Virgil – The Man's Guide

If you are a man who holds himself in high regard when it comes to style, or you have a general grasp of how to dress yourself for any casual occasion, this probably isn’t for you. Feel free to keep reading and comment away. For the men who have worn the same thing for years, or never really started wearing anything at all, this is your starter guide to elevation. And to elevate, we need simplicity and consistency.

What is style?

Style is the longevity of a trend. Yes, it is important to acknowledge trends, especially if you like them. Add them into your style, but don’t make them your style. Style is about being confident, understated, and intentional.

To be consistent, you need to start with the basics of what you want: to look clean and put together. This means simple, neutral colours with everyday clothing items that you can wear in all manner of combinations. We have all seen the viral video of Steve Harvey explaining his suit combinations — we’re on the same lines here, but for the everyday casual lad.

I’m writing this from Scotland, in the United Kingdom. Our style is much more basic and casual, or however you want to describe it. Most of us socially go to the gym, the pub, and out for dinner. I apologise if I haven’t covered your running-club Thursday brunch niche, but this is exactly what it says on the tin.

Simple and Consistent

The plain, neutral cotton T-shirt is going to be your best friend for life. Fit is everything here. We’re in the world of oversized just now, but get yourself a nicely fitting handful of white, black, grey, and beige tees. I’m a Uniqlo fan — I love the Airism range — but find what works for you.

While still focusing on the top half, get yourself a couple of neutral, basic sweaters: black, grey, beige, and, if you’re feeling it, a white number.

Literally halfway done. Next up is the lower half. Jeans come and go in fashion, and currently we’re in the straight-leg era. Personally, if you’re just starting this new you, I’d still go for a slightly more tailored leg — maybe a relaxed, regular, or casual fit. Get one dark wash and one light wash pair. I’m not a massive fan of designer jeans, so Next is my go-to for decent quality at a fair price.

That’s you basically done, lads — you can’t really go wrong from here, especially if you’re wearing a nice, simple pair of white trainers. Keep jackets black and make sure they fit. Remember, this guide is about making sure you can stay consistent and look put together for standard occasions. Once you’ve got a good handle on that, you can add accessories, extra items, and start thinking about the next occasion.

If you see someone you think dresses well, or whose style you like, tell them. Ask them where they get their ideas from. Let’s build a normalised culture of men complimenting men.