with Anne Hathaway’s Princess character.

How do you separate fashion and style?

Fashion to me is just the clothes themselves, style is how you make the clothes unique. Anybody can put on a pretty dress it’s how you accessorize, push up your sleeves, add a jacket etc.. that makes it stylish & unique.

What’s your best advice for people looking to get into fashion and lifestyle blogging?

Go into it for the right reasons don’t do it to get famous or for adulation do it because you truly love what you’re writing about. I have been a lover of fashion since childhood and have been collecting clothes since high school. I have always been asked for fashion advice and that’s why I started blogging it’s also a great creative outlet.

Where do you find the most inspiration? Celebrity culture, or what’s trending?

I find most of my inspiration people watching, that’s why I love to travel. Sometimes watching an old film will trigger inspiration as well.

Do you have any fundamental fashion tips for young professionals?

The premise of my blog is to hunt for good pieces to create a collection that will last you a lifetime. I believe in buying good quality clothing because if you take care of it you can keep it forever and fashion is cyclical if you hang on to it one day it will be relevant again.

Do you like pointing your clients in the right direction or taking a more hands on approach to crafting their style?

Definitely pointing, I like to inspire by example I don’t like to tell people how to dress that’s why blogging works so perfectly for me.

What do you see as some of the economic and design challenges of the industry?

Sustainability. Textiles are terribly detrimental to the environment and there are so many fast fashion lines now people want cheap clothes and a lot of them that ultimately end up in our landfills.

What elements separate your work from other style gurus?

I like to mix it up, so many bloggers have a uniform so if you don’t go to their site for a month you don’t miss anything it’s just a variation on a theme I like to keep my readers guessing: is it going to be a workwear look, something boho or a rocker chic look? I dress according to mood and I also get bored easily so it’s never the same.

What is your favorite fashion related motto, quote or words to live by?

Just to be true to yourself and your style. I often see bloggers who are dressed head to toe in high end designer and I’ll get a momentary pang of jealousy but then I have to remember that’s not my lifestyle, LA is a very casual city which reflects in how I dress.

freeSTYLE As temperatures begin to drop, it’s time to relish in the fact that it’s officially cool enough to embrace layering again. While there are plenty of wardrobe updates your closet needs for fall—from boots to denim.

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How To Wear Flowers With Your Fall Looks

What lady doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like to receive flowers? Or why not get them for ourselves, giving a touch of melancholy and romanticism? If flowers have these magical powers, why not even create looks that include our favorite flowers? They can be used as a new accessory, allowing anyone to express their style in a very natural way.

Every flower can represent a different kind of girl, and in addition to being the symbol of purity, we picture them with a very sophisticated, minimalist style.

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Pick the Right Flowers If you don’t want to look like a kid playing dress up, skip the little girls’ hair section and head to the craft store. You want flowers that look like FLOWERS, not cartoon simplifications.

1. A floral headband is the cutest way to add a floral touch.

You can find some great floral headbands online at Cult Caia and BloomDesignStudio have some seriously cute ones.

But if you’re stuck for cash, try making your own.

2. Be a summer goddess with a floral halo. Sometimes less is more. A thin halo lets the flowers pop while allowing your hair to show through.

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3. Flowers with braids and plaits are a match made in heaven.

You can find a range of different-size flower clips at Trashy Diva. You can even use real flowers, like this look using Gypsophila.

4. Up your ponytail game with a flower to reflect your personality.

If your hair is long enough for a ponytail, then this is a simple but elegant look to try.

You can find a range of flower hair ponies at Accessorize. Naomi 5. And finally, go all out â&#x20AC;&#x201C; put flowers anywhere you want, and use however many you like.

Follow your heart and make the freeform flower crown of your dreams.

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Campbell nailed this look back in 2004. She rocked a white orchid to match her gown at the screening of The Ladykillers.

“Dressing well” is relative, just like how the idea of “clean, healthy food” is relative.”

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Things to Consider Before Building Your Wardrobe Assess Your Lifestyle

Those Who You Surround Yourself With

To find the ideal wardrobe for YOU, you have to consider three things. Here they are (and questions to help you evaluate each one):

Besides weather, consider the people you surround yourself with. How do they dress? What’s the “accepted” style among your friends? Really evaluate how they dress and present themselves.

Your Situation How about your peers? How do people in your general age group dress in your town or city? What about those you work with?

What is your life like on a daily basis?

If you work, do you work from home? Is your job very physically demanding? If you work in an office, do you commute by bike? Do you walk? Drive or take public transit? What is your job’s dress code? Is there one at all? (Switch “job” for “school” if you’re still in school.)

I’m not saying you have to dress like them, or that you can’t dress differently, but understanding how those around you dress will define the different levels of what’s “acceptable” and “practical”.

How about after work or class, on evenings and weekends?

What do you do during those times you’re not in work clothes?

Do you see a lot of concerts? Go out to fancy dinners? Do you attend plenty of events that require you to wear specific attire?

Here’s an example: If you live in a farming community, where your closest neighbor is a mile / km away and you’re surrounded by your crops, wearing a three-piece suit on a daily basis probably isn’t practical.

Do you travel frequently? Are you physically active, always playing sports or exploring in nature?

You can wear a suit if you want to, but based on your surroundings and situation, it’s not the most sensible choice.

Your Income

Another example: If you work from home, but you live in Manhattan, it’s perfectly acceptable to wear a suit while at your home office. What if you needed to step out for a meeting, or for a quick lunch? Will you look odd walking around Manhattan in a suit? Not at all.

How much disposable income do you have on a monthly basis (income left over after bills and savings)?

What percentage of that can you devote to improving your wardrobe on a regular basis, be it one item a month, or several pieces every three months?

Sure, you could work in your pajamas, or in jeans and a T-shirt, but based on your surroundings, a suit isn’t out of the question.

Your Surroundings How Can I Apply This?

Where in the world are you? Does your corner of the world boast a temperate climate? Do you experience four complete seasons? Are your summers particularly hot, or winters extremely cold?

Ask yourself the above questions. By doing so, you’re evaluating your situation, income, and surroundings. Knowing these answers will help you decide on individual clothing items when crafting your wardrobe.

Do you live in a place that is constantly hot year-round? Is it a dry heat, or is it very humid?

It’s Different for Everyone

Constantly cold year-round? Extreme weather conditions (wind, snow and ice storms)?

Everybody’s ideal wardrobe will differ, so direct comparisons won’t always make sense. It’s best to take a step back, assess your lifestyle, and craft a wardrobe around your observations.

Understanding the particulars about your location’s climate will determine how you build your wardrobe.

Ask yourself these questions, and that will make the process of identifying the necessary items that much easier.

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8 Men’s Fashion Tips to Becoming the Best Dressed Guy in the Room Good news!

You don’t need to be a menswear expert well-versed in the terminology and minutiae to put together a basic, good-looking outfit.

Check it. Eight fashion tips for men you can use today, right now, that will help you become the best dressed guy in the room! Yes, even if you don’t like fashion.

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In the beginning, keep it simple.

You want to find colors that contrast with your skin, not blend in and wash you out.

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MASTER FIT AND PROPORTION

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This is absolutely crucial. Here’s the thing, you could be decked out in the finest italian suit, but if you’re wearing the wrong size, you’re going to look terrible.

ADOPT A PERSONAL UNIFORM A personal uniform is a set of looks you can turn to when times are tough, like when you’re late for work and staring at your closet, unsure of what to put on.

Conversely, you could buy an ultra affordable suit, take it to a tailor, and look like a million bucks.

There are plenty of benefits to figuring out your own personal uniform, namely, not needing to think too hard about what to wear in the morning. By the way, “personal uniform” doesn’t necessarily mean one singular outfit, but a set of pieces that you can mix and match to create similar looks that are consistent, day in and day out.

Figuring out how clothes should fit can be quite a process, especially if you’re still in the beginning stages of reworking your style and building a stylish wardrobe. It takes patience and the willingness to try on lots of things.

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4. EXPERIMENT ONCE IN A WHILE Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb and experiment with new looks. This is where more fashion-forward type pieces can come into play. This is also how you evolve your own personal style.

KNOW WHAT YOUR “THING” IS Every person has his or her thing. Some people enjoy color, others like wearing gray chinos practically every day. Maybe some people out there prefer only brogues.

Figure out your thing.

Finding more affordable options for experimental pieces is the way to go when you’re trying new things. A $30 knit blazer from H & M (which is actually still a good choice) might not be comparable in build and quality to a $600 version from a high-end store, especially since you’re just experimenting and not sure if you’ll even enjoy wearing it.

Trend-forward people may call that idea stodgy or boring, but I call it style. It’s like your signature. A signature style!

On the other hand, something classic that you KNOW you’ll make use of time and time again through the years is something worth investing in (i.e. a single-breasted, double-vented, two button navy suit).

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UNDERSTAND HOW TO ACCESSORIZE

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Don’t leave accessorizing to the ladies!

They sure know how to dress, but accessorizing is one thing guys can learn a thing or two about.

KNOW HOW TO DELAY GRATIFICATION The real key to a stylish wardrobe is knowing exactly what you need and how much use it will get. Put off buying something for as long as possible. Tease yourself to see how much you really need something!

There are a few places where it’s safe for guys to experiment with color and pattern: Socks, ties, pocket squares, belts, jewelry, leather goods (wallets) and sometimes shoe laces.

Here’s how: Get online and add stuff to your cart, and then X out the window.

Or go to a store, pick up something you think you need, walk around for a bit, put the item back, and walk out of the store.

Start with something simple (like a stripe) and learn how to incorporate more complex prints (like paisley) and colors (like eggplant, or chartreuse, or teal).

If you continue to think about that item for days or weeks after you put it down, there’s a good chance you truly want it.

Only at that point should you consider it a serious contender worthy of your money and closet space.

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BUY

THE

BEST

QUALITY

YOU

CAN

AFFORD

It might take you a while to realize your true wardrobe staples. It will take a bit of trial and error, and as you go through cycles of more affordable versions of things, you’ll start to realize what you wear most, and what’s worth investing in.

It’s all about observing what you wear, buying the best possible versions of those things when the time for replacement comes, and taking care of the new, better versions as much as possible.

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WHAT ABOUT STAPLES WITH VERSIONS?

REPLACING YOUR MORE AFFORDABLE

There’s a separate camp out there who thinks you should always buy the most affordable options of whatever you wear frequently, since you tend to wear them out and they have to be replaced anyway.

If you love dark denim and wear them out frequently, but can’t bring yourself to spend $200 on a “premium” pair, we get it. Sometimes you have to pick and choose which pieces to invest in.

Feel it out and see what fits your lifestyle (and wallet) best, and adjust as you go.

SEE? YOU DON’T HAVE TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT MEN’S FASHION You don’t have to be some clothing expert, nor do you have to know designers’ names, upcoming trends, or all of a garment’s technical terms.

All you really need to understand are a few key points, and you’ll be miles ahead of your peers and colleagues who aren’t necessarily the most stylish people.

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