Stuck in a style rut? We get it. Falling into the trap of wearing the same uninspired outfits again and again is all too easy, particularly when work and family commitments start eating into ‘you’ time.

Maybe you’ve left your wardrobe to stagnate for so long that you don’t know where to start. Or perhaps you’re beginning to realise that none of your clothes really fit you all that well. Whatever has prompted it, you know it’s time for something to change, and we’re here to make the process of reinventing your style that little bit easier.

From full-scale wardrobe clearouts to enlisting the help of a proper barber, we’ve pulled together a list of steps that might help you on the road to a more stylish version of yourself. So sit back, get scrolling, and let us help you unlock your sartorial potential.

Purge Your Wardrobe…

First things first: if your current wardrobe options aren’t serving you, get rid of them. It can be hard to part ways with things, but be brutal and extract anything you haven’t worn in the past year. This way you can sell your unwanted garments on eBay or Depop, making yourself some cash for new clothes while clearing space in the process.

If you’re unsure of which items to ditch, start keeping track of what you wear most often. You don’t have to create an elaborate Excel spreadsheet or anything (unless you want to!). Just start turning your hangers the opposite way when you hang things you’ve worn back up. After a few months, you’ll be able to literally see what has and hasn’t been worn.

Then Streamline It

ASKET

We’re huge advocates of the concept of a capsule wardrobe here at Ape. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it’s essentially a tightly curated selection of clothing that can be mixed and matched with ease to cover all eventualities. It’ll include things like a versatile suit, lots of plain tees, an Oxford shirt or two, and a big winter coat that goes with everything.

Not only will this approach help to declutter your wardrobe, it’ll also make piecing outfits together so much easier. If you have a selection of clothes you know work well with each other, you’ll be able to throw things together that look great without even thinking about it. 

Dress For Your Body

L’Estrange

One of the most common ways guys let themselves down in the style department is by settling for a poor fit. We believe this is largely down to people not having an understanding of how to dress for their body type.

Getting this right is one of the most effective things you can do to make yourself look better. There is a wealth of information out there on this subject, but in short, skinny guys should steer clear of anything too baggy or oversized, larger guys stay away from skinny fits and tall guys should avoid anything overly cropped that could serve to elongate their limbs even further.

Wear Colours That Suit Your Skin

One expert-level hack that can make a huge difference to how you look in your clothes is to choose colours that work with your skin tone. If you’ve ever noticed that a particular colour just doesn’t seem to look good on you, it’s probably because it’s a poor match for your complexion.

If you’re pale, light pastel colours might make you look grey and washed out. Or if you have dark skin, you might find yourself lost in certain earthy shades. Use contrast to your advantage.

Befriend Your Local Tailor

Again (and we really can’t emphasise this enough) fit is everything. You can be wearing the most expensive designer labels on earth, but if the clothes don’t fit right, they’ll never look good. Obviously, buying clothing the right size to begin with is always a good idea, but if you really want to get your fits dialled in across your whole wardrobe, the best way to do it is to find a tailor you can trust and have them help you out.

Getting some adjustments made by a professional doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but it’ll make a massive difference to how you look and feel. Why not test the waters by getting a few small alterations made to a couple of garments and take it from there?

Classics First, Trends Second

Dressing head to toe in the latest trends is the most effective way to ensure your style dates as quickly and ungracefully as possible. Instead, focus on classic, time-tested pieces with proven staying power.

Use these pieces to lay the foundation of your style, and mix in more trend-led pieces that speak to you. This way, you can stay relevant without becoming a fashion victim.

Focus On Fitness

If you’re comfortable in your skin, great. More power to you. But if part of the reason you don’t like what you see when you look in the mirror is because of what’s underneath the clothes then know that you have the power to change it.

Sign up for the gym, get out for regular runs, or just bump up your daily step goal. If you do this, and reduce your daily food consumption to put yourself in a calorie deficit, you will lose weight. It literally is that simple. If you want to build muscle, eat lots of protein-rich foods and lift weights.

The most important thing is consistency. So don’t be put off if you’re not seeing the results you imagined after a few weeks or even months. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Level Up Your Grooming Game

Clothing aside, another way to step up your appearance in general is to get your grooming routine in check. Keep those nails clipped, body hair trimmed, skin moisturised and facial hair sculpted (but not too sculpted!).

It’s also worth getting a decent trim too. Treat yourself to a haircut from a proper barber and let them help you find a style that works with your face shape to bring out your best features.