How to Buy Jeans for the Fashionable Man

A friend of mine recently got in contact with me and presented me with a dilemma.  He's been reading the blog and has picked up on a few of the ideas I've presented here, but still has an issue with finding jeans that look good.  The biggest problem with finding great jeans is that there is such a variety out there, it's hard to sift through the mountains of denim available at nearly every retailer.  Well I think I can help with this quick guide on how to find great jeans.

It's All About Fit

The great thing about denim is that it stretches and forms to your body. Notice how when you pull on a pair of year old jeans they feel better than when you bought them? That's because the denim has had time to contour around your hips and ass to fit perfectly. However this only works if your jeans actually fit. Hence, you should be buying your jeans just slightly tight. You should still be able to button them up, but they should be snug. After you buy them, wear them relentlessly.

That said, with the countless variations of "fit" that retailers advertise it can be hard to decide which to go with. Try them all on. There's no one "right fit" because everyone has different shaped legs. However try to avoid anything with "relaxed", "baggy" or "loose" names. I tend to stick to fits that say "classic", "straight", "slim" or something along those lines. Boot cut is a source of contention for me, I think they look terrible unless you are wearing boots but there are plenty who would disagree with me.

Express Slim Fit Rocco Jean - Dark Rinse

Don't Wash them Every Week
In fact, you don't need to even wash them every year. I'm guessing the germaphobe readers are cringing right now, but let me present to you Exhibit A. In the article, the amount of bacteria between a pair of jeans that were worn for 15 months straight and one worn for 2 weeks was compared. Guess what? It was about the same. So get over thinking that you need to wash denim every week, month or 6 months. Plus, washing your jeans is going to kill that fit you've been working for and you'll be right back at square one. If you spill something on your jeans, just try to spot clean the area as well as you can before resorting to the machine. If the denim is getting a little stinky you can spray it with some Febreze and you'll be in the clear.

Gap 1969 Skinny Fit Jeans - Raw Indigo

Should My Jeans Have Jewels?
No. Your jeans should not have jewels, crosses, diamonds, pyramid studs, or any other accent that makes you look like a model out of an Affliction catalog. Your jeans shouldn't have pre-made tears, rips or holes in them either. That will come with time and when that time comes you should be tossing those ripped up jenas. Keep your jeans simple, with a standard 5 pocket design. If you want your jeans to be versatile, I recommend going for a darker wash like original blue or dark denim. You'll be able to wear them on casual friday, out on the town and everywhere in between.

Levi's 511 Skinny Jeans - Clean Dark

Don't let fancy brand names fool you, you don't have to spend $200 on a pair of jeans to get something that looks great. All of the choices above are under $70, easy on your wallet. You'll be able to pair any of these witha leather jacket, a shirt and tie, loafers, oxfords, sneakers, navy blazer, almost anything really.

Thanks for reading. As always, be dapper.

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Dress Up Your Wrist with a Classic Watch

I love watches, but I'm pretty convinced that most guys are under the impression that a watch needs to be gigantic to look good.  How wrong they are, slimmed down watches are a classic look and should be a part of any man's ensemble.  I know that watches really aren't a necessity anymore, your cellphone is your time keeper and nothing is going to change that.  However they still look great with a suit and give you an added touch of sophistication.  I'll go over some things to keep in mind for your next watch in this article and where you can find them.

Ditch the Metal Band, You Want Leather

Wearing a watch with a metal band is a little like having a car that is all chrome, it's just too much. Leather helps balance out the metal accents of your watch and is much more understated. I recommend at least having two bands you can switch between (if not two watches) for black and brown leather. Match them to your shoes if you can. Also, keep the band slim, you're not trying to look like a rockstar. Below is an excellent example from Timex.

Timex Easy Reader

You Don't Need 15 Dials

Too many watches have crowded faces, which simply makes them look busy. You don't need to know what time it is in Cairo, you don't need to time your walk to the bathroom and you really don't even need the date (this one I'll accept if it's the only other thing on the face.) Bottom line: keep it clean and minimal. It will draw less attention to the watch and you are wearing a watch as an accent piece, not the focal point of your wardrobe. This watch from Calvin Klein shows off how to keep your timepiece simple.

Calvin Klein Concept Strap Watch

Keep the Case Slim

Once again, your watch is an accent piece, having it stick out an inch from your wrist doesn't really accomplish that. Also, it's going to get in the way if your watch face is gigantic and you'll end up taking it off by the end of the day. If you have any doubts, try it on with your suit jacket. Does it slip into the sleeve or make it bunch up around your wrist? If you're struggling to get your jacket back around the watch, it's too big.  The Bulova watch below is slim enough to make sure you show your watch when you want to, not all the time.

Bulova Men's Dress Watch

One of the great things about getting a slim leather banded watch is that it is so versatile. It's going to look great with your suit, and if you want to dress it down you can pick up a nylon strap with some color for less than $30. Do you have a great watch that you love to wear? If so I'd love to see it, shoot some pictures to bedapper@blogspot.com and you might be featured in a future article.

Thanks for reading. As always, be dapper.

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Buying a Slim Fit Shirt - Say No To the Pirate Shirt!

Let's be honest, we've all worn the kind of shirts that just love to puff out in the back and make you look like you have the physique of a marshmallow.  Well today is the day to stop, I'm going to borrow heavily from the GQ article featured here because it is a great guide on how to find a great slim fit shirt.

Step 1: Not all slim fit shirts are created equal

This is one of the most difficult parts of buying a slim fitting shirt that you won't have to have tailored, the actual way a shirt fits you is going to vary widely between brands.  My best advice is to try a whole variety of different brands until you find one that fits you perfectly.  I personally love the Express 1MX Fitted Shirt, they are not too expensive and the variety in the past few years has expanded dramatically.  H&M is another great place for a cheap slim fit shirt, however if you want something that will last a little longer you can find slim shirts from Boss, Banana Republic, Gucci, Ralph Lauren and more.  See how well this shirt fits below and the slim look it gives.

Step 2: "It feels too tight" - Get over it

When you start shopping for a slim fit shirt, it's possible that you are going to be uncomfortable in it at first.  It will feel too tight around the arms, you might feel like your love handles are showing or maybe even that your shoulders feel constrained.   Chances are you have been wearing shirts that are too big for you in the first place your whole life, so it will take some time to get used to it.  If you don't think you can handle it, take a look at the picture below between a slim fit shirt and a standard puffed out shirt.  Who do you want to look like?

Step 3: Keep your slim shirt fitting perfectly

Nothing will kill how much you love a slim fit shirt like having it shrink up on you if you wash it incorrectly.  Trust me, you will go from admiring your new look to wondering how you gained 10 pounds overnight when a slim fit shirt shrinks up.  Wash white and light colors in a hot wash, dark shirts should be in cold water.  I recommend hang drying your shirts if at all possible but understandably this isn't possible for some households.  If you have to use the dryer, use it to get most of the moisture out of the shirt and then iron the shirt immediately.  You will get remove the rest of the moisture and any wrinkles this way.

I can't count how many guys I see that ruin a great look by wearing a dress shirt that is way too big for them.  By taking some time to examine how a shirt fits you and knowing what to look for you will make a big impact on your wardrobe.  Once again, I really recommend this article from GQ.  It has a lot of great looks and should give you an idea on where to start with picking a slim fit shirt

Thanks for reading.  As always, be dapper.

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