10 Habits That Instantly Make You Look Better Dressed

Dressing well isn’t just about how expensive your clothes are or even how they fit. It’s an art form. There’s nuance, there are subtleties, and often the smallest details can have the biggest impact overall. Complicated, but the good news is that (to an extent) it can be taught.

There are certain behaviours you can adopt to help ensure you always look your best. They’re simple, easy-to-make changes, but when compounded they will elevate your personal style more than any designer label or fancy fabric alone could.

At Ape, we’re firm believers in the democratisation of dressing well – everyone should be able to look their best, if they choose to. So, with that in mind, here are the habits that will get you there.

Lean Into What Works

Everyone is different. What looks great on one person might look terrible on another. The trick is recognising that and embracing the pieces that complement your specific body shape, skin tone, physical stature and general sense of style.

A good barometer for this is simply to try things on and pay attention to how they make you feel. If it inspires confidence and makes you feel like ‘you’, chances are you’re onto a winner. Stock up.

Streamline Your Wardrobe

We’re all guilty of hanging onto garments that don’t serve us. Maybe you bought a jacket because you liked how it looked on the mannequin, only to discover it looked completely different on you. Or perhaps you’ve lost a bit of weight and have a whole stash of clothes you haven’t worn in a year because they’re simply the incorrect size now.

Whatever the reason, there’s stuff in your wardrobe and drawers that’s gathering dust and cluttering things up. Get rid.

Chopping the excess from your clothing collection will bring unexpected clarity to your life. You’ll find it easier to put outfits together, and, if you were savvy and sold the pieces you no longer want, you’ll have the option to bring in more of the stuff that does work for you.

Use the hanger trick. Have all the hangers in your wardrobe facing the same way. Every time you wear something, turn the hanger around and keep it that way. After six months, get rid of the stuff that hasn’t moved.

Think Of Colour In Threes

Colour is where many otherwise well-dressed people get caught out. It’s incredibly easy to get wrong, but it’s also surprisingly simple to nail. In fact, there’s one handy trick we always recommend when deciding what works as an outfit.

Think in threes. You want a base colour, a tonal colour to complement it, and then a pop of something bold or stark for contrast. That could be a pair of charcoal wool pants, a black tee and a classic blue French worker jacket, or white jeans, a cream overshirt and a navy knit.

The exact configuration doesn’t matter – it’s the balance that’s important.

Find Your Fit

Do you have a jacket that fits like a glove and find yourself wearing it all the time? Good. Figure out what you love about the way it fits and replicate it. You can even take it to your local alterations shop and have them fix other pieces to mimic the fit.

The importance of fit is impossible to overstate. If you find something that works with your body, embrace it, and use those pieces to form the foundation of your wardrobe. T-shirts, jeans, knits – these are your fundamentals, so get the fit locked in and everything else will follow.

Use Your Iron

Sometimes the most transformative changes you can make are also the cheapest and easiest to implement. See that bizarre contraption lurking at the back of your laundry room cupboard? You can plug that into the wall and use it to get creases out of your T-shirts.

Sounds basic, but it’s shocking how many people overlook it, and it makes a huge difference.

Overdressed > Underdressed

Unsure of the level of formality required for an event? In the absence of black-and-white instructions, it’s always better to err on the smarter side.

Are we saying you should wear a tux to your nephew’s 4th-birthday party because the invite doesn’t specify a dress code? No, obviously there’s a degree of common sense required.

But to use a more likely scenario, the only guy wearing jeans at a wedding is always going to draw more negative attention than the only guy wearing a full suit.

Wear Your Nice Things

You’re on this planet for a finite amount of time. What’s the point of saving and saving for your grail piece only to keep it locked away for special occasions?

Whether it’s a cashmere balmacaan, a pair of Alden loafers or a vintage Armani suit, wear it! Life is too short to wrap your favourite things in cotton wool.

Embrace Trends Selectively

We’re always preaching the virtues of timeless style, but fashion trends aren’t inherently bad. After all, they’re what keeps menswear interesting and pushes it to evolve. It’s only a problem if you base your entire personal style around them.

A better approach is to cherry-pick the trends that gel with your sense of style and use the odd piece to keep your wardrobe feeling current without looking like a fashion victim.

Embrace them with authenticity rather than diving into every new thing the algorithm spits your way.

Never Underestimate Accessories

At risk of sounding like a broken record, small details matter. Knowing how to use accessories to complement an outfit is the difference between putting clothes on and styling. Belts, beanies, baseball caps, jewellery – all of these things can dramatically alter the mood of a look.

Our advice? Don’t overdo it. Once you discover how transformative accessories can be, it’s easy to get carried away. There’s no hard-and-fast rule, but if you need a guideline, maybe try sticking to a maximum of three accessories per outfit.

Quality, Not Quantity

Last but not least, stop hoarding low-quality clothing and footwear. One well-made garment from a respected name with heritage behind it is worth 20 high-street alternatives made to the lowest possible standard to hit a certain price point.

Going for the cheap option may seem thrifty, but it’s a short-term saving. Ultimately, you’ll end up spending more over time. If you want to look good for longer, pay the extra.