Style school is in session.
Originally appeared at BuzzFeed
A is for Accessories
DO: Ascots. Just kidding. But don’t be afraid to punch up your outfits with a little something extra, whether that’s a pair of sunglasses, a hat, a watch, a pocket square, a knit tie … look at David Gandy up there. Just remember to keep it simple.*
DON’T: Do puka shell necklaces and arm parties.
*This should really be the final tip, because accessories should be the last thing you put on … but they’re not called z’accessories.
–
B is for Belt
DO: Know where your waist is and wear your pants at it. Even if your pants don’t need help staying put, a brown leather belt adds that extra touch of, “Oh, you’re an adult,” to an outfit.
DON’T: Be Justin Bieber. There’s a reason it’s called underwear … it’s not meant to be seen outside of your pants.
–
F is for fit
DO: Try on clothes. You may think you know your size, but sizes vary from brand to brand. In fact, they vary within brands.
DON’T: Be afraid to buy a larger size. It’s more important to have a shirt that fits correctly, than to know a tag only you see says “medium” instead of “large”
–
Q is for Quality
DO: Pick quality over quantity. It’s better to have one amazing pair of pants than 20 craptastic ones.
DON’T: Think a high price tag equals quality. Feel the fabric, inspect the construction, pull at the seams. Make sure what you’re buying will stand up to your life.
–
R is for Razor
DO: Use razors … on your clothes. If your sweaters or knits are pilling – those annoying little fuzz balls that appear after washing – you can shave them off with the same kind of razor you’d use on your face. Just make short, gentle strokes.
DON’T: Use the razor on your face after you’ve used it on a sweater. That’s dumb.
–
V is for Vintage
DO: Visit your local thrift store – there’s treasure there! Yes, you’ll have to dig through a lot of crap, but you never know when you’re going to stumble on a vintage crewneck or a never-worn coat.
DON’T: Forget to wash the clothes you buy. No need to walk around smelling like somebody else’s B.O.
–
X is for XYZ
DO: Examine your zipper. You probably thought “XYZ” was an easy way to get out of the final three letters, but no. It’s a reminder to be aware of your appearance. Something like an unzipped fly can ruin your look … and your day.
DON’T: Pull a Ben Stiller in There’s Something About Mary. Ouch.
–
Missing C, D, E and all their friends? The rest of the style guide can be found on BuzzFeed
C for the Canadian Tuxedo, and D for Double Denim!!