GREAT HIGH - LOW COMBINATIONS
BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO YOUR WARDROBE BY INJECTING SOME STREETWEAR
Up-Down Dressing
Fashion’s shift towards the streets is understandably concerning for the man who’s spent half a decade cultivating his tailoring collection. But just because Alexander Wang and Christopher Shannon have turned the runways on to the joys of looking like you’ve either just left a rave or the gym, that doesn’t mean you need to send those double-monks and three-pieces to storage.
Avoid making the same mistake by following our guidelines, which will ensure your style’s up-down, not down and out.
1.Trainers & Tailoring
This seemingly simple combination too often veers towards looking like a salesman who changed into his comfy shoes for the commute home. Firstly, the suit; it should fit like a glove – smart shoes can play down extra material, but trainers won’t – and you should steer clear of anything that’s too out there. The sneakers are enough of a statement without adding in bold Etro checks or a neon paisley pocket square.
Playing with colour and fabric is a more advanced move and as with your formal shoes, should offer a contrast in texture. Try suede with flannel, or canvas with linen to keep your skin breathing when the sun starts shining. Just make sure you
invest in some fabric protector to keep what’s on your feet looking box fresh; beaten up Converse and a skinny suit is a little too mid-noughties indie front man.
Yet most importantly, you need to wear this combination with rock-solid confidence.
Lose the socks, roll the cuffs, go
tie-less – just do it with a sense of swagger to show people that you know the rules, you just don’t follow them.
Take a look at what we talking about.
2.Suits & T-Shirts
There’s a reason this is the uniform for most fashion designers; it lets you show off both your wardrobe nous and the fact that you don’t have a boss demanding you follow his buttoned-up dress code. Again, opting for timeless, neutral suiting is advisable here and will win you the benefit of the doubt if you don’t quite nail the fit or colour matching.
Monochrome should be your first step on the collar-less road – a grey suit and white tee is a tough thing to mess up – but as your confidence grows you should start experimenting with colours and patterns.
It’s best to keep the eye-catching stuff to your base layer (i.e. T-shirt), as there’s less of it on display, and stick to classic crew necks over anything that plunges towards your navel. You’re not at a Miami pool party now – which is also why, on no occasion, should you be tempted to tuck your tee into your suit trousers.
As an advanced move, try a longline version for a smarter take on reverse layering, or even a baseball shirt, like we saw on the Tiger of Sweden SS15 runways. Just don’t be tempted to add the cap as well.
T-shirts in suites
3.Blazers & Shorts
Despite the short suit’s increasing prevalence, calves out tailoring isn’t for everyone. Or, really, anyone who isn’t sipping an espresso and preparing to step back astride their scooter.
Non-matching shorts and blazer separates, on the other hand, are much easier to pull off and will produce outfits that hint at the Mediterranean – even if you’re barbecuing beneath increasingly angry skies.
Nailing your choice of shorts is key: on or below your knee and you look like you’re on safari; too high up your thigh and, well, you’re wearing short shorts. And even a bespoke Italian blazer won’t salvage your look.
You also want to avoid looking too matchy-matchy. Cream shorts and a navy blazer will draw the eye to your torso, not your pins, and make your legs appear more tanned. On which note, if you haven’t recently been away on holiday and your skin is looking a little pasty, a bit of fake tan or bronzer pre-unveiling will hide a multitude of sins.
Shorts and Blazers
We shall be Dropping more High - and Low Cambination tips.
Final Word
High-low dressing will breathe new life into a wardrobe that’s feeling a bit uninspired, and gives you a chance to utilise your key pieces in new ways.
The most important thing, though, is confidence. Too many men dress up-down by accident, wearing a pair of knackered trainers with their suit because they couldn’t find their proper shoes, or grabbing a bulky, pocket-ridden hiking jacket because it was the nearest thing to the door. You don’t want to join them.
It’s also a look where fit becomes even more vital. Wearing your casual staples with a perfectly tailored suit that brushes the top of your shoes and sits snugly against your shoulder is a power style play. Yet even an inch of extra fabric makes it look like you just pulled clothes out of your wardrobe at random.
What contrasting combinations do you regularly utilise, and where do you think the line lies between playing with style rules, and falling foul of them?
Let us know in the comments section.
Abryanz Collection In Uganda has served a great example and he has really changed mens' wardrobes who have a test of Fashion.
When You look at this Picture below you can really beleive that Ugandans can also be smart. Soon this year he will be hosting his Awards. #StyleJournal
