What causes a gentleman to want to upgrade his wardrobe? Sometimes a new phase in life, such as a new career, marriage, or fatherhood, can instigate the need for a change. Other times the desire to assess and improve yourself will manifest itself in your personal style, as you want to communicate to the world your evolving identity. Wanting to make these upgrades, whether a complete overhaul or just a few tweaks, is a good sign. But knowing how to upgrade your wardrobe can be a difficult process if you don’t go about it correctly.
In this post, we’ll take you through the essential steps to upgrade your wardrobe and enhance your overall personal style. Whether you’re a seasoned fashion enthusiast or you just want to take your style a little more seriously, these tips will help you refine your look and better present yourself as a gentleman. Remember, your style communicates who you are to the world, and your clothes send a clear message. You should want to create the most positive message you can.
1. Assess Your Current Wardrobe
The first step in upgrading your wardrobe is taking a critical look at what you already own. Empty your closet and sort your clothes into categories: essentials, classics, and outdated pieces. Keep what fits well, is in good condition, and resonates with your personal style.
To steal from Marie Kondo, if you hold up a piece and it doesn’t “bring you joy,” it’s time to get rid of it. More practically speaking, if you haven’t worn it in over a year, it’s likely that its time has passed. Let it go.
Keep only the pieces you love to provide a foundation for your style upgrade. Your old hoodie with the holes in it from college is not truly bringing you joy anymore.
2. Define Your Personal Style
Whether you like it or not, what you wear communicates to the world who you are. Your style isn’t everything, and as a man you definitely want some substance underneath your appearance, but what you signal to the world is important. So identifying your personal style is crucial.
Without getting too far into it, you have a ton of options for how you should express your style. Are you drawn to a classic, sophisticated look, or do you prefer a more contemporary and edgy vibe? Do you enjoy a rugged, outdoorsy lifestyle, or do you like to dress up and give off a sharp, rakish vibe? Or maybe you prefer a standard casual style, leaning on t-shirts and jeans.
No one style type is better than another. The key is to express your style authentically because it fits your personality. Then you should strive to wear the best version of that style.
If you’re not sure, that is ok. Do some research. Find some magazines or people you admire. How do they dress? What do you like and not like? Do you belong to or identify with any specific groups or communities? What type of clothes flatter your physique? How do you want to come off as a professional. The answers to these questions will serve as a compass as you curate pieces that fit your personality and desired style.
Need more feedback? This quiz is a great resource to help define your personal style archetype.
3. Invest in Your Essentials
Essentials create the foundation of your wardrobe. After you’ve identified the clothing pieces that bring you joy and a personal aesthetic you want to work towards, you can start to see what your wardrobe needs the most. At this point, you want to make sure you have the essentials covered.
Shoes, denim, chinos, shirts, jackets – these form the basis of your wardrobe. Get these pieces right first, starting with one good outfit combining each of these elements. It’s also best to start from the bottom (shoes) and work your way up.
For instance, if you love the outdoors and want to transition to a rugged style, start with a good pair of workwear inspired boots and a simple pair of dark denim jeans. Then you can add some basic t-shirts, a couple flannels, and a wool or heavy shirt-jacket to the mix when it cools off.
You don’t have to buy everything at once – building one piece at a time is a smart way to go about this process. You don’t want to create too drastic of a change at one time. Instead, give yourself the ability to work a couple pieces into your rotation at a time to see if your updated style feels comfortable.
Check out this extensive resource for the basics of any man’s wardrobe.
4. Quality Over Quantity
When upgrading your wardrobe, prioritize quality over quantity. This is especially important if you build your new wardrobe one piece at a time.
Instead of accumulating numerous mediocre items, opt for a few high-quality pieces that will stand the test of time. Quality fabrics, meticulous stitching, and attention to detail are attributes that define a well-crafted garment. While investing in premium pieces might initially seem expensive, their longevity and ability to elevate your style make them a wise choice.
For instance, if you want to transition to a more grown-up, dressier style, investing in a pair of quality dress shoes will bring many more benefits than a cheaper pair. You’ll want to wear a quality pair of shoes more often, which will further inspire your style upgrade. Higher quality items last longer, saving you more money in the long run. And higher quality items usually look better, which creates more confidence in your new look as you evolve your style.
5. Embrace Versatility
Versatility is key when upgrading your wardrobe. Choose items that can be dressed up or down, allowing you to effortlessly transition from day to night.
If you’re going for a more sophisticated look, for instance, a well-fitted blazer can be paired with tailored trousers for a formal look or dressed down with dark jeans and a polo for a more casual event. Or if you prefer a more casual look, a pair of chukka boots can look great with denim and a t-shirt or chinos and polo or button up.
If you’re not sure whether or not a piece is versatile, just try to visualize wearing it with different outfits. Do all the outfits make sense, or does it seem inconsistent? A pair of dress boots is a great investment, but if you’re going for a sharp casual style, these will only work with dressier clothes. Maybe choose a slightly more casual pair of boots that goes with jeans, chinos, and more casual trousers.
Versatile pieces maximize your styling options and make the most of your investment.
6. Incorporate Statement Pieces
When thinking of how to upgrade your wardrobe, don’t shy away from incorporating a few statement items. These are unique, attention-grabbing pieces that add flair to your outfits. One key – make sure they fit with your aesthetic.
The best pieces to make a statement are outerwear and jackets. For those with a more rugged style, a barn coat or shirt jacket works well. For a sharper rakish look, invest in a good blazer or sport coat. For more casual or street style looks, a chore coat can make a killer piece.
And these outerwear items do not have to be flashy. In fact, it’s best to splurge on something super high quality in a more neutral color, so you can wear it often. Bolder items cannot be worm as much (you don’t want to be known as the red jacket guy, for instance).
In terms of bolder items, shirts, sweaters, and other accessories (like pocket squares, ties, and watch straps) are great places to experiment with different colors and patterns. If you’re not sure what to buy, do some research and look again to your style inspiration for ideas.
7. Pay Attention to Fit
The importance of proper fit cannot be overstated. It might be the biggest upgrade you can make.
Ill-fitting clothes can undermine even the most well-curated wardrobe. When shopping, prioritize items that fit well in the shoulders, chest, and waist. Keep in mind that tailoring can work wonders; a few adjustments can transform a good outfit into a great one.
While tailored attire, like suits, slacks, and sport coats, should always be adjusted by a tailor, you can also look at some of your current wardrobe for adjustments too. In fact, sometimes just taking in your favorite pieces, like shirts, pants, and jackets, to be tailored is enough to upgrade your wardrobe and evolve your look. A better fitting wardrobe will make you look better, which will help you wear your clothes with more confidence.
8. Experiment with Accessories
Accessories are the finishing touches that can take your style to the next level. A nice watch (check out this article for best starter watches), a tasteful tie clip, and a quality leather belt can enhance your overall appearance. Don’t forget about pocket squares, cufflinks, and lapel pins—they might be small, but they have a big impact.
If you’re new to wearing accessories, only try 1-2 at a time. Best to ease into these items so you don’t look like a knock-off Johnny Depp.
9. Consider Color Palette
A cohesive color palette is a secret weapon in upgrading your wardrobe. Stick to a few complementary colors that work well together, making it easier to mix and match your pieces. Neutrals like navy, gray, and beige are timeless choices, while bolder accent colors can add personality and variety.
For those with darker skin, check out these favorable colors for your complexion. For those with paler skin, read here.
10. Go slowly
Your style journey doesn’t end once you’ve upgraded your wardrobe. Regularly assess your closet to keep it fresh and relevant. Even doing this one piece at a time will help keep your look fresh.
As your personal style evolves, some items may no longer align with your vision. Continue to upgrade them with new additions that go along with your aesthetic.
Conclusion
When thinking of how to upgrade your wardrobe, you must understand that it is an investment in both your appearance and your self-confidence. Remember, true style isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about curating a collection of pieces that authentically represent you and how you want to communicate your first impression to the world.
Evolution is meant to be a gradual process. Once you have made the decision to upgrade your wardrobe, make sure you carefully consider each new piece. The biggest key – make sure it feels right. Trust your gut. Your clothes should give you confidence, and confidence is the real X factor in your style.
