Let’s admit it. Sometimes, general menswear can get a little boring. Of course, we’re not talking about those who are already heavily invested in the men’s fashion space (presumably you, if you’re reading this).
For guys who care, chances are they’re already doing something interesting with their daily outfits, whether through color, texture, silhouette, or heck, maybe all three.
But a quick glance at the general menswear landscape will often report some rather dim results. Most guys are wearing some form of athleisure or dull business casual-adjacent outfits, in washed out and/or neutral tones, with little to no texture or life to be found.
What we mean to say is, there are far too many men’s wardrobes that simply consist of basic blue jeans, gray sweats, uninteresting khakis, and all manner of clothing with zero wow-factor. There’s nothing wrong with building a closet of reliable basics, but if that’s all you do, things are bound to get stale pretty damn quickly.
But what if there was a simple, bold solution to reinvigorate even the most boring wardrobes? Here’s the cool part – there is.
Just try adding a pop of color to what you’re already doing and get ready to stand out in the very best of ways.
Return to Vibrance
At certain times during the history of men’s fashion, strong interest in wearing bold, bright, and exciting colors has taken a hold over the population.
The 1960s and 70s in particular are a strong point for this trend, though the 80s and 90s sported their fair share of vibrancy, as well. Following the advent of the twenty-first century, however, is where things started to cool off.
Minimalist trends catered to neutral color palettes and the rise of business casual wardrobes has led to the average guy wearing some variation of tan and blue just about every weekday. And yeah, we’re not gonna sugarcoat it, that schtick gets boring.
To sell this point, let’s build an outfit together, why don’t we?
Picture a guy wearing some khaki chinos. They fit him well, mind you. Maybe he’s on the fashion pulse and they’re a solid mid-rise, with a comfortable straight leg fit.
Now, let’s add a powder blue dress shirt. The kind of thing every office worker relies on daily. There’s nothing wrong with it, but it’s hardly exciting.
Finally, let’s give him a nice denim trucker jacket to liven things up a bit. The introduction of denim textures definitely lends this outfit a bit more interest, but it doesn’t stand out.
So, what if we swapped the shirt for something a little more intriguing – something with a bold splash of color.
There’s just a lot more life here. And while we understand the reservations on wearing bright, primary colors like this red, it’s just one piece. The rest of the outfit has gone unchanged. It’s truly a “pop” of color, and the outfit is made all the more memorable for it.
We’re not recommending you go full fire hydrant and deck yourself out in hot red from head to toe (unless you really feel like it, we won’t stop you). But we are recommending that you get on the new wave of color hitting menswear by finding smaller ways to brighten up an otherwise humdrum palette.
Why Color Is So Important as a Fall/Winter Trend
Ever hear about seasonal depression? Like a lot of guys, we’re happy things are cooling down so we can finally break out our comfy knits and quality outerwear layering options. But come February, and most people are gonna be damn miserable that things have been so gray for so long.
Our outfits don’t need to contribute to that sentiment. One of the reasons that the holiday season is so often looked upon as fondly as it is, is because it represents a colorful time during a naturally drab time of year. So, let’s take a leaf out of Santa’s nice book and get colorful all fall and winter long!
Where to Add a Pop of Color
Like the example provided earlier, one of the easiest places to get some color in is with your primary top layer.
A richly-colored shirt, sweater, or cardigan can give you tons of style points, and since it’s rarely the only top layer you’ll be wearing as things get chillier, it won’t be overwhelming if it’s partially covered by another more grounded layer.
But you can apply this pop of color philosophy in smaller, more subtle ways, whether you’re just starting out, or looking to keep things simple as a colorful veteran yourself. Here are some of our favorite ways to rock it.
- Scarves: This is easily one of the best options you have to get some extra color working with your outfit without having to commit to something super bold day-round. Whether you’re interested in a primary red, yellow, or green, or perhaps a cooler-toned blue or purple, there’s a ton to work with here. Most scarves are multi-colored and patterned, proving even more colorful real estate potential. And once you’ve gotten where you’re going, you can always take it off.
- Tote Bags: If you live in a city, chances are you're on the tote bag wagon. A perfect casual bag to drop a book in, store some groceries, and serve as a fashionable accessory in a pinch, you can do a lot with more colorful options should you see fit. The rest of your outfit can be fairly generic, and the right colorful tote might just make it spectacular.
? Hats: When temperatures plunge, reach for your favorite beanie or trapper hat to keep the chill at bay. Only this season, make it a bit more colorful! There’s no reason that winter warmth gear has to be boring. If anything, it’s the perfect opportunity to add some much-needed color.
Besides for smaller pieces, you can still go all-out with color this fall and winter in the form of some pretty substantial pieces. For example, remember how the barn coat is making familiar waves this fall? You can get them in bright red, green, yellow – whatever, really!
Or you can really commit to the colorful knitwear school of thought. We’re suckers for a brightly-colored turtleneck sweater. Popped under a cooler-toned sport coat, they can really stand out and make a statement.
Alternatively, you can opt for the “monochrome, but for one” outfit template. This basically means that your entire outfit consists of one color family, be that various shades of black, brown, gray, etc., except you take one piece and swap it for a more colorful option.
Try a bright red shirt under all black. Or a rich orange scarf tossed over an all-blue ensemble. There are a ton of ways to do this, so get creative with it!
Keep It Colorful
While there are a lot of ways to keep your outfits interesting, color is undeniably one of the easiest methods. Perhaps because it’s such an obvious choice, men have come to neglect it somewhat.
But with pops of color bound to pop up on the trend radar this fall and winter, we highly recommend you give it a try. It might just brighten up an otherwise dark and chilly season!
