What constitutes a bad boy outfit? Does it mean you need to dress in ripped jeans and wear a black leather jacket or sport a simple tee with jeans and a pair of combat boots?
It could. But the answer isn’t that simple. A real bad boy outfit starts with your attitude, with your clothes reflecting your internal independent spirit. It doesn’t matter what you wear, to give your look the bad boy appeal, you must wear it with confidence and swagger.
So how do you reflect this “bad boy” independence and attitude? We’ll give you some ideas, but you must explore what this means for yourself. Are you rebellious and independent? Do you think for yourself? Or are you always doing what others tell you?
Dress for yourself
Today, people seem to think that “clothes do not make the man.” These guys will wear whatever their moms or girlfriends get them from the generic clothing stores. Does this sound like the way a “bad boy” would dress? Absolutely not.
The truth is, bad boy clothes don’t have to include ripped jeans, a black t-shirt, or black leather jackets, worn in different combinations. You must mix it up and determine for yourself what looks best.
Figure out some key pieces that will reflect your personality and accentuate your best physical attributes.
Let’s look at some examples of bad boy outfits, paying special attention to how different pieces are combined.
Spring/Summer Bad Boy Outfits
Spring and summer are two of the best seasons for athletic and fit people. Clothes for these two seasons more easily show off your physique. The men in the picture above all give off a confident vibe, which is easier to pull off when you are in shape and wear clothes that accentuate your masculine features.
But for regular guys, these two seasons offer a challenge. You cannot simply wear a leather jacket or all black to convey a sense of rebelliousness. Wearing clothes that fit, in seasonally appropriate colors, will allow you to stand out with confidence.
This means wearing clean and simple clothes like chino pants, well-fitted shirts, and plain t-shirts in brighter colors. While most people think black is the bad boy color of choice, in the warmer months wearing bold, bright colors can convey your confidence even better.
Again, the pictures above illustrate this point to perfection. Instead of playing it safe with boring, neutral colors, the bright colors in these outfits give off the sense that these men are not afraid to stand out.
You can sport the darker colors at night, but during the day stick to lighter tones to fit in with the season and keep yourself cool.
Accessories and fit
A good pair of sunglasses will go a long way in the warmer months to add to your mystique. Ditch the cheap ones and get a quality pair.
Adding some color with a pair of canvas sneakers will help too. In a sea of smart watches and non-watch wearing men, wearing a good watch will set you apart as well. Getting rid of your total reliance on checking your phone every five minutes, for the time or otherwise, is an act of rebellion these days.
Make sure your clothes fit well. This will complement your masculine features if you are in good shape, and if you are not, it will be your best option to look taller and slimmer. Clothes can only cover so much, so if you do need to lose a few pounds, nothing will make you look better than getting in shape will.
Other accessories can go a long way too. Specialty items like rings or bracelets can bring a little rebellious flair to your look. Check out Mencode for some great accessory options (and other items too).
Fall/Winter Bad Boy Outfits
Fall and winter are the best seasons to show off your swagger. This is the perfect time to sport leather jackets and blazers to combine them with jeans or chinos for a casual yet smart style.
The key to a winter bad boy look – you should find a unique outerwear piece that fits your personality. A statement piece that shows you are not afraid to stand out. Everyone thinks a leather jacket is the way to go, which it could be, but only if it fits your personality. If not, that’s ok, go with something that matches your aesthetic. For those who dress up a lot, get a dark, sharp overcoat. If your style leans more casual, a bomber jacket or military style field jacket could work well. Someone with a true bad boy attitude will find this out for himself, and these are some ideas to get you in the right direction.
In general, when you go shopping for these particular seasons, avoid overly baggy clothes and skin-tight items. Go for a regular or slim-fit style that will complement your body, whether or not you’re a little heavier, athletic, or in-between. A jacket will always accentuate your masculine features.
During the colder months, darker colors will work best to give off the bad boy vibe. Dark blue jeans, navy or brown chinos, and black pants are your friends here. Combine them with crisp blue, white, and navy shirts, and top them off with a black leather jacket, a dark pea coat or overcoat, or a bomber jacket. This provides an easy template for your bad boy look.
For the outdoorsy types, a dark flannel shirt and dark jeans are a solid pair. Throw on a canvas chore coat and you’re good to go.
Accessories
Many of the accessories that work well for a bad boy outfit in the summer also translate to the cooler weather. Sunglasses are a must for brighter days and to give off the mystery that defines this look. A good watch will set you apart too – go with a nice leather band to warm up your look. For the dressier men, a dark pair of leather gloves are underrated.
Get a good pair of boots that fit your overall aesthetic. If you tend to dress up more, a sharp pair of dress boots, either plain or wingtip, will stand out. Black Chelsea boots are a great idea for this look. If your style leans more casual, then a pair of rugged lace up boots will be your best bet.
And don’t be afraid to wear a scarf or beanie. These functional pieces can help you stand out too.
How to Own a Bad Boy Look
Men often forget how to dress casually. They either go for the full formal look, putting on a suit and tie, or a really laid-back sweats and sneakers type of look.
While sweats and sneakers are okay when you go to the gym or have a walk in the park, it just isn’t suited for when you are out with your friends at a local café or having a quick date with a girl.
If you want to be viewed more like a bad boy, then you first need to adopt a bad boy attitude before you think about your clothes. You must learn to think independently, focus on your mission in life, and separate yourself from all the noise in life telling you what you must be and do all the time. Be a man of your own choosing, and then let your attire reflect your inner attitude.
This is precisely where lots of guys go wrong. They think that people will show them respect by getting a black leather jacket, without accounting for their own confidence. A bad boy outfit can only nudge you in the right direction, but you have to take matters into your own hands from there.
Bad Boy Clothing Style Summary
Finding the right balance doesn’t need much, just the right combination of casual clothes fitted together to make you look more like a bad boy.
Pick an all-black combination if you think you can rock it. But you also need to pack genuine confidence if you want people to think of you as a bad boy. A black leather jacket can only go so far in completing your bad boy outfit, but attitude is everything.
