From free to reasonably priced finds, these methods, instruments, and picks will make higher model extra easy.
Particular because of Slick Collar for supporting Primer’s mission and sponsoring this text.
Dressing higher is not nearly shopping for completely different garments or studying esoteric style guidelines—it is about remodeling the way you method getting dressed.
The objective is to create a system that makes the act of dressing clean, fulfilling, and sustainable, even on the hardest days.
model system reduces friction in your day-to-day routine, creating a greater relationship with what you already personal and making it simple to place collectively outfits that work. Beneath are quite a lot of simple methods, instruments, and picks which have made my very own system infinitely simpler.
A Nice Method to Consumption and Manage Inspiration
Free – $10
Any good designer, filmmaker, photographer, architect, or inside designer is aware of the significance of cataloging inspiration. No nice artist works from reminiscence or begins from scratch with each mission.
Placing outfits collectively and honing your model is simply as a lot of a visible and inventive endeavor as any of these artistic fields. In the event you’re nonetheless determining your private model, why power your self to face in entrance of a closet, staring blankly and attempting to determine what to put on?
You want a strategy to save clothes, model, and outfit concepts as you come throughout them. Whether or not it’s on Primer, whereas shopping a retailer’s web site, strolling by way of the mall, or scrolling on social media, having a system to seize and manage inspiration is invaluable.
The way you do that comes down to non-public desire:
- Create a Pinterest board.
- Take screenshots in your cellphone and save them into an album.
- Use instruments like Notion or Evernote for a extra elaborate system.
There’s no incorrect strategy to do it, nevertheless it’s important to do one thing. You’ll be stunned how usually you neglect about an outfit thought. Months later, you’ll scroll by way of your saved inspiration and rediscover a glance you’ll be able to recreate.
It saves time, reduces stress, and makes getting dressed for occasions or each day life considerably simpler. I can’t emphasize it sufficient.
A Movable Shoe Rack to Be Close to Your Clothes
$25+
Having my sneakers clearly seen whereas I select my garments is extremely essential. Constructing an outfit is not a linear course of; it is about experimenting, holding objects subsequent to one another, and seeing how they align for the event and look on you.
An outfit is a cohesive look; having all objects seen helps create that cohesion, somewhat than simply seeing them as separate items. All of it works collectively to develop into one thing extra. For example, suede loafers change the texture of a shirt and denims in a different way than white sneakers do.
After I can see my sneakers alongside my clothes, I usually decide sneakers I would not have chosen if I had already selected the highest and bottoms first. Having the ability to audition completely different pairs whereas placing collectively an outfit makes a giant distinction.
Slick Collar
Package with 3 collar sizes + shirt stays, $23 save additional 15% with SLICKPRIMER
A structured collar could make all of the distinction between trying sharp and looking out sloppy. That is true whether or not you are shopping for shirts on the reasonably priced finish of the spectrum or investing in costlier items.
With button-up shirts that lack construction, the collar usually flops over, making your look really feel unkempt. That is particularly a difficulty for sensible informal seems the place even informal items ought to be as refined as potential.
Enter the Slick Collar: a easy invention that instantly proves its price. Inexpensive, efficient, and completely designed for its objective, the Slick Collar is basically the collar+placket equal of collar stays. It supplies construction not solely to the collar ideas but additionally to the entrance button placket, holding them in place and stopping them from collapsing or folding underneath the material’s weight.
This retains the collar upright, guaranteeing it would not slide open as a result of material’s weight. Created by a small enterprise out of Canada, the Slick Collar is adjustable for various neck and shirt sizes, with every order together with three collar lengths. This versatility means it really works for all the pieces—from knit polos and golf shirts to extra formal gown shirts.
Better of all, you’ll be able to simply transfer them between shirts, which means no alterations are wanted.
At round $20 for 3 with the code, the Slick Collar is a small funding that delivers huge returns throughout practically your whole collared shirts. It’s a strong, dependable software, and after you have it, you are set. Straightforward purchase.
Primer readers can save 15% with code SLICKPRIMER.
An Apple Watch Strap That Helps Stability the Tech-y and Athletic Nature
$10+
In social media style bubbles, there is a little bit of a pretentious, virtually Luddite view on smartwatches—that they will’t be fashionable. Certain, they lack the heritage of a dive watch or the class of a gold gown watch, however that mindset ignores the truth of residing in 2024.
For a lot of, smartwatches are important—whether or not for life-style, work, or tasks. Personally, my Apple Watch helps me keep centered with out the distraction of my cellphone. I nonetheless get texts and calls however keep away from time-killer apps, which makes it vital for me.
I put on it usually at residence with the default strap nevertheless it’s powerful to put on in a extra sensible informal, night look. Fortunately, Apple Watch bands are simple to swap because of their sliding mechanism. A leather-based or metallic band, which yow will discover affordably in off manufacturers, and may be swapped in in the course of the instances the common strap would not work, makes all of the distinction.
Designate an Outfit Workstation
Probably the most stress-reducing adjustments I’ve made is organising a devoted “workstation” close to the place I hold my outfits. Having all instruments in a single place makes it a lot simpler to get all the pieces prepared effectively, particularly when working late. It’s a small shelf the place I preserve my steamer (with plug entry), a clothes brush, and some other instruments I’d want.
It’s a type of “workbench” in your garments, the place you progress objects from closet storage into the staging space, and have all of the instruments it’s worthwhile to get them trying their finest.
A Place to Dangle Outfits
This may appear easy, however it can change the way you method your clothes and elegance.
Choosing out your outfit the evening earlier than drastically reduces morning stress—particularly for those who’re not a morning particular person and really feel half asleep or foggy. It is a complete recreation changer to simply get up and know precisely what you are sporting.
For me, I hung a hook in my closet to stage my outfit for the subsequent day. It retains all the pieces neat and separate, performing as a staging space whereas assembling completely different combos. As a substitute of attempting to image a mixed look in my head, I pull out key items and hold them, attempting completely different combos till I discover the proper match.
A Clothes Brush As a substitute of a Lint Curler
$15+
Earlier than the sticky paper-based lint rollers you are acquainted with, individuals used particular clothes brushes to wipe away mud and hair. Originating within the nineteenth century, clothes brushes have been important clothes care instruments for males who wore fits frequently. Since fits cannot be washed simply, it was essential to have a brushing routine.
I’ve lived with canine that shed for 15 years and the sticky lint curler has all the time felt annoying and wasteful to make use of simply as a result of sheer quantity of peeling and rolling I might should do every time. Not too long ago, I lastly picked up some clothes brushes. They arrive in numerous coarseness and stiffness ranges, with softer brushes designed for extra delicate clothes manufactured from cashmere, for instance, and stiffer ones to deal with denim extra immediately.
Whereas they are not excellent, and generally require a number of passes to lastly get that one piece of hair, it’s much less annoying to make use of. Clothes brushes may be discovered beginning round $15 and you may improve to the gentleman normal, English-made model Kent which begin round $40. The double-sided Kent CC20 which is commonly mentioned as a go-to attributable to versatility eeks handed the article funds and is round $60.
A Clothes Steamer
$15+
I do not know the way that is potential, however for me, ironing appears so as to add wrinkles somewhat than take away them. Plus, my regular schedule for preparing is all the time tighter than I’d like, so I’m usually dashing when it’s time to dress. The very last thing I would like is to plan on sporting one thing, solely to seek out it is too wrinkled and really feel like I don’t have the time to cope with it.
That is the place a steamer saves the day.
I have two steamers: a budget-friendly mannequin round $20 I’ve had for years and a bigger Conair mannequin. Each work properly—simply run the steam over the material, and most wrinkles disappear simply.
Actually, I’d be in a troublesome spot and not using a clothes steamer. It’s a kind of instruments that makes preparing a lot less complicated, and I can not suggest it sufficient.
The Plain Ball Cap
James Clear, the writer of Atomic Habits, has famously stated, “You don’t rise to the extent of your targets. You fail on the stage of your techniques.” If you’re an individual attempting to decorate deliberately in your life—particularly if it is a newer endeavor for you or doesn’t come naturally—you’ll be able to’t anticipate your pure habits and routines to brute power extra conscientious model 100% of the time.
It’s simply not going to occur. There are going to be days the place you don’t wash your hair. There are going to be days the place you’ve bought to toss stuff on and nonetheless need to look good however don’t have time to do the entire thing.
For these days, a plain black baseball cap has been superb. There’s nothing incorrect with sporting a cool hat with the precise sports activities staff emblem or some form of classic design. But it surely does require some visible balancing with the opposite objects. The plain black cap takes it from being a totally utilitarian factor (like a free hat from a company giveaway) to an intentional a part of your outfit.
A Hoodie or Quarter-zip Various That You will Wish to Put on
$20+
Hoodies are in style for 2 causes: they’re snug and straightforward to put on. There’s nothing incorrect with hoodies; I like them too.
Nonetheless, there is a distinction between sporting hoodies as a part of your model, and counting on them since you panic about what else to put on. For these barely much less informal settings—like a date, household occasion, or after-hours work perform—having one thing that feels as snug as a hoodie however seems extra acceptable will make your life simpler.
There are various choices:
These are simple swaps on days the place you do not have the brainpower to suppose past a hoodie that elevate your model whereas sustaining consolation.
Wood Hangers
$4.99+
In case your closet feels chaotic, switching to picket hangers can present the wanted construction and group. Rainbow-hued plastic hangers add visible muddle when your thoughts is attempting to determine what to put on, they usually don’t give your garments the help they want. In a packed closet, shirts and pants get compressed, inflicting wrinkles, creased shoulders, and crushed collars.
Wood hangers remedy these issues. They supply construction to maintain your garments able to put on and provides your closet a cleaner, extra organized look.
The very best half? Wood hangers don’t should be costly, and also you don’t want to interchange them . I transitioned my closet over a few years, and the distinction is evening and day. IKEA and Amazon have reasonably priced choices, and when you make the change, you’re set for good.
Closet Area Savers like Tiered Hangers
$15+
Tiered hangers are nice for grouping related objects collectively, decreasing visible muddle. You probably have six similar white T-shirts, hold one visibly and preserve the remainder on a tiered hanger. The identical goes for exercise garments you put on in no specific order. This setup saves area and minimizes visible muddle, making it simpler to give attention to key objects when placing outfits collectively.
Levi’s 501
$35+
In the event you’re a Primer common, you’ve got heard me speak about 501s as types have shifted towards straighter/looser suits over the previous few years. The 501s, with their basic straight match, have been the primary place I turned. Initially I assumed, “These are approach too broad; I am going to by no means put on them.” However they rapidly turned my go-to, no-thought-required pair. I put on them dressed up, dressed down, and in every single place in between.
This is the factor about straight match denims: If you have not worn them for the reason that ’90s, it is simple to guage them too rapidly. After they’re new, they appear crisp, pressed flat, cuasing the facet seams to flare out awkwardly. However after washing, drying, and breaking them in, the drape adjustments utterly. Now, they comply with my physique’s contours with out feeling too broad, unfastened, or blocky.
They’re simple to put on with chunky boots or suede loafers for that light preppy look you see at locations like J.Crew, Buck Mason, and Taylor Sew. They’re snug, tender, have a little bit of stretch, they usually’re reasonably priced. You’ll be able to snag a pair for underneath $50, particularly throughout upcoming gross sales.
A Nice Plain T-Shirt
Having a tender, handsome t-shirt that you simply love the way in which it suits—I can not overemphasize how priceless that’s. You’ll put on it on a regular basis. You’ll layer it beneath leather-based jackets, sweaters, and button-ups. You’ll put on it by itself with denims. You’ll put on it tucked into chinos for a contemporary look.
A t-shirt that drapes properly with a tender visible texture can exude sophistication simply in addition to a button-up shirt. Between a man sporting an affordable, unkempt button-up and a man sporting a very strong, tender, well-fitting t-shirt with some particulars within the collar, hem, texture, or wash—I select the t-shirt each time.
Staples and fundamentals are referred to as that as a result of they’re common and might look superb on anybody when the small print are dialed in. There’s an inclination to dismiss them as much less essential or boring, however that couldn’t be farther from the reality.
Cease Sporting (and Get Rid of) Issues You Hate Sporting
This can be a huge one for me. I deceive myself about issues which are a smidge too small or don’t match fairly proper. I’ll attempt them on, then find yourself selecting one thing else, however I don’t say to myself, “I ought to simply do away with this.”
Holding these objects makes getting dressed tougher as a result of they create visible muddle in your closet. It’s additionally wasted time for those who attempt them on solely to reject them once more.
One other shocking facet impact that I found is, I might by no means take into account shopping for issues “I already had” however by no means wore just because they did not match proper or weren’t snug, even when the right model of the merchandise would have gotten worn on a regular basis.
Exterior of utmost utilitarian instances—like a blazer or swimsuit you don’t take pleasure in sporting however sometimes want—there’s no level in retaining objects you dislike. Use the trick the place you hold these objects with the hook dealing with outward and after six or so months, if the hanger hasn’t been circled (indicating you’ve worn the merchandise), donate or promote it. This methodology clears up area and helps you acknowledge what you really need.
Darkish Grey Denims
$25+
If you need a single reply to what’s one factor you should purchase to make outfit-building simpler, it’s a pair of darkish grey slim or straight denims with 1 / 4 or half break.
You’ll be capable of gown them up, put on them tremendous casually, model them rugged, or pair them with preppy or streetwear seems. They’ll work with brown boots, black sneakers, and virtually anything. The flexibility is limitless.
If a good friend who was simply beginning out requested me for one advice, it might be this. You could find loads of choices underneath $50 from locations like Levi’s or Amazon Necessities, particularly throughout gross sales which are developing.