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Now, as we approach the end of 2010, this look is still making appearances, and for the life of me, i cannot understand why. The whole beauty of the Messy look is that it wasn't truly messy. It was a look, that while characterized by the "i don't care" facade, actually took a lot of time and care to perfect. This is why the "messy look" in hairstyles is still the best look for men. Hair is one thing. Entire outfits are another. Take this classy looking gent above. Does he look anywhere near what a man should look like? If you were a woman, would this attract you? I doubt it would. There are far too many examples of sloppiness present in today's attire: Oversized t-shirts, boxy blazers, square jackets, and the list goes on.
What's the key to not looking messy? Well first and foremost, you need to differentiate what messy looks like. If you cannot do that, well then you might just be a lost cause. Little things like not unbuttoning your shirt too far, making sure your collars are crisp, and ironing will make you look less messy in an instant. Second, you need to understand that tailoring is everything. Very few things ever fit perfectly right off the rack, and i mean VERY few. You may need to get things altered to have the right fit. If you cannot do this, then you need to try to make sure you get the best fit possible for your body type. Please refer to my other blogs below for more on this topic. The third, and most important Key to looking neat and tidy is....PROPORTION. You will find that if your clothes are proportioned properly for your body, you will notice that not only will you look very polished, but your body will also look completely different. Every man's body is different, therefore every man's clothes should fit differently.
For example: I have a longer torso, and shorter legs...also known as "top tall". This means that my jeans always fit just a little weird. Also, what this means is that if i wear a shirt that is normal length, it will make me look shorter than i am. Therefore, i try to make sure my shirts are shorter than normal, hitting just below my waistline and above my hips, giving my legs a longer look. I know this seems like a lot of overthinking for clothing, but in all honesty, it comes naturally once you know what you're looking for. It's all about the right proportions. If you're wearing a tie, it should not pass your belt, nor should it be too short. If you're wearing a vest with your dress shirt and tie, the tie should not exceed past the bottom of the vest, and the vest should skirt your belt. Oh, and on the pet peeve front, just for the record, stop doing the 1970s collar-outside-the-jacket look. It made a comeback at the turn of the century for about 28 seconds. It's gone now. Please stop it. Your collars should be crisp, and wrapped around a tie.
Clothing aside, avoiding looking messy can be done by making sure you are decently shaved as much as possible, and keep your hairstyle maintained. For a little spruce up between haircuts, try simply trimming the hair above your ears and defining your sideburns. You would be amazed at how much of a difference this makes. Don't have time to iron? Throw your shirt in the dryer while you shower for a little refresher on it. Keep your ties hanging, and not rolled, to keep them crisp looking. These are all quick and easy tricks to keep yourself from falling to the messy side.
And on a final note, as you know how obsessed i am with fragrances, if you DO find yourself running out the door in a rush with a wrinkly shirt, and bed head, a light fresh fragrance that evokes happiness and summery notes might just make it work for you. But let's keep that as a Plan B, shall we?
Until next time,
S.G.
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