Guys, let’s give your girlfriend a break—it’s time to dress yourself right this fall. “What are you wearing?” they say. “I don’t know…” you say. Because you don’t. It just kind of happened, right? Don’t worry. I’ve been there too. “I’ll just throw this on… and these… and oh, yeah, these work too,” And then you look like you put your clothes on in the dark. When the lights come on, you’re not looking as cool as you know you are. Let’s get it together, ok? You can do this. With a few tips and ideas from friends at Hinton & Hinton, you can be the stud–the MAN– that conquers any event right when you walk in— whether it’s the Grove, a soccer game or even class. If you feel like you have it together and know exactly what you’re doing, that’s just fine. A little advice never hurt anyone.
Fashion writer Dixon Stone models the must have staples in every man’s closet. (Photo by: Ariel Cobbert)
Layering: One word that you need to add to your wardrobe is layering. It’s easy. Add an element of dimension to your wardrobe. It makes you look like you know what your doing– chicks dig it. “Always layer, add some interest. Get a vest. Get a quarter zip. Get a jacket,” said Whitney Smith Turner at Hinton & Hinton. If it’s casual, wear an open button down with your favorite t-shirt. Pair it with a tailored pair of jeans, khakis or casual, colored pants and your favorite pair of kicks. You’re good to go for a comfortable and cool day! If it’s an event that calls for something a little more formal, the opportunities to impress are endless. Invest in a blazer that isn’t navy or black. Preferably nothing wild—make sure it’s something that you can match with multiple pants and ties. Vests—you know what to do. Look around for a neutral sweater (in cashmere or in wool). Pairing this with a pair of slacks and a tie saves you from being boring. Make sure to top it all off with a woodsy or fresh scent. Layering is interesting. Girls like things that are interesting. Enough said.
Denim: You want to be a badass? Of course you do. Me too. So buy denim. Yes, I know you have jeans. We aren’t only talking about your jeans. “Denim, or a non-denim fabric in a jean style, and button downs are a must for this fall,” said Turner. Invest in a thick denim shirt. You can dress this up or down– either way it looks cool. I once saw someone wear a denim button down with a suit, but he had a rocking beard and long hair. He killed it, but be careful—it wouldn’t work on everyone. A denim jacket rocks too. Try it on, you may hate it or you may feel like one of the Rolling Stones. Anything could happen. Something to remember before throwing on every piece of denim you own is this: Justin Timberlake at the 2001 American Music Awards. Google it. 
Boots: “Boots, boots and more boots,” said Turner. Yes, that means you can still wear your cowboy or work boots. But don’t only wear those. Boots give you a chance to give your tennis shoes a rest, so don’t be afraid to change it up. A pair of duck boots can add an element of refinement while still maintaining that outdoorsy edge. Lace up a traditional pair of Oxford boots, roll up your pants a little bit and kill it. Put on a pair of Chelsea boots and people will begin to ask if you’re from around here. No matter what, add your own spin. Dress them up or down. Your shoes can say a lot about you, so say it right.
Jackets: Your North Face and Patagonia jackets are cool, but you can do better. Invest in a durable army green jacket. It looks great, keeps you warm and comfortable and goes with almost anything. A brown suede or leather jacket with Sherpa wool on the collar gives a cool retro vibe to any casual outfit. If you’re looking for another way to channel your inner badass, look no further than a black or dark brown biker jacket. Combine your favorite pair of jeans or khakis, a cool t-shirt, shades and some of those boots we just talked about. You might just get a call from the Sons of Anarchy. According to Garner Hickman of Hinton & Hinton, “You can always take it off, but it’s a great way to tie everything 
together.”
Accessories: Yeah, I said it. Accessories. It’s the most forgotten and ill-used item in a man’s wardrobe. And no, I don’t necessarily mean bracelets and necklaces (although those can really look great when done right.) For starters, wear a watch. It doesn’t have to be a Rolex. A subdued black or white-faced silver watch at any price point really looks great and conveys a message of maturity and professionalism. Always have a cool pair of shades on deck. I usually stick to lighter shades for the summer and dark brown or black shades for the winter. Also, make sure to always have a black and brown belt that goes with a majority of your shoes, especially in the winter, since you are wearing a lot of button downs and pants. For men, belts are splurge items. An inexpensive-looking belt can really bring down an otherwise-killer ensemble. A few nice genuine leather or alligator belts really do add an element of refinement and will go with you for the long haul. Also, just to set the record straight in terms of shoes and belts, black goes with black and brown goes with brown. White shoes call for a black belt. Always wear black, brown or tan socks in accordance with the formality of the event. Leave your white socks at the gym.
Time to retire… Chubbies. A pale winter thigh isn’t attracting anyone at any event this fall.
