By 
Looking your best is an important part of life, especially if you are a young man.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re heading to a job interview, attending a formal event, or just running errands, you want to look your best. As a young man today, you really need to take every advantage you can.
Looking more classy doesn’t have to be difficult, it just takes a bit of knowledge and effort. I know this because it took me some time to figure it out. Today, I share 10 tips that will instantly make you look more classy and elevate your style game.
01 Get the basics right: understand your body type and find the perfect fit
We all have different body types: some people are taller or shorter than others, and some have larger torsos or smaller ones too. Some people have slimmer legs and arms and thicker waists, and vice versa. Whatever your body type is, it’s important to understand it and find the perfect fit for your body.
When you have clothing that fits you well, you’ll be able to look more classy as it will allow you to mold your outfit to your body type and show off your best features.
If you’re wearing clothing that is too baggy or too tight, it will make you look unprofessional and tacky. Yes, that means forgetting about skin-tight skinny jeans (I was guilty of this sin as a younger man) and oversized sweaters! They may be trendy but they are not classy.
If you’re lucky enough to be able to buy off the rack, that’s great. If not, finding a tailor to adjust your clothes to fit you better is a great invesment.
02 Invest in classic pieces
Whether you’re a high school a college student or just starting your career, you likely don’t have a ton of money to spend on new clothing. This is why it’s important to invest in classic pieces.
Classic pieces are clothes that will never go out of style. They are staples of any wardrobe and can be worn for many different occasions. Some examples of classic pieces include solid-colored polo shirts(more advice on polos here), crisp button-down shirts, neutral chinos(here are my go-to-chinos), gray wool blazers, wool trousers, solid color sweaters, and leather shoes.
Men have been wearing these items for decades and they never go out of style, so you can wear them for many years to come. Investing in these pieces will make you look instantly more classy. Don’t believe me? Google image search ‘Steve Mcqueen style’.
03 Iron your clothes!
Yes, you read that correctly. It is important to iron your clothes if you want to look classy and put together.
When you don’t iron your clothes, they will look wrinkled and messy, and in turn, will make you look unprofessional. Even the best quality items will look messy if not ironed properly.
Ironed clothes will always make you look more classy, professional, and organized. For formal events like weddings and job interviews, consider using some starch on your shirts to make them extra crisp and sharp.
04 Stick to classic hairstyles
Hairstyles can make a big difference in how you look. Choosing the right hairstyle to go with your facial features is important. It’s also important to choose a hairstyle that will work with your work environment and your profession.
If you want to look classy, you should steer clear of extreme hairstyles such as mohawks, dyed hair, and cornrows. Choose a classic hairstyle that will make you look both classy and professional.
Opt for something like a side part or a crew cut and call it a day. We already covered some timeless haircuts for men; you can go wrong with these!
05 Wear good shoes
Shoes can make or break an outfit. Whether you’re wearing a casual outfit or a professional one, it’s important to have good shoes.
When you have good quality shoes, they will make your outfit look more put together and more professional. It’s also important to choose the right type of shoes for the right occasion.
Here’s a quick breakdown to make your outfits more classy.
- With casual summer outfits (shorts etc), opt for clean leather trainers, suede loafers, or boat shoes instead of flip flops, converse all-stars, or god forbid Crocs!
- For casual winter outfits, choose brown or black leather boots or brogues
- For formal occasions, it is safest to stick with black oxford or derby shoes. Make sure they are cleaned and polished!
An added advantage is that you purchase good quality shoes, they will last you longer and they will be more comfortable. I have had the same two pairs of high-quality leather shoes for three years and they are worn day-in-day-out. They hold up so much better than sports trainers and they make any outfit look way classier.
06 Wear a watch
Simply put, wearing a watch will instantly make you look more put-together and more professional.
This doesn’t mean that you have to buy a Rolex! You can find a nice watch at most department stores, or you can even buy one online. It doesn’t have to break the bank.
Expensive or budget, a watch is a great investment that will make a big difference in how you look. Just make sure that the watch you choose goes with the rest of your outfits. You don’t want to wear a gold watch with a black suit!
As an example, I have two watches; one is a silver bracelet watch like you see all the time. It has a simple black face and goes with everything. I wear it when I run errands, go out for drinks etc. My other watch is a dress watch with a black leather strap which I wear when I want to look extra sharp. I wear this when I go to weddings, fancy events, or just when I want to look a little more mature and put together.
07 Invest in good grooming
This may seem like an obvious point but it’s important to invest in good grooming. If you are not clean and put together, you will never look classy.
You don’t want to look like you just rolled out of bed and then went straight to work or to school. It’s important to groom yourself like a proper gentleman.
A good grooming routine will also make you feel more confident. When you feel confident, it will show in the way that you carry yourself.
Remember to groom yourself every day and not just on special occasions. It’s easy to get lazy!
08 Consider wearing a blazer or sport coat
A classic jacket is a great garment to wear when you want to instantly look more classy. There is no item of clothing that can transform an outfit from drab to dapper so easily.
These come in many different colors and fabrics so you have a lot of choices. If you live in a colder climate, you might want to opt for wool or even tweed. If you live in a very warm climate or want to look classy on summer evenings, linen is the way to go.
It’s also important to pick the right color. While there are many colors available from green to pink, if you something that is easier to wear and versatile, it’s a good idea to choose gray or navy blue.
09 Choose classic masculine colors
If you dress in bold colors and in clothes that are too flashy, it can make you look tacky and unprofessional.
We are not saying that bright colors cannot look good but it is a lot more difficult. Stick to classic masculine colors like black, navy blue, brown, and gray and you will almost always look more sophisticated!
10 Opt for a briefcase
A briefcase is an essential piece of a man’s wardrobe and a huge upgrade in classiness from a backpack. It’s important to invest in a good-looking one that has enough space for all your essentials.
A quality briefcase will instantly make you look more professional and put together. Using it when you travel to work or school will help you to look more classy amongst the sea of backpacks these days.
If you have a lot of stuff to carry around with you, then a messenger bag can be convenient but if you only carry the basics, then it may be better to invest in a sleek leather briefcase.
Final Words
To conclude, dressing well does not have to be hard and it does not have to cost you a lot of money. All you need is some discipline and the right clothes. If you follow these tips, you will surely look more put together and more professional!
If you are interested in a more rugged, classy look, make sure to check out our post on how to dress like style-icon, Steve McQueen.
As always, we hope you found this post helpful. If you have any other tips to share with fellow readers, we’d love to hear them in the comments!