Tips on how to elevate your style in your 20’s
Your 20s can be tricky, but learning how to dress in your 20s? Well, it doesn't have to be! While you'll probably be in the best shape of your life and trim enough to wear pretty much anything you want, you'll also go through a massive transformation. University is maybe behind you. There's a big, bad, boring world out there. And into it you go as a proper grown-up with clothes to match. The key to mastering that lies in two words: capsule wardrobe.
This is the time to invest in important go-to pieces that will form the foundation of your wardrobe for years to come. Plus, it'll make you feel great every time you slip them on: hard-wearing trousers, good denim, solid shoes, your first proper suit, and a decent watch.
But this is also the time to experiment with trends. Yes, you'll make mistakes with colours and patterns, but, who cares man? You're young. Now's the time to do all that mad stuff and work out what looks good and what doesn't.
In short, this is the first decade of the rest of your life – so make sure you start it in style.
How to dress in your 20s
A cut above the rest
You're in the best shape of your life right now, and that's without slaving for hours and hours in the gym. Good ol' metabolism. Make the most of it by searching for clothes with slim cuts that don't swamp you with acres of excess fabric.
It goes without saying, but when we say “slim” we don't mean skinny. Skin-tight jeans should be left in your teens and never revisited. And while we're on the topic, it's probably time to give your trouser game a bit of a refresh, too. Invest in some stand-alone suit trousers and elasticated ones that you can wear with absolutely anything.
Find your colours
When you're learning how to dress in your 20s, it's the perfect time to figure out which colours work best for you. As a general rule, lighter colours work best on darker skin tones (pale blue, yellow, pastel pink, white) and darker colours work best on lighter skin tones (navy blue, dark green, dark red, brown).
When you've decided on which you feel most comfortable in, adopt it as the backbone of your accessories game. We're talking pocket squares, ties, socks, the lot.
Look after your shoes
This is the decade where making the right first impression counts, whether that be going for a job interview or getting out there on the dating scene. It's often said that shoes are the first thing a person notices about your outfit, either consciously or subconsciously, are your shoes – so they'd better be shiny.
If you don't know how to polish your formal shoes yet, take a look at our handy guide. For sneakers, invest in a bottle of cleaning spray from the likes of Crep Protect and Jason Markk, which will keep them looking boxfresh at all-times.
Suit yourself
One good suit, if done right, can cover weddings, interviews, work et al. A deep plain navy suit in a wool-cotton mix (check the label for sweat-inducing manmade fibres) with half-lining, is the most versatile suit. The colour and structure will be light enough to wear in summer, but also can be layered up in winter with a jumper and a coat.
Make sure you budget an extra £50 or so to get it tailored to you too. A proper fit is a priority when it comes to buying your first real suit.
Essentials are essential
Make sure you have many, many white T-shirts; they are the best base for most fits. It's a good idea to invest in quality; you don't want to end up wearing a dull white T-shirt – that's a dead giveaway of someone lacking in style awareness. So take a trip to Sunspel or the Uniqlo for the greatest options, and for the winter seasons, slip it below a shirt or sweater to keep warm. The only thing to do afterwards? Buy a few in black too.
While we're on the topic of essentials, a decent pair of boxers really are the beginning of every good day. It's a given to have good underwear in your later years, but get into good habits now and buy some quality undergarments.
Have fun
There are more shops out there catering to dudes in their twenties than in any other age bracket. Make the most of it by trying out different patterns and more trend-led items that can be added to your core wardrobe as the seasons change: smart jogging bottoms, colourful '90s-style fleeces, or summer-appropriate sandals (should budgets allow).
We say these specifically, but they’re just examples of pieces that you can experiment in your 20s with. You are young, you are not to blame for not knowing any better and if you pull some stylistic madness off, you can totally take all the credit. You know you want to try it. Go on.
Well-dressed men in their 20s
If you're searching for some inspo on how to dress in your 20s, there's no better place to look than some of the guys who are doing it best. Blondey McCoy is one of the coolest dudes on the planet. Shameik Moore is the master of experimentation. And Timothée Chalamet? Well, he's Timothée Chalamet.
Blondey McCoy, 26
Dressing well, doesn’t mean dressing smart. Skater/model/designer and London cool guy, Blondey McCoy has range. His stuff is often affordable. From boiler suits, to trench coats, to retro sunnies to cashmere scarves, McCoy’ll be in it, with a little bit of designer peppered in. Don’t discard it as slacker style, either. He can wear a suit just as neatly as the old-stock.
Evan Mock, 27
Actor. Model. Risk taker. In his mid-20s, Evan Mock is a professional extrovert. He loves a fit that grabs the attention of the paparazzi. He errs on the side of sexy – sheer shirts, cropped at the naval – while he's got a style that reflects his interests. He's a proper sk8er boi and his fashion choices are a mingling of ramp-ready Dickies pieces, Nike Dunks, and cargos slashed at the knees.
Shameik Moore, 28
American actor and musician Shameik Moore is big on head-turning pieces. We're talking vibrant varsity jackets, massive faux fur coats, and full denim fits. With that said, he can also go all black tie on us like it's nobody's business. And his accessories game? There's nothing else quite like it out there.
Timothée Chalamet, 28
The prince that was promised! Timothée Chalamet uses his powers for good, pulling off some of the boldest outfits on the red carpet today. Sure, not all of them are universally adored. But it is the audacious, fuck-it spirit he encapsulates and encourages. No one has as much fun as him. When he does get it right, he gets it extraordinarily right.
The original article can be found on British GQ.