Dressing to Impress, But Not Overwhelm

There are times you need to look your best but don’t want to appear as though you’re trying too hard. Take a first date, for example. You obviously want to look put together, but you definitely don’t want to go overboard. Nothing worse than that. Here are a few tips for dressing to impress while staying casually stylish.

| WEARING | Uniqlo blazer, Brooks Brothers shirt, Joe’s jeans, Alexander McQueen scarf, Pocket square c/o Ermengildo Zegna, Timex watch, To Boot New York boots (similar style HERE) | PHOTOGRAPHY | by Rob McIver Photo

Wear a casual blazer. No brainer. One of the easiest ways to look great and dress up a casual outfit. For extra credit, forgo the navy blazer for one in a subdued pattern or seasonal color, like a burgundy or brown.

Well-appointed accessories. With a blazer, a pocket square is a necessity. Make sure it’s complementary and doesn’t match anything exactly. Remember, it should serve as an element that ties an outfit together. And as I mentioned last week, a scarf is a great way to show that you’ve gone above and beyond and put that extra bit of effort into your appearance. To me, a scarf always gives off a casual nonchalance, which is something I think we all aspire to project when it comes to personal style.

Great fitting jeans. Something every guy needs and should already have. As my A.P.C.s have started to wear past the point of being acceptable in certain situations, I’ve gradually been adding a few new pairs to my wardrobe. In this post I’m wearing a pair of Joe’s, which I found among the rather impressive denim selection at Nordstrom.

Boot it up. Focusing on footwear sends a strong message that you care about your style and appearance. A suede dress boot is a great option since it’s both dressy and rugged at the same time. Plus, a lot of men don’t have a good dress boot in their repertoire, so it will definitely set you apart.

Thanks for reading.

Stylishly Yours,

Brian
He Spoke Style

Disclosure: Compensation for this post was provided by Nordstrom. The opinions expressed herein are mine alone and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Nordstrom.