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Boys to Men: Five Essential Items Every Guy Needs
Alex Nguyen

Post-graduate life can be taxing on us all. In the midst of our quarter-life crises, little attention is paid to one critical aspect: dressing like an adult. While most girls cultivate this skill throughout their college years, the appearance of the average college male devolves into that of a man-child only capable of fluorescent board shorts and plastic flip-flops.

This is where you and I step in. With a little bit of help, that guy in your life can be a respectable member of society, too. Whether he’s a friend, boyfriend, or brother, we all know someone who could use a little bit of help. At some point in his life, he’s going to realize that cargo shorts and a baseball cap are not going to cut it for “going out.” If you don't intervene now, it will continue into his thirties (and we've all seen those guys).

Here are five things that your guy needs to be taken seriously as an adult. He’s not going to turn into Don Draper overnight, but every journey begins with a first step.

1. Military jacket

H&M $78

Hoodies are comfortable and versatile. Unfortunately, they also say, “I’m in college and I really don’t care.” Military influences in fashion reappear year after year so find a jacket with some interesting details on it. It should be lightweight and versatile enough to wear from day to night.

Urban Outfitters $168

Kenneth Cole Reaction $62.50

2. Cologne
I have never met a single respectable person that enjoys the smell of Axe. Ditch the drugstore spray and invest in a more refined scent. Yes, good cologne is expensive, but any woman or gay man will be able to tell the difference. A man will never and should never purchase his own cologne, so start him off right with a fresh, young scent.

John Varvatos Artisan $58

3. Tailored shorts

The Gap $36.50

Up until the ‘90s, men wore shorts above the knees. Then a funny thing happened in America: men’s shorts got longer and longer and eventually resembled high-water pants. If he is going to insist on wearing shorts, go with a more tailored and fitted pair that falls at or above the knees. Anything below the knees looks sloppy and juvenile. Don’t even think about cargo pockets.

Toscano (Nordstrom) $33.90

Timex $50

 4. Leather-strap Watch
A simple watch is a great way to add maturity and sophistication to a man’s appearance. Take a look next time you’re out in public. Men wearing watches appear more stable and professional because they evoke an old-school feeling. A leather strap with a circular, clutter-free face is classic, elegant, and versatile. Timex has great, affordable options.

Timex $50

5. Colors and Patterns

Your guy probably has one of two approaches to colors and patterns: (1) Avoid anything new and stick with what is safe, or (2) have complete disregard for matching altogether. Growing up doesn’t mean you have to conform to business standards and lose personal style. A man’s personality can come through in his color and pattern choices, but he has to know what he’s doing.

Rules about color for men:
1. Red and orange are best in small doses.
2. There are very few men in the world who can pull off yellow.
3. Pink and purple can be intimidating, but exude class and confidence when done right.
4. Break out of the monochromatic mold. You don’t have to wear a blue tie with a blue shirt!

Now, rules about shirt and tie pattern matching:
1. Line weight: One set of lines should be thin and the other noticeably thicker.

2. Orientation: Similar patterns oriented at different angles can create visual interest.

 

3. Mixing: Even with different patterns, the thickness of the lines must still be different.

4. Take risks: As long as the above rules apply, go crazy. Be bold, introduce unexpected colors, and let your personality shine through.

So there you have it: the top five items every male should have in his grown up closet. A big thank you to Alex for his informative input! If you liked this post, want to see more, or have any questions, feel free to let us know in the comment section below. If you would like to become a guest blogger, be sure to shoot me an email.  Have a happy Friday and a relaxing Labor Day weekend, but be sure to come back soon for I have a very special treat for all of you!!