7 Tips To Level-Up Style On A Budget
Antonio Centeno
I Help Men Earn More Money By Leveraging The Science Of Style - Founder Real Men Real Style
Wanna know the #1 excuse I get…
when I ask people why they can’t dress sharp?
Can you guess?
Money…
“I can’t afford it…”
Gentleman…
This excuse is a MYTH…
In reality, the simplest changes…
in the smallest details…
…can take your style from good to GREAT.
You can dress like a star without spending lots of money.
Don’t believe it? Try these 7 style hacks and see for yourself.
Style Tip #1 – Focus On The FIT
It’s a simple fact that anything in your wardrobe looks better when it fits you perfectly. And as long as you understand how to dress for your body type, you can figure out exactly what needs adjusting in each item of clothing.
You don’t have to think about shopping right away – first take look at your shirts and trousers individually. You can easily have your clothes altered if you notice any of these flaws:
- Sleeves that are too long
- Excess fabric at the torso area
- Too little/much room in the seat of the pants
A successful altering can make all the difference between an ill-fitted and a perfectly fitted version of the same garment.
Does it cost money? Yes, but remember that you’d still have to spend more on a brand new item. There’s no reason to discard and replace something that only needs some tweaking on the seams.
Style Tip #2 – Find Quality Brands That Are Affordable
This one is self-explanatory. The reality is not all quality items have to make a dent in your savings.
The trick is to know which brands offer such items. So that’s where it really helps to browse this site and subscribe to RMRS
For instance – you might want a quality dress watch to add extra flair to your suit or formal wear – showing you have a sharper sense of style than the other men in the room.
That’s what makes Vincero dress watches a great choice. Not only are they super affordable – but they’re made to accentuate a classy look.
The best part is no matter how much you age or gain weight – a Vincero watch will always be useful. There’s nothing about it that looks showy or overdone. It’s simply elegant 24/7.
Style Tip #3 – Change The Knot Of Your Tie
To get a better style without spending much, you’ll need a different currency – time. You can’t amp up your next outfit without taking the time to figure things out.
That’s the case for neckties. It’s tempting to put on your tie the same way you’ve done all your life – but you’ll never know what a new knot can do for you.
Here’s a list of 18 different tie knots – together with infographics – which you may want to study.
Be patient, commit to the challenge and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the results. A new knot for your tie tomorrow might feel like you’ve transformed your style into a totally new kind.
Style Tip #4 – Change The Color Of Your Shoelaces
There’s a saying that women can tell a lot about men by their shoes. And I 100% agree. Your shoes are the last thing people expect you take care of.
So if you’re like me and polish your footwear every week – excellent! Keep up the good work.
But if you want your shoe style to go up a notch, I recommend that you spend a tiny bit of money. Not for new shoes – but shoelaces of a new color. All you need is $10. No joke.
You can find waxed cotton colored laces that are cheap but effective. They revitalize your shoes as if they’ve turned into a totally new pair. People at work and your wife will notice it… and be impressed.
Style Tip #5 – Change Your Grooming
Hair plays a big part in your style. In fact, it’s one of the more underestimated assets. Think about it – your face is the first thing everybody sees (since we’re hardwired to look people in the eye).
Find a hairstyle to complement your face and showcase your personality. If you pick some random style, you’ll blow your chances of a killer first impression.
You may want to be aware of today’s men’s hairstyles that women love most. I can tell you what several forums, articles and Reddit threads would all agree on – a great haircut equals a more attractive guy.
You can also try something different in terms of facial hair. If you normally have a beard, try shaving it for once.
Or if you’re so used to shaving regularly, consider growing a beard (unless it’s inappropriate for your line of work). Who knows – you may end up getting more compliments and feeling more confident because of this change to your face.
Style Tip #6 – Get Rid Of Bad Clothing
Sometimes, we see 1 or 2 shirts or pairs of pants that don’t fit us at all… and they can spoil the whole bunch. It might dawn on us that we suddenly lack good clothes – when the truth is we simply haven’t taken out the trash.
That’s right – clothes that have no chance of being altered well are pretty much trash. Put these clothes in a donation box or hand them over to those who may have a use for them. Clear the clutter in your closet by minimizing the number of options for your PERFECT pieces.
By taking the time to do this, you’ll be able to think strategically with the good stuff you do own. You can start to build an interchangeable wardrobe – which will make your style decisions and dressing-up routines much easier. And that’s also going to help you become a better shopper.
Style Tip #7 – Be Confident
There’s also a mental side to being stylish. You want to exude as much confidence as possible – without acting conceited. This is where you impress people using attitude first, wardrobe second.
Learn how to act more confident. Find that little bit of courage to initiate conversations. Smile and say hello to people right away. Introduce yourself and offer a handshake.
These actions have a positive impact on your mindset… and your style suddenly looks even better. People will notice you more and see you as the cool guy in the room.
You can also try some “high power poses” that Harvard psychologist Amy Cuddy describes in a scientific study. As discussed on her TED Talk, Cuddy was able to link certain poses to people feeling more confident, less stressed and more willing to take risks.
These poses aren’t complicated at all – some require you to stand tall like Superman, or extend your arms like you just crossed the finish line. Try a little bit each day to help grow your confidence.
Bonus Tip – Keep Learning About Style
Confidence reflects a strong mind. But do you know what fuels the mind? Knowledge. So with the time you’re willing to spend on improving your style – you want to keep reading up.
You’ll see on the website that I offer some free e-books on men’s style – grooming, hair, shoes, hat and sunglasses and other topics. They’re all great sources of information. I love helping people out – that’s why they’re free to download.
You can also study the core of men’s fashion, why certain colors/textures work or don’t work – by signing up for my premium products online. These courses cover an extensive range of topics like essential style habits, personal image, plus the role of clothing throughout history.
Executive Sales Leader, Advisory Board Member.
8 年Take some pride in the way you look - it is your brand and a sure sign of your confidence. Nothing like being complimented by women for your look -yes even if you are happliy married! It is in our nature to want to impress....