Men’s clothing styles have evolved significantly in the last few decades, and they are more expressive and diverse than ever before. These distinctive styles offer countless ways to define your look and showcase your best sartorial sense forward.
From the relaxed confidence of athletic wear and minimalist dressing to the refined look of preppy to the timeless charm of vintage style, each men’s fashion style tells a different story.
Understanding these styles and learning how to incorporate them in your daily wardrobe helps you stay ahead in your fashion game, makes you look sharp, and showcases your personal style blended with all the distinctive ones.
In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of men’s fashion styles, key elements, and styling principles behind them. So, come along as we teach you to master the art of dressing with purpose, confidence, and individuality.
9 Different Men’s Fashion Styles
Here are the top 9 men’s clothing styles that you need to master to make your everyday look right from a fashion brochure.
Business Casual: It is one of the most wearable men’s fashion styles for men that looks polished and is comfortable at the same time. It strikes the perfect balance between professional and relaxed, making it office-appropriate. Button-down men’s shirts in solid hues, subtle patterns, or light pastels, whether tucked in or untucked, depending on the formality.
Polo shirts for a relaxed and laid-back summer vibe, sweaters and quarter zips layered over a collared shirt, and blazers to instantly elevate the look. Pair with chinos or dress slacks in neutral colours like navy, khaki, olive and grey, or dark jeans in sleeker silhouettes, such as slim-fitting. Suede or leather loafers, brogues and oxfords are best paired with this style.
Smart Casual: The smart casual aesthetic is about combining business casual and casual to create a look that is neat, stylish and put-together and is flexible enough to juggle between work and pleasure. Oxford shirts in checks, stripes and solid hues; polo shirts; knitwear, including crewnecks or turtlenecks; and unstructured blazers and bomber jackets to elevate the look.
Formal Wear: Formal wear for men is one of the most foundational clothing pieces to have in any man’s wardrobe. Including suits, tuxedos, dress shirts, ties, bow ties and dress shoes, this style is reserved for elevated events such as weddings, balls, state functions and galas. The combination of all these elements creates a polished and elegant look, with a touch of refined detail.
Streetwear: Streetwear for men is a casual dressing style, rooted in urban subcultures, taking inspiration from hip-hop, skateboarding, and surf cultures. It is a way for people to express their style and create a unique look. Some of the key characteristics of streetwear include loose fits, soft fabrics and functional designs.
An extensive use of bold branding, such as logos, slogans, and graphic prints, is central to the look. Some of the typical pieces that are indispensable to streetwear include oversized t-shirts, sweatshirts, graphic tees, joggers, cargo pants, denim jackets, bomber jackets, varsity jackets, skate shoes, high-tops, baseball caps, chains, beanies, and sunglasses.
Minimalist Style: The minimalist style of clothing for men emphasises clean lines, simplicity, and monochromatic and neutral colour palettes and is all about quality over quantity. This men’s clothing style is practical and adaptable, and the versatility of the base outfit leaves room for experimentation and variation.
A minimalist wardrobe relies heavily on colours that are easy to pair and blend, such as black, grey, white, navy, beige and olive. Garments with clean lines and simple, structured silhouettes that are made from quality fabrics and hold their shape are recommended to achieve this look.
Sustainable Fashion: Sustainable fashion for men is not about a particular style of clothing but about choosing eco-friendly brands, using sustainable manufacturing practices, not believing in animal cruelty, recycling and reusing materials and using ethical and fair-trade practices.
Not just that, it is also about you imbibing certain practices, including buying fewer high-quality pieces, repairing small defects, air drying, etc., to ensure you are making the maximum effort.
Preppy Style: The preppy men’s fashion style takes its inspiration from the vintage style followed by Ivy League college students in 1950s America. This style revolves around basic but polished college-wear essentials, like rugby shirts, button-down shirts, men’s designer jackets, cable-knit sweaters and loafers, to create a refined look. Accessories such as watches and belts are key to achieving that elite aesthetic.
Athletic Style: The athletic fashion is a hybrid dressing style that seamlessly combines performance wear with casual wear. The key here is to achieve a look that is modern, comfortable, and functional for carrying on a regular basis. The garments are designed to offer a smooth transition from gym to social settings, whether it is going out with friends, coffee runs or casual outings.
There are certain elements, like athletic stripes, raglan sleeves, mesh panels and utility details such as multiple pockets and zippers, that help achieve that sporty vibe. Some of the essential pieces you need to achieve this look include performance t-shirts, sweat-wicking hoodies, quarter-zips, track jackets, joggers, tech shorts, bomber sets for men, athletic chinos, sporty sneakers and baseball caps.
Vintage Style: As the name suggests, vintage style for men is inspired by the fashion of past eras. The clothing style for men honours the utilisation of classic silhouettes, traditional fabrics, and ageless craftsmanship. Classic pieces such as tailored suits, high-waisted trousers, leather jackets, and button-down shirts lay the foundation for an impactful vintage wardrobe. Incorporating vintage prints, like checks, floral patterns, houndstooth and stripes, in your outfit is also crucial to achieving the complete vintage vibe.
Men’s Style Tips and Advice
- Fit and tailoring: The most crucial factor to getting your style right is to get your clothes to fit seamlessly. Wear clothes that fit you right, neither too big nor too tight. Get a tailor to alter your off-the-rack items to fit perfectly, especially suits.
- Wardrobe essentials: The key to nailing aspirational and fashion-appropriate looks starts with building a wardrobe that is equipped with all the essentials. Pick wardrobe basics in neutral hues like black, white, navy and grey. Invest in high-quality pieces that will stay fashionably relevant and last longer. Opt for pieces that can be worn and styled in multiple ways, creating numerous outfits. Go for fabrics that offer a luxurious look and feel.
- Styling and presentation: Always dress for the occasion. Think of the type of venue/location or event you are going to and put together an outfit that will match those two. It is always recommended to start with a neutral-hued base outfit and then add colours to it gradually. Match your belt and shoe colour for a cohesive look. Add classic accessories such as watches, cufflinks and platinum bands to elevate the appearance.
Conclusion
In the end, mastering men’s clothing styles is about understanding what reflects your personality and fits your lifestyle. Just remember, confidence and comfort are the true hallmarks of timeless style.