Key Takeaways
Breaking the Brown Colour Barrier: Understand why the 'no brown in town' rule is outdated and how brown suits can enhance your wardrobe.
Shoe and Belt Coordination: Learn why perfectly matching shoes and belts isn't always necessary for a cohesive look.
Mixing Navy and Black: Discover the stylish potential of combining navy and black in your outfits.
Brown and Black Pairings: Find out how to effectively pair brown and black for a modern aesthetic.
The Flexibility of Metal Accessories: Embrace mixing metals in watches, cufflinks, and more for a contemporary style.
Rethinking Double-Breasted Suits: See how double-breasted suits can be styled for various body types, not just slim figures.
The Art of Buttoning Double-Breasted Jackets: Learn the modern approach to buttoning double-breasted jackets for a relaxed look.
The Timeless Rule: Emphasize the importance of personal intuition in style choices - if it looks right to you, it is right.
Breaking the Mold: Challenging Traditional Men's Style Rules
In the ever-evolving world of men's fashion, discerning which style rules to follow can be a daunting task. However, it's important to recognize that many of these rules are not only outdated but can be freely broken to embrace a more personal and contemporary style. In this context, we discuss seven antiquated men's style rules that can be disregarded, along with one that remains timeless.
The Outdated Rule of No Brown in Town
No Brown in Town: This archaic rule dictated that brown was not suitable for city or professional settings, reserving it for casual, country wear. Today, this notion is completely outdated. Brown suits have emerged as a sophisticated and versatile choice, offering an excellent alternative to the traditional navy. They pair effortlessly with a range of colors, proving that the 'no brown in town' rule is one you can confidently break.
Matching Shoes and Belt: A Rule to Rethink
Matching Shoes and Belt: While theoretically, matching your shoes and belt creates visual harmony, in practice, it's an impractical and costly rule. With an array of shoe shades like black, brown, oxblood, and more, finding an exact belt match for each is near impossible and unnecessarily expensive. A pragmatic approach is to have a black belt for black shoes and a medium brown belt for most other colors. For casual styles, incorporating a fabric D-ring belt can add a laid-back yet stylish touch. Thus, obsessing over perfectly matching your belt to your shoes is a rule you can comfortably sidestep.
Navy and Black: A Stylish Pairing
Don't Mix Navy and Black: Contrary to popular belief, navy and black can be mixed harmoniously in menswear. The combination of black shoes with a dark navy suit, for example, is entirely appropriate and maintains the desired level of formality. Even in the case of a midnight blue tuxedo, pairing it with black shoes is not just acceptable, but stylish. The only caveat to this rule is the pairing of black dress shoes with dark blue jeans, which can appear discordant. Thus, avoiding navy and black together is a rule you can comfortably break.
Brown and Black: A Modern Combination
Don't Mix Brown and Black: This rule, cautioning against the pairing of brown and black, is another that can be disregarded. The key to successfully combining these colors lies in choosing the right shade of brown to create a pleasing contrast with black. For instance, pairing black jeans with chestnut Chelsea boots, a tan sweater, and a light brown trucker jacket can result in a sophisticated and cohesive look. Therefore, the notion of not mixing brown and black is outdated and can be broken to achieve a modern, stylish aesthetic.
Mixing Metals: A Contemporary Approach
Don't Mix Metals: The rule of keeping all metals in an outfit uniform is another that doesn't hold up in contemporary fashion. While it's true that matching metals can create a sense of harmony, it's not a necessity for a well-put-together look. For instance, pairing a steel watch with a gold wedding band is perfectly acceptable, as is wearing a two-tone watch. This rule may be relevant in formal settings like black tie events, but for everyday wear, mixing metals is perfectly fine.
Double-Breasted Suits: Not Just for Slim Men
Double-Breasted Suits Are Only for Slim Men: This rule stems from the belief that double-breasted suits add width due to their fabric and design, making them unsuitable for men who aren't slim. However, this is a misconception. The fit of a double-breasted suit can be tailored to suit various body types. Adjustments such as positioning the buttons closer together or designing the lapels to slope downwards can mitigate the width-creating effect. Therefore, the rule that double-breasted suits are exclusively for slim men is outdated and can be confidently broken.
Buttoning Double-Breasted Jackets: A Flexible Rule
Always Button an Entire Double-Breasted Jacket: Traditionally, it's been advised to button all the buttons on a double-breasted jacket. This rule, however, does not align with the versatility and casual potential of modern tailoring. Leaving the bottom button undone or even the entire jacket unbuttoned, if done with the right menswear mannerisms, can give a double-breasted jacket a more relaxed and contemporary feel. This approach breaks the convention but adds a touch of individuality to the outfit.
The Timeless Rule: If It Looks Right, It Is Right
The Timeless Rule - If It Looks Right, It Is Right: Above all, the most important rule in men's style is to trust your intuition. If an outfit feels right and looks right to you, it is right. Style is inherently personal and subjective, and developing a sense of what works best for you is crucial. This guiding principle transcends all traditional rules and formulas, emphasizing the importance of personal style and confidence.
These style rules, once deemed unbreakable, are now mere guidelines in the modern sartorial landscape. Understanding which rules to follow and which to break can empower you to develop a more personal, confident style that resonates with the contemporary fashion ethos.
At Westwood Hart, we champion the art of individual style and the breaking of traditional fashion norms. Our collections cater to the modern man who values both innovation and timeless elegance in menswear. Westwood Hart is more than just a brand; it's a statement of personal style, offering bespoke, custom, and authentic pieces that redefine men's fashion. Embrace the freedom to express yourself with our range of suits, accessories, and wardrobe essentials. Let Westwood Hart guide your fashion journey, as you explore and define what style means to you. Discover the difference with Westwood Hart – where every piece is a blend of tradition, modernity, and individuality.