Gentleman’s guide to clothes shopping
Most of the men I speak to hate shopping for clothes. When asked why, responses range from ‘I don’t know how’, ‘I don’t know what I should be shopping for’ and ‘I don’t want to spend hours walking from store to store’!. If they do manage to buy something, it is often a rushed decision because ‘I had to buy something or that would have been a wasted day’! Don’t worry, we have all been there, but it can be a thing of the past with the Mitchelli’s guide to clothes shopping.
Understand your wardrobe
Before you look to buy more clothes, you should have a clear understanding of the state of your current wardrobe. There are essentials that should make up every gentleman’s wardrobe. Knowing what is there, or more importantly what isn’t, should give you clear goals and objectives when shopping. By the time you have a good solid core wardrobe; you will have mastered the art of shopping for clothes.
Never mix speculate with accumulate
I am actively encouraging you to walk around clothes stores and leave empty handed, why? Research! You will find it a much more enjoyable experience if you set out to investigate the stores available to you, without the pressure of having to buy. This is the time to work out where you would go for certain items. Don’t be afraid to try on items on research days; the fit of different brands and designers can vary significantly,
Have a purpose
Don’t just go out clothes shopping, it is a sure fire way to waste your time and money. Identify the item(s) you intend to purchase before you set out. This is never more appropriate than at ‘sale time’ when you might be tempted to buy something because it is cheaper. Have a clear goal and stick to it. If however, you do notice something you like but weren’t intending to buy – refer to ‘understand your wardrobe’ if you don’t need it, your time and money is probably better spent getting your core wardrobe up to scratch first.
Know your sizes
This is an often overlooked point. Do you know you waist, chest, neck, inside leg etc? Don’t guess. On one of your research days, get measured up. Nowadays most mobile phones have somewhere to store notes, put your measurements here and you will never be unprepared again.
Dress appropriately
This is a basic mistake that far too many men make. If you are shopping for a suit, don’t go wearing desert boots or you won’t be able to tell how the trousers fall. If you are buying a tie, wear a shirt (and so on and so forth). The amount of men who bought something they thought would fit but didn’t because they tried on the garment with mismatched clothes.
Don’t forget the details
Ties, pocket squares, cufflinks, scarves, etc, all add your personality to your outfits so treat them with the same care and attention as any other piece in your wardrobe. It is too easy to make a good outfit bland where it could have been a great outfit if the details worked. If you need them, shop for them in the same way you would for other items. The details are just as important.
Enjoy yourself
The clothes you wear say so much about you to the rest of the world. Make the most of your appearance and learn to not only appreciate the art of clothes shopping, but really enjoy it too.
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Petrys December 3, 2012 at 9:24 am
I realise this is a website for the male of the species, but as a woman, may I say how delightful it is to find there are still men who value the part of the gentleman in contemporary society. Such a difficult role to identify, such an impossibility to ignore once observed. May your efforts long continue. In sincere admiration, Petrys.
The Mitchelli April 5, 2013 at 3:07 pm
Hi Petrys,
Thank you for you kind comments. It is great to get a lady’s perspective so please drop by often.
Steve