Need some advice, how do I know what style is for me?

[seanf999]

I've been interested in fashion for awhile, but I don't really experiment with what I wear, I just go with skinny jeans, slim fitting sweaters, slim fitting t-shirts, random hoodies and a light down jacket 90% of the time.

It's just safe, and it's what everyone around me wears.

I'm 22, male, and I'm a college/uni student.
I'm also going bald so I've a buzz cut.
I live in Ireland, it rains a lot, it's never too warm, it's perpetually some version of Fall, be that slightly sunny or slightly cold.

There's 2 sides of what I like.

1 - Streetwear, Jacob Keller, Japanese inspired and some vintage stuff thrown in.

2 - Casual high end, basically an updated version of what I currently wear.. James Bond on his day off..

I know people will say - mix the two, but that's easier said than done and I don't know where to start.. they're quite different.

I'd probably feel a little out of place in college wearing the extreme(s) of both, even wearing something other than sneakers would look a little odd.

I'm sorry to say that's something that still matters to me - not looking too out of place, but the hair has sort of broken that boundary.

I would ask on the 'style advice' section but I'd just get the old - 'First buy some nice OCBDs, now you're going to want a sports coat...'
I thought here might suit better, but apologies if I misjudged.

 

[Waldo Jeffers]

Do you know what colors look best on you and what fits?

I would start there as opposed to any particular style

the style should serve you not the other way around

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

Well, I'll give it a shot, although full disclosure I am almost 20 years older than yourself.

I would agree with the OCBDs in that you can dress them up or down. Dress them up with a jumper (crew or v-neck), maybe a Vest of some sort. Dress them down by keeping them as is. I would look at Chinos as your best friend. Can wear them with OCBDs, t-shirts, leather jacket etc. You already have Japanese clothing so my guess is that you already own denim.

Considering you are a student, Uniqlo, JCrew, Taylor Stitch, Asos should be in your economic wheel house. Many colors to choose from so you can shop there fall and summer.

Saying all that I would probably Google.. Trendy hipster for inspiration of what I am thinking. You will see many styles with sneakers (white sneakers are darn versatile, but you'd be surprised how versatile navy/white sneakers are).

If you don't care much about the balding look, keep it as is. If you sort of do, beanies and caps for casual looks.. newsboy hats for more dressed up look.

 

[seanf999]

Do you know what colors look best on you and what fits?

I would start there as opposed to any particular style

the style should serve you not the other way around

I think more muted colours suit me best, that's probably also a product of my environment - it's either green or bleak grey.
I'm pretty white.

If my hairs not skin tight it's a light brown and my eyes are dark green/sometimes blue.

I usually go with dark greens, blues, 'oatmeal sweaters', greys, beige, black and navy..
I stay away from anything bright, neon or of that general nature.
I feel a white t/shirt suits me, it doesn't make me look me look deathly pale, and a dark navy suit works well (like it does with everyone).

 

[Waldo Jeffers]

Sorry to be blunt, but are you in good physical shape?

if not I would focus on this first then clothes

think of yourself at 30

bald won’t be a very big deal by then if you look like you workout and eat right while most of your peers don’t

all clothes of whatever style you choose will look better too

if you’re already covering this then just wear what feels natural in the colors that you know work on you and don’t try to wear a costume

 

[seanf999]

Sorry to be blunt, but are you in good physical shape?

if not I would focus on this first then clothes

think of yourself at 30

bald won’t be a very big deal by then if you look like you workout and eat right while most of your peers don’t

all clothes of whatever style you choose will look better too

if you’re already covering this then just wear what feels natural in the colors that you know work on you and don’t try to wear a costume

Good question!

Yes I am, but of course I could improve.
I've always been in decent shape (and consistent in sizing, I'm still a small and I'm still 5'7!)

Thank you.

 

[seanf999]

Well, I'll give it a shot, although full disclosure I am almost 20 years older than yourself.

I would agree with the OCBDs in that you can dress them up or down. Dress them up with a jumper (crew or v-neck), maybe a Vest of some sort. Dress them down by keeping them as is. I would look at Chinos as your best friend. Can wear them with OCBDs, t-shirts, leather jacket etc. You already have Japanese clothing so my guess is that you already own denim.

Considering you are a student, Uniqlo, JCrew, Taylor Stitch, Asos should be in your economic wheel house. Many colors to choose from so you can shop there fall and summer.

Saying all that I would probably Google.. Trendy hipster for inspiration of what I am thinking. You will see many styles with sneakers (white sneakers are darn versatile, but you'd be surprised how versatile navy/white sneakers are).

If you don't care much about the balding look, keep it as is. If you sort of do, beanies and caps for casual looks.. newsboy hats for more dressed up look.

Thank you,

Wearing an OCBD would raise questions like 'oh, when is your interview?'
My classmates wear the same thing, yep honestly, the lot of them..
It's some sort of adidas, nike or vans sneaker, skinny jeans (black or light wash), some sort of basic t, or maybe a little Tommy logo, same goes for hoodies and whatever jacket..
Same goes for chinos.

I bought some great quality supima cotton t's and merino wool sweaters from Uniqlo but I'm not mad on the fit, they're not as fitted as I'd like and I feel going down a size would be quite 'skimpy'.

 

[dieworkwear]

I don't know if there's any way around this other than saving outfit photos that inspire you, constantly paying attention to this stuff, and buying stuff you like. It's hard to find your way through this without a lot of trial and error, although you can minimize it by being thoughtful about your purchases.

Start with a small base of clothes that will allow you to explore, then use that stuff to understand fit and basic color combinations. Follow people on Instagram and save photos of outfits you like. Then buy stuff that inspires you and experiment.