Style

What A Guy’s Outfit Tells You About Him

Whether a guy is a stylish dresser following all the latest trends or he channels a laid-back vibe, his outfit tells you a lot about him (and it’s not always what you think!).

By Alyssa Vandermeulen2 min read
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Just as women have a variety of different styles, clothing choices, and fashion aesthetics, men have their own combinations of items and outfits. It can be easy to generalize when it comes to men’s fashion, as it’s often less complicated and more obvious than women’s clothing. 

While the way he dresses doesn’t always translate into personality characteristics or an idea of how he will treat you, his clothing does reflect his values. Avoiding more feminine clothing like skinny jeans, short shorts, and over-the-shoulder bags is often an outward sign of masculinity. Additionally, men wear clothes that fit, whereas boys are willing to let their pants sag and their shirts stretch out. 

Clothes are one of the first things we notice about a guy, even before his eyes, smile, or hair. His confidence and self-expression are seen in both how he carries himself and how he dresses. You need someone who will match your vibe: If he’s your date to a wedding, he shouldn’t show up in a band tee and ripped jeans. But if he’s wearing a suit to cuddle up on the couch, there’s another issue. Guys who can do both – carefree and respectable – typically have the best style!

One thing to keep in mind is that men’s fashion has changed a lot over the last decade, and it’s now cooler to be comfortable than well-dressed. He might opt for sneakers over loafers, sweaters over polos, jeans over dress pants. However, some things never change. Men look best in clothes that fit, and clothes they enjoy!

Here are a few key indicators about a man that you can almost instantly tell by looking at his outfit!

He’s Confident

Confidence (not arrogance!) is a great trait to look for in a man. An easy way to gauge a guy’s confidence is how he dresses and how he holds himself. If he’s constantly adjusting a shirt collar or fidgeting with his shoes, he’s probably not comfortable. Confidence has less to do with the actual clothes and more about how he looks in them. There’s an air of confidence around him – he doesn’t dress like the rest of the room and he isn’t self-conscious about it!

He’s Busy

Idleness is not a virtue, but overly busy guys may not have the time to invest in the kind of relationship you are worthy of. If he’s in a custom or well-made suit, his career likely requires it, and those powerhouse professions don’t leave a ton of time for other things. However, it could also mean that he is driven and committed! Women like men in suits, and he may know that about his outfit as well. 

His attire shows where he invests his time, energy, and money. 

He’s Outdoorsy

If he’s covered head to toe in Patagonia, you have yourself a hiking buddy. If the swoosh is on every piece of clothing he owns, he prioritizes physical fitness over other things. If he wears cargo shorts and fishing hats, prepare to spend your weekends on the lake. Men who lean towards athletic wear are normally very active (athleisure is less of a trend for men), and he’s probably down for an adventure!

He’s Involved

One of the easiest ways to learn about a guy’s hobbies or interests is the way he dresses. If he’s a major fan of a specific team, he probably has several licensed pieces of clothing to show his support, and he likely wears them year-round. If he’s a surfer, he probably dresses the part! Gaming shirts, branded clothing, etc: His attire shows where he invests his time, energy, and money. 

He’s Creative

If his outfits are put-together but not exactly basic, he likely uses fashion as a creative outfit. He frequents thrift stores, knows how to find vintage Levis, and likely cares about quality fabrics over trends. Think muted tones, wide-leg pants, and no labels. He’s open-minded, intuitive, and independent. His style is his own!

He’s Interested

If you notice a drastic change in the way he dresses, then he’s probably interested! Men who change from graphic tees to collared shirts and jeans are likely dressing for the female gaze, and that gaze might very well be yours! His style won’t fundamentally change, but he’s putting in extra effort to catch your eye (yay!). 

Closing Thoughts

Personal style reveals a lot more about a guy than what meets the eye. Whether he's a formal and stylish dresser or values casual comfort, his clothes are a reflection of who he is!

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