Face it. If your guy is perfectly happy going out in the sweats he's been wearing since college, you're probably never going to transform him into a complete fashion icon. But you can help him look and feel good by helping him discover his own personal style.
Don't Overwhelm Him
Dragging him around to the men's sections of all your favorite stores is probably not the best way to introduce him to dressing well. He'll get bored, annoyed, and will probably feel even happier dressing in his same old duds. If you see something that you think might suit him, point it out to him.
His Style
Just because it doesn't look good does not mean he doesn't have a style of his own. Figure out what his personal style is and then help him find things that represent it. Maybe he likes a beachy, surfer aesthetic - mix light-weight cotton shirts or vintage tees with a good pair of jeans. Even if he's married to staying in sweats and sneakers all the time, there's a way to look and feel athletic and look good doing it – many sportswear designers have functional and fashionable lines, it's just a matter of having an eye for style to pick the right things (and that's where you come in). For slightly more sophisticated but still comfortable, Banana Republic and Zara offer great style at affordable prices.
This plaid argyle vest and button-down from H&M's new menswear collection for Fall is fantastically affordable chic.
The Right Suit
Even if suits are not required at his work, it's good to own a quality suit. Depending on the climate, consider having one summer weight and one winter weight. One of the most important things is the fit. The right tailoring makes all the difference between sloppy and sophisticated.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
Brad Pitt is a man who understands the power of a good suit, and how to wear it.
You can find great designer suits at marked-down sale prices if you take a little time to look, and then bring them to a tailor to make the perfect adjustments. Finding a quality suit is key, and you will get your money's worth through its longevity. Stick with conservative colors like navy and gray, and avoid plaids and bold stripes.
Don't be critical
1. let's be sure that every one is as shallow and vain as they can get
douglas anderson at 12:24PM on Jul 17th 2007