Today‘s outfit for the chilly morning. Blue cotton suit with a blue turtleneck and loafers. I like this style when it‘s either cold outside or when I run out of freshly ironed shirts and am in a hurry. Or when I don’t feel like closing the buttons, or when I’m overly lazy.
In the afternoon the fit will be more functional, since we use the last vacation day for a bike tour.
Enjoy your day, have luck hunting for new perfect additions to your wardrobe!
The item in my wardrobe I love the 2nd most is the grey wool chino. It‘s just as versatile as the navy blazer and you can combine it to a infinite amount of different outfits and styles. Personally I ended up with two pretty similar ones, same shade of mid-grey and both wool. One is of a finer fabric and has white window-pane pattern, the other one is of a thicker twill like fabric without patterns. Originally I opted for either one of the grey ones and a tan/brown one in addition, but the fit of the brown and tan ones were really off for my bodytype and the trousers were 19€ a pair so I kept both grey ones. Don’t regret it.
Since I‘m pretty small but somewhat rugged, shopping for bottoms is quite difficult. Everything slim will not fit my quads and or calves unless it‘s 4 sizes to large around the waist and most stuff is far too long for me. But that‘s pretty easily handled by a good tailor for next to zero cost.
But we wanted to talk what outfits/ styles you can get out of grey chinos so let‘s start on the casual side and let‘s work our way up to outfits that a suitable if you mean business.
One the casual side, only thing you really have to do is slap on a plain white t-shirt and some white court sneakers and you already look stylish compared to most of your peers. If you find yourself in the colder months, just throw a plain or a cable-knit sweater over it. Or if you want to show the shirt, a cardigan or even a blazer.
Level up this simple style with swapping the t-shirt for a button-down or dress shirt. You can keep wearing the sneaker with that outfit or make I a bit more classy by going for some casual leather shoe, like loafers, boat shoes or monk straps. A black/ navy Chelsea or desert boot can also look quite amazing.
As for layering, the same stays true when wearing a shirt. Put a cardigan or knit sweater above and you look even more sophisticated, or like old money, as some would describe it. Wear a navy blazer or a grey/ blue/ brown sports coat and you are already dressed well enough for every office or for a date night in a really fancy location. Darker shirts like black, charcoal or navy keep it a bit more interesting and casual, white or light blue shirts will be more suitable for the working hours.
This is one of my staple outfits, personal uniform so to speak, grey chinos, light colored shirt, navy blazer. I tend to pair it with sneakers or loafers, but oxfords or derbies work just the same. Keep it interesting and varied by adding accessories like pocket squares, watches or bracelets, or, my favorite, a tie.
Bonus layering options that look dashing for the outdoors:
Enjoy your day! Enjoy hunting for good fitting, good quality pieces to expand your wardrobe, play around with different combinations and see how it impacts your mood and your self confidence!
Today‘s outfit for a day off. Drove the kids to the city for new sneakers, books and a bubble tea. I really like the style of „classic“ coats with a clean hoody beneath it. Could have gone for my navy wool coat as well, but since it rained from time to time the trench coat was the better choice. All my chinos were still either in the washing machine or not yet washed so I had to wear jeans, even if I despise those for other occasions aside from walking the dog. Enough for today, since he is already waiting
Have a nice day!
Off today for the mountains, visiting the zoo. Not pictured the down jacket, that will be needed for 10 degree Celsius. Hopefully sun will be showing to some degree.
Enjoy your Tuesday!
When embarking on your journey to upgrade your personal style don‘t become a victim to fast fashion and trends. In times of social media it‘s even easier to have sheer endless options of inspiration and ideas than it was 10 or 20 years ago, when you had to browse through magazines or stores to get a grasp on what to wear.
But on the other hand, standing out with a classic, stylish wardrobe as a man in today‘s times is much easier as well, as it has been for past generations.
Don‘t worry about wearing your favorite pieces often. Most people won‘t really recognize, if you wore the same jacket or suit 3-5 times a week. Everybody is pretty much focused completely on themselves. If you look well put together, clean and your clothes fit your silhouette nicely, it‘s enough for a great first impression.
When buying items, go for quality and fit over trend or amount. Don‘t look what you need to buy next, but dig what doesn’t quite cut it from a fit perspective , has too much wear or simply doesn’t make you feel confident. Set yourself a rule when to buy additional pieces (seasonal sales, birthdays or equivalent) and keep a number of total items you want to own in the back of your head.
It will be liberating, to have less choices and if the ones you can make all make you feel your absolute best, that‘s a second upside to it.
Dress to impress, you need less for it than you might think.
post scriptum: pictures borrowed from Tim Ferriss‘ book the 4-hour work week.
Sebastian Strobl 