How To (Subtly) Help Your Man Dress Better: 7 Tips

When it comes to dressing up, women tend to be more updated and open to suggestions. Of course, this doesn’t mean that guys don’t have any sense of fashion. It’s just that some are a wee bit shy to admit that they need help.

So, if you notice that your boyfriend, husband, or partner needs assistance, don’t wait for him to find himself in that awkward position where he needs to ask for your advice. Instead, offer your help subtly.

If you’re not sure how to do this, here are seven tips you can try:

1.   Go on a shopping date.

Instead of the movies, you can ask your boyfriend or husband to go on a shopping date with you.

In most cases, men expect women to buy items for themselves, so engaging them in shopping can be challenging. If this is the case, consider setting a time limit for the trip (one to three hours should be enough) and head over to the men’s department only. This way, you can focus on your man’s wardrobe and avoid the temptation of buying something for yourself.

Use this opportunity to encourage him to try on different clothing styles – from basic and neutral-colored shirts and trousers to more eye-catching pieces like denim jackets with patches and other cover-ups.

Pro Tip: You can go on a reconnaissance mission of sorts before your shopping date. This will allow you to plan your route well since you already know which shops to visit to look for the good stuff.

2.   Give him gifts of clothing and accessories.

In case your man declines a shopping date, don’t insist. Instead, buy him clothing and accessories and offer them to him as a gift.

Before you go gift shopping, get his measurements first or refer to the sizes of his current shirts. You should also consider buying only from stores that allow returns, in case you get the wrong size.

When shopping for clothes and accessories for your man, be sure to keep the following guidelines in mind:

●       Focus on his style and personality when buying fashion pieces. There’s no point in buying something he doesn’t feel comfortable wearing.

●       Look for his favorite clothes and see if they need replacing. If so, buy some similar ones that align with the current trends.

●       Prioritize quality over quantity. Instead of buying too many items, only choose a few high-quality ones. Your partner will most likely look better in well-made pieces, after all.

●       Don’t forget to buy items in color. While neutrals are crucial in holding a wardrobe together, men need a pop of color in their outfits, too.

3.   Make sure he has all the basics.

Help your man master the basics by choosing versatile pieces that fit his current style and can go with whatever is currently in his wardrobe. These may include:

●       Well-fitted, high-quality T-shirts

●       Polo shirts in his best colors

●       Well-made cotton pants

●       Comfortable cashmere sweaters

●       A casual jacket

●       At least one good pair of leather shoes

●       Socks to match his existing pants and footwear

Pro Tip: Make sure he has at least one business casual ensemble, like a dark blue tailored suit over a button-down white oxford dress shirt with a pair of smart leather shoes. If he’s more of a casual-wear or street-style kind of guy, a white T-shirt paired with dark denim jeans is a good go-to outfit.

4.   Be smart and sensitive when paring down his wardrobe.

To help your man dress better, you may need to get rid of some of the items in his wardrobe. But before you do, you should offer up new pieces as an alternative to what you’re giving away or selling on a garage sale.

Remember that most men won’t give up their favorite clothing easily, so it’s up to you to give him a nudge. Spring cleaning can serve as an excellent opportunity to go through your partner’s wardrobe. Help him decide which ones to let go of, including those that no longer fit him.

5.   Don’t forget the details.

Even the smallest details can create an entirely new look, so they shouldn’t be ignored. From tie bars and cufflinks to pocket squares and watches, accessories and embellishments serve as the finishing touches to a look no matter how insignificant they might seem.

Aside from these, you should also pay attention to his shoes. Some guys find it challenging to pair shoes and clothes together, so make sure you include this in your shopping list when updating your boyfriend or husband’s wardrobe.

6.   Use positive reinforcement and the power of suggestion.

Don’t forget to toss in some nice words when you offer fashionable presents to your man or when he makes a good choice in his outfits.

For example, you can tell him how you thought he would look great in a certain piece of clothing when you saw it on display. It also wouldn’t hurt to say how happy you will be to see him wearing the item you bought for him.

Positive reinforcement and feedback will also help. The key is to keep it light and constructive. If you like how he looks, don’t skimp on the praise. If not, just keep quiet about it instead of making him feel bad about himself.

Use the power of suggestion to subtly steer him on the right path. Tiny hints offering a good match for the clothes he decided to wear should be enough. Just remember to avoid being insistent.

7.   Respect his choice.

Don’t be too aggressive when helping your man dress better. The last thing you want is to get into a fight because you decided to impose your fashion taste without allowing him to make decisions on his own.

If he doesn’t like what you picked out, don’t insist, and adjust to his preferences and personality instead. He’s the one wearing the outfits, after all.

Before you recommend any change, make sure you figure out why he likes to wear his favorite clothes first. He could be a man who values comfort more than style or someone with an artistic sense that he wants his outfits to reflect.

Whichever the case, respect his decisions and be tactful when offering nice recommendations with the same qualities that he prefers.

Look Good Together

Looking good together in both the literal and figurative sense is all about bringing out the best in each other. Some well-meaning guidance in fashion won’t hurt if it can help your man feel better and more confident about himself.