What Statement Are Your Clothes Making? Style for Men

Body and verbal language can be confusing.  But what message are your clothes sending?  Sometimes we don’t know what are clothing is saying about our inner selves.  Do you need a makeover or color consultant?  If you said, “yes,” then this article is for you.  I know that the issues than men and women face are different when it comes to fashion, so I’ve written two different articles to address the issues; one for men and one for women.  This article is “Style for Men.”

I know that most men do not think as much about fashion as most women, but that doesn’t make it any less important.  In order to make the right impression on your boss or potential partner, wearing the right style for men is important.  As a color consultant, I want to tell you how important choosing the right tones really are.  To figure out the right colors for you, first take a look at your natural contrast.  If you have dark hair and light skin and dark or medium eyes, you have a high contrast look.  If you have medium-brown hair, medium-light skin and medium-dark eyes, you are a medium contrast person.  Lastly, you are a low-contrast look if your hair, skin and eyes are softly blended, such as blonde hair, light blue eyes and light skin.  If your coloring is dark, look at the contrast of your hair, skin and eye color and compare that to the whites of your eyes and teeth.  If your teeth or eyes are bright white, it is high contrast with your complexion, soft bone to soft gray would be medium contrast and deeper gray or beige is low contrast.  Now that you’ve figured out your natural contrast, it is time to pick the right colors for you.

As a color consultant, I know that style for men (or anyone for that matter) can be difficult.  There are so many shades and tones to choose from.  When you pick clothes, keep your natural contrast in mind.  Men with high contrast can wear color combinations that are also high contrast, like black and white or dark brown and ivory.  Medium contrast looks can wear what would be the equivalent to the values of brown mixed with camel or brown and orange.  Low contrast looks need to shoot for very blended looks and can wear values of ivory and peach or black and brown.

How does your contrast help you make the right statement?  If you wear something that is too high-contrast for you look, people will notice is what you are wearing, not you.  Another mistake made in style for men is choosing an outfit that is too low contrast.  If you do this, people will not see you.  Any color consultant will tell you that choosing the right contrast is important in communicating the right message.

Another thing you want to keep in mind when choosing the right style for men is to wear what best represents your personality.  This means choosing not only appropriate colors, but the right patterns, textures and accessories.  Sure this seems complicated at first.  A trade secret of every color consultant is go with what you feel most comfortable wearing.  If you are a real outgoing, go-getter and want to send that message, make sure you dress the part.  Wear patterns, colors and accessories that fit with your contrast and draw lots of attention.  If you try to tone down your personality by choosing an inappropriate style for men (such as pastels); people will feel confused and betrayed to find out that you are not a pastel kind of a guy.  Conversely, if you are a calmer, more introverted man, choosing a flashier look to draw attention to yourself may backfire.  The best suggestion I can give you as a color consultant is to wear some subtle eye-catching accessories that make a statement without overpowering your natural energy. 

Style for men does not need to be difficult.  As a color consultant, I advise you to dress to make the best statement possible.  That means choose the right look that fits with your contrast.  That way you will be noticed for you and not just your outfit.  Also remember the importance of dressing to express your true self.  Any color consultant will tell you, the people you meet make assumptions about who you are by the type of style for men you choose.  Make sure you give them the right impression and make a statement that will help you get ahead.