There is no better accessory than a well dressed man on your arm.
Recently there has been a lot of controversy in the media about couples dressing together, and each other. Culprits include Justin Timberlake who reportedly has the final say over what Jessica Biel leaves the house wearing.
Jessica insists that Justin is the more stylish one of the two. She even admits that, in addition to choosing her engagement ring, he picks out outfits for her!! Kimye is another couple that comes to mind! The transformation Kim Kardashian's wardrobe made when she started dating Kanye West was incredible (and for the better) -I hope you have all seen that episode when Kanye cleans out her wardrobe!! Drool!
Despite criticism, you can't deny how much more compatible a couple looks when they dress from a shared wardrobe!
I am all for the style influence a man can bring to your look.
In the same way it is important to know if you are compatible emotionally with your partner, being the materialistic person I am, I feel its just as important to share some common fashion ground. In fact if a guy can dress well, shamelessly, he has won me over before he has even opened his mouth!
(On a side note: To all the ladies reading this with your boyfriends favourite sport shirt in mind.. read as "is he willing to wear what you tell him to wear?' because in some cases.. no taste is better than some taste!!! )
Olivia Palermo and Johannes Huebi are my favourite example of a well dressed couple. Like a new season range, their styling appears endless of each other. Effortlessly in sync, they never look like they are trying to match, but are perfectly complimentary of each other. Most interestingly this reflects on how we the public percieve their relationship. There is a togetherness about how they are styled that sends a strong message to the outside world.
They look like a couple.
How to get your man-friend coordinating? Take baby steps.
1. You have to remember that unlike women, men don't have many style influences. Most don't read the latest shop magazine and do not spend time on fashion blogs or analysing celeb pics! So we need to be realistic about who what and how they are learning how to dress. As women (I feel so grown-up ha!) we are constantly exposing ourselves to fashion; learning how about what styles we like, styles we want to wear and styles that we shouldn't. We dedicate time to this, and have a poses of people that we refer to for fashion-support! Boys on the other hand, are lacking such influences. As far as style icons go? the buck usually falls at team mates and dads. I know, we are in trouble!!
2. The reality is most boys are simply terrified of fashion, they don't want to get it wrong and risk facing criticism from the others boys! Importantly they are visual creatures and need to see how another male specimen wears something before they are brave enough to take the plunge! Read: NOT FASHION RISK TAKERS. Just like when a baby is learning a new word, they need to be exposed to a style several times before they are often willing to give it ago! Also, like most things with men, they need ALOT of encouragement. See another boy wearing something you would like to see your bf in? Compliment the look! Say 'that boys pants are sick'.. and then ignore the rude comment your boy will make next because if you can expose him to the look enough times, it won't take long before your bf is dragging you to David Jones to try the same pants on!
3. Remember to be kind! We all know that feeling of trying out a new trend, and wondering why it looked so good on the model but terrible on you. For me this is boyfriend jeans, which I still haven't mastered. You feel like a, excuse my french, knob. This is how your boy will feel as you force him into new season looks. Try to stick to familiar cuts, like a basic T but in a new season colour. This will help him to feel comfortable in his new threads.
Finally help him clean out his wardrobe! Try it all on, throw out what doesn't fit.. Or what you hate. Look at the colours he wears and think about what new season pieces would compliment what he already owns. There is no point in buying him a new shirt if he doesn't own the pants to wear with it, this can quickly result in some serious fashion disasters or the shirt will retire to the back of the wardrobe never to be seen again!!
Remember he naturally wants to impress you, so use this time to talk about what you love to see him wearing. Pick pieces from his wardrobe and say things like "you know these jeans look so good on you.. they would also look sick with a...like I saw a boy wearing the other day" ('sick' is my go-to man word haha). By making reference to styles he is familiar wearing and introducing how other influences might wear a similar look, he will feel more comfortable mixing things up a little.
In all, be kind, be realistic and be complimentary, we do have to face the reality that we are not all going to end up with Johannes, but it doesn't mean that your man can't still be your best accessory with a little encouragement.
You know what they say.. the couple that dresses together stays together -okay so I altered the saying a little!
Recently there has been a lot of controversy in the media about couples dressing together, and each other. Culprits include Justin Timberlake who reportedly has the final say over what Jessica Biel leaves the house wearing.
Jessica insists that Justin is the more stylish one of the two. She even admits that, in addition to choosing her engagement ring, he picks out outfits for her!! Kimye is another couple that comes to mind! The transformation Kim Kardashian's wardrobe made when she started dating Kanye West was incredible (and for the better) -I hope you have all seen that episode when Kanye cleans out her wardrobe!! Drool!
Despite criticism, you can't deny how much more compatible a couple looks when they dress from a shared wardrobe!
I am all for the style influence a man can bring to your look.
In the same way it is important to know if you are compatible emotionally with your partner, being the materialistic person I am, I feel its just as important to share some common fashion ground. In fact if a guy can dress well, shamelessly, he has won me over before he has even opened his mouth!
(On a side note: To all the ladies reading this with your boyfriends favourite sport shirt in mind.. read as "is he willing to wear what you tell him to wear?' because in some cases.. no taste is better than some taste!!! )
Olivia Palermo and Johannes Huebi are my favourite example of a well dressed couple. Like a new season range, their styling appears endless of each other. Effortlessly in sync, they never look like they are trying to match, but are perfectly complimentary of each other. Most interestingly this reflects on how we the public percieve their relationship. There is a togetherness about how they are styled that sends a strong message to the outside world.
They look like a couple.
How to get your man-friend coordinating? Take baby steps.
1. You have to remember that unlike women, men don't have many style influences. Most don't read the latest shop magazine and do not spend time on fashion blogs or analysing celeb pics! So we need to be realistic about who what and how they are learning how to dress. As women (I feel so grown-up ha!) we are constantly exposing ourselves to fashion; learning how about what styles we like, styles we want to wear and styles that we shouldn't. We dedicate time to this, and have a poses of people that we refer to for fashion-support! Boys on the other hand, are lacking such influences. As far as style icons go? the buck usually falls at team mates and dads. I know, we are in trouble!!
2. The reality is most boys are simply terrified of fashion, they don't want to get it wrong and risk facing criticism from the others boys! Importantly they are visual creatures and need to see how another male specimen wears something before they are brave enough to take the plunge! Read: NOT FASHION RISK TAKERS. Just like when a baby is learning a new word, they need to be exposed to a style several times before they are often willing to give it ago! Also, like most things with men, they need ALOT of encouragement. See another boy wearing something you would like to see your bf in? Compliment the look! Say 'that boys pants are sick'.. and then ignore the rude comment your boy will make next because if you can expose him to the look enough times, it won't take long before your bf is dragging you to David Jones to try the same pants on!
3. Remember to be kind! We all know that feeling of trying out a new trend, and wondering why it looked so good on the model but terrible on you. For me this is boyfriend jeans, which I still haven't mastered. You feel like a, excuse my french, knob. This is how your boy will feel as you force him into new season looks. Try to stick to familiar cuts, like a basic T but in a new season colour. This will help him to feel comfortable in his new threads.
Finally help him clean out his wardrobe! Try it all on, throw out what doesn't fit.. Or what you hate. Look at the colours he wears and think about what new season pieces would compliment what he already owns. There is no point in buying him a new shirt if he doesn't own the pants to wear with it, this can quickly result in some serious fashion disasters or the shirt will retire to the back of the wardrobe never to be seen again!!
Remember he naturally wants to impress you, so use this time to talk about what you love to see him wearing. Pick pieces from his wardrobe and say things like "you know these jeans look so good on you.. they would also look sick with a...like I saw a boy wearing the other day" ('sick' is my go-to man word haha). By making reference to styles he is familiar wearing and introducing how other influences might wear a similar look, he will feel more comfortable mixing things up a little.
In all, be kind, be realistic and be complimentary, we do have to face the reality that we are not all going to end up with Johannes, but it doesn't mean that your man can't still be your best accessory with a little encouragement.
You know what they say.. the couple that dresses together stays together -okay so I altered the saying a little!
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