From free to reasonably priced finds, these methods, instruments, and picks will make higher type extra easy.
Particular due to Slick Collar for supporting Primer’s mission and sponsoring this text.
Dressing higher is not nearly shopping for completely different garments or studying esoteric style guidelines—it is about reworking the way you strategy getting dressed.
The objective is to create a system that makes the act of dressing easy, gratifying, and sustainable, even on the hardest days.
A superb type system reduces friction in your day-to-day routine, creating a greater relationship with what you already personal and making it simple to place collectively outfits that work. Under are plenty of simple methods, instruments, and picks which have made my very own system infinitely simpler.
A Nice Strategy to Consumption and Manage Inspiration
Free – $10
Any good designer, filmmaker, photographer, architect, or inside designer is aware of the significance of cataloging inspiration. No nice artist works from reminiscence or begins from scratch with each mission.
Placing outfits collectively and honing your type is simply as a lot of a visible and inventive endeavor as any of these artistic fields. If you happen to’re nonetheless determining your private type, why drive your self to face in entrance of a closet, staring blankly and making an attempt to resolve what to put on?
You want a approach to save clothes, type, and outfit concepts as you come throughout them. Whether or not it’s on Primer, whereas shopping a retailer’s web site, strolling via the mall, or scrolling on social media, having a system to seize and manage inspiration is invaluable.
The way you do that comes down to non-public desire:
- Create a Pinterest board.
- Take screenshots in your cellphone and save them into an album.
- Use instruments like Notion or Evernote for a extra elaborate system.
There’s no improper approach to do it, but it surely’s important to do one thing. You’ll be stunned how typically you overlook about an outfit thought. Months later, you’ll scroll via your saved inspiration and rediscover a glance you may recreate.
It saves time, reduces stress, and makes getting dressed for occasions or day by day life considerably simpler. I can’t emphasize it sufficient.
A Movable Shoe Rack to Be Close to Your Clothes
$25+
Having my sneakers clearly seen whereas I select my garments is extremely vital. Constructing an outfit is not a linear course of; it is about experimenting, holding objects subsequent to one another, and seeing how they align for the event and look on you.
An outfit is a cohesive look; having all objects seen helps create that cohesion, quite than simply seeing them as separate items. All of it works collectively to turn into one thing extra. As an example, suede loafers change the texture of a shirt and denims in another way than white sneakers do.
Once I can see my sneakers alongside my clothes, I typically choose sneakers I would not have chosen if I had already selected the highest and bottoms first. Having the ability to audition completely different pairs whereas placing collectively an outfit makes a giant distinction.
Slick Collar
Package with 3 collar sizes + shirt stays, $23 save additional 15% with SLICKPRIMER
A structured collar could make all of the distinction between trying sharp and searching sloppy. That is true whether or not you are shopping for shirts on the reasonably priced finish of the spectrum or investing in dearer items.
With button-up shirts that lack construction, the collar typically flops over, making your look really feel unkempt. That is particularly a problem for good informal seems the place even informal items needs to be as refined as doable.
Enter the Slick Collar: a easy invention that instantly proves its value. Inexpensive, efficient, and completely designed for its goal, the Slick Collar is actually the collar+placket equal of collar stays. It supplies construction not solely to the collar ideas but in addition to the entrance button placket, holding them in place and stopping them from collapsing or folding below the material’s weight.
This retains the collar upright, guaranteeing it does not slide open as a result of material’s weight. Created by a small enterprise out of Canada, the Slick Collar is adjustable for various neck and shirt sizes, with every order together with three collar lengths. This versatility means it really works for every thing—from knit polos and golf shirts to extra formal gown shirts.
Better of all, you may simply transfer them between shirts, which means no alterations are wanted.
At round $20 for 3 with the code, the Slick Collar is a small funding that delivers large returns throughout practically your entire collared shirts. It’s a strong, dependable instrument, and upon getting it, you are set. Simple purchase.
Primer readers can save 15% with code SLICKPRIMER.
An Apple Watch Strap That Helps Steadiness the Tech-y and Athletic Nature
$10+
In social media style bubbles, there is a little bit of a pretentious, virtually Luddite view on smartwatches—that they’ll’t be trendy. Certain, they lack the heritage of a dive watch or the class of a gold gown watch, however that mindset ignores the truth of residing in 2024.
For a lot of, smartwatches are important—whether or not for life-style, work, or duties. Personally, my Apple Watch helps me keep centered with out the distraction of my cellphone. I nonetheless get texts and calls however keep away from time-killer apps, which makes it a must have for me.
I put on it typically at house with the default strap but it surely’s powerful to put on in a extra good informal, night look. Fortunately, Apple Watch bands are simple to swap due to their sliding mechanism. A leather-based or metallic band, which you’ll find affordably in off manufacturers, and might be swapped in throughout the occasions the common strap does not work, makes all of the distinction.
Designate an Outfit Workstation
Probably the most stress-reducing modifications I’ve made is establishing a devoted “workstation” close to the place I cling my outfits. Having all instruments in a single place makes it a lot simpler to get every thing prepared effectively, particularly when operating late. It’s a small shelf the place I preserve my steamer (with plug entry), a clothes brush, and another instruments I would want.
It’s a form of “workbench” on your garments, the place you progress objects from closet storage into the staging space, and have all of the instruments that you must get them trying their finest.
A Place to Hold Outfits
This may appear easy, however it would change the way you strategy your clothes and elegance.
Choosing out your outfit the evening earlier than drastically reduces morning stress—particularly for those who’re not a morning particular person and really feel half asleep or foggy. It is a complete sport changer to simply get up and know precisely what you are carrying.
For me, I hung a hook in my closet to stage my outfit for the subsequent day. It retains every thing neat and separate, performing as a staging space whereas assembling completely different combos. As a substitute of making an attempt to image a mixed look in my head, I pull out key items and cling them, making an attempt completely different combos till I discover the right match.
A Clothes Brush As a substitute of a Lint Curler
$15+
Earlier than the sticky paper-based lint rollers you are aware of, individuals used particular clothes brushes to wipe away mud and hair. Originating within the nineteenth century, clothes brushes had been important clothes care instruments for males who wore fits repeatedly. Since fits cannot be washed simply, it was vital to have a brushing routine.
I’ve lived with canine that shed for 15 years and the sticky lint curler has at all times felt annoying and wasteful to make use of simply as a result of sheer quantity of peeling and rolling I would should do every time. Lately, I lastly picked up some clothes brushes. They arrive in numerous coarseness and stiffness ranges, with softer brushes designed for extra delicate clothes made from cashmere, for instance, and stiffer ones to deal with denim extra straight.
Whereas they don’t seem to be excellent, and generally require a number of passes to lastly get that one piece of hair, it’s much less annoying to make use of. Clothes brushes might be discovered beginning round $15 and you’ll improve to the gentleman customary, English-made model Kent which begin round $40. The double-sided Kent CC20 which is commonly mentioned as a go-to on account of versatility eeks handed the article funds and is round $60.
A Clothes Steamer
$15+
I do not know the way that is doable, however for me, ironing appears so as to add wrinkles quite than take away them. Plus, my normal schedule for preparing is at all times tighter than I’d like, so I’m typically dashing when it’s time to dress. The very last thing I need is to plan on carrying one thing, solely to seek out it is too wrinkled and really feel like I don’t have the time to cope with it.
That is the place a steamer saves the day.
I have two steamers: a budget-friendly mannequin round $20 I’ve had for years and a bigger Conair mannequin. Each work effectively—simply run the steam over the material, and most wrinkles disappear simply.
Actually, I’d be in a troublesome spot with no clothes steamer. It’s a kind of instruments that makes preparing a lot easier, and I am unable to advocate it sufficient.
The Plain Ball Cap
James Clear, the writer of Atomic Habits, has famously mentioned, “You don’t rise to the extent of your objectives. You fail on the stage of your techniques.” If you’re an individual making an attempt to decorate deliberately in your life—particularly if it is a newer endeavor for you or doesn’t come naturally—you may’t count on your pure habits and routines to brute drive extra conscientious type 100% of the time.
It’s simply not going to occur. There are going to be days the place you don’t wash your hair. There are going to be days the place you’ve bought to toss stuff on and nonetheless wish to look good however don’t have time to do the entire thing.
For these days, a plain black baseball cap has been wonderful. There’s nothing improper with carrying a cool hat with the proper sports activities staff emblem or some type of classic design. But it surely does require some visible balancing with the opposite objects. The plain black cap takes it from being a very utilitarian factor (like a free hat from a company giveaway) to an intentional a part of your outfit.
A Hoodie or Quarter-zip Different That You will Wish to Put on
$20+
Hoodies are fashionable for 2 causes: they’re snug and straightforward to put on. There’s nothing improper with hoodies; I like them too.
Nonetheless, there is a distinction between carrying hoodies as a part of your type, and counting on them since you panic about what else to put on. For these barely much less informal settings—like a date, household occasion, or after-hours work operate—having one thing that feels as snug as a hoodie however seems extra applicable will make your life simpler.
There are various choices:
These are simple swaps on days the place you do not have the brainpower to suppose past a hoodie that elevate your type whereas sustaining consolation.
Picket Hangers
$4.99+
In case your closet feels chaotic, switching to picket hangers can present the wanted construction and group. Rainbow-hued plastic hangers add visible litter when your thoughts is making an attempt to determine what to put on, and so they don’t give your garments the help they want. In a packed closet, shirts and pants get compressed, inflicting wrinkles, creased shoulders, and crushed collars.
Picket hangers remedy these issues. They supply construction to maintain your garments able to put on and provides your closet a cleaner, extra organized look.
The most effective half? Picket hangers don’t should be costly, and also you don’t want to interchange them all of sudden. I transitioned my closet over a few years, and the distinction is evening and day. IKEA and Amazon have reasonably priced choices, and when you make the swap, you’re set for good.
Closet Area Savers like Tiered Hangers
$15+
Tiered hangers are nice for grouping related objects collectively, decreasing visible litter. In case you have six equivalent white T-shirts, cling one visibly and preserve the remaining on a tiered hanger. The identical goes for exercise garments you put on in no explicit order. This setup saves house and minimizes visible litter, making it simpler to give attention to key objects when placing outfits collectively.
Levi’s 501
$35+
If you happen to’re a Primer common, you’ve got heard me discuss 501s as kinds have shifted towards straighter/looser matches over the previous few years. The 501s, with their traditional straight match, had been the primary place I turned. Initially I believed, “These are method too vast; I will by no means put on them.” However they rapidly grew to become my go-to, no-thought-required pair. I put on them dressed up, dressed down, and in all places in between.
This is the factor about straight match denims: If you have not worn them for the reason that ’90s, it is simple to evaluate them too rapidly. After they’re new, they appear crisp, pressed flat, cuasing the aspect seams to flare out awkwardly. However after washing, drying, and breaking them in, the drape modifications utterly. Now, they observe my physique’s contours with out feeling too vast, unfastened, or blocky.
They’re simple to put on with chunky boots or suede loafers for that pale preppy look you see at locations like J.Crew, Buck Mason, and Taylor Sew. They’re snug, comfortable, have a little bit of stretch, and so they’re reasonably priced. You’ll be able to snag a pair for below $50, particularly throughout upcoming gross sales.
A Nice Plain T-Shirt
Having a comfortable, handsome t-shirt that you just love the way in which it matches—I can’t overemphasize how useful that’s. You’ll put on it on a regular basis. You’ll layer it beneath leather-based jackets, sweaters, and button-ups. You’ll put on it by itself with denims. You’ll put on it tucked into chinos for a contemporary look.
A t-shirt that drapes effectively with a comfortable visible texture can exude sophistication simply in addition to a button-up shirt. Between a man carrying an inexpensive, unkempt button-up and a man carrying a very strong, comfortable, well-fitting t-shirt with some particulars within the collar, hem, texture, or wash—I select the t-shirt each time.
Staples and fundamentals are known as that as a result of they’re common and may look wonderful on anybody when the main points are dialed in. There’s a bent to dismiss them as much less vital or boring, however that couldn’t be farther from the reality.
Cease Sporting (and Get Rid of) Issues You Hate Sporting
It is a large one for me. I mislead myself about issues which can be a smidge too small or don’t match fairly proper. I’ll strive them on, then find yourself selecting one thing else, however I don’t say to myself, “I ought to simply eliminate this.”
Holding these objects makes getting dressed tougher as a result of they create visible litter in your closet. It’s additionally wasted time for those who strive them on solely to reject them once more.
One other stunning aspect impact that I found is, I might by no means think about shopping for issues “I already had” however by no means wore just because they did not match proper or weren’t snug, even when the correct model of the merchandise would have gotten worn on a regular basis.
Exterior of utmost utilitarian instances—like a blazer or go well with you don’t get pleasure from carrying however sometimes want—there’s no level in preserving objects you dislike. Use the trick the place you cling these objects with the hook dealing with outward and after six or so months, if the hanger hasn’t been rotated (indicating you’ve worn the merchandise), donate or promote it. This methodology clears up house and helps you acknowledge what you really want.
Darkish Grey Denims
$25+
If you’d like a single reply to what’s one factor you should purchase to make outfit-building simpler, it’s a pair of darkish grey slim or straight denims with 1 / 4 or half break.
You’ll be capable of gown them up, put on them tremendous casually, type them rugged, or pair them with preppy or streetwear seems. They’ll work with brown boots, black sneakers, and virtually the rest. The flexibility is infinite.
If a buddy who was simply beginning out requested me for one suggestion, it will be this. You could find loads of choices below $50 from locations like Levi’s or Amazon Necessities, particularly throughout gross sales which can be arising.