Fashion allows men to express their personal style and individuality through their clothing choices. While following temporary trends can be fun, having a grasp of classic men’s fashion styles will ensure you always look sharp. This guide will walk through the list of different types of clothing styles for guys and how to wear them confidently.
Smart Casual
Smart casual is a modern take on business casual that incorporates casual pieces in a polished way. It strikes the ideal balance between formal and laidback.
Key Pieces
The key to nailing smart casual is blending structured Tailoring with casual basics. Some staple items include:
- Button-down shirts or polos
- Blazers or sports jackets
- Knitwear like sweaters and cardigans
- Dark wash denim
- Chinos or khakis
- Leather shoes like loafers or Chelsea boots
How to Style
- Tuck a button-down shirt into chinos and layer a knit vest or cardigan over top. Add loafers.
- Pair dark wash jeans with a polo or sweater. Finish with white leather sneakers.
- For a night out, wear a sports jacket over a button-down, dark jeans, and Chelsea boots.
Smart casual gives you lots of room to show off your personal flair. Just keep the overall look neat and pulled together.
Business Casual
Business casual dress codes are commonplace. This look treads the line between professional and approachable.
Key Pieces
Build a solid business casual wardrobe around these essentials:
- Dress shirts – stick to solids, subtle patterns like checks and stripes
- Slacks – wool, cotton, khaki
- Blazers and sports jackets
- Leather dress shoes
How to Style
- A dress shirt, pressed slacks, and leather oxfords or loafers is a foolproof combination.
- Swap the dress shirt for a polo or knit sweater to add some variety.
- In cooler months, pair slacks with a sweater, blazer, and oxfords.
The overall vibe should be polished and put together. Save short sleeves, bold prints, and casual fabrics like denim for smart casual looks instead.
Workwear/Americana
This rugged, masculine style takes its cues from practical uniforms worn by laborers in the 1920s-1940s as well as the American West. It’s ideal for guys who want a casual look anchored in heritage.
Key Pieces
Think durable fabrics, work-friendly details, and masculine vibes:
- Denim and canvas work jackets
- Flannel or chambray shirts
- Jeans or chinos
- Work boots like Red Wings
- Accessories like brimmed hats or suspenders
How to Style
- A denim jacket layered over a chambray shirt, jeans, and work boots channels old-school workwear cool.
- Lean into lumberjack vibes with a buffalo check flannel, jeans, and work boots.
- Give chinos, a henley tee, and boots a rugged edge with a canvas chore coat.
Mixing inspiration from factory workers, cowboys, and outdoorsmen results in a masculine look with a vintage, American feel.
Preppy
Preppy style offers a polished, elegant take on classic American clothing. It’s the perfect look for the country club set.
Key Pieces
The preppy style is all about traditional East Coast staples:
- Oxfords and polos
- Chinos
- Crewneck sweaters
- Blazers
- Loafers
Plaid, seersucker, pastels, and prints like gingham give off preppy vibes.
How to Style
- A Lacoste polo, chinos, and boat shoes are preppy distilled down to their purest elements.
- Layer a crewneck sweater atop an oxford with chinos and suede buck shoes.
- A navy blazer worn with a striped tie, dress shirt, and loafers channels prep spirit.
Aim for a clean, refined look inspired by Ivy League students and country clubs. Just avoid looking costumey.
Streetwear
Urban streetwear offers unlimited ways for guys to showcase their personal style. It’s all about making a statement.
Key Pieces
Streetwear is centered around these wardrobe essentials:
- Graphic tees and hoodies
- Bomber or denim jackets
- Joggers and track pants
- Sneakers
- Hats like baseball caps
Distressed denim, bold prints, and logos and branding are common streetwear motifs.
How to Style
- A graphic tee ripped black jeans, and white sneakers are an easy go-to combination.
- Amp up the edge with a biker jacket, joggers, and combat boots.
- Or channel skater vibes with a logo hoodie, cuffed jeans, Vans, and a snapback.
There are no hard rules in streetwear self-expression. Just avoid looking sloppy and be confident.
Black Tie/Formalwear
Every well-rounded man’s wardrobe should include formalwear for black tie events. Timeless tailoring never goes out of style.
Key Pieces
The fundamentals of black tie attire include:
- Tuxedo jacket
- Trousers with satin side stripe
- White dress shirt
- Black bow tie
- Cummerbund or low-cut waistcoat
- Black Oxford dress shoes
How to Style
Stick to traditional black tie etiquette:
- Pair the tuxedo jacket with matching trousers, a white shirt, and a bow tie.
- The cummerbund or waistcoat is optional but adds a polished touch.
- Black patent leather oxfords are the most formal. Opt for matte black for more versatility.
Keeping black tie attire classic preserves the elegant spirit of formalwear. Save fashion-forward looks for creative black tie events.
Business Professional
Nailing business professional clothing ensures you look sharp and make a strong first impression in corporate environments.
Key Pieces
Build your professional wardrobe around these staples:
- Suits – navy, gray, and charcoal are versatile options
- Long sleeve dress shirts – solids and subtle patterns only
- Leather dress shoes – black and brown
- Neckties – solids, stripes, and simple patterns
- Briefcase or portfolio
How to Style
- A navy, gray, or charcoal suit paired with a pressed dress shirt, conservative tie, and shined dress shoes is standard interview attire.
- Swap the tie for a crisp button-down shirt when you want a professional look minus the necktie.
- Cufflinks add polish to your shirt sleeves.
Aim for timeless over trendy. Letting quality, fit, and polish speak for themselves is best for conservative corporate environments.
Rugged Casual
For guys who split their time between the outdoors and everyday life, rugged casual style adds an adventurous edge to laidback staples.
Key Pieces
Rugged casual combines hardy materials with a relaxed vibe:
- Flannel shirts
- Henley tees
- Waxed canvas or leather jackets
- Jeans or khaki pants
- Hiking boots or leather boots
How to Style
- A waxed canvas jacket with a henley, jeans, and boots brings rugged appeal.
- Layer a flannel over a tee, then add cuffed khakis and leather boots.
- Lean into weekend cabin vibes with a buffalo check flannel, jeans, and hiking boots.
Rugged casual style allows you to tap into outdoor inspiration without compromising on everyday comfort.
Bohemian
Bohemian style celebrates artistic, free-spirited sensibilities. It’s all about breaking conventions in favor of self-expression.
Key Pieces
Channel your inner poet or painter with:
- Tunics and kaftans
- Relaxed, cropped, or harem pants
- Fedoras and woven hats
- Beaded jewelry and wraps
- Sandals, boots, or moccasins
Mixing ethnic prints, natural textures, and unique details is core to bohemian style.
How to Style
- Team a breezy tunic with harem pants, necklaces, a hat, and sandals.
- Layer colorful patterned shirts over relaxed jeans or cropped pants.
- Incorporate elements like ponchos, woven bags, or fringed suede vests into casual looks.
Bohemian style empowers you to take fashion risks and freely channel your vision. Just focus on looking effortlessly cool, not costumed.
Hipster
Hipster style blends vintage sensibilities with a modern, edgy spin. It’s about putting offbeat combinations together in a way that feels effortlessly hip.
Key Pieces
Be a trendsetter with:
- Skinny jeans
- Vintage tees and flannel
- Leather or denim jackets
- Buzzcuts, beards, mustaches
- Retro accessories
Mixing vintage, indie, and modern elements is core to hipster style.
How to Style
- Pair high-waisted skinny jeans with a cropped band tee and slip-on Vans.
- Layer a faded flannel over a graphic tee with black jeans and boots.
- Give a tailored blazer and Oxford contemporary edge with distressed skinnies and sneakers.
Hipster fashion is about honing your eye for offbeat style. Focus on pieces that feel authentically retro or indie.
Rocker/Punk
Bold, rebellious rocker style allows you to showcase your gritty edge. It’s all about breaking the rules and making a statement.
Key Pieces
Give off edgy rocker vibes with:
- Leather jackets
- Ripped jeans
- Band tees
- Chains and spikes
- Biker boots
- Tattoos and piercings
Don’t be afraid to go grungy and gritty.
How to Style
- A black leather moto jacket with destroyed black jeans, combat boots, and tattoos is punk 101.
- For a low-key grunge look, pair a faded graphic tee with relaxed ripped jeans, a flannel, and sneakers.
- Make a statement by layering band shirts under tailored blazers and leather jackets.
Rocker fashion is all about projecting confidence and owning your individuality.
Menswear
Menswear style allows women to borrow from classic men’s fashion for an androgynous, bold look. It’s perfect for ladies who want a polished yet laid-back vibe.
Key Pieces
Menswear staples include:
- Oxford shirts
- Suiting
- Trousers
- Neckties
- Sport coats and blazers
- Leather shoes like wingtips or loafers
Focus on quality, tailored pieces in structured fabrics like wool.
How to Style
- An oversized blazer paired with a button-down shirt, tailored trousers, and oxfords channels boardroom polish.
- For relaxed flair, pair a menswear-inspired shirt with boyfriend jeans and minimalist sneakers.
- Layer an undersized men’s suit jacket atop a feminine dress.
Menswear style allows you to play with mixing feminine and masculine aesthetics in a sophisticated way.
Conclusion
Fashion allows men to put their individual stamp on signature looks that showcase their personal style. Following basic guidelines for dress codes like smart casual and business professional ensures you’ll always look pulled together. But don’t be afraid to also have fun with on-trend styles like streetwear and to edge up your wardrobe with pieces like leather jackets. Getting comfortable combining proper fit, quality fabrics, and timeless style invested pieces will ensure you look stylish for years to come. Use this overview of popular men’s clothing styles as inspiration to curate your own collection of go-to looks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between business professional and business casual?
A: Business professionals are more formal and tailored – think suits, dress shirts, and leather shoes. Business casual incorporates more casual pieces like polos, knits, khakis, and loafers. The overall vibe is more relaxed while remaining polished and put-together.
Q: What colors look best for professional clothing?
A: Traditional navy, charcoal, and medium gray suits are your best bets for professional settings. White, light blue, and subtle stripes or checks make safe dress shirt choices. Avoid loud patterns or anything too fashion-forward.
Q: What type of clothing is considered smart casual?
A: Smart casual combines polished and laidback pieces. Key items include button-down shirts, knits, blazers, chinos, dark denim, and leather shoes like loafers. The overall effect is pulled together but not overly formal.
Q: How can I add variety to a business casual wardrobe?
A: Swap traditional dress shirts for polos and knits to mix things up while remaining professional. Play with different neutral, earth tones, and muted color palettes. Add fun accessories like patterned socks and pocket squares to show personality.
Q: What modern styles would pair well with a vintage rocker leather jacket?
A: Give a vintage leather jacket a modern edge with skinny jeans, layered tees, and sneakers or boots. Or use it to add a bit of grit to tailored looks – pair it with chinos or black jeans and a button-down. Keep silhouettes slim and sleek.