Photography by Mati Ankari of The Metro Man
Blazer: Thomas Pink
Shirt: Thomas Pink
Jeans: H&M
Wingtips (Mr. B’s @ Aldo)
Cufflinks (Brooklyn Flea)
“It’s getting’ hot in here! So take off all yo clothes!” was the famous piece of advice Nelly uttered to the world back in 2004. Although we are highly tempted to take the southern rapper’s words to heart this summer, there are a few pieces of clothing all of us men should have on.
We can all agree that we can sometimes get a little too comfortable in our perfectly fitted white t-shirts, care-free gym shorts and favorite pair of sunglasses. Even though there is a time and a place to rock your most comfortable outfit, what should you wear to look like an absolute boss?
This summer many male celebrities, socialites and public figures have encountered a few trials and errors when it comes to what to (or what not to) wear this stylish summer and the tribe has spoken. Listed below is a brief breakdown of the five main things that every guy must have in his closet if he is looking to catch everyone’s attention on the streets of success.
1. The Classic Navy Blazer
Nothing screams Upper East Side sophistication like a navy blue blazer. From the sidewalks of the Hamptons all the way to the streets of affluent Beverly Hills, these blazers have been a well-received tradition. Make sure your blazer is well fitted and tailored to the proportions of your body. The jacket should tug the shoulders just right, the sleeves should fall right to the wrist and you can even spice it up by going double breasted if your feeling adventurous. The navy blue blazer is the staple to any professional man’s wardrobe.
2. Woven Buttoned Shirt
Now, this is where you can have some fun! You must pick a shirt that fits your personal style, swagger and personality. If you like plaid, go plaid! Some guys like crazy bright spectrums; others prefer the basic monochromatic color scheme. If the suns out and you want your bulked up guns out get a short-sleeved shirt to show off your hard work. This is the part of your sleek outfit where you can be creative and show people who you are and how you’re feeling. Always remember, this is your look never let anyone stop you from being yourself.
3. Blue Jeans
I am assuming that every man living in modern day civilization has owned a pair of their “favorite jeans.” This valuable piece of denim should fit you as if it were made for you and only you. The way it buttons around your waist, the tapering down the thigh and the cuffing along side your ankle. Every aspect of your newly purchased two-legged friend should show the world that the endless amount of dead-lifts and lunges are finally paying off. Light wash jeans have been in style since well, never, so make sure you go for the navy dark washed in order to get it right. And no, destroyed jeans are not an option. Yes, they were cool to wear to your ex-girlfriends Sweet Sixteen but we’re all grown up now so lets put on our big boy pans, literally.
4. Wingtips
Oxford Wingtips are my personal favorite piece of the puzzle to any man’s well-crafted ensemble. But not only are they my favorite, they are also the easiest. Since you’re rocking navy blue, obviously black shoes are not an option and grey wingtips, well I’ve never seen a pair of those in my lifetime, meaning that an oaky brown would look just right! Find a style that works for the occasion, rather it is more business, hipster or just casual. After you have found the style, find your shoe size and surprisingly size does matter. Why? For example, I am a size 13/narrow and once one gets into the large/narrow sizes wingtips can start looking like clown shoes and we want to make sure you don’t snag a pair that make you look like you just earned a spot in a Circus.
5. Cufflinks
And last but not least, everyman’s trendsetting threads are not complete without a piece of well-cherished jewelry. Similar to the shirt mentioned earlier, find a pair of cufflinks that make you not only standout of the crowd but also shows people a little about who you are. You can go for gold or you can stick with traditional platinum, either way just make sure that you’re being fancy, classy and simply a boss. Yes, this is the smallest item of your jet-setting getup but the cufflinks are definitely the cherry on top of your sensational summer attire.
With all five of these things put together you will feel unstoppable while looking completely stylish. The great thing about all five of these pieces of clothing is that you can mix and match them with other items you have lying around your studio apartment or buried in your cluttered closet. You can wear them to nail an important job interview or to relax and chug a brew with the boys. It’s summer time so fit in, go out dress up and never turn down.
‘Till next time.
Brandon.