It’s swimsuit season once again, and many men will find themselves lounging at backyard pool parties and hitting the beach.

Hanging out in just a swimsuit can make some guys feel self-conscious, for obvious reasons. You don’t have on any of the usual clothing and layers you can use to disguise or enhance certain aspects of your body, and you’re essentially standing in public wearing the minimum amount of fabric society permits.

Even if being out and about in a swimsuit doesn’t make you actively self-conscious, you likely want to feel optimally confident when you don yours.

Whichever category you fall into, today we’ll give you some tips on how to look your best at the pool or beach. Fortunately, looking swell in a swimsuit doesn’t require having the physique of an Olympic swimmer or Marvel superhero; the impression you make can be significantly improved by choosing the right trunks for your particular qualities and wearing them with style and confidence.

Choosing the Right Suit for You

Match the Suit to Your Build

The swimsuit you’ll look best in partly depends on your body type.

If you’ve got an athletic build, just about every style will look good on you, and suits in solid colors that fit closely without clinging will be especially flattering.

But if you’re on the thin or heavy side, you’ll want to keep a few special considerations in mind:

If You’re Lean and Skinny

If you’ve got a slim physique, you want your swimsuit to add a little substance to it.

Avoid extremely slim or tiny swim briefs unless you’re intentionally channeling a European water polo player.

Instead, choose tailored trunks with some visual interest:

• Horizontal stripes
• Bold patterns
• Bright colors
• Side pockets

Patterns and details add visual weight and help create the impression of a more filled-out frame.

If You’re Carrying Extra Weight

Many men respond to a thicker midsection by sizing up dramatically. But this is the wrong way to go.

An oversized swimsuit doesn’t hide weight. It simply adds bulk.

Choose a suit that fits comfortably at the waist and falls cleanly from the hips.

Solid colors generally work better than busy patterns. Darker shades can create a slimming effect, though there’s no need to restrict yourself exclusively to black.

The key is structure. A suit that fits properly will almost always look better than one that’s several sizes too large.

Choose Colors That Complement Your Complexion

In addition to matching a swimsuit to your body type, you’ll also want to make sure it complements your skin color.

Fair Skin

If you’re pale and burn easily, avoid colors that wash you out. So skip light pastels that match your skin tone and colors like pale beige, light yellow, and white.

Instead, try:

• Navy
• Forest green
• Burgundy
• Medium blue

These colors provide enough contrast to create visual definition.

Medium or Olive Skin

Medium and olive skin tones have the most flexibility when it comes to color. Few colors are off-limits, but medium and olive skin tones tend to look especially good in earthy colors and richer shades that complement the natural warmth of the complexion.

For example:

• Teal
• Olive green
• Coral
• Turquoise
• Burgundy
• Rust

This is the skin tone that can often pull off brighter colors without looking overwhelmed by them.

Dark Skin

Rich, saturated colors tend to look especially good against darker complexions.

Consider:

• Emerald green
• Bright blue
• White
• Orange
• Yellow
• Red

Darker complexions should feel freer to experiment with bold colors.

Guidelines for All

Skip the Extra-Long Board Shorts

Many men gravitate toward long board shorts that reach the knee or even extend below it. That’s understandable. If you came of age in the ’90s or early 2000s, that’s simply the length that swim shorts — and everyday shorts — came in.

The hemline of shorts has inched up in the past decade for both casualwear and swimwear, and that’s something to embrace.

Long trunks aren’t inherently bad, but they can throw off your proportions. Because they cover so much of the leg, they tend to make your legs appear shorter and your body appear heavier than it actually is.

The longer shorts of the 90s/00s were actually an anomaly in the history of male swimsuits; for most of the time men have been wearing swimsuits, they’ve been shorter — sometimes quite a bit shorter!

For most men, the sweet spot is a swimsuit with an inseam between 5 and 7 inches. This means the hem lands somewhere in the middle of the thigh, several inches above the knee. This length creates a more balanced and flattering silhouette.

If you’re under 5’10”, lean toward the shorter end of the range. Showing more leg creates the illusion of height.

If you’re tall, you can comfortably wear 7-inch trunks without looking disproportionate.

But unless you need long board shorts for a functional purpose, most men shouldn’t be wearing suits that fall below the top of the knee.

Skip the Novelty Prints

Swimsuits sometimes come in “fun” novelty prints — cartoon sharks, pineapples wearing sunglasses. But these read as jokey frat guy on spring break rather than a sharp, mature man — a poolside smooth operator.

Stick to solid colors and classic patterns and prints.

Mind the Waistband

Most men will look best in a traditional swim trunk with an elastic waistband and drawstring. It’s comfortable, forgiving, and works on a wide variety of body types.

The lace-up board-short waistband popularized by surf brands has its place, particularly for surfing and other watersports. But for everyday swimming and beachgoing, a classic elastic waistband is usually the simpler and more flattering choice.

You’ll want to keep the waistband sitting comfortably at your natural waist or slightly below it, rather than halfway down your hips; wearing trunks too low is one of the easiest ways to look sloppy in swimwear. When trunks ride too low, they shorten the legs and emphasize the stomach.

A properly positioned waistband creates cleaner proportions and makes nearly every body type look better.

The drawstring should be functional, not decorative. If the suit can’t stay up without being tied like a sailor’s knot, it’s probably the wrong size.

Don’t Forget What’s Above (and Below) the Waist

A swimsuit isn’t the entirety of your beach attire.

The man who looks best poolside is often not the man with the best physique but the man who understands the value of accessories.

Consider adding:

• A well-fitting linen shirt
• A polo made from lightweight fabric
• Classic sunglasses
• Leather sandals

These items provide structure and style while giving you something to wear when you’re lounging around the water and not actively in it.

They also help shift attention from your body to your overall presentation.

The Secret Advantage: Good Posture

If there’s one free upgrade available to every man, it’s posture.

Stand tall.

Pull your shoulders back slightly.

Keep your chest open.

Don’t cross your arms defensively over your stomach.

Most men at the beach unconsciously adopt a posture that communicates embarrassment. They hunch, slouch, and try to disappear.

Ironically, these habits make them look less appealing.

Confidence changes how clothing — and swimwear — hangs on the body.

A man with average genetics and good posture often looks better than a man with excellent genetics and poor posture.

When it comes to looking swell in a swimsuit, the right pair of trunks helps, but the secret sauce is simply exuding confidence and being comfortable in your own skin.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

A good fitted baseball cap should feel like it was made just for you. You don’t want it awkwardly perched on top of your head or uncomfortably squeezing your temples. You want it to fit like a broken-in pair of gloves or boots. 

The problem is, hats don’t come that way off the rack. Even if you pick the “right” size, you’re working with standardized measurements trying to fit a non-standard head. And most brands only size in quarter- or half-size increments, so the “right” size is usually just the closest size. Add in stiff materials and factory shaping, and most caps start out feeling a little off — a bit too tight or loose.

The good news: that slight mismatch is fixable. You can usually dial in a hat that’s just a little too big or too small. 

Materials matter in how much play you’ll have: wool caps will stretch and conform more easily, while polyester blends tend to hold their shape. Either way, don’t rush the break-in process. The best results come from a mix of light intervention and regular wear. Over time, the hat will do what it was meant to do: mold itself to you.

In addition to getting a hat to fit nicely on your noggin, breaking it in also involves curving the bill (we’re no fans of the flat brim at AoM). The same easy-does-it principle for breaking in the crown applies to breaking in the bill too: while the methods above can accelerate the process, you don’t have to force it — a natural curve will come gradually just by working it with your hands over time.

With that in mind, use the guide above to fine-tune your cap. And if you want to go deeper, check out our full-length article on breaking in a fitted baseball hat.

Illustrated by Ted Slampyak

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

In the world of watches, the word complication doesn’t mean something has gone wrong. It simply refers to any function beyond those of a three-hander, which tells the hours, minutes, and seconds.

There are dozens of possible complications and some of them are wildly elaborate: perpetual calendars that account for leap years, “tourbillons” that counteract gravity, minute repeaters that chime the time on demand. At the highest end, watchmakers compete to stack as many of these feats of engineering into a single case as humanly possible.

But for most men, those aren’t the complications that matter.

The vast majority of watches you’ll encounter and realistically consider wearing feature a couple of common, practical complications. They add useful functionality, distinctive character, and a certain mechanical charm that stands out in a sea of smartwatches.

Here are the five most common watch complications — and why you might choose a watch that includes one or more of them.

The Date

The date window is the most ubiquitous complication in modern watches. It’s simple, useful, and unobtrusive. If you routinely sign documents, schedule meetings, or just like having the date visible without pulling out your phone, it’s handy to have.

It’s also a complication that allows for a bit of variety and personal style. A small date window at 3 o’clock adds a touch of modern utility; a larger display near the bottom makes a bolder statement.

The Chronograph

A chronograph is essentially a stopwatch built into your watch. It allows you to measure elapsed time — useful for exercising, grilling a steak, or calculating speed when paired with a tachymeter bezel.

Chronographs undoubtedly add visual interest, but can also veer into busyness. You may run into multiple subdials, pushers on the case, and extra markings, which can give the watch an overbuilt, tool-oriented feel. Whether you like that or not comes down to personal preference; if you appreciate mechanical ingenuity or want a watch with a bit more presence on the wrist, a chronograph certainly delivers.

The GMT or Dual Time

Originally developed for pilots, GMT watches allow you to track a second time zone simultaneously. It could be a fourth hand that circles the dial once every 24 hours or a small separate dial.

If you travel frequently, work across time zones, or have family overseas, this complication is genuinely practical. It also carries a subtle air of adventure and the romance of global exploration.

If your life is firmly rooted in one time zone, it may simply be a perfectly acceptable aesthetic choice.

The Moonphase

Few complications are as poetic as the moonphase. It tracks the lunar cycle, displaying the waxing and waning moon through a small aperture on the dial.

It’s certainly not necessary, but often beautiful and just plain fun.

This is a complication that’s less about utility and more about tradition and craftsmanship. Long before modern calendars and digital displays, watchmakers devised moonphase complications to track the lunar cycle for navigation, agriculture, and religious observance, making it one of the oldest features of horology — the science, study, and art of measuring time. Because early watchmakers had to mechanically replicate the moon’s 29.5-day cycle using gears alone, the moonphase became a showcase of both technical skill and decorative artistry.

The moonphase complication thus connects modern wearers to centuries of horological heritage. If you’re drawn to watches for their romance and history, this complication may speak to you.

The Power Reserve

On mechanical watches, a power reserve indicator shows how much stored energy remains before the watch needs winding. It’s especially practical if you rotate watches; while a daily-worn watch is either continuously wound (automatic) or regularly wound by habit (manual), one worn only occasionally can unexpectedly run down.

A power reserve also adds a subtle technical character to a watch — a reminder that what you’re wearing is a human-engineered machine.

Choosing What Fits You

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you should choose a watch based on its complications. But the truth is simpler: pick those that align with how you live and what you think looks nice.

If you value clean design, a simple three-hand watch may be your best companion. But depending on your tastes, one or more complications may be exactly the fit for your life and your personal style.

A watch is one of the few pieces of gear you’ll wear every day. Function matters, but so does the way it looks and feels. A watch’s complications should serve your daily life while also bringing some subtle satisfaction each time you glance at your wrist.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

Several years ago, I picked up a field jacket inspired by field jackets from the 20th century. I needed something for those weeks in the fall and spring when it’s too warm for a proper winter coat but too cold for just a sweatshirt, and it seemed like a solid option.

The field jacket has since become the jacket I reach for more than anything else in my closet. I throw it on with jeans and a t-shirt when I’m out running errands. I’ve worn it over an Oxford cloth button-down and chinos. I’ve worn it on road trips, to the grocery store, and to kids’ basketball games. It’s the perfect travel jacket for when I fly, with plenty of pockets for stashing stuff. The field jacket works with almost everything in my closet and fits nearly every social situation I find myself in.

That mixture of handsomeness and utility isn’t an accident, but a product of where the field jacket came from: the military. A lot of male style staples were born during times of war, originating from pieces that were tailored to be both functional and sharp-looking at the same time. And the field jacket’s path from the battlefields of World War II to your closet is one of the more interesting stories in menswear.

Below, we talk about that evolution, and how you can wear the field jacket with style today.

A Jacket Born From Failure

The U.S. military spent the better part of three years at the beginning of WWII trying to get the field jacket right.

At the start of the 1940s, American soldiers were issued the M-1939 Service Coat, a long, heavy wool garment that was about as practical for modern combat as a bathrobe. When soldiers exerted themselves, they’d sweat through the wool. Then when they stopped to rest, all that trapped moisture would cool rapidly against their bodies. It was a recipe for hypothermia, and it weighed a ton even when dry.

The military’s first fix was the M-1941, sometimes called the Parsons Jacket after Major General James K. Parsons. It was modeled after a civilian windbreaker, made from lightweight cotton poplin with a wool flannel lining. It was better for mobility, but the light olive drab color was highly visible in the field, the fabric couldn’t handle sustained wind and rain, and the short, waist-length cut didn’t allow for pockets with sufficient storage.

It wasn’t until 1943 that the military nailed it. The M-1943 moved to a longer, hip-length cut in a darker olive drab cotton sateen, tightly woven for wind and water resistance. It introduced the iconic four-pocket layout: two large bellows pockets at the hips, two pleated pockets at the chest. And it was designed as the centerpiece of a layering system where you could wear it over an insulating mid-layer (including the famous “Ike Jacket” championed by Eisenhower himself) and adapt to conditions ranging from mild French autumns to the brutal winters of the Ardennes.

The M-65: The Design Peaks

The M-1943’s DNA carried through the M-1951, which added a zipper closure and bi-swing pleats at the back for better shoulder mobility, and then reached its final form in 1965 with the M-65, produced by contractors including Alpha Industries.

The M-65 is the field jacket most people picture when they think “military field jacket.” It replaced the M-1951’s pointed collar with a stand-up collar that concealed a stowaway hood accessible via a heavy-duty zipper, giving soldiers in Vietnam immediate protection from monsoon rains. The fabric was a 50/50 cotton-nylon sateen blend that offered serious wind and water resistance. Velcro fasteners replaced buttons at the cuffs and collar for a more secure seal.

The M-65 was deliberately cut oversized and boxy to accommodate a removable quilted nylon liner for cold weather. This is important to know if you’re buying one, because an authentic M-65 or a faithful reproduction is going to feel huge unless you size down one or even two sizes from your normal jacket size. It remained in service for decades before newer cold weather clothing systems began to replace it in the late 1980s.

How the Field Jacket Became a Civilian Staple

After World War II and Korea, enormous quantities of surplus military gear flooded the civilian market. If you needed a tough, affordable jacket, you could pick up an M-1943 or M-1951 for next to nothing. Working-class guys wore them because they were cheap and built to last.

During Vietnam, the field jacket started to become a symbol of rebellion. Veterans rotating home throughout the late ’60s and early ’70s were still wearing their issued M-65s. When some of those vets joined the anti-war movement, the jacket became a symbol of dissent. War protestors who didn’t even serve in the military started to wear the M-65 as part of their unofficial uniform. After the war, surplus M-65s hit the racks at Army surplus stores and because it had the aura of cool rebellion, civilians started wearing them. For example, the M-65 became a style staple in the punk scene in the 70s and 80s.

Hollywood cemented the field jacket as a menswear go-to for the rebel. Pacino wore an M-65 in Serpico as part of his character’s refusal to dress or act like a conventional cop. Robert De Niro’s Travis Bickle wore one as a kind of urban combat uniform in Taxi Driver. Woody Allen wore one in Annie Hall, which helped make the jacket something a (neurotic) urban intellectual could wear. Stallone’s outsider John Rambo wears a battered M-65 in First Blood. By the early ’80s, the field jacket was the jacket for guys who didn’t fit neatly into one box.

Why the Field Jacket Looks Good

So why does the field jacket look good with so many different outfits? The hip-length cut hits at the right spot on most men’s frames. If your jacket has an internal drawstring, and you use it to cinch the waist (and you should, because an uncinched field jacket on a slim guy looks like a poncho), you get a tapered silhouette that mimics the V-shape of a tailored blazer. Even without a drawstring, the jacket hits a sweet spot between structured and casual. The four-pocket layout gives the jacket visual weight and complexity without making it busy. Your eye has something to land on. Those pockets are incredibly handy to boot.

The military heritage gives the jacket an automatic dose of manly ruggedness. And the rebel cool symbolism that the field jacket acquired in the 1970s is still there. When you see a guy wearing one, you often think, “That dude looks cool.” You’ll feel like a cool dude wearing one.

Where to Find a Good Field Jacket

If you want a genuine military-issue jacket, you’ll want to check Army surplus stores and online sellers. The problem you’ll run into with vintage field jackets is that there aren’t many of them on the market these days. And when you do find one, they’ll mostly be for smaller guys. When I search for vintage M-65s on eBay, I can find a lot of smalls and mediums, but not many larges and extra larges.

Alpha Industries, one of the original manufacturers of the M-65, still makes the jacket. You can buy one from their site. It will set you back $225. One of the downsides of it (I think) is that it looks a little too new. It doesn’t have that lived-in look that you think of when you think of field jackets.

If you’re going for a more rugged-looking field jacket, look for reproductions. For example, Bronson MFG offers several, including the M-43, M-51, and M-65. They all look vintage, even though they’re not, and at around $100-$150, they’re reasonably priced. On the other end of things, if you’ve got $800 burning a hole in your pocket, Japan’s The Real McCoy’s has a sharp M-65 replica.

Many menswear companies offer field jackets that are inspired by the OGs. These aren’t exact reproductions. They’re channeling the look and feel of a field jacket, but giving it some modern updates; one of the nice things about these non-replica field jackets is that they often include some tailoring so that they don’t look so boxy. Filson offers an “inspired by” field jacket that looks sharp.

My field jacket, which I got from Flint and Tinder, fits this category. It has the look of a vintage field jacket, but with a bit of tailoring so that it fits less poncho-like. They discontinued it, but hopefully it’ll return. Hey, Huckberry! Bring it back!

Just google “field jacket” and you’ll find plenty of options for your personal budget and style preferences.

How to Wear a Field Jacket

As I mentioned above, the field jacket is a pretty dang versatile piece of clothing. You can dress it up or down. You’ll usually find me wearing my field jacket with a t-shirt (tucked in, of course), jeans, and sneakers.

If you want to dress it up a bit, wear khakis, an OCBD (and tie, if you want), and a pair of loafers or chukkas.

It really is hard to mess up a field jacket, but here are some guidelines for you:

Match it with textures that complement the cotton sateen. Cotton, corduroy, denim. These all share that tactile, lived-in quality. Smooth, shiny fabrics are going to feel off.

Use the drawstring. If you’ve got an OG field jacket or a replica, you’ll want to cinch it with drawstrings. An uncinched one looks like a tent.

Keep the hood stowed away. If your jacket comes with a stowaway hood, keep it zipped inside the collar where it belongs unless it’s raining. It’s a genuinely useful feature, but it rarely looks good worn casually.

If you don’t yet own a field jacket, it’s worth picking one up. From the foxholes of war to the trenches of modern life, it’s a useful and handsome workhorse that’s earned its place in a man’s wardrobe.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

Your casual clothes are the ones you wear on your own time.

It’s hard to put boundaries on what pieces of clothing count as “casual” and which ones don’t. If you ask what a suit is, most people will say “business wear,” but a salmon-pink suit with yellow pinstripes? Not so appropriate for the boardroom.

With standards relaxing everywhere and some industries (art, web technology, etc.) priding themselves on a relaxed, unconventional look, “business” wear is nearly as hard to define. Depending on your job, your casual wardrobe might be fancier than your work wardrobe, or less dressy, or it might be the exact same clothes.

So don’t worry too much about the old categories and definitions.

Upscale or down-to-earth, sleek or rugged, casual clothes are your clothes for you. They’re the expression of your personal style outside of any external dress code, when no one else is defining your style for you, and the choice of what to wear is entirely your own.

Unfortunately, this freedom can be a little frightening. Most men subsequently retreat into a default “uniform” of casual duds: think khakis and a button-down shirt for nicer occasions, and jeans and a t-shirt for everything else. While such get-ups done in the right materials, colors, and fit can be decent looking, they’re hardly either interesting or sharp.

With a little thought and effort, however, your casual clothes can turn heads every day, everywhere you go.

How to Elevate Your Casual Style

Variety is the spice of life, and it’s also the soul of good casual clothing.

If you look at a fashion model — or just a well-dressed guy on the street — you’ll see that what makes him stand out is that his clothes don’t look like everybody else’s.

That doesn’t mean that to look sharp and casual you have to wear wild prints and eccentric garments; the bar of mainstream men’s style is set so low, you don’t have deviate greatly or make a big effort to stand out!

Here are 4 simple ways to elevate your casual wardrobe above the status quo:

1. Layer

One of the biggest problems with the t-shirt/jeans or dress shirt/khakis look is that it’s complete at a single glance. No one’s attention is going to be held, because there’s nothing there to hold it. Once they’ve taken in your trousers and your shirt they’re done.

Layering basically just means adding pieces to an outfit. A blazer is a layer; so is a cardigan or a hat or a scarf or even a casually-slung messenger bag. 

The result of adding details beyond the shirt and trousers is visual complexity. There’s more to take in, so people’s eyes linger longer.

You also get the practical benefits of an outfit you can change on the go, of course; shed a layer when it gets too hot, or offer your jacket to a lady when she gets cold. The only real drawback to a layered look is added warmth in the summer and occasionally having to keep track of something you took off.

So add a few pieces. Jackets are great, whether they’re a navy blazer or a denim or leather jacket; have one of those at a minimum. From there, go where your style and tastes take you.

Learn more about some common layers:

• Guide to the Sport Coat
• How to Wear a Sport Coat With Jeans
• Guide to the Blazer
• Guide to Leather Jackets
• Guide to Sweaters (General)
• Guide to the Cardigan

2. Emphasize the Accents

Looking good is about people noticing your appearance and remembering it.

Good accents give people something to remember you by.

What’s an accent? Basically anything that isn’t the big, body-covering pieces of the outfit. Trousers, shirts, and jackets aren’t considered accents; almost anything else can be, depending on how you wear it.

Making small upgrades to your basic accents can take an outfit from “uniform” to “unique.” Trade out plain brown dress shoes for a pair of brightly-colored canvas shoes or a loafer with a metallic buckle. Swap a leather belt for a colored web one. Add a tasteful piece of masculine jewelry or a unique watch.

This does call for a little moderation. Your outfit shouldn’t be all about one accent. If all anyone can remember is your neon-yellow ammo belt, you’ve overdone it. But some color, detail, and uniqueness where most men are wearing the most neutral option available will definitely set you apart from the crowd.

Learn more about accent pieces:

• Guide to Men’s Jewelry
• How to Choose a Wristwatch
• Guide to Scarves
• Guide to Belts
• Guide to Boots and Shoes

3. Tailor the Fit

Even though a non-layered look isn’t as interesting as a layered one, it still can be sharp — as long as you nail the fit of the garments.

Casual should never look sloppy. You’re showcasing your own personal taste — and you don’t want people to think you have a taste for laziness.

We usually think of tailoring as being an option for business clothing, but casual clothes benefit just as much from some customization.

You don’t have to invest in bespoke construction for all your casual clothes (though it is a good way to get a unique jacket or blazer made exactly the way you want it), but a few alterations to the fit should be mandatory for most wardrobe items.

Trousers should be hemmed so that they break neatly, with the cuff resting lightly on the top of your shoes. The crotch should be kept as close as possible without sacrificing comfort so that you don’t get a saggy look between your legs or in the butt.

Shirts are also worth tailoring, especially if you tend toward the slim side and most shirts are baggy on you. A baggy shirt tucked in makes a “muffin top” of fabric spilling out over your belt (terrible), and a baggy shirt untucked billows like a sail (also bad). You also want to avoid short-sleeved shirts with armholes that are too big for you, as they make you look scrawnier and weaker than you are.

Factor the price of tailoring into the clothes you purchase, because it’s very rare to ever buy something off the rack that requires no alterations at all.

Learn more about fit and alterations:

• The Importance of Good Fit
• Guide to Clothing Alterations
• How to Find a Good Tailor

4. Experiment

It’s all about variety.

If you’re a big fan of sports jackets, and you own a whole closet full of neat ones, you’re set for that look. Whatever combinations you come up with, you’ll have the clothes to pull it off.

But you don’t want to be that guy who always wears a sports jacket.

Mix it up some. Invest in shirts that can be worn without a jacket, or shirts that are unusual under a jacket, like a long-sleeved t-shirt instead of a collared shirt. Substitute cardigans or casual coats for blazer-style jackets. And so on.

Don’t be afraid to go to stores you’ve never thought about shopping at before and trying on styles that look nothing like your day-to-day wear. You might surprise yourself with what you look good in.

That said, of course, you never want to buy experiments until you’ve tried them on and spent a good long while checking the effect out in the dressing room mirror . . .

Wearing Sharper Casual With Confidence

If you’ve added some variety to your casual wardrobe, you’re ready to go out there with a detailed, layered look.

Now comes the important part: be ready to turn some heads and attract some comments.

Most guys just don’t dress well. You’ll see it looking around. On any given street (unless you’re in a very fashionable neighborhood) most men will be wearing interchangeable outfits. You could yank the clothes off one guy and slap them on the next without anyone noticing the difference (adjusting for body type, of course).

When you start dressing better, you will not blend in. In some situations you’re going to seem a little overdressed. And that’s just fine. As long as you’re not wearing business clothes in a clearly non-business situation, you can be as dressy as you want. It just has to be clear that it’s your look.

There are limits, of course. You probably don’t want to show up to a kegger wearing a summer suit. Use a little judgment. But for the most part, accept the idea that you’re going to be better dressed and attract more attention than most of your fellow males.

Own it, and enjoy it.

Written by Antonio Centeno, founder of Real Men Real Style

With our archives 4,000 articles deep, we’ve decided to republish a classic piece each Sunday to help our newer readers discover some of the best, evergreen gems from the past. This article was originally published in March 2018.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

Shaving is one of those daily rituals that most men take care of as part of their morning routine. It makes sense. Shaving in the morning allows you to start the day looking as fresh as possible and ensures you look clean-shaven longer throughout your waking hours.

But I’ve personally been a night-shaver for several years now and love it. Below I share a few reasons you might consider adopting this practice as well.

The Case for Shaving at Night

You Can Take Your Time With Your Shave. If you’re like most guys, you’re rushing to get ready in the morning. But you don’t want to rush a shave. That can lead to cuts and uneven stubble removal. 

When you shave at night, there’s no rush. You can take your time, ensuring you get a close, comfortable shave without any nicks or razor burns. 

Moreover, slowing down your shave makes the experience more enjoyable and relaxing. When you shave at night, you have the time to make yourself a barbershop hot towel. You’ve got the time to create a nice, warm lather with a badger brush. When you shave at night, you can make shaving more of a ritual and less of a chore.

Shaving at night also gives you the margin to try your hand at a more traditional shaving method: straight razor shaving. Time is your ally with straight razor shaving, especially when you’re first starting. You don’t want to rush the process. 

It Saves You Time in the Morning. Even if you’re a pro at shaving, it still takes time. If you shave at night, it’s one less grooming chore you have to do upon waking. Use the extra time you save in the morning to catch some extra ZZZs or engage in a short session of meditation. 

It Gives Your Face Time to Heal. This is a big reason why I switched to the nighttime shave. When you shave, you’re scraping a sharp piece of metal across your face. No matter how careful you are, you’ll have some irritation and even some nicks. When you shave in the morning, there’s a chance your face is going to look red and irritated as you go to work. If you’ve nicked yourself, you’ll likely have a little scab on your face or maybe even a bit of blood on your shirt collar. Not a good look. 

When you shave at night, you give your skin time to heal from the scraping and cutting. Instead of looking irritated, your face will look nice and healthy.

If I Shave at Night, Won’t I Have Too Much Stubble in the Morning?

Some guys might be reading this and objecting to the idea of nighttime shaving because they’ll wake up in the morning with stubble or a full-blown five o’clock shadow (a 5 a.m. shadow, in this case).

This is a legitimate concern. If your facial hair grows fast and thick, the nighttime shave might not be for you.

However, if your facial hair grows slowly, you can still shave at night and look fresh in the morning. 

I’d say my facial hair grows at an average rate. When I shave in the morning, I’ve got some stubble by the end of the day. But I’ve noticed that when I shave at night, I have less stubble after waking from eight hours of sleep, than I do eight hours after I shave in the morning. 

There might be a reason for this. Hair growth is driven by our circadian rhythm, and studies have shown that hair grows faster in the morning than at night. This might explain why I’ve noticed that I don’t have too much stubble in the morning when I shave before bed: hair doesn’t grow as fast at night.

So if you have a fast-growing beard, you still might try the night shave. You may discover that you’ll wake up with less stubble than you think.

More relaxing shaves, more time in the morning, a more handsome and less irritated face. Yes sir, there’s a case to be made for shaving at night. 

With our archives 4,000 articles deep, we’ve decided to republish a classic piece each Sunday to help our newer readers discover some of the best, evergreen gems from the past. This article was originally published in January 2023.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

The holiday season is here, and with it comes a lineup of festive gatherings — from office parties and family dinners to New Year’s Eve celebrations. Each one calls for a little more style than your everyday jeans-and-sweater combo, but not so much that you look like you wandered out of a black-tie gala.

That’s where smart casual holiday style comes in. It strikes the balance between laid-back and polished — the kind of outfits that feel at home around a dinner table, under string lights, or clinking glasses at midnight.

Our buddies at Huckberry have put together three holiday smart casual looks to keep you covered for every event on the calendar. Each outfit blends seasonal texture and warmth with timeless pieces you’ll wear long after the decorations come down.

Check out Huckberry’s full lineup of holiday smart casual gear in their Smart Casual Shop.

The Office Party

For a holiday office party, start with a khaki blazer. It keeps things professional without feeling stuffy. Pair it with pleated cords for warmth and texture, and a brushed shirt for a soft, relaxed feel. The braided belt and loafers add polish, while the watch gives it just enough edge to feel festive without trying too hard. If your office leans formal, the blazer has you covered; if it’s more casual, lose the jacket.

1. Wills Classic Blazer
2. Wills Brushed Woven Dress Shirt
3. Wills Pleated Cord Trouser
4. Flint and Tinder Braided Leather Belt
5. Huckberry x Citizen Promaster Tough Watch
6. Jacques Soloviere Alexis Loafer

Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner

A cable-knit sweater is cozy, classic, and built for seconds (and thirds). Layer it over an Oxford shirt for a bit of structure, and pair with green 365 Pants for some festive pop. The scarf looks good for family photos, and the chukka boots keep things grounded and sharp.

1. Wills Easycash Cable Knit Sweater
2. Flint and Tinder Oxford Draftsman Shirt
3. Flint and Tinder 365 Pant
4. Flint and Tinder 365 Core Belt
5. Howlin’ College Fun Scarf
6. Luca Moc Toe Chukka Boot

New Year’s Eve Party

For a refined New Year’s look, pair a tailored blazer with matching trousers — it’s elevated without going full tux. Swap the dress shirt for a cashmere polo to keep things relaxed but polished. A clean leather belt and Derby shoes finish it off, giving you a sharp, modern outfit that moves easily from dinner to midnight toast.

1. Wills Classic Blazer
2. Wills Easycash Long Sleeve Polo
3. Wills Rosedale Trouser
4. Flint and Tinder 365 Core Belt
5. Timex Marlin Manual Watch
6. Sanders Athens Plan Gibson Derby

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

Having a signature scent is a great way to express your personality, but no single cologne is ideal for every situation, or even every time of the year. Just as your clothing changes with the seasons, your fragrance “wardrobe” can too. In fact, fragrance experts suggest having three go-to colognes: one for spring/summer, one for fall/winter, and one versatile scent you can wear year-round. Different fragrances mix more or less well with the distinct atmosphere of each season — both its literal weather and its intangible mood — and choosing the right one ensures your scent acts as an ideal complement to the time of year.

Below, we break down what to look for in each seasonal category, plus a bonus pick for the holidays.

Spring & Summer

When the temperature rises, heavy colognes can turn sour fast. Heat both amplifies and breaks down fragrance, which is why richer scents often smell muddy in the heat. So in the warmer months, you want something light and clean.

Look for citrus, herbs, green leaves, or a hint of floral. Those give off a fresh-air brightness that fits the season.

Spring & Summer Fragrance Notes to Look For

• Citrus: bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, neroli
• Greens & herbs: basil, mint, green tea, violet leaf
• Light florals: lavender, jasmine, lily-of-the-valley
• Marine notes: sea breeze, salt, wet wood

Spring & Summer Fragrances to Try

• Bluegrass by EastWest Bottlers. This is my personal spring/summer signature scent. Smells like a fresh field after mowing, with a dash of mint julep.
• Acqua di Giò. Citrus and ocean air. A summer standby since the ’90s.
• Tom Ford Neroli Portofino. Smells like stepping off a sunlit terrace on the Italian Riviera. Starts with a bright burst of citrus and orange blossom, then mellows into a green wood note. It’s crisp, clean, and effortlessly elegant.
• Nautica Voyage. A long-time favorite for its crisp apple, green leaves, and marine notes.

Fall & Winter

Cool weather calls for richer, deeper scents that would be too strong in summer but now feel just right. Think of the cozy, robust smells of autumn and winter: warm spices, wood smoke, leather, and amber. They project better in cold air and last longer on heavy winter fabrics, enveloping you in a seasonally on-point aura.

Fall & Winter Fragrance Notes to Look For

• Spices: cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, cardamom, black pepper
• Woods: cedar, sandalwood, pine, vetiver, patchouli
• Leather & smoke: tobacco, birch tar, incense
• Amber & vanilla: tonka bean, amber resin

Fall & Winter Fragrances to Try

• Sportsman by EastWest Bottlers. My personal signature fall/winter scent. Has notes of leather, musk, flint stone, red clay, and pine. Outdoorsy but still polished.
• Tom Ford Oud Wood. Smoky, dry, refined.
• By the Fireplace by Maison Margiela. Sweet chestnut, smoke, and vanilla. Smells like sitting by the fire after coming in from the cold.

The Year-Rounder

Every man needs one scent that fits any season. One that’s balanced and dependable. An option B for when you don’t feel like wearing your seasonal scent and want to mix things up.

Your year-round fragrance should open clean and end warm. Nothing too bright, nothing too dark. Think citrus or aromatic herbs up top, and woods, musk, or amber underneath.

Fragrance Notes to Look For in a Year-Rounder

• Top notes: light citrus or aromatic herbs like bergamot, lemon, lavender, or sage; keep things bright and open
• Heart notes: green florals or soft spices to add texture without heaviness
• Base notes: woods, musk, or amber; gives your year-rounder a masculine backbone that works in any weather

Year-Round Fragrances to Try

• Bleu de Chanel. Grapefruit, cedar, and incense. A modern classic.
• Dior Sauvage. Crisp, peppery, and easy to wear anywhere.
• Old Spice Classic Aftershave. Clean, spicy, familiar. Easy to wear year-round and immediately recognizable.
• Rich ’90s Dad by Ranger Station. This has been my go-to year-rounder. I discovered it this year. Bergamot and lemon give it a fresh opening, while lavender, sage, and geranium add sophistication in the middle, all grounded by a rich base of musk, sandalwood, and amber. Plus, the name is great. I love how this cologne doesn’t take itself too seriously yet still delivers a quality fragrance.

Bonus: A Holiday Scent

Not required, but nice to have. Around Christmas, reach for something that smells like the season: pine, spice, and smoke, with a hint of sweetness.

Holiday Fragrances to Try

• Burberry London. Port wine, cinnamon, and leather. Smells like a Fezziwig party.
• Angel’s Share by Kilian. Cognac, vanilla, and oak.
• By the Fireplace. Already mentioned as a fall/winter scent, this one’s especially good around the holidays.
• Stetson. When I think of Christmas and cologne, I think Stetson. And it’s all because of its epic holiday commercial campaign from the ’90s. Easy for you.

Fresh scents when it’s hot. Warm scents when it’s cold. Something steady you can wear year-round. That’s an ideal set of fragrances for a man.

Whichever colognes you decide on for your signature scents, make sure to apply them correctly!

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

Note: I first published this post back in 2020. Five years later, I keep busting out this jacket each fall, and it’s still going strong, so I thought I’d give the article an update.

While the links in this post are affiliate links to Huckberry, through which we earn a commission should you purchase something, this endorsement was neither paid for nor solicited. I am a genuine owner and appreciator of the Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket.

Fall is here, and that means crisp, cool mornings and evenings. For this season of chilly-but-not-yet-cold weather, you need a casual fall jacket — a segue piece that keeps you feeling warm and looking good before you start needing a heavier overcoat.

My recommendation is the Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket. I’ve had mine for over ten years now, and it’s only gotten better with age. I’ve re-waxed it several times, and it’s developed a great patina. It’s still one of my go-to jackets when the temps dip. When it gets really cold, I’ll wear a pullover hoodie underneath it. That combo kept me warm and dry during a near-freezing, drizzly OSU-BYU football game that went into overtime a couple of years back. 

Below I’ll share a bit of history behind the trucker jacket style, as well as why the F&T version is my own go-to jacket for fall.

The History of the Trucker Jacket

A trucker jacket is a style of workwear jacket. You’ve seen a trucker jacket if you’ve seen a classic denim jacket. The first iteration of the trucker jacket was made by Levi’s way back in 1905. The “Type 1” jacket was made of denim (natch) and featured a single pocket on the left breast and sturdy metal buttons. Because trucking wasn’t a thing in 1905, this jacket style wasn’t originally called a “trucker jacket.” It earned that moniker as the years went on, automobiles replaced horse-drawn carriages, and the jacket became a go-to piece of outerwear amongst truck drivers and long haulers. 

Over the ensuing decades, Levi’s modified the original Type 1 style by adding pockets (another pocket on the right breast and two hand pockets on the sides) and changing the breast pocket and stitching styles on the front of the jacket. They also started making trucker jackets with sherpa collars. Cowboys working in colder climes took to this modification, and you still see ranchers sport denim jackets with wool or cotton sherpa collars today. Other denim companies like Wrangler and Lee started creating their own version of the trucker jacket, and workwear companies like Carhartt put their mark on the garment by swapping the denim for more weather-resistant materials like cotton duck. Today you can find the trucker in a variety of colors, styles, and fabrics. 

Why the Flint and Tinder Trucker Jacket Is the Perfect Fall Jacket for Dudes

Flint and Tinder has made their contribution to the storied history of the trucker jacket with their own iteration of this classic piece of outerwear. They took the old school Type 1 style with the single breast pocket, made it with flannel-lined waxed canvas sailcloth, and updated it with a modern fit. Both the canvas material and the jacket itself are made in America.

Here’s what I like about the F&T Trucker:

• Classic, rugged, masculine style. It just looks great.
• Warm and weather-resistant. The canvas fabric is waxed on both sides for warmth and insulation. The material resists water and wind, and keeps me comfortable down into the 50s, maybe upper 40s (depending on what I’m wearing underneath). You can re-wax the jacket to keep the water resistance strong over time.
• The flannel lining is super soft and comfortable, even (and especially!) when wearing short sleeves underneath. 
• Quality construction. After 10 years of heavy use, the jacket is holding up nicely.
• Gets better with age. The more I wear the jacket, the better it looks. It takes on a nice weathered patina over time.

I wear the jacket with jeans + tees, short- and long-sleeved henleys, and sweaters. It’s the perfect casual coat.

The Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket is available exclusively on Huckberry, and they’ve got a bunch of different colors to choose from; my favorites are the field tan and the moss. Check ’em out — a decade in, I can honestly say this jacket is the real deal.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

The rugby shirt is an underrated menswear staple. Like denim or the leather boot, it started as tough, utilitarian gear and evolved into a style icon. Equal parts rugged and refined, rugby shirts straddle the line between athleticism and leisure, work and play, tradition and rebellion.

If you’ve never considered owning a rugby shirt — or thought they were just for Ivy League types or actual rugby players — it’s time to reconsider. They seem to be on the cusp of a comeback. Here’s why you should add a rugby shirt to your wardrobe and how to wear one with style.

A Brief History of the Rugby Shirt

This iconic shirt traces its origins to 19th-century England, when students at elite schools like Rugby, Eton, and Cambridge began codifying the game of rugby football. To endure the sport’s rough-and-tumble nature, players needed shirts that were hard-wearing and practical — a garment that could hold up under plenty of tackling, scrums, and rain-drenched pitches.

These early rugby jerseys were first made from wool, which was then swapped for thick, heavy-gauge cotton for greater durability. The shirts featured rubber buttons (to prevent the abrasions harder buttons could cause during collisions), long sleeves, and a contrasting twill collar that resisted stretching out during play. Over time, horizontal stripes, known as hoops, were added to distinguish teams.

By the mid-20th century, rugby shirts had jumped the fence from pitch to campus, a shift that grew out of school/team pride; initially they were like wearing a sports jersey, but they looked good enough that they grew into a bona fide style staple. Ivy League students adopted them as part of the burgeoning preppy look. In the decades since, they’ve become a wardrobe staple for everyone from punks and skaters to J.Crew models and Silicon Valley CEOs.

Why a Man Should Own a Rugby Shirt

They stand out without showing off. In a world where ordinary sweatshirts and sweaters predominate, rugby shirts, with their distinctive styling and colorful stripes, turn heads; they’re not loud, but they are different.

They balance rugged and refined. The rugby shirt’s athletic heritage gives it a certain ruggedness, but its collar, sturdy structure, and classic details add polish. It’s sporty without being sloppy, masculine without trying too hard. Rugby shirts elevate your casualwear while being as easy to throw on as a sweatshirt.

They’re versatile. You can dress a rugby shirt up or down. Toss it over jeans and sneakers for a fall tailgate or pair it with chinos and chukkas for a date with your gal.

They age well. Rugby shirts are genuinely durable, and with time, their fabric breaks in and develops real character. Like a good Oxford shirt or pair of jeans, it only gets better the more you wear it. Fraying cuffs, faded stripes, and softened collars tell a story.

When to Wear One

Transitional Weather. With their thicker but still breathable cotton fabric, rugby shirts thrive in spring and fall, when it’s too cool for a tee but too warm for a jacket.

Office Casual. Paired with chinos and boots, a rugby shirt anchors a smart-casual look suited to relaxed office settings.

Weekend Errands, Casual Dinners, and Coffee Runs. They’re comfortable enough to throw on and go, but refined enough to not look like you just rolled out of bed.

Outdoor Events. Tailgates, hayrides, early-morning soccer games, apple-picking — anywhere flannel might feel too lumberjack and a hoodie too juvenile.

Travel Days. They’re cozy for the plane, yet presentable for arrival. Plus, that twill collar means you don’t look like a slob when grabbing dinner after a long drive.

What to Look for in a Rugby Shirt

1. Heavyweight Cotton Jersey. Traditional rugby shirts are made from thick, durable cotton knit — something with enough heft to stand up on its own, but soft enough to feel broken in. Avoid synthetic, thin, or clingy fabrics.

2. Twill Collar. The hallmark of a classic rugby shirt. Usually white or off-white, this woven cotton collar contrasts with the knit body and gives the shirt structure. Bonus points if the collar stands up on its own without looking stiff.

3. Rubber Buttons or Hidden Placket. Original rugby shirts used rubber buttons, and that remains an authentic touch. Some modern versions hide the buttons altogether under a placket, which lends a cleaner look. Either option works.

4. Stripe Pattern (or Not). Bold horizontal stripes, or “hoops,” are a classic rugby shirt style detail. But solid versions or subtle patterns can be equally handsome — and sharper and more “formal.”

5. Proper Fit. Traditionally, rugby shirts were roomy for ease of movement. But too oversized and you’ll look like a kid wearing Dad’s clothes. Aim for a modern, athletic cut: fitted in the shoulders, a bit of room in the torso, and sleeves that stop at the wrist.

6. Reinforced Cuffs and Elbows. If you find a version with these details, you’ve got yourself a true workhorse. Not necessary — but nice.

7. Crests and Logos. Traditional rugby jerseys often carried a team crest on the chest. A small emblem can add authenticity, but oversized logos risk making the shirt look more chintzy than classic.

Dressing the Rugby Shirt Up or Down

Wearing a rugby shirt is stupidly simple.

For a casual look, pair it with dark or light denim and a pair of sneakers, and you’re good to go.

If you want to dress things up a bit from there, swap the jeans for chinos, tuck in the rugby shirt, add a leather belt, and swap the sneakers for chukkas, leather boots, or loafers. You’ve now entered smart casual territory.

Go ahead and add a rugby shirt to your wardrobe. They’ve got a rough-and-tumble pedigree, are durable and distinct, and with no more effort than donning jeans and a sweatshirt, will give you a more put-together look. 

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.