Many things change when you graduate from college and enter the real world. You go from being a student to a member of the workforce. You also have to take on a lot of new responsibilities in order to keep your life running smoothly. In essence, you become more mature, a true adult. Now that your life has changed, the way you dress should probably change as well. If you’re thinking of upgrading your wardrobe to be more in line with your new post-grad life, then check out the tips in this guide.
Enhance Your Look with Accessories
Many men tend to shy away from accessories because they don’t realize the impact they can have on an outfit. Certain accessories have the ability to take any outfit to the next level. They don’t need to be expensive or flashy either, they just need to work with what you’re wearing and be compatible with your personal sense of style. A few examples of accessories every man should have are:
- A belt: Pick out either a black or brown leather belt that can go with any outfit and be suitable for any occasion, whether formal or informal.
- Sunglasses: A fashionable pair of shades will protect your eyes on those especially sunny days and there are a variety of different styles for you to choose from.
- A watch: You’ll be doing yourself a favor when you get a high-quality watch. Not only does it serve a practical purpose, but men’s black watches can work with a wide range of different outfits.
Buy Sensible Shoes
Although this may sound like the type of unsolicited advice given to you by a parent (or grandparent), keep in mind that sensible does not have to mean boring. What sensible means in this context is a comfortable, versatile, go-to pair of shoes that you can wear in virtually any situation. So while you can still keep a fashionable pair of sneakers around, it’s probably best that you ditch flip flops and skate shoes for something a little bit more mature.
When considering what kind of shoes you’re going to buy, keep in mind that white shoes go with almost any outfit. For instance, a pair of white Adidas Stan Smith shoes are a great complement to any casual look, and can bring a touch of style and modernity to more formal looks as well. Pair them with some slim-fitting blue jeans or cropped trousers and a white tee shirt in order to achieve a fashionable everyday outfit.
If sneakers aren’t really your thing, then you might consider getting a pair of chukka boots. With chukka boots, you can toe the line between rustic and formal with a classic type of footwear that never seems to go out of style.
Get Your Clothing Tailored
If you’ve never gotten your clothing tailored before, you won’t believe the difference it makes! A tailor takes your measurements and adjusts your clothing so that it’s personalized to fit just right on you. Although people typically associate a tailor with formal clothing, such as suits and tuxedos, it can be a good idea to get some of your more casual pieces worked on by a tailor as well.
Whether it’s a pair of blue jeans, work pants, or one of your go-to jackets, it’ll likely look better after it’s worked on by a professional tailor. And if you feel that your life is too busy to take your clothes into an actual storefront, then try an online tailoring service where you send in the clothes you want worked on and get them back in a matter of days.
While tailoring in and of itself is usually pretty affordable, you should note that it can add up over time, so try to only get those pieces that are a core part of your wardrobe tailored—that way you can still look good without putting too much of a dent in your bank account.
Pick Up Some Formal Clothing
Yes, formal clothing can be expensive, but think of it as an investment. Now that you’ve graduated from college, there’ll likely be more occasions where you’ll need to don formalwear. Maybe you’re on the job hunt and you want to make a good impression in interviews, or you already have a job and need to look sharp in meetings.
Whatever the case may be, every grown man should keep a good suit in their closet for those kinds of occasions. Although it may run you a few hundred dollars, a high-quality suit should last you for a long time, and you can break it out for any formal event that may arise.
When transitioning to a new wardrobe, start off with a few core pieces that you love and go from there. Lastly, don’t be afraid to inject your own personal style into your clothing choices! Always wear pieces that make you look and feel your best.