Wear that Print: Stripes
With so many different types of patterns available in the world of fabrics and clothing, it should come as no surprise that all this choice may seem overwhelming for most men. After all, some of the prints commonly found in men’s fashion can be intimidating and difficult to wear in an effective manner; especially for individuals who are hesitant about wearing them to begin with. One of the most versatile and easy-to-wear prints that you’re likely to stumble upon in the world of men’s fashion is the striped pattern. Just about everyone wears stripes as part of an ensemble every once in a while, often without even noticing. The following are just a few tips for helping you to incorporate stripes into just about any ensemble, and are ideal for those who are new to this pattern.
Stick With Vertical Stripes
When working towards incorporating stripes into your look, you’ll likely be faced with the choice between vertical or horizontal patterns. While horizontal stripes can no doubt be effective, they tend to be more difficult to pull off than their vertical counterparts. Vertical stripes can help to make you look taller than you might actually be, and tend to the subtler of the two options. In addition, vertical stripes provide the optical illusion of making one appear thin, which is ideal for anyone who is carrying around a few extra pounds. Horizontal stripes provide the exact opposite effect, and should be avoided by anyone who isn’t thin and trim.
Thin Stripes are Best
The thickness of the stripes that you wear can dramatically impact your appearance, no matter what type of ensemble you incorporate them into. The fact is, wide stripes are almost always less fashionable than those which are thin, and are typically the lesser of the two options. Thin stripes are subtle, and have the ability to get the point across without drawing too much attention to one’s ensemble. Wide stripes, on the other hand, often stand to turn heads for the wrong reasons. Typically the larger the clothing item, the thinner the stripes will be. A good example is the pin striped suit compared to wide striped ties.
Pinstripe Pants Can be Very Effective
One of the first items of clothing that someone who is new to wearing stripes should set out to own is a quality pair of pinstripe pants. Pinstripe pants can be very effective when worn correctly, and are versatile enough to wear within the confines of both an office environment and your favorite night club. Pair with a solid-colored shirt and sports jacket for best results.
Avoid Mixing Stripes
A lot of men don’t realize how disastrous it can be to an ensemble to mix clothing elements that feature different stripe patterns. While some people might feel comfortable wearing a striped shirt under a pinstriped suit, the chances that clashing might occur are quite high. As a result, those who are new to wearing stripes should avoid mixing them in order to decrease the chance of committing a fashion faux pas. As you become more comfortable with wearing stripes, you might want to consider experimenting to see if you can mix two or more striped items without creating a disconnect. Our tip for mixing different striped patterns: Choose striped patterns that are different in size!
Other Suggested Articles:
Guide to Combining Multiple Plaid Patterns
101 on Matching Ties
Your Mens-Ties.com Team