The average man spends $323 on new clothing every year. The American menswear market is valued at nearly $114 billion with an expected growth of 6% each year! The numbers don’t lie, more fellas are seeking men’s fashion but wondering how to style it.
If you have a mix of new and old men’s clothing but are curious about the rules to styling an outfit, this guide will walk you through creating a plethora of men’s casual outfits with ten must-have items.
You might already own some of these staples. Learn more below for tips on creating an outfit with a mix of essential apparel and men’s shoes!
1. Fashion Sneakers
Wearing your regular running sneakers with more elevated pieces is a number one fashion faux pas.
Running sneakers are designed for function and thus feature a bunch of odd-looking designs throughout. They’ll protect you from plantar fasciitis and other foot problems, but they won’t safeguard you against the worst dressed list.
That is where fashion sneakers save the day. Fashion sneakers like the Lebron Witness 4 EP feature the same level of comfort as regular trainers but are created with a design-centric focus. This means the soles feature interesting cloud-like looks, and they are often made of leather or suede uppers to give an elevated effortless cool vibe.
Every brand now has its version of the fashion sneaker. The mingling of comfort and style has made them incredibly popular for men.
If you tend to wear a lot of colors, opt for a neutral shoe in white, gray, black, or beige. If your clothing is pretty neutral you can opt for a shoe with a touch of color like a white shoe with a green swoosh.
2. The White T-Shirt
The white tee is the epitome of men’s casual outfits. It is universally flattering. It is ubiquitous, so it is easy to find one in a fabric and shape that suits you.
And the white tee shirt is just comfortable and versatile, so it removes any hassle of dressing. Many people are always searching for the perfect white tee but fail to find it.
Not having an essential white shirt can severely restrict your outfit combination opportunities. A white t-shirt easily pairs with any bottom, no matter the color, material, or fit, so it opens up a whole new opportunity for casual outfits straight from your existing wardrobe.
When shopping for a white tee, the main factors to consider are:
- Seasonality
- Fabric
- Fit
- Neckline
- Hemline (straight, curved, slit)
- Sleeves (tank, short, 3/4, long)
- Additional detailing
- Care instructions
Ideally, you’ll try on a few different styles in person to find what suits you best. Short sleeve crew necks in cotton are usually a safe bet. You can get one in a fitted style and another in an oversized longline fit.
3. Jeans
The missing link of every white tee is a good pair of denim. When it comes to denim, the most important thing is the fit.
That is what will differentiate an outfit from looking stellar to sloppy. Everyone has their preferred fit, but in general men’s jeans should be fitted but not tight to look timeless. Straight-leg jeans often help you achieve this look as they are slightly loose.
Straight-leg jeans may be dressed down or up depending on the occasion so there is some versatility there. You can own a few different washes of denim to provide versatility as well. Generally blue, black and white are the most popular colors.
Gray is also another good choice for denim. When considering denim, also think about the cut. Common cuts of denim include:
- Straight
- Bootcut
- Flare
- Cropped
- Skinny
As mentioned, straight is the most common and universally flattering option. It also elongates the legs which may make you appear taller and slimmer.
Play around with the washes and cuts to find what style suits your body type and fashion sense the most.
4. Crisp Button-Down
A crisp-button down finds itself marked more as “smart casual” which is an elevated tier of casual men’s dressing. It is not as formal as business casual.
For example, a business casual look would be a button-down with slacks and no suit jacket. A smart casual look would be a button-down with jeans.
When it comes to button-downs, they remain the best-selling item of men’s clothing to date. There is no shortage of fabrics, colors, and details to pick from when it comes to men’s shirts.
The most popular style is the oxford button down which is named after an English fabric designed in Oxford. The fabric is thicker and tougher than a traditional dress shirt and is always made with a basketweave pattern, adding to the thickness of the fabric.
This fabric has less sheen and is usually made of cotton. Most men’s button-downs are made of cotton. The weaving pattern of the yarn is what differentiates the final look of the fabric.
Some shirts a weaved thinner, others are weaved in different patterns, and all of these decisions create two completely different shirts even if they are the same yarn content. Some other popular button-down choices are:
Flannel- good for cooler months
Poplin- crisp cooling cotton that holds its shape well
Dobby- a weave where fabric pattern repeats creating little diamonds
Broadcloth- a bit more formal than poplin
Find a weave, weight, and color that you love, and keep the shirt in good shape!
5. Straight Leg Slacks
Brother to the button down is the straight leg slack. You might be thinking, “slacks are too formal”!
Not exactly.
If styled right, slacks make an excellent piece in men’s casual outfits. It’s just about balance. If you choose to wear slacks, dress them down with a white tee and sneakers. This creates an elevated yet still casual look.
You can also shop for patterned slacks which tend to be a bit more casual. For really flattering slacks, look for men’s slacks with a pintuck down the front.
This will elongate the leg and create a more put-together look for your outfit.
6. Neutral Crew Neck Sweater
As the temperatures drop, you can maintain your stylish casual dressing with some essential layering pieces. One of those pieces is a crewneck sweater.
A crewneck is just a piece of clothing with a collarless neckline. The name originates from the oarsmen and boatmen of 1939 who popularized this style of shirt and it took the name “crew” from boat crews.
A crew neck is more fitted than a scoop neck. This also makes it good for trapping the heat during the colder months. There are a few different style crew necks to consider for your closet.
Cable Knit
This is a fully knit sweater with yarns interlocking in a twisting pattern. the best way to describe this pattern is “homey.” That is why so many holiday sweaters are designed in a cable knit twist.
Because these sweaters are knit and not cut and sewn, they appear a bit more organic in textures. Cable knit sweaters come in yarns made from alpaca, wool, cotton, cashmere, or innovative sustainable yarns like kapok and seacell.
Fleece
Another option for a basic crewneck sweater is to go for a fleece sweater. These are super cozy and comfortable. But they still can be dressed up for that smart casual look.
Pair a fleece crewneck sweater with jeans or slacks and sneakers for the ultimate street style. You can also pair them with matching joggers as we’ll discuss below.
7. Matching Joggers
The sweatsuit was the ultimate uniform of 2020. The style remains going strong today as it is the perfect combination of ease, comfort, and cool.
Most sweatshirts have a matching jogger counterpart designed to “complete the outfit.” Think about buying a full sweatsuit instead of individual sweaters and joggers.
Wearing a sweater and jogger as a matching set automatically looks more put together. It also removes the stress of finding an outfit. Pair this sweatsuit with your favorite sneakers, black wayfarers, and a beanie, and you’ll have the ideal casual off-duty fall outfit.
8. Leather Jacket
A leather jacket is a must-have in anyone’s closet. A black leather jacket will provide more versatility in styling and is universally flattering.
Even within the black leather jacket world, there is an abundance of styles to select from. Bomber jackets are very popular and inspired by old-school aviator jackets. These Jackets have an exaggerated upper body that slims and tapers at the waist.
Another option for leather is the classic moto or motorcycle jacket. Inspired by motorcyclist apparel, these jackets are a pass in the cool lane. If you want something more Matrix-inspired, opt for a longline leather duster.
A duster is a jacket that grazes the floor. These are a bit more dressy, but when paired with a matching sweatsuit or jeans, pass as an elevated casual look. And the length helps keep your lower body warm too!
9. The Hoodie
Another essential casual layering piece to own is the classic hoodie. Have fun with your hoodie and find one with sentimental value.
Maybe buy a hoodie from a local business. Or get one from an upcoming travel destination.
Every brand has its version of a hoodie. And especially in the winter, when layering your hoodie under other pieces of clothing, the hood itself is the primary star.
You can add a pop of color to a neutral outfit with a tie-dye hoodie. When it comes to hoodies, three of the most popular styles for men are pullovers, zips, and cashmere options.
Pullover
This is just your basic hoodie. It may have a pocket or not. It can also have drawstrings or not.
Pullover hoodies are a great basic as you can dress them down with sweats or pair them under your leather jacket for a major fashion statement.
Zip
Zip-up hoodies tend to be a bit less fashionable, but are very practical if you live in an ever-changing climate. It’s a lot easier to just zip up or take off than a regular pullover hoodie.
Cashmere
If you want to feel like wearing a cloud, opt for a cashmere hoodie. You’ll have a hard time taking it off. Cashmere hoodies tend to be much thinner as they are knit from only one layer of yarn.
Cashmere is one of the softest materials. It is made from the long hair of goats. Make sure when shopping for cashmere to buy from ethical brands.
10. The Right Accessories
Sometimes the accessories are the pieces that make an outfit. As this guide is all about casual dressing, there won’t be any mention of bowties and loafers here. There are a few accessories every man should invest in for a complete wardrobe.
Belt
Look for belts in neutral colors that are easy to pair with. You can consider if you prefer brown, black, or some other color and try to pick a belt that compliments your favorite shoes.
Sunnies
Sunglasses shape your face and can drastically shift the mood of an outfit. Some favorite casual shapes for men include aviators, wayfarers, and rounded lenses.
Watch
Complete your look by being fashionably on time. A watch is a classic accessory that is often associated with organization and power. You can find many stylish value watches or invest in a timeless piece like a Rolex or Tag Heuer.
Men’s Casual Outfits Made Easy With These Ten Staples
Building a variety of men’s casual outfits is easy with these ten staples in your wardrobe. Remember, having stylish casual outfits for men is not about owning a bunch of cheap pieces. It’s about quality over quantity.
Fashion for men has evolved plenty over the last decade, so within each of these ten suggested essentials, there is plenty of room for play. You can find a white t-shirt, for example, in every fabric from cotton to viscose. Find these essentials in the materials, fabrics, patterns, and price points that speak to you.
In doing so, creating an outfit is mindless as mixing and matching the pieces above will always result in a head-turning yet understated look. For more fashion and lifestyle tips, continue reading our blog!