Fashion is a fickle creature. Sometimes is moves fast, sometimes slow. Sometimes it’s conservative, sometimes it’s racy. Fashion is sometimes trendy and sometimes timeless. If you aren’t the kind of person that would watch a fashion show or subscribe to multiple fashion websites, then a timeless style is the better fashion choice for you.
I have never been fashionable enough to keep up with trends. Nor do I have the bankroll to do so. But lately I’ve thought a lot about what it means to look good, and I’ve been really focusing on investment pieces. Investment pieces are the things that you spend the extra dough on to ensure quality, to boost your style, and to wear for a while. For instance, you wouldn’t call an ed hardy cap an investment piece, but a leather briefcase or a designer sports coat would definitely fit the bill.
In an effort to spend less and build a timeless, classic wardrobe, I decided I need to define exactly what kind of man I want to be. Knowing this would allow me the luxury of judging every fashionable purchase on whether it accentuates that specific style. Without trying to define what kind of man you should be, I’m going to outline a few timeless pieces that are sure to add a few style points to any man’s wardrobe.
Top Coat
Every time I see a man wearing a good fitting, classically styled topcoat, I automatically give him more respect. It’s not a conscious effort, but rather that a topcoat is such an important piece that if a man took the time to choose wisely, tailor specifically to his shape, and dress appropriately, you just know he’s a serious dude. The beauty of the topcoat is that it’s designed to look good on any body shape, providing you choose the right style. I’ve seen bigger guys looking just as fit as the leaner guys because of a well-tailored coat.
Check out GQ’s How to Buy a Topcoat
Pocket Watch (or Classic Timepiece)
The timepiece is the second on my list of important investment pieces. The timepiece is probably one of the most accentuating pieces to add to a man’s wardrobe. Since we don’t wear a lot of jewelry, and probably aren’t wearing what was shown at the latest NY/London/Paris Fashion show, a timepiece is a great way to show the world we know what we’re doing here. It’s a pure expression of self, and should be treated as such. In my humble opinion, a watch or timepiece is the last place you want to show that you keep up with trends. It’s a place for timelessness, a place for professionalism and maturity. Leave the fossil watches to your teenage friends, it’s time to step up. It’s a good idea to have a good metal bracelet watch as well as a leather band. Take your time and choose something that really expresses the man that you are. See my article 7 Watches and the Men Who Wear Them for ideas.
Shoes
Second only to a timepiece, shoes are your voice when it comes to fashion. What you wear on your feet tells the world who you are. Think of your shoes as an afterthought and the world will see you as an afterthought. Pick the right shoes, and you’ll be taken as seriously and as respectfully as a real man ought to be. Again, I’m not here to tell you which shoes to choose, but believe me when I say that if you are the guy who wore Chuck Taylor’s with your wedding tux, you are a joke to everyone around you. Don’t be “that guy.”
Leather Goods
Leather is the material of manliness. It’s timeless, classy, and just great quality stuff for all of your accessories. Things that you should own include a good leather wallet, belt, briefcase or laptop case, portfolio or notebook, and a simple leather bracelet. Though these may seem insignificant, when added to the things listed above, these are the accents that will make you seem like you just stepped off the cover of GQ, regardless of the fact that you’ve owned that belt for 7 years and the briefcase was your dad’s. Remember, style doesn’t have to be about trends, it just has to look good.
Signature Scent
There are so many types of cologne out there that for a newbie it can be overwhelming. Luckily for all of us, Stanly has taken the time to outline the basics here: Cologne: The Last Frontier. Choose a scent that you wouldn’t mind wearing 10 years from now and make it your own. I’ve worn the same cologne since high school, and I still get daily compliments on my ’signature scent’. Oh, and no I’m not going to tell you what it is…
Other Accessories
Glasses, handkerchief, rings, bracelets, necklaces, hats, a good pen, the list goes on and on. There are so many ways to take a t-shirt and jeans and make it into a rock star outfit. You just have to keep it simple. Let the women wear their diamonds and gold. Stick to things that don’t scream for attention, but rather let people know quietly that you know what you’re doing. Never more than one ring per hand, don’t wear a bracelet and a watch, and bling is almost never proper. Simplicity is key here.
Hairstyle
Though this isn’t part of your wardrobe, it’s a great part of your fashion sense, style, and who you express yourself as. There are two ways to go here, and each has its own merit. The first is trendy. It’s usually a much younger look, and is more popular among hipsters and trend followers. The second is a classic hairstyle, like the ones you’ll see on the TV series “Mad Men.” These classic hairstyles will look good no matter what time of year or what Ashton Kutcher and Justin Timberlake happen to be wearing. Take great care in deciding which way to go, but remember that either one requires maintenance. Invest in the products to pull off the style you’re going for and learn to use them correctly.
The key here is not to tell you that you can’t be trendy. Our goal should be to look good above all else, and investing in a few good pieces can help you achieve that without breaking the bank. You don’t want your style to tell the world everything about you, you just want it to open the door enough that you can tell them yourself. So go forth, choose your investment pieces, and show the world that you are a man to be taken seriously!
