As you age as a man, one of the things that becomes more challenging is looking cool. When you’re younger, you can wear the latest trends and the same things your boys wear. You look cool. As you age and mature, it becomes more challenging and nuanced.
The good news is that if you follow the rules I’m going to go over, you’ll look cool. I’m breaking it out into three essential parts: style do’s and do-nots to look effortlessly amazing, grooming, and body language. Each of these should be consistently aligned to look cool.
Clothing — the devil is in the details
Your clothes need to fit your body. You need to pay attention to how long your pants are so they’re not bunching, bagging, and cuddling down at your ankle. You don’t want fabric in your crotch that makes your legs look shorter. Likewise, your pants should not be skin-tight, or else you look like you’re trying too hard. When you tuck in your shirt, don’t have a muffin top or a bunch of extra fabric when you tuck it in. Have your clothes tailored or buy slim fit.
Your denim should be in the proper colors. The three universally cool colors are a light pair for spring and summer, a completely dark or non-destress for dress-up or more professional, and a medium wash. Make sure your jeans aren’t too tight or too baggy. They shouldn’t be torn or super long. Also, make sure your jeans fit your butt.
An aspect that separates cool guys from non-cool guys is wearing cool shoes. Cool shoes are on trend without going too far over the top. You don’t want shoes that are too bulky, pointy, or fake. You want your shoes to match your outfit or occasion. Don’t wear super casual shoes when going somewhere super nice. You want to avoid dad shoes, crocs, boat shoes, and Get Dude shoes. You also shouldn’t be wearing strappy sandals like mandals or socks with sandals. When wearing casual shoes, never wear running or fitness shoes with non-fitness-related clothing.
Sweat rings make you uncool and instantly make you look like a dork, stinky, or dirty. They are also embarrassing. Use Thompson Tees to prevent sweat rings. They have patented sweat-proof undershirts that stop sweat from showing. I’ve been talking about them since the beginning of my YouTube career.
Avoid big, bold, bright colors and patterns. Solids are cooler-looking, dark monochromatic looks make you look amazing, and neutrals are similar.
Stay away from trends and focus on the basics. If you’re wearing a belt, make sure it matches your shoes. If your shoes are leather, your belt and shoes should match in color, texture, and finish. If you’re wearing a dress shirt tucked into pants or chinos with belt loops, you must wear a belt to finish the look. If you wear a jacket on top like a suit, it’s more acceptable if you don’t wear a belt because you’re hiding the belt loops. Another option is side adjuster tabs, which are the ultimate of cool with no belt loops.
Build a wardrobe with staple pieces. These include T-shirts, jeans, chinos, button-up shirts, lightweight sweaters, and bomber jackets. Learn to layer to automatically increase your coolness.
Be careful when wearing stylish hats like fedoras. They can work for a few dudes, but be careful. When you combine an outfit with a hat, it has to work together. You can’t wear a hat and a dorky outfit. The outfit needs to flow.
Outerwear will separate the cool men from the uncool. Invest in higher-quality outerwear, such as a driving jacket, leather jacket, or bomber jacket. Don’t expect to wear a puffer jacket and look cool. It’s functional but not cool.
When wearing accessories, don’t overdo them. If you’re wearing an Apple watch, it doesn’t look cool. Invest in a proper timepiece, which doesn’t necessarily need to be expensive. One subtle necklace is cool. Avoid earrings. Glasses are one of the quickest and easiest things you can do to look cooler. Wear frames that add interest, substance, structure, and dimension. Tortoiseshell is one of the best options out there. When choosing sunglasses, opt for a classic such as Wayfair, Clubmaster, or Aviator.
Upgrade your casual clothing. Look good not only on a date but also on the weekends when you go to the grocery store, gym, and every situation. Pay attention to your outfit and ensure it’s well coordinated and put together.
The consistency and quality of the clothing you buy can make you look cool. Invest in higher-quality fabrics and experiment with different textures.
Grooming
Beards are fantastic as long as they’re well-groomed. Don’t have a neckbeard or neck meat hanging out. Ensure your mustache is well groomed, and the rest of your outfit works with your stash. Groom long eyebrows by tightening them up. Take care of wild ear hair. Choose a hairstyle consistent with a put-together look. You don’t have to have amazing hair, but it should not be sloppy or greasy. You also should not be camouflaging or hiding hair loss. And last, always smell amazing.
Body Language
Bad body language can kill a well-groomed and stylish man. Make sure you have eye contact, smile at people, and have good posture. Don’t hunch over and look at the floor. Walk confidently and slower, and don’t have jerky motions. Nonverbal communication is key.
