It’s that time of the year– sunglasses out and puffer coats shoved into the closet. Except, this summer let’s ditch the khaki shorts & floral button-up combo and talk about intentional yet easy ways to style your wardrobe. While these are some tips I brainstormed with men’s fashion in mind, this advice can be followed by anyone!! (I actually use each one of these…)

—

The Perfect Cropped Tee (don’t be scared that I said cropped)

One of the crucial ingredients to having good style is knowing how to complement your silhouette. An easy way to do this is by finding where your shirt should stop and your bottoms should begin. This is where the “perfect cropped tee” comes into play. This supposedly ‘perfect’ top should fall right below the beltline when your arms are down, and raise slightly over your waistline when your arms are up. This sounds superfluous I know, but trust me when I say that this will help complement your waist and give the illusion of longer legs!

A cropped boxy graphic tee + baggy low/mid-rise jeans/jorts = the perfect summer fit (sorry I just put in like ten adjectives in there)

You can find a lot of cool vintage graphic tees that have that boxy cropped fit at the thrift and Depop, or you can cut your own!

Trackstar/Slackstar

It may be 90º out, but shorts aren’t always for everyone! If you want to stay cool but aren’t feeling the jorts, throw on a pair of straight/wide-legged track pants or loose slacks and you’re set. These types of pants are a great anchor to an outfit– from there, you can dress it up with an open button-down and white tee or dress it down with that perfect cropped graphic tee.

Love 2 Loaf

As much as I love a good pair of dad sneakers or Sambas, this summer we’re all about introducing new looks into our wardrobe! Styling jorts or structured shorts with a pair of black loafers is a great formula for an elevated summer look. Whether it’s a classic pair of Doc Martens or a cool penny loafer, these shoes can be worn year round.

The Classic Button-Down

An airy button-down is a summer essential that can pair with almost any outfit– especially when you need something easy to throw on for a chilly evening. I even have one in my own closet that I have to resist from grabbing too often! You can’t go wrong with a classic blue & white striped button-down to wear on its own or to throw over a white/light gray/blue tee or tank. 

Accessories AF

When it comes to men’s fashion, more than often the only options to hold items are either your pockets or a backpack. I’m here to introduce a happy medium that will complement any fit: a messenger bag! A crossbody with less structure will help accessorize your outfit without looking too bulky. For example, the Uniqlo drawstring bag or a slingback like this one will provide an extra detail without overdoing it. The crossbody look will also help tighten the silhouette and break up sections of your outfit.

Other ways to add more intrigue to a look include putting on a cool belt, clipping a carabiner to a belt loop, or whipping out a pair of vintage sunnies.

—

As you're styling your amazing looks this summer, remember to be intentional on how you shape your silhouette and mix-and-match your wardrobe! For example, if you have longer legs I would suggest low-to-mid rise baggy pants to draw inwards towards your waist, and for longer torsos, I would go for a belted look with that perfect cropped tee I mentioned one too many times. A low-risk, high-reward way to try out new styles is shopping second-hand– you can always find one-of-a-kind and cool pieces to play around with at the thrift! Have fun with your wardrobe this summer and don’t be afraid to switch it up :) #hags

P.S… here are some fashion creators to follow if you’re in an outfit rut: @izayuhh (TT), @carcanela (IG), @bryanperera0 (TT), @nobiases (IG)