Do you want the best opportunities and the respect other guys don't get? You need to know the best clothing hacks other guys don't.
Using subtle hacks, people won't consciously notice you're doing anything different. They'll just notice you look more powerful, competent and attractive than the next guy. Sound like something you'd be interested in? Read on for the 17 best clothing hacks for guys I'm sharing with you today:
- Leverage Your Pockets
- Hang Your Woven Shirts
- Use Color Like Salt
- Level up with accessories
- Match To Look Taller
- Cut Down On Dry-Cleaning
- Travel In Your Heavy Shoes
- Straight Lace Dress Shoes
- Look More Muscular
- Shop For Quality
- Recycle To Save
- Photograph Your Hair
- Use A Shoe Extender
- Use Garters
- Shop In Advance
- Shave Your Sweaters
- Wear No-Show Socks
Clothing Hack #1 Choose The Right Style Of Pockets For You
Do your chinos or dress pants look like you've got ears on your hips? Gaping pockets making your hips look wider?
That's most likely for one of three reasons: your pants are too tight, you're wearing them too close to the hips, or you chose the wrong pocket style.
Pants pockets come in three flavors:
- Vertical pockets – often seen on dress pants. This style is the most likely to flare out if the pants don't fit correctly. To fix this, either have them tailored to fit you better, or take the nuclear option and stitch the pockets shut.
- Front pockets – a slanted style seen on some dress slacks. Choose these over vertical pockets – they're much less likely to flare out.
- Western pockets – also known as horizontal pockets. Commonly seen on jeans and chinos, this one will not flare out at all and is my favorite pocket style.
Clothing Hack #2 Store Shirts Properly For Longer Life
We've gotten rid of your ‘hip ears', now let's get rid of your ‘shoulder nipples'. You know when you take a polo or t-shirt off a hanger and it's got a bump on each shoulder point? That's because it should never have been on a hanger.
You don't need complex clothing hacks to avoid shoulder nipples on all of your shirts.
To avoid shoulder nipples, HANG your woven shirts and FOLD your knitted shirts.
What's the difference? Woven fabrics don't stretch as easily as knits. Woven shirts are generally dress shirts or button-downs. Knits are your t-shirts, polos, and sweaters.
If you do hang your knitwear, pick a cedar wood hanger with broad shoulders. Plastic hangers weaken and sag over time, stretching and potentially permanently damaging what you hang on them.
Clothing Hack #3 Don't Go Overboard With Color
I like to equate color with salt. You add a bit of it to pull out the flavor of the dish, not to overpower it.
Use neutrals (including the more muted shades of blue) as a main dish, and then add bold pops of color as an accent.
For example, a mid-blue sports jacket with a light blue shirt and a white pocket square looks a little bland. But season it with an orange pocket square and it brings out the flavor of the outfit.
That takes us to the next of my best clothing hacks for guys: accessories.
Clothing Hack #4 Use Accessories To Up Your Style Game
The right accessory can level up your outfit. A watch can make a simple outfit feel complete.
A sports jacket without a pocket square looks naked – so does a French cuff shirt without cuff links. If you like something then don't be afraid to bring it into your style.
Clothing Hack #5 Use The Right Fit To Appear Taller
Choose the right fits and colors for you. If you've got short legs, which a lot of shorter guys do, you're gonna want to lengthen your leg line.
Want to look taller? Match your belt and shoes with your pants. The unbroken color will make your legs look longer.
Another of my favorite clothing hacks for shorter guys is to never wear an oversized jacket – especially a sports jacket, suit jacket, or even a leather jacket.
The normal rule of thumb for the length of a jacket is that it should cover the bottom curvature of your buttocks, but if you're a shorter guy it can be an inch higher. That will look better for your proportions.
Clothing Hack #6 Only Dry Clean Your Clothing When It's Dirty
I know this one seems too obvious to be on a list of best clothing hacks, but a lot of guys who don't wear suits very often will wear them once and then send them off to the cleaners. The problem is, dry-cleaning is very rough on your clothing.
Think of your clothing like a video game character – it's only got so many lives.
So with the suits, sports jackets, blazers, even your nice sweaters – you only need to dry clean them when they're dirty. This will probably be in the neighborhood of every 15 to 20 wears or once a season.
Another quick tip – always dry clean wool clothing before you store it. If you do that and then put it in an airtight container, you won't need to worry about moth damage.
Clothing Hack #7 Lighten Your Luggage With Strategic Packing
As you're packing your bag to get on a plane, put the heaviest pair of shoes you plan to bring aside and wear them for the flight. It will make your luggage a bit lighter, and there will be one less weighty item in your bag that can put creases in your clothes.
Pack lighter pairs of shoes in the bottom of your luggage, and be sure to use a shoe bag so you don't have to worry about any dust or dirt getting on your clothes.
Clothing Hack #8 Understand Straight Lacing Vs Cross Lacing
Straight lacing is always going to be more formal. This is what you want on your dress shoes.
Cross lacing shoes adds stability. It will hold better so they're less likely to need tying again, but it should be reserved for casual wear.
Clothing Hack #9 Use The Right Fit To Appear More Muscular
If you've got very sloped shoulders or a relatively slim upper body, learn to layer clothing in such a way as to create the illusion of broader shoulders.
Contrasting fabric or details such as epaulets will also make your shoulders look broader.
If you've got a really big upper body one of your best clothing hacks is to look for Raglan sleeves, which will give you a more sloped shoulder.
Clothing Hack #10 Learn How To Spot High-Quality Menswear
So you're out shopping and you think you've found an amazing deal, but you're not sure if this shirt, or pair of shoes, or pair of jeans is really going to last.
The key to identifying quality is to look at the materials that were used and the way they were put together.
Check the small details – the material used for the buttons on a shirt, whether the stitching is tight, and whether there are any loose threads on the inside. If a dress shirt is tightly stitched and well-finished, with mother-of-pearl buttons and removable collar stays, you can be fairly sure the manufacturer hasn't cut any corners.
Clothing Hack #11 Want A Stiff Collar? Try Plastic Cards
As stylish men, one of the last things we want is a flimsy collar. There are certainly tough metal stays for sale out there, but they can range anywhere between $10 and $20.
Still have that rewards card that you never use?
Any plastic card you have on hand can be just as effective at keeping that collar stiff as an overpriced set. Plastic is overall a much better alternative to metal stays, which can damage your shirt if you happen to leave them in while washing.
Clothing Hack #12 Get A Perfect Haircut By Taking Photos
This one is easy but it's one of the best clothing hacks most guys will never think to try. If you love what your barber did, keep a record of it for the future.
Make sure to take a few pictures, you can even ask your barber to record a simple video of your new look from a few angles while explaining key aspects of it.
To always have perfect-looking hair, arrange a standing appointment with your barber every month or couple of months. You'll never be caught looking scruffy the day before an important event.
Clothing Hack #13 Loosen Shoes With A Shoe Extender
Did you love a pair of dress shoes too much to leave behind, even if they were just short of your size? The solution is simpler than you might think.
A Shoe Extender is perfect if that new pair is just a little too tight. It works best with men’s dress shoes made of leather or suede. By saturating the shoes with the right liquid and turning the knob until you feel some resistance, the shoe can expand a half-size.
A blow dryer on shoes may sound unusual but it’s perfect for men who just have a problem with certain tight spots in their shoes. To do this you just need to slip on some thick, wool socks and wear the shoes. Use the blow dryer to blow heat directly into the tight spot for five-ten minutes.
The heat from the dryer together with the thickness of the wool work to shape your shoes to your feet. Behold, you don't regret that purchase anymore!
Cedar shoe trees will help your shoes stay in shape after adjustments.
Clothing Hack #14 Garters Keep Your Shirt Tucked All Day
Nobody wants a muffin top…or the illusion of one. In order to keep your shirt tucked in all day, shirt garters (also known as dress shirt stays) are one of those little details that can save the hassle of reaching your hand down your pants every 30 minutes.
The concept of shirt stays originated with military dress uniforms. They clip to your shirttails and the tops of your socks and then you adjust them so that both are held taut. This keeps your socks and shirt both neat.
Shirt garters are the same concept with a slightly different design. They're worn around your leg and only clip to your shirt. They allow a bit more freedom of movement, but not the sock-straightening benefit.
Either variety is a huge help when you need to look polished, especially if you can’t have the shirt tailored.
Clothing Hack #15 Shop For The Future
Find a shirt, pair of jeans, etc. that REALLY works for you? Buy two. Buy three or four if you can. That's right, one of the best clothing hacks for guys is buying multiples.
Even the best clothes inevitably wear out. In five years or ten years, you don’t want to be stuck searching for an elusive replacement for your favorite Henley.
Buying in multiples saves you time, energy, and heartache. It means you can be comfortable with more of your wardrobe more of the time.
Clothing Hack #16 Shave Your Sweaters
Shave the pilling off a sweater to get more wears out of it. As the style law of value states, the more wears you get out of a garment, the better value it is.
Just like when you shave your face, you need to be careful not to cause injuries. Leave the straight razor in the bathroom and use a new, sharp disposable razor.
Lay the cloth on a flat surface and hold it tightly with one hand. With the other hand, razor over the pills with short, quick strokes. Be careful around seams, and don’t press too hard.
Clothing Hack #17 Wear No-Show Socks
Long dress socks are the classic, safe go-to in menswear. When it comes to casual ensembles, however, it's worth having a little ankle action and trying no-show socks.
When are these especially appropriate? With men's loafers and shorts in the summer.
Wearing shoes that show off much of the foot look awkward with dress socks. They'll also feel much hotter in the summer.
You still don't want to go sock-less and subject have the sweat from your feet damage the shoes.
No-show socks are a perfect balance.
This is the perfect way to drive home that relaxed, country club aesthetic.
BONUS CLOTHING HACK: Polish Your Shoes Immediately After Wearing Them
By cleaning and shining your shoes after wearing them, you address any dirt or scuffs well before they could be a problem. It gives your shoes a nice shine ready for when you next wear them.
It also adds structure to your day and it saves you panicking when you need a pair of shoes at short notice.
Here are the basic steps:
- ALWAYS remove the laces before shining. You don't want the polish getting on them.
- Use a dry brush or rag to clean off any dirt before polishing.
- Apply a leather conditioner to the shoe prior to moisturize.
- Choose a polish that is the same as your shoe color. If unsure, then opt for clear polish.
- Apply the cream polish with a horsehair brush. Cream polish serves to nourish the leather. Horsehair is stiff but just soft enough not to scratch the leather.
- Use beeswax turpentine polish in order to add some luster. THIS is what shines the shoe.
- Sprinkle some water on the shoe and buff using a horsehair brush.
Gents, there you have it – 17 of the best clothing hacks for guys and a bonus for you! Many of these aren't at all difficult but most guys wouldn't even think to do them. Combine several of these together and your style game will instantly improve.
Click below to watch the video – 10 Clothing Tricks Most Guys Don't Know
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