Ever noticed this guy at a party…
who gets ALL the attention?
He’s not super handsome…
yet looks like a STAR.
Why him? You’ve also dressed up nicely… more unique.
Well… that might be the difference.
He chose simple clothing pieces, nothing flashy…
and they work like a charm.
Try his technique & learn the staples of men’s style…
that’ll make you stand out even more.
Here are 10 ICONIC ITEMS every man should value.
1. The Navy / Charcoal Gray Suit
You might’ve heard of the late Fred Astaire – a singer, dancer and one of the greatest stars of Classic Hollywood cinema. With an impressive 76-year career on camera, he was quite the entertainer.
But in terms of looks – he wasn’t exactly a James Dean or Brad Pitt. So how did he stand out in an industry where image was a big part of everything? Simple: he worked hard on his style.
He got the help of highly skilled tailors in London to make the signature suits he would always be seen wearing. That’s how Fred became a true icon during his time. People remember him for his wardrobe as much as his talent.
Like Fred, you can’t really go wrong with a navy or charcoal gray suit. These classic colors give off a lot of masculinity and status. Any guy can rock these suits – as long as they have the ideal fit.
2. The White Dress Shirt
Many of us don’t enjoy the hassle of washing our white dress shirts – but we should also realize their significance. We can trace back their history to the Victorian era.
It was a period when white was symbolic of wealth. A dress shirt made of pure white cloth meant that you could afford to wash your clothes regularly. If you owned one, you must’ve also had others at home.
That’s where the division of classes turned into the “blue collar” and “white collar” categories we know of today. Some clerical workers even raised eyebrows wearing white – as they were dressing “above” their social rank as mere employees.
Today the white dress shirt is no longer exclusively for the rich – but it’s still an asset to your style. Any man can look good in it, especially with pieces of other colors.
3. The Solid Tie With A Deep Color
I’m a guy who loves ties. I know they don’t fit all kinds of work environments and aren’t the easiest things to put on – but that’s why they’re iconic.
A man who can rock a tie when it’s optional is someone who can kick his style up a notch.
So why should you go for the solid tie? Because no matter what the occasion, a pure design always works. Stripes or other patterns are riskier – but with solids, there are no conflicting patterns or “busy” looks.
Your best bets for color are navy, maroon, purple or a deep red or green. You want to steer clear of bright colors or shiny-looking ties.
And unless you’re attending a funeral or performing in a band – avoid a plain black tie. It’s not the most flattering color, particularly against a white dress shirt.
4. The White Pocket Square
The thing about pocket squares is that they came into the fashion scene relatively late. And by the time they did, their close cousins called handkerchiefs had already been used for centuries. But let me remind you – these two are NOT the same.
You’ll always see handkerchiefs around. People need them to wipe off sweat, clean their noses or block off bad smells. But they don’t really have a place in your style – and definitely not in your jacket breast pocket. That’s where the pocket square belongs.
And if you’re questioning how useful pocket squares are – just look at some of the best-dressed men on the red carpet. We often see Justin Timberlake and Robert Downey, Jr. in their killer suits, but we don’t always notice the little detail on their pockets.
It’s the same detail that makes the guys in Mad Men look extra dashing in the office. And that’s the magic given off by a pocket square. So I encourage you to get a white kind (it will go well with ANY suit color) and learn the different folds that can amp up your style.
5. The Wayfarer Sunglasses
This is the type of sunglasses that made waves in the ‘50s thanks to Ray Ban. The perfect combination of design and aesthetics was why they stood out. They were a refreshing alternative to the common eyewear at the time.
Nowadays we have more sunglasses to choose from, but it’s good to remember that a classic is a classic. Wayfarers work well for an amazing retro style – especially those with faintly colored lenses. They bring out that nostalgic vibe without making you look old.
If you want to go more “hipster”, try the square Wayfarer types. These are designed with a more modern technology – without losing their vintage feel. Their thick frames and rectangular shapes show a lot of masculinity.
But don’t forget to buy shades that go perfectly with the shape of your face. Everything plays a part, from the lens size to the thickness of the frame.
6. The Single Blade Razor
I want to stress the difference between the single and multiple blades. Do you know that feeling when your razor cuts a bit too deep? And then parts of your skin swell up and form red bumps? That’s the issue with multi-blade razors.
Overall you’re better off using a single blade. It comes down to the fact that it’s a double-edge safety razor which moves across your skin at a much gentler angle. It cuts smoothly through your facial hair without the same pulling motion that multi-blade razors make.
With a single blade, there’s less risk of getting ingrown hairs after shaving. That’s why many guys have recently switched to using it. The point is using more blades isn’t the way to get a closer, more effective shave.
What men need is a great quality blade for shaving. That’s exactly what Occam’s Razor offers – the finest stainless steel blades which are also used by professional stylists and barbers. This company’s mission is to simplify your shaving routine at home and get you a satisfying, salon-quality shave.
7. The Lightweight V-Neck Sweater
Sweaters can be extremely useful for autumn and early spring. Those are the times you can wear additional layers without feeling too warm. They make a great change to your everyday style after those months of focusing on shirts.
So why the V-neck? This type of sweater has been popular since the 1920s – specifically among the younger crowd.
They enjoyed wearing it in vibrant shades of blue, orange and green. Some even liked having patterns on it like checks or a simple stripe.
Whatever the case – the V-shaped neckline always takes your style a step further and complements the collar of your shirt. That’s why these sweaters are iconic.
Just remember to follow these guidelines when choosing a V-neck sweater. The key is making sure it lightly “hugs” your torso and arms.
8. The Denim Jeans
A well-fitted pair of jeans is for all men. It doesn’t matter how much hair you have on your head – or what color it is – and how big or small you are. Women have always adored men in jeans… and they always will.
We’ve seen jeans become a trademark of American pop culture. Everyone from Bruce Springsteen during the ‘80s to James Dean with his “rebel” image to the cowboys in Western movies – they all made jeans look amazing.
It doesn’t matter how many guys prefer chinos or shorts. Jeans will always be in style.
But I also know jeans are some of hardest things to shop for. Getting a pair with the most accurate fit – it takes time and patience.
So it really helps to first understand your body type before going out to choose among various cuts and brands of jeans.
9. The Penny Loafer / Wholecut Oxford
What I love about these dress shoes is they highlight your sense of style from the very bottom. They show you’re somone with a keen eye for detail – and you’re not just relying on a nice shirt, jacket or pair of pants.
The Penny Loafer has come a long way from being just functional. It was adapted by G.H. Bass & Co. from a Norwegian moccasin called a Weejun – and redesigned with a leather strip across the saddle. A small diamond cutout was added to store pennies in case young boys needed them for emergencies – hence the name of the shoe.
And then we have the Wholecut Oxford, which has its upper constructed from one whole piece. The fact that this shoe has minimal details makes it so iconic. It highlights the elongated toe and raised bump – making your feet look bigger. So not only does the shoe enhance your outfit but it’s also very masculine.
10. The Dopp Kit / Weekender
I’m a big believer in stylish choices for travel items. They’re a good way of reminding fellow travelers or colleagues that you’re not just some average guy. These bags are more “professional” looking – and you gain a bit more respect.
The first one you need is a dopp kit – a.k.a. toiletry bag – to bring along for those nights out of town. The name comes from Charles Doppel, a German immigrant who first sold this bag in 1919. Fast-forward to a few decades later and this bag came in handy for GIs during World War II. This is proof that the dopp kit is meant for guys. Now it’s symbolic of a man with good taste, who also cares about personal hygiene.
Another iconic tool is the weekender bag – which can carry enough clothing and toiletries for a short trip. It’s not like a backpack – it’s rectangular with a horizontal zipper opening. There’s normally a handle at the top plus a shoulder strap, which makes it similar to a briefcase. So look for a weekender bag that’s big enough for your things (and fit your laptop if possible) but small enough to be carry-on luggage.
The bag should be soft-sided and made of quality materials like leather, nylon or canvas. You can choose either a business style (dark colors with minimal contrast) or sports style (with different colored materials like dark cloth with light-colored leather, etc.) – as long as the design is simple and elegant.