Cheap Style Updates for Men
Men’s fashion is all about the details. It’s not uncommon to have designers wax poetic about contrast stitching or artisanal fasteners. The same principle goes for guys’ clothes in general: you can be on-trend without buying the whole season’s runways, as long as you can add the right accessories and details of the times. Here’s how to save – and what to spend on – this fall.
Plaid Neckties
Stripes and solids are a tried, tested and maybe even tired theme in men’s neckties. It’s been the motif of formalwear for decades, which means that it’s probably time for you to try something new. This season is the best time to take the necktie plunge into plaid.
Plaid has been in the men’s fashion repertoire for ages, yet is often overlooked because it’s an intimidating pattern. It’s true that the results can be atrocious should the print overpower the rest of your outfit. A plaid tie, however, is the perfect way to put just the right amount of the stuff into your look to lend the outfit personality. Its understated size balances the boldness of the print. The best part: it’s not expensive. A handmade silk tie with modern plaid pattern should not cost more than $30!
A plaid tie doesn’t have to be the garish statement that many imagine. In deep colors like maroon or forest green, it can be subtle and office-appropriate. Brighter yellow and blue, meanwhile, should turn the style volume of your outfit all the way up.
Bold Socks
The truly style-savvy know that it’s the little things that matter the most: a man’s necktie fabric, shirt label or pocket squares pattern could say more about him than his resume. Hosiery has now entered that category, making your socks one of the most noticeable pieces in any outfit you wear.
Your socks offer a unique opportunity at individuality. They can be as bright, printed or garish as you like, but they will always be understated in any outfit and situation. Since your daily activities also offer just quick peeks at the patterns and colors hiding within, you can be as bold and loud with your socks as you want – all without toeing the line of dress codes or propriety.
Buy your socks like you have your neckties – there’s no such thing as too many of them. Pick up different colors and prints, and then incorporate them into your daily rotation, matching them with the rest of your outfit like you would a shirt or pocket square.
Pink
No longer seen as a strictly feminine color, pink has since become a status shade for men who are willing to push boundaries with their personal style. This season, designers and fashion writers are seeing a resurgence of pink – one that could (at least temporarily) displace that all too office-manly color, blue.
Pink check shirt, solid pink tie, pink printed socks – name a garment and it will likely look great in pink. In fact, you could sub any blue item with exactly the same garment in pink to achieve a similar (albeit slightly bolder and more fashion-forward) effect. Just like you wouldn’t wear an all-blue outfit, you wouldn’t wear an all-pink one either, for the same sartorial reasons. Inspired to wear pink? Then check out our latest collection of pink ties
The cheapest wardrobe purchases that incorporate pink include neckties, pocket squares, casual printed shirts and office socks. Any of them can be had for less than $50 a pop, but will add a punch of style worth so much more than their dollar value.
Other Related Articles from Our Blog:
Essential Mens Fashion Items
Summer 2011 Fashion Accessories for Men
Your Mens Ties Team