As man, sometimes you feel like your choice of clothes makes you blend into the background. You want to make a big statement every time you leave the front door. But today’s culture – for whatever reason – does not seem to allow it.
Fortunately, there’s a way around this little conundrum. It turns out that you can make an announcement with your clothes and get people to notice you, without taking any unprecedented risks. It’s all about clever use of color and bold, bold moves that also look great at the same time.
As all the time, what you wear should reflect your personality. If you are a very shy and reserved person, wearing a bright suit and walking confidently into the office may not look like something you can do. And it will most likely sound quite jarring to your colleagues.
However, if you are starting something new or have a formidable character, making a bold statement could be just what you need to advance your career and increase your personal appeal.
So what statement outfit choices should you make? How can you break out of today’s boring menswear paradigm? Check out these ideas.
Start Wearing Tinted Lens Glasses
Colored lenses were an enormous hit in the 1990s, but during the early 2000s, they took a backseat. Now, although, we’re seeing them make a big comeback, thanks partly to the retro movement, and partly because so many celebs now wear tinted sunglasses.
Orange sunglasses are now a big hit in the longevity community. Anyone who takes supplements like resveratrol and NMN also generally wants to complete their anti-aging look with orange sunglasses. Ray Kurzweil – Google’s head of engineering – does this regularly, and now he has a large following who do the same.
The shade of sunglasses you choose will rely on the rest of the clothes you are wearing. According to experts, blue and grey lenses are perfect for people who wear minimal clothing for work, while green and orange for a more maverick look.
Patterned Suits
A patterned suit is a really bold statement at work. Very few people succeed in doing that in their career. It’s really hard.
But if you have gravitas, then it is worth trying. Before you start covering yourself in tartan, ensure the suit fits you properly – there’s nothing worse than a baggy statement piece.
If you are wearing it for a formal event, watch out not to break the dress code. Statements are fine at office parties, but might break the rules at a marriage or formal dinner.
If you are worried that a patterned suit is too self-assertive, try wearing just a patterned jacket and pairing it with more neutral pants. You can even use splits to tone down if that is what you need.
Wear a Scarf
Wearing a scarf generally does not serve much of a functional purpose (unless your job is shipmates). But it is something that can look really good when paired with the right outfit. What’s more, it is something that virtually nobody is doing these days. There are so few scarf wearers out there, it is surprising.
Scarves tend to work best between June and September as a kind of summer scarf. You can think of it as a bandana-style accessory, even though it looks great with a suit and tie too.
Cut Jeans
Cropped jeans were an enormous hit in the nineties, but then the fashion world virtually totally forgot about them, thanks skinny jean’s inventionN. However, now, this traditional dress is back in vogue and looks good at the same time.
For many of us, cropped jeans provide a hint of nostalgia. We love the idea of going back to the nineties – a less complicated, easier time. And our clothes can reflect that.
Cropped jeans tend to look best when worn with a desert boost and casual outfit. Try not to go overboard on tightness – it is not a pretty look.
If you’re a bit overweight or like the old school skater look, then you can try wearing cropped jeans with an “athleisure” outfit.
Political T-Shirt
This nation has never been more divided over politics, thanks to fully different visions of what the country should be. And it is hard to imagine the war of words ending soon.
Activism, in this context, is an excellent way to make an announcement and get everybody talking. Donald Trump t-shirt, for example, has become more and more popular, thanks to the man’s celebrity status and the values he stands for. However, he’s not the only option you have. What you wear really depends on your political persuasion.
Again, whether you should wear a political t-shirt depends on who you are and your goals. These shirts are great if you’re attending a rally, but may not be appropriate for the workplace, particularly if your company has a particular ideology and doesn’t allow freedom of expression.
Flower Shirt
Over the last few years, we have seen numerous celebrities wearing plain shirts. It all arose from a rather oddball Nordic menswear movement seeking to fill the men’s wardrobe with more Scandinavian influences and patterns.
But there’s a little bit of rebellion against this. Many men are attempting to find something a little more vibrant and flamboyant. They appreciate this IKEA-like nature of clothing, but life is not just about going work and solve problems. It’s also about living and expressing yourself.
If you decide to wear a floral shirt, opt for chinos and plain boots. Keep the rest of your outfit as easy and neutral as possible to avoid too much visual confusion. Also, make sure to tuck the shirt in, as this will help complete the look and make you look slimmer.
Light Trousers
Most menswear stores focus solely on darker pants to pair with their existing range of jackets. But if you want to make an announcement, try lightening it up a bit. White pants aren’t prohibited. They are pushed.
White trousers have an unconventional flair for polarizing opinions. Everyone seems to have an opinion on how legwear looks. But you haven’t got to follow the crowd. In fact, that is the whole point of statement clothing.
If you have very pale skin, you might want to try adding a little bit of fake tan to the bottoms of your feet. This helps create more contrast between your skin and the pants themselves.
Pastel Blazers
If you do not own a pastel blazer yet, you are missing out. These pretty items look great in the office, particularly when it is a blizzard outside.
A pastel blazer is the ultimate accompaniment to the Great Gatsby look. And they’re currently an enormous trend in the menswear movement. The fashion home is pushing pastel colours, like lime and turquoise in 2021, so expect to see more men wearing this particular outfit.
We’ve already seen pastel blazers make it into popular culture. Olly Murs, for example, has made this blazer a staple.
When choosing a pastel coloured blazer, try to keep your outfit easy. Wear a crisp white shirt and team it with a back roll neck if you are going out at night.
If you are wearing a pastel blazer, you do not want to come across as someone who is trying too hard. So go for a casual look and try to keep things as easy as possible.
Ankle boots
There is no reason why men cannot wear ankle boots. In fact, they’re in high fashion right now and are making appearances all over the fashion world.
If possible, look for smooth, fashionable ankle boots that complement the rest of your wardrobe. You don’t need to take any risk here by wearing something thick or heavy. Just look for plain shoes that cover your ankles and provide you with a little bit of protection.
If you live in a cold, wet climate, look for leather or fake leather. This material tends to hold up to rain better than other options, such as suede or eco-fiber. If you want your shoes to be made out of a compostable material, save them for the warmer, drier summer months. Alternatively, make sure to treat them regularly with waterproof wax – a tool you can use to keep your socks nice and dry.
Ankle boots tend to look best paired with chinos, but they’re quite versatile. If you have very long legs, ensure the boots you wear are barely shorter than the ankles. Wearing really high boots will make your legs look longer, which is most likely not the look you want.
Even in 2021, make an announcement still possible. There are risks you can take to express yourself and expand your wardrobe. You haven’t got to stick with the boring old style. Give these ideas a try and do something different this year.
