3 Style Secrets Nobody Talks About

If you study some of the best dressed men from around the world, you will notice that the secrets to their style often come down to a few subtle details that most people overlook. And once you understand these small tweaks, you can start using them in your own outfits to make them more interesting and improve your style. So in this video, I'll break down three powerful style secrets that almost nobody talks about and how to make them work for you. The first is a subtle substitution that can make a big difference. Swap out your thick leather belts for slimmer ones. Let me show you why. Most belts on the market are around 1.3 to 1.6 inches wide. The issue here is that this width is typically a little bit too wide and it can look a bit bulky and unrefined, especially when you compare it to a slimmer belt like this one here, which is only one inch wide. As you can see, the slimmer belt doesn't disturb the outfit, but it actually enhances it. I think it makes the entire outfit look more interesting. But on the other hand, the thicker belt feels a little bit distracting and overpowering, right? This is actually part of the reason why a very common style advice is that shorter guys should stop wearing belts altogether, because the theory goes that it cuts the body in half and it makes them look even smaller. But the real problem isn't belts, it's belt width. If you switch to a slimmer belt, then the problem pretty much goes away. It also explains why people often say that you should never wear a belt with a suit. I agree that for formal suits, usually side adjusters or suspenders are the better choice. But for more casual tailoring, let's take for example linen suits or just grey wool trousers, a slim belt can be a subtle and stylish accessory that adds character to your outfit. Now unfortunately, it's not that easy to actually find slenders. However, there are some great options out there. One of those would be Sartolane from Poland, who produce slim leather belts at pretty reasonable prices. Or Birkenberg from Sweden, which have a few interesting options as well. I bought two of their belts about a year ago and I've been wearing them a lot. And then Portia 1924 is probably the most affordable brand for slim leather belts, because you can find ones for just around $50. Scott Fraser also offers a few nice designs for around £90. And then for something a bit more high-end, you can try Italian manufacturers like Adriano Meninghetti or Fabrizio Mancini. Now even though changing up your belts may seem like a minor detail, it's oftentimes exactly those small details that can really make your outfits stand out. Another powerful way to elevate your outfits is to incorporate more texture. If all of your clothes are smooth, even if the fit is right, your outfits can still end up looking a bit plain and lifeless. You can see this many times with these quite luxury outfits online. Technically there's nothing wrong with them, but they can just look a little bit boring and bland. There are a couple of ways to do this. First, choose fabrics that naturally have texture. Suede is a great example. It has a subtle, matte and slightly rough texture that adds visual depth. And it's my go-to fabrics for shoes and belts, especially for more casual outfits. But even a basic t-shirt can be upgraded. Instead of a plain cotton tee, try a knitted t-shirt. Up close, the texture really stands out and it pairs much better with casual tailoring. And then fabrics like linen or flannel also naturally have a beautiful texture and should be a staple in your wardrobe. And don't forget about accessories. A knitted tie, a grenadine tie or a shantung tie can add texture in a small, refined way that makes a big difference. But there's another, very affordable way to add texture and depth to your outfits. Simply add worn-in or vintage pieces. Now, of course, there's a limit to this. You don't want to look disheveled. But generally, clothes that have been worn, develop a nice patina and add character and personality to your outfits. A great example here would be Alessandro's quasi. A lot of his pieces have this nice, worn-in look, which is one of the many reasons why he always looks so stylish. Another benefit of vintage and thrifted pieces is that they are typically very affordable and many times they have small design details that can be a bit difficult to find these days. So next time you put an outfit together, try to add just one element of texture. It's a small detail, but it can completely change the feel of your look. But there's one more small detail that almost goes unnoticed that can instantly elevate your entire look. The collar roll. A collar roll is the soft, curved shape the collar makes that's most pronounced with a button-down collar. Instead of lying flat, the collar arches outward in a subtle roll, which helps to frame the face and adds a relaxed, effortless charm. A good collar roll depends on the length of the collar points, a soft or unlined collar, as well as the button placement, if it's a button-down shirt. Unfortunately, most shirts today have short, stiff collars, especially cheaper ones, which means no roll and a flatter look. Shirts with a good collar roll can be a bit difficult to find, especially under $100, but there are a couple of options available. For example, Spear and McKay probably have the most affordable oxford cloth button-down shirts on the market, especially in North America. I bought a couple of their shirts and I really like the collar shape, especially considering that it only cost me about $50. And Kamakura shirts from Japan have some of the most beautiful button-down shirts on the market and they stay true to the classic Ivy style button-down shirts. They are made in Japan and the style and quality is excellent. Just keep in mind that they cater primarily to the Asian market, so their fits are typically quite slim and the sleeves can be a bit short as well. And Proper Cloth used to have good options in the $90 range, but they've recently increased their pricing to about $125. However, because you can customize the fit and small details of your shirt, I think it's still a fair price, but not that affordable anymore. Another option could be Luxier. I haven't tried them personally, so I cannot vouch for them, but they offer made-to-measure button-down shirts starting at around $70, which is a pretty amazing price. So those were three subtle style upgrades that most people overlook. And of course, this is far from a complete list, but I just wanted to go over a few that are usually not mentioned on YouTube. Which of these do you like the most? Let me know in the comments below. Thank you for watching and see you next week.