There’s no way around it, camouflage is a commanding pattern. Most guys don’t even give it a second glance when browsing, and that dismissal makes sense. Camouflage is meant to look disorderly, so for the well dressed guy who’s used to assembling complimentary pieces into one sharp look, incorporating camo can be a chore. However, it can be done successfully if you’re a bit more adventurous. And even if you’re not? These three tips can be applied to any pattern or color risk you might try in the future:

#1. KISS (Keep It Simple… you Stylish man)

Due to the complexity of the pattern, whatever camouflaged item you’re wearing is going to overshadow or overwhelm other more “interesting” elements to your outfit . It’s a very loud pattern and constantly draws attention on the street (there’s irony there), so let everything else you’re wearing cater to it. Any other patterns in your outfit? Let’s,..get rid of them; at least for now. Go with solids as often as possible, otherwise you may end up looking like some sort of horrible optical illusion.

Take things slow and experiment with a casual outfit just to see how camo even works with your current clothing. White button down, camo pants, clean and minimal looking shoes. DONE. Seems boring, but it won’t be. Fairly certain camouflage and boring don’t go together.

One big camo item, plus a bunch of casual solids and a basic shoe is super simple, and really easy to pull off. Even if you’re usually more conservative when it comes to adopting or trying trends.

#2. Better With (Textured) Friends

So other patterns are tough to wear with camo, but other textures look great next to the visuals that camouflage brings. For example, consider:

• Denim jacket
• Knit tie
• Suede shoes
• Grained Leather belt

Now you’ve got a bunch of awesome side dishes to help round out the main course in a favorable way. For example, in addition to adding texture, the denim jacket adds another layer. It helps bolster the look, and cleans up the otherwise casual leanings camouflage can project.

#3. Go slow. Use Sparingly. Start with small stuff.

Using various camouflaged elements can be too much too quickly; so use it sparingly. And despite it’s tenacity as a trend, it’s still very trendy. So much so that it was tough to convince Dappered, which usually isn’t all that trend driven, to publish this post (Editor’s Note: Yep. I’m a fuddy-duddy.) Look, it’s pretty easy to come off as “I’M #MENSWEAR AND I’M MAKING A STATEMENT”, so go easy. Start small. Try a camo pocket square with a navy chino sportcoat, jeans, and an ocbd. Or switch out your bold striped socks for camo in a smart casual outfit. Once you’re feeling comfortable, use a color wheel as guidance to help you bring other colors into your ensemble. Designers are making camo in more than just the standard green/beige so you’ve got options.

One piece per outfit = enough. L-R: William Rast Belt – $21, Richer Poorer Socks – $12, Ted Baker Driver – $110.90, TheTieBar Pocket Square – $10, 1901 Necktie – $25.90 (similar version also available at TheTieBar)

Learning to use this pattern can be a fun way to change things up a bit, as well as add some interest to an otherwise basic, easy outfit. Keeping the rest of your outfit simple, working in some texture where possible, and going slow by starting with small stuff should get you using and liking this otherwise somewhat difficult to pull off trend.

The pants seen in the post are the Dockers slim flat front Alpha Khaki. They’re hard to come by now, but a few sizes can still be found on Amazon.

Unsolicited advice is the worst. Unless it’s done anonymously over the internet, w/ the best of intentions… and then maybe it’s okay. Or totally not. Anyway, this one is for the rookies. Up next is advice for those who are well on their way. Then we’ll finish this series with (unsolicited!) advice for the self appointed style experts.

#1. Try a size down

Left: Medium. Fine, but a bit boxy.  Right: Small. Fitted, but not tight.

It doesn’t hurt to just try a size down. There’s something about the “you’ll grow into it” clothing strategy that somehow sticks with men as we go from adolescent to adulthood… and sometimes real far into adulthood. We think that anything relatively fitted won’t be “comfortable.” Horse feathers. Clothing that fits isn’t tight. Nor is it loose. It skims the body. It doesn’t cling to it. So try a size down in shirts, pants (inseam and waist), and especially suit jackets, blazers, and sportcoats. You’ll look stronger and leaner. Here’s a few tricks that can help land the right fit.

#2. Get good at shopping smart, but don’t buy something just because it’s on sale.

Cole Haan’s Lunargrand in “Red Multi Mosaic Camo.”
The fact that they were $248, and are now $129.95, means diddly-poo.

For those of us who aren’t rookies at this dressing-better thing, think of the collective cash we all burned along the way. Only pay full retail if you REALLY want it, and you just can’t wait for a sale. Yet at the same time, don’t buy something you only think you might wear, simply because it’s marked down. This is especially true for items that are close to your size, but not actually your size. If it doesn’t fit, or can’t be tailored to fit, don’t pick it up.

#3. Go Slow

And suddenly, all of Frank’s co-workers at the salvage yard stopped talking to him.

It’s awfully hard to go from cargo shorts + graphic tee guy, to three piece suit guy overnight. It’s a process, and by jumping in head first, you risk looking out of place. There will be disappointments. And there are plenty of reasons as well as opportunities for a guy to dress well. But that doesn’t mean you have to start wearing a tux every night for dinner. Work up to it. Want to start wearing blazers more often? Pick up a cheap, cotton sportcoat, and get it tailored. Wear it out to dinner here and there. You’ll get there.

Above: Skechers Embolden – $69.95 – $89.00

NOTE: The very similar Skechers “Embolden” are pictured here. The more expensive Cole Haan Lunargrand usually runs between $169 when on sale, to $248 full retail.

Christian Davis is a 24-year-old Los Angeles based writer who up until now has focused mainly on writing about video games.  Really.  He recently began wanting to dress better, and he’ll be cataloging his process for us here on Dappered.  He might be new, but he’s learning quick.

“What are those, space shoes?”

My very first thought when I first saw a pair of Lunargrands online. Half wingtip, half…marshmallowy looking sole. The shoe design clearly threw me off and I never thought I’d own a pair of them.

Wrong yet again.

My initial impression was based solely off the image of the shoe online. Seeing them in person, like always, is a bit of a different experience. I came across a pair of dark brown lunargrands with a bright white sole while browsing through Nordstrom Rack. My whole demeanor….changed. They looked real easy to dress up in a playful kinda way, and could look extremely casual with some jeans. Plus that color was perfect for all occasions.

A little different, but not all that crazy.

Then I put these bad boys on. Good God, these are some comfortable shoes and are easily the most comfortable I own. There’s a ton of padding in the soles at different heights which more than likely explains the thick, ridged, marshmallowy sole. Thought it was weird at first since the heel has a more elevated cushion then the sides and front but that feeling went away fairly quick. I have yet to put these shoes through the ultimate comfort test which is wearing them to Disneyland. Any shoe that can withstand that should get some sort of Nobel prize.

Now, in terms of price I was expecting $150-250 which is what I remember seeing from Cole Haan online. I didn’t want to spend that much initially, but after wearing the shoes, I was easily convinced and was willing to fork out the extra cash.

I looked at the price tag. These were only $69.99.

The very squishy, very similar to the Lunargrand, sole of the Skechers Embolden

I had to check the tag three times and ask a sales clerk just to be sure. How could this new line of Cole Haans be only $69.99? Oh, because they’re not Cole Haans. This make is actually from a collaboration of Skechers and Mark Nason. I didn’t know who Mark Nason was (looks like they make a lot of cowboyish apparel), but I’m grateful this collaboration happened and a huge kudos to Skechers for making such a great product.

They are a near identical match to the original so you’re getting a great value with essentially the same level of comfort. The shoes do run a bit large , so you’ll definitely want to size down by half a size. The fabric around the ankle is also flimsier than I expected it to be and though it may not be an issue now, if any part were to rip, it would be that. These shoes are also more expensive on the Skechers site ($79.00-$89.00) so definitely check Nordstrom Rack first.

Of course, if you absolutely need to get the official name brand product, there are some discounted Lunargrands on the Cole Haan official site. Cheapest those are going for right now are $169.95 (but limited styles/colors), and CH is currently running an extra 25% off sale items code: 25SALE. (Thanks for the tip Joe!)

So would you? What do you think of the Lunargrands? Too different?  Or would you be fine wearing the Skechers-Nason collaboration for a shoe this odd? 

I’m not a baller, but I can pretend to be

Christian Davis is a 24-year-old Los Angeles based writer who up until now has focused mainly on writing about video games.  Really.  He recently began wanting to dress better, and he’ll be cataloging his process for us here on Dappered.  He might be new, but he’s learning quick.

Listen, I spent stacks of money on one shirt and I’m not ashamed. If anything, I felt….alive in a way. I know Dappered is all about affordable menswear, and I support that 300%. My closet is built up of affordable items and that’s how I’ll continue to shop. Though, at times, I think it’s ok to splurge on something that you really, really want. A piece of apparel that you know you’ll appreciate and pass on through generations of your family like some sort of sacred heirloom.

Yes, it’s that serious.

I recently went to a pop up shop in downtown LA. Thus far, that is still my favorite moment of 2013. For those who don’t know what a “pop-up shop” is, it’s essentially a farmers market for men’s clothing and accessories. Just you know…without the farmers market prices. It was a small, personal meeting of people who loved the same things I did. I got to meet co-owners and creators of brands and engage in some casual conversation with them, crack some jokes, and respectfully walk away from their $225 jeans. There were a lot of great vendors there such as Baldwin Denim, Rogue Territory, 3Sixteen, Apolis, and TaylorStitch just to name a few, but there were about two dozen brands there packed shoulder to shoulder selling great products.

The siren song of a perfectly fitting, well made OCBD…

I didn’t know what I wanted to buy when I was there but I knew I would be walking out with something I loved, but I just didn’t know what. California based company, TaylorStitch, helped me make my decision when I saw their selection of Blue Oxford Jack OCBDs (Oxford Cloth Button Down). Again, much like my Navy Blazer discovery, it was the last one in my size (36) and the guy who just tried it on put it back for a bigger size not 10 seconds before I got there.

I was prepared to buy this shirt and eagerly brought out my wallet and asked the vendor how much it costs (not noticing the list of prices behind me). He sort of kicks me in the face. I expected something around $60-$70. $80 would be pushing it. I thought that was expensive, but reasonable due to the event. I didn’t expect $135 (after taxes). My heart sank slightly and I was unsure if it was real love or just lust. The thought of investing more than $100 on a shirt was new territory to me and I’m fairly certain it was something that I swore I’d never do in a past life.

As these thoughts were swirling in my head my body continued to hand the TaylorStitch vendor my card and pay for the clothing. My body knows better than I do apparently.

This would be my first OCBD which is again, another thing I learned was a staple in any man’s wardrobe. I’m estimating that in the past month I’ve already worn the shirt a solid 15 times and I’m probably off by a few. Obviously, I love this shirt to death.

The shirt is pre-shrunk so it fits me perfectly, it’s got a tailored fit, it’s handmade, has high armholes and my absolute favorite thing about this button down is how the shirt looks tucked and untucked. I have the constant struggle of getting dress shirts that are just too long. If I un-tuck them, they’re easily hovering above my knees and I’m stuck with something similar to this.

Hell no.

This oxford sits just below the below the beltline untucked and it’s just perfect.

Now, I’m unsure if spending this much money on a shirt is normal in the #menswear world, but I felt like a baller. The BEST baller. Everywhere I go I feel like I’m the best dressed because of this shirt alone. There are some great details on this shirt that just make me feel great, such as the slits where the collars are buttoned to the shirt. They’re not just a straight line and have a small dip in them to make it easier for them to get in. All my other shirts are just regular slits.

Pffft, I’m clearly too good for that now.

I’ve got this extra layer of confidence when I wear this button down and not to downplay other companies or brands, but I didn’t get that same sensation when I wore Target’s blue oxford OCBD which only costs $22.00 and looks very (and I mean VERY) similar to the one I purchased. Could be the quality of the material, could be the the shirt length at Target was exceedingly long, it could all just be in my head, or I’m just trying to justify spending so much on a shirt. Don’t ruin this for me!

I don’t want to go and say something cliche like “you get what you pay for”….but……I really did this time. I got a shirt that goes with every piece of clothing I own, is a staple in my wardrobe, and the fit, the most important part, is perfect or unimaginably close to being perfect. Will I spend this much on a shirt again?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! No; not anytime soon.

Cardigan – H&M, Blue OCBD – Taylor Stitch, Knit Tie – Thrifted YSL, Trousers – Topman,
Loafers – Target, Bag – Rogue Territory

It’s far too impractical for me to do that consistently. The amount of money I spent on that one item could have been several from JCP, J Crew Factory, H&M, etc… I don’t regret it one bit though. It’s fun to splurge on something every so often. It’s the equivalent of eating at that super fancy restaurant you saw in Bon Appetit magazine or getting that Platinum Reserve whiskey at your favorite whiskey bar. It’s a special occasion sort of thing and in my situation, my first pop-up shop. I haven’t even gotten into the Rogue Territory Tote ($40) or the haircut I got from Imperial Barber Products ($56 after tip) OR going to Topman’s Top Shop afterwards and spending another $198 on pants alone. Like I said….special occasions.

The conversations that have spawned from this shirt are great though and make it all worth it:

“Hey Christian, lets go out to a couple bars bro!”

“Sorry guys, I can’t. I’m broke..”

“You were broke last week though.”

“The struggle….it’s real man.”

As I go home in my $135.00 shirt.

What was your first major splurge in the world of style?  Did you regret it?  Have a few days of buyer’s remorse?  Or did you never regret it?  Leave it all in the comments below.

Christian Davis is a 24-year-old Los Angeles based writer who up until now has focused mainly on writing about video games.  Really.  He recently began wanting to dress better, and he’ll be cataloging his process for us here on Dappered.  He might be new, but he’s learning quick.

In my opinion, everyone man should venture into menswear for a little bit. Before I got started developing my own sense of style, I was impressed with how well-dressed men used their clothes to broadcast a little bit of their personality to the world. That’s sort of what style is right? An extension of who you are as a person and your personality that you literally wear on your sleeves. I also think dressing better is a form of self respect. But despite all that, I personally still needed another bit of motivation to really get me going down the path of appreciating menswear…

How about a job!*

Yep.  A new job at a place where people dress nice.  Before I landed my new job, I had worked at video game companies which only required me to dress casually.  I’ve also worked at stores like Rite Aid which force you to wear beige slacks and a dark blue shirt. An office job required me to do the business casual thing: slacks, collared shirt, and a tie. That was a cool experience for me. Though it wasn’t required, wearing a tie everyday made me feel dapper as hell since I’d worn one an estimated total of five times in my life. It didn’t take long to realize that the generic office attire bored me to tears and I needed to do something else to boost my attire. Even my bosses wore the same thing as everyone else and I was tired of seeing the same shirt tie combo that you could purchase for $15 at Ross. I needed to change things up a bit and stand out. This was the perfect opportunity to do so, and I was off.

Blazer – H&M.  Check Pants – Topman.  Shirt: – jcp Stafford.  Belt – Calvin Klein.
Shoes – Target.  Tie – Givenchy

Early on in my quest for sartorial knowledge, I learned quickly that a navy blazer is a staple that every man should have in his wardrobe for a multitude of reasons. No exceptions. With that new bit of information, and the fact that I was 23 years old and never owned a blazer, going for a navy blazer was an obvious first purchase.

I headed to H&M which is always my first go to store for more stylish clothing.  I’m on a pretty tight budget, it’s affordable, has some great variety, and I feel it’s a nice starting point for someone who wants to begin upgrading their wardrobe despite some of their quality flaws (which someone new won’t really notice anyways).

After walking into H&M, I went to the blazers immediately only to see a barren wasteland of deserted hooks. Just about everything was picked clean.  Damn.  Maybe this wasn’t going to be so easy.  Since I was already there I decided to browse around.  While looking around I found the last navy blazer they had tucked away under some jeans. Someone was clearly trying to hide it for themselves later….bastard. I tried this thing on and it was never more apparent that this article of clothing was meant for me. It fit perfectly ( discovered my size was 36R) and it was even on sale (not including the 15% off discount I had).

It was a good day.

I’ve had this blazer around five months now and it’s definitely one of the best things I’ve ever purchased. I wear it all the time, it’s so versatile that it’s always on the list of options for what to wear that day, and it’s just a solid buy all around.

The Good

The contour of the blazer is extremely nice right off the rack and the only bit I had to modify was the length of the sleeves (a bit too long like most of H&M’s products). I paid $49.99 ($10.00 off due to a sale) and also had a 15% off discount for signing up for their newsletter. Why yes H&M, I’ll definitely take advantage of all your sales and promotions at the same time.

It’s 100% cotton. So that’s good news for people who live in hotter areas since cotton generally doesn’t retain heat. I’m not saying you can wear it during the hottest summer in Las Vegas, but I found I could wear this when the temperature reaches the high seventies or low eighties (yes, it’s reached that high in LA already).  The lining is 100% polyester, so that doesn’t breathe the best.

The shoulder padding is also very minimal giving you a natural look.  It doesn’t appear as if the suit is wearing you or you’re smuggling football pads. The shoulders also don’t rise too high when trying to shake someones hand for example, keeping it’s shape.  This also has a notch lapel, the waist is pretty fitted, and there’s even a hole on the lapel for an accessory such as a lapel flower.   I’ve found that what they say about navy being versatile is absolutely true, and it goes with almost everything in my wardrobe.

The Bad

It’s not a classic wool blazer, but I live in Los Angeles where its warm the majority of the year.  Meanwhile, in a past life, this blazer must have been best friends with two annoying friends named “hair” and “lint.” Definitely keep a lint roll handy when you’ve got this thing on. Keep it in your car, backpack, office drawer, or one in all three because hair and lint hang around like the two drunk guys who don’t realize when the party’s over. The blazer also doesn’t have too much extra fabric either, so getting this tailored isn’t really an option unfortunately.

Now there’s the availability of the product. H&M seems to move products through pretty quickly, so it might be long gone from your local store (H&M is going to offer e-commerce later this year)  I found something similar on their site for $69.99 and it’s primarily made out of synthetic material (7% wool, 60% polyester, 33% viscose).  I think I’d pass on that.  But there’s also a new linen version for summer with a second ticket pocket.

The Verdict

This Navy H&M Blazer is perfect for not only those just starting to improve the value of their closet, but also for the sartorially inclined who simply want a cheap alternative. It’s benefited me in every way possible. I’ve broken the mold of the generic office attire, I finally own a blazer that I’m in love with, it was an extremely affordable investment, and all the women in the office notice and love it.

Why the hell would I pass that up?

*I was already looking to work here, I didn’t choose a job just to dress better everyday. That would be silly.

Editor’s Note:  Any feedback for Christian?  What was your first blazer?  Do you think his pick of a cotton blazer over a wool blazer was the right move?  Leave it all in the comments below…