Is your style beginning to feel stale? Maybe you’ve nailed the basics but can’t seem to ascend to that next level. Or perhaps you went all-in on uniform dressing and now struggle to make your outfits interesting.
Whatever sartorial rut you are trapped in, we want to help you clamber out of it. And as far as we’re concerned, the key is to embrace pieces that take you outside your style comfort zone. Because the only way to evolve is by trying new things.
Now, we’re not saying you need to wear things that make you feel uncomfortable. That would be counterproductive. The secret is to take garments you’re already acquainted with but opt for slightly upgraded or off-beat variations.
Below, you’ll find a selection of pieces to help you step outside your comfort zone and take your style up a notch. They’re things anyone can try without looking completely ridiculous, and we’ve even included the staple pieces to substitute them for.
Swap This: Boring Black Crew Socks
Velasca
For This: Subtle Colour-Fleck Socks
There’s a time and a place for black socks, and it’s not EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Broaden your horizons. There’s a whole world of socks out there waiting to be discovered, and diving in feet first is a great way to add a subtle pop of colour and jazz up outfits without going OTT.
As great as they are, colourful socks can look tacky. That’s why we like the subtle colour-fleck ones from brands like Anonymous-Ism and RoToTo. Not only will they add colour, but their speckled nappy yarn will also bring some texture to the table.
Swap This: Classic Oxford Shirt
L’Estrange
For This: Crochet Shirt
There will always be a place for a classic Oxford shirt in every wardrobe, but it’s not the only casual shirt option out there. The Oxford shirt’s trademark simplicity can make it feel boring in some contexts, so it’s good to have a wild card up your sleeve for occasions when you might want to jazz things up slightly.
Crochet is having a moment in menswear at present thanks to so-called ‘cottagecore’ – the frilly, lacy, embroidered trend championed by brands like Bode. There are some great crocheted shirts out there – particularly short-sleeve ones that look great worn open over a vest or T-shirt in warm weather.
Swap This: Plain Lambswool Cardigan
Velasca
For This: Mohair Cardigan
Sure, cardigans are great for layering, but they can be sinfully boring. There’s nothing more drab than a plain grey cardi worn with similarly uninspired pieces like beige chinos and a polo shirt. It’s not that there’s anything inherently wrong with these pieces on their own, but together, they send a message that the wearer is sartorially unadventurous at best.
An easy solution is to swap the plain cardigan for something with a bit more character, and a mohair version ticks all the boxes. Their hairy texture is a bit unusual, and they often feature prints and patterns that can help bring understated outfits to life.
Check out brands such as Beams Plus, Needles and Stüssy, and style it the same way you’d wear an overshirt or a light jacket.
Swap This: Simple Short-Sleeve Shirt
Billy Reid
For This: Printed Camp-Collar Shirt
Summer often gets a bad rap when it comes to wardrobe options, but it can actually be a great time to try garments you might otherwise shy away from.
If you tend to avoid prints and patterns, we encourage you to use the warm weather as an excuse to try something new. Ditching that no-frills short-sleeve Oxford in favour of something a touch more playful is a great place to start.
Two things elevate this type of shirt and make it the more interesting option. First, the camp collar lends it a slightly more relaxed look than the classic-collar alternative. Second, the print adds visual interest and injects a healthy dose of personality. Go for one in an interesting material, like silk, and you can even add a third dimension.
Swap This: Plain T-Shirt
L’Estrange
For This: Striped T-shirt
Here’s a really simple one. If you want a low-budget, no-fuss way to liven up a lookup, simply swap your plain tee for a striped one. Provided the rest of the outfit is nice and restrained, the stripes will act as a focal point and liven the whole thing up.
It doesn’t need to be elaborate, either. A simple Breton top will do. For something similar but more impactful, go for bolder, thicker stripes. Navy and white are always good options.
Swap This: White Leather Sneakers
Myrqvist
For This: Colour-Pop Suede Sneakers
Plain white leather sneakers will always be around, but they’ve been done to death. It’s likely because they’re so easy to style, so you might find yourself reaching for them again and again, inadvertently becoming trapped in a cycle that you find it difficult to escape from.
The antidote is colourful suede. The bolder and more vibrant, the better.
These eye-catching kicks are surprisingly easy to style, and they’re really handy for making understated outfits pop. A few of our favourite models include the Adidas SL72, the Puma Suede and the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66.
Swap This: Rubber Pool Slides
Oliver Cabell
For This: Fisherman Sandals
Rubber pool slides may be practical, but they create a style vacuum around them. No outfit will look good as long as your feet are stuffed into a pair. But there are lots of alternatives that will elevate your summer looks rather than ruin them.
Case in point: fisherman sandals. These woven leather beauties are far more interesting than their rubbery slip-on counterparts, but they’ll still keep your feet cool in hot weather and work well with both casual and dressy summer ‘fits.
Swap This: Single-Breasted Navy Suit
Velasca
For This: Double-Breasted Blazer With Contrast Pants
A single-breasted suit in navy is the safest type of tailoring there is. It’s always a good choice, but there are much more exciting alternatives for those who wish to break out of their comfort zones.
Going double-breasted is a surefire way to up your tailoring game. This type of jacket has a vintage feel, and it’s far less common these days than its single-breasted equivalent. These combined factors make it stand out, suggesting a knowledge of traditional menswear and a knack for dressing well.
You can go a step further by choosing a pair of tailored dress pants in a contrasting colour rather than an exact match.
Swap This: Khaki Overshirt
Rise & Fall
For This: Suede Jacket
The khaki overshirt is a real workhorse of a garment. It goes with anything and everything and can be worn through all four seasons, either as a layering piece or a standalone outer layer.
It’s so versatile that it often gets overused. So, if you’re looking for something that does a similar job in a more exciting manner, why not try a suede jacket instead?
Granted, if you buy a good one, it will be significantly more expensive, but chances are you’ll have it for life. Plus, because of the elevated nature of the material, it can be used to dress up simple casual outfits as well as dressier pieces. This ramps up the versatility even more, boosting the value-for-money prospect.
