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Changing my style[Updated w/pics. Need opinions!]
Kyougu
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Okay, I'm 26 years old, and have always been a stereotypical nerd looking guy. Pretty fat (260) pounds, with a clothing style that wasn't sloppy, but pretty nerdy (tucked in shirt, no real style.)
Well, back in April, I decided I was tired of being fat, and started making changes. For some reason or another, things actually worked out, and now I find myself 30 pounds lighter. Not model looking by any stretch, and I still plan on trying to hit at the min 200 pounds, but I do think I look better.
Or I would, if I had adequate clothing. Half my clothing makes me still look fat, and the other half makes me look dorky still. So anyone have any tips? I avoided shopping at the the usual American Eagle, Gap clothing stores because I remember going in there once and not finding anything my size. I'm thinking I should be able to find something now though. So maybe I should start there?
Well, back in April, I decided I was tired of being fat, and started making changes. For some reason or another, things actually worked out, and now I find myself 30 pounds lighter. Not model looking by any stretch, and I still plan on trying to hit at the min 200 pounds, but I do think I look better.
Or I would, if I had adequate clothing. Half my clothing makes me still look fat, and the other half makes me look dorky still. So anyone have any tips? I avoided shopping at the the usual American Eagle, Gap clothing stores because I remember going in there once and not finding anything my size. I'm thinking I should be able to find something now though. So maybe I should start there?
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If you have one near you check out and H&M. they sell pretty cheap but stylish looking clothing. Also try to hit up some vintage or slavation army type stores. You can find some wacky and interesting stuff at those places. Chances are you're just going with bland right now. Go for a bolder more confident look.
Those two are exactly my biggest problems, and just exactly what I want to try and change.
The first is REALLY tough unless people know what you look like. Certain things "work" with some people but would look like a pile of rancid crap on someone else.
As for stores, i feel ya... I've run the gamut from skinny to way too much (300+) when I was seriously working out... now I could stand to lose some weight but I've never had a problem finding with the waist, but with length I have MANY issues (tall).
That should get you started.
two new pairs of shoes and one pair of really bitchin boots
hope over to a thsirt counter get three for every day of the week ease up on the geeky stuff like optimus Prime shits. things you would weear in public without your date feeling embarressed.
and six good polo/button ups in various colors you like.
cut the hair, shave the face, make yourself in general look cleaner.
BLAM new style for a new you. watch the ladies flock to ya. unlike peter Parker though, refrain from disco moves in the middle of the street
I let one girlfriend take me shopping and she tried to give me something between and indie and a preppy look. I gave her the full benefit of the doubt, but it wasn't meant to be. A few months later, I repeated the attempt with another girl and she liked the look of me in a style that hinted of punk and skater. I'm neither a punk nor a skater, but apparently certain shapes, colors, and fabrics work best with me. Now when I go shopping, I have a much better idea of what to look for. If you could find something similar, the personal touch would probably help a lot more than some unfocused help from the net.
Nothing against guys with good taste, but it would probably be much easier to find an appropriate female.
If you ever need to talk to someone, feel free to message me. Yes, that includes you.
Pants! Dark jeans will make you look slimmer and more put-together. Do not make the guy mistake of buying pants so huge we can't tell if you actually have legs under there, or the indie boy mistake of buying tight pants where we have to wonder about sperm production. I'm so sick of khaki pants, but if you get them, don't let them get all wrinkly.
Oh, and shoes! Girls tend to notice shoes a lot. Get yourself a pair of sneakers that don't look like you came straight from the gym, preferably in interesting colors (ie, not white.) Skate shoes tend to look good for this. Keep them clean! Some dress-up shoes are a necessity too, and I personally like a pair of tough-guy boots on men (but not cowboy boots unless you're in a rodeo or something.)
Basically, a good rule of thumb is to pick one item of clothing you really want to showcase and surround it with nice-looking basics. If you wear too much off-the-wall stuff, it looks messy and/or hoboish. And...TRY EVERYTHING ON! Yes, it'll probably fit you if it's in your size, but you don't just want stuff that fits, you want stuff that looks awesome. Anything else isn't worth spending money on.
I just send her in, she grabs a pile of clothes that she thinks will work then I try them all on and pick what I like best.
As a guy, I try to find one thing that works and stick with it... and people tell me I have good style. I think that part of style must be having a consistent look that people can identify, and for some reason folks seem to like that. Maybe it's because a lot of us grew up watching Scooby-Doo and nobody ever changed their clothes.
So yeah. I'm kinda vain but I don't like to spend time at the store, like most guys. The main thing is, once you get your thing down you don't have to go through the agonizing/confusing "trying-on" process. This is what I do to make it easier:
* Buy Levis. Find the number of Levis that fits you well... Levi has a number that works for practically every body type. Mine is 517, but that's because I'm thin and I wear boots a lot. Remember your best waist and inseam, and always buy pre-shrunk. This makes buying jeans as easy as walking over to your number, and finding a color you like in your size. By color, I mean "shade of blue". This makes the other clothes you buy easier to pick out both in the store and when you're getting dressed. Most shirts look good with blue jeans anyway.
* Find a brand of shoe that fits you well, and remember your size. I wear nothing but various Vans size 10's and 9 1/2 Ariat boots. All you gots to do is walk in the store, find a floor model you like, grab a box and you're out.
* Find a brand of shirt that fits too. Mine are, oddly enough, Wrangler and Vans. I wear western shirts because I like 'em, buttoned up and tucked in they are appropriate for my workplace, and if I want to be more casual I just wear them open over a t-shirt. This way I don't have to have a bunch of work vs. regular shirts. Again, walk in the store, find a pattern or color you like in the size you wear, and out.
* Find out what colors look good with your complexion and hair color, and stick with them when you buy shirts. If you want to look less nerdy, you really don't want to wear stuff that makes you look sickly or pasty. Women are better at this than we are in many cases, so it might be good to consult one.
* For your shirts, have solids and patterns (Avoid paisley... I'm sure someone can pull it off, but ugh). This way you have options with your t-shirts... a shirt that has a nifty pattern on it may look like total ass with the plaid button shirt over it. If this is confusing, ask a girl. They know things.
* Vintage shirts can be tricky. You might look cool, or you might look like you raided your Dad's closet. I have a collection of old Le Tigre shirts and vintage western shirts... but that's it. Oh, and if you go the western shirt route never ever buy something that has stitched feathers or cow skulls on the back and chest... just don't.
* Be careful with logos and such... they can date your clothes. A friend of mine has a favorite pair of shorts, but hates wearing them because they have "No Fear" in big letters on them and he feels like a tool. Also be wary of "irony". Yeah, it can be all cool and indie, but if you don't get it quite right you look like an ass. The bright orange reeses pieces shirt might be indie cool somewhere, but most people are probably going to think you look like a traffic cone.
* The "Band Name" shirt can be a good one... just don't date yourself. I'm 30, so while I might think a "Dokken" shirt is nostalgically awesome, it might compeletely ruin my chances with a gal who is only a few years younger than me. I tend to go with the classic "band nobody has heard of" shirt (I know that can also be annoying, but I can't help myself on this one). My "go-to shirt" is from one of my favorite no-names, "The Librarians". Sometimes it's a good conversation starter when someone asks "So... is that a band, or are you just a fan of librarians?"
* Get a good haircut and keep your face well groomed. If you can swing someone who's a real good hair stylist even just once so they can give you something that complements your face, do it. Then take a picture. Now, every time you go to get your hair cut, wherever you get it cut, hand them the picture and say "do this". And though certain types of facial hair can look cool, being clean shaven makes you look your age and says "hey, I've got it together enough to shave every morning."
* Don't buy Calvin Klein anything... just... don't. Unless you're gay. If so, go for it.
* Female help is always a bonus for the "instant approval" factor.
* Have fun.
Dude. If a "Dokken" shirt is destroying your game something is seriously wrong. Girls like older guys so long as they don't have out of control nose hair or are poor. Unless you're hitting on high school girls. Then you juist need to keep a My Chemical Romance shirt in your car for emergencies. Think Pokemon.
― Marcus Aurelius
Path of Exile: themightypuck
hahaha... thanks man. i just turned 30 so i probably worry too much.
THE DOKKEN SHIRT IS COMING BACK
I'm so going to get me a Dokken shirt.
― Marcus Aurelius
Path of Exile: themightypuck
First, some before pics. I don't have that many..but that's what happens when you have low self steem.
A pic before the weight loss.
This was taken just a couple days ago
A couple of weeks ago. At first I liked it, but looking it again, I think I look still too dorky.
I HATE this picture, and how I look at it. It's basically shows everything I want to change.
And now, hopefully the begining of the new, and improved me. I didn't stray too far from my original style, just tried to make it more pleasing to the eye.
I like this one, cause I have the option of wearing just the to shirt, or layering with the shirt, or wearing the shirt buttoned up.
Another layered looked.
The shirt from before, but buttoned up. It may make me look somewhat gangster though?
I really like polos.
Another polo.
Also, if you must wear shirts with lines on them, you want them to go vertical, not horizontal. >_>
I find it very odd to have a button up shirt with a pattern over a t-shirt with another kind of pattern. I say stick with a plain shirt underneath or you'll look like an optical illusion.
Additionally, smile in your new photos, and I suggest that you speak to a hair stylist: Your hairstyle looks a bit.. bland, and the right style of hair can make a huge difference to your face. It needn't even be anything complex: I've found that throwing some gel into my hair, and spending a minute messing up, then spiking it makes me look ten times better than no gel at all. Takes all of 3 minutes in the morning, if that.
But you should probably speak to a professional stylist; not a hairdresser/barber, as they generally just cut hair, but an actual stylist. It will cost you more than a simple haircut, however for the extra you are getting someone to both make your hair look good, rather than just shorter, and if they're good, you should be able to ask them about the best way to style it for your face and hair type without needing a dozen hair care products and an hour with a mirror every morning ;-)
Long shirts have to do with their too big of a size.
As for hair stylist advice.... I think he needs to grow more hair for that.
And when it comes to grooming, dont be afraid to experiment. Its free! Foir example, I always thought that beards are lame, untill i grew one, and not it looks badass.
Shorts with socks you can see: big no no, your shorts also don't look like they fit you. Again, a skate store will be able to help you out with the shorts. Get some new shoes, a good pair of sneakers (not some godawful looking "old people" sneakers) or, even better, a sneaker style that's for casual wear rather than actual running. Nike, New Balance and Reebok all do some great streetwear sneakers. Adidas too, but I expect your feet will be too wide for them.
No, adidas shoes come in a large variety of sizes.
For the most generic, relatively stylish shoe, go with the New Balance M574. It's a classic tennis shoe that comes in a variety of colors and style. Can't get any more solid and simplistic than that.
What's wrong with the belt? I can't even see what it looks like in those pictures.
some quick suggestions. Get into the sun a bit. That'll give you a bit more of a glow. Read up on it first so you don't burn or get cancer, but even just a slight tan makes a person look better. I know the pain of pale skin, I got a lot of Irish in me so I'm patsy also unless I force myself out into the sun for a while.
Also maybe try parting your hair to one side instead of straight back? See how that looks.
Way to go dude, I have that green buddha shirt. Target is a really good place to go for inexpensive trendy clothes.
also.. keep untucking that stuff! tucked in shirts when you're not going to work normally do end up making you look geeky.
- Never tuck in a t-shirt. As for shirts, your call, but I generally avoid this unless I am somewhat dressed up.
- Like others have said, your clothes are still way to big. Get smaller sizes. I realize you might be a bit self-concious, but bigger sizes do not help at all. If I were you, I would buy smaller sizes and strive to lose even more weight as fast as possible.
- I would never wear a patterned t-shirt under a shirt. Buy a selection of good fitting, single-colored t-shirts in discreet colors. These you can use under a shirt or on their own as long as they are good fitting.
- Those jeans you are wearing are... something I might use for working on my car. They do not fit you at all, and the wash just screams cheap budget jeans. Invest in some quality jeans eventually, but until you have hit your target weight, H&M are actually a good place for pretty nice and cheap jeans, at least where I live. And make sure the jeans fit you! A pair of good looking jeans can look absolutely fantastic, a pair that does not fit you can look like shit. As for washes, I usually go for either light washed out ones or really dark ones.
- Polos. Ok, these can look good, but... I would stay away from patterned ones until you have developed more of a sense of what works for you and not. Also, these are also way to lose fitting. Concentrate on getting new ones that fits better in nice muted natural colors without patterns.
- The shorts: no, just no. Are those creases I see? get rid of them. This is my personal opinion, but shorts never look proper, so you might as well go for a relaxed more surf-ish looking pair.
- The shoes. Get three or four pair of good looking sneakers in different colors. Avoid ones that look like you could actually use them for training. Also, you are to old to go for a skate-look in my opinion. Take the advice people have given about specific models. Get a lighter pair, a darker pair and something in between. Coordinate with the rest of you outfit. Shoes are important.
- The haircut. That haircut does not fit you and make you look a bit creepy, or like a salesman. Take your pick.... visit a good hairdresser and take their advice. Also, I think you might actually look good with facial hair, if you have enough you should try it. You have a pretty round face, growing a beard would make you look quite a bit meaner. If this something you would like to go for is up to you.
- The glasses. Now, I've never worn glasses, so what do I know. But those frames do not fit you. Either go for contacts, or visit your eye-wear store (what the hell is it called in english? optometrician?) and ask for input on what would look good on you, they usually have some younger people on staff that actually now what would look good.
- The posture. Yes, what people have said already. A good posture shows confidence, and a good posture leads to better confidence as well. Stomach in, chest out, look up and straighten you back and neck.
- General things. You will have to find your own style and find outfits that work for you. This can be hard in the beginning, so start out with basic clothing that can be combined in different ways without looking strange. Therefore, stay away from strong colors and patterns. These things can come later when you know more about what works for you and you have a nice basic wardrobe to build from.
- Get advice. Ask the sales-staff in the stores you go to. They generally know things about what would look good or not. Ask advice from friends that have a fashion-sense you like. Could be guys, could be girls... generally, girls are better at color-coordinating stuff, but far from all girls have a good fashion-sense.
And finally, look at the people around you! Make a mental note about outfits you like and get similar stuff. Developing a style of your own takes time, but eventually you will get there.
You look great with the layered look, but here are some suggestions. Do not tuck in your shirt. If possible get a tighter shirt that dosen't go down as far. If you have the shirt drop a little bit below your wasteline you can sag your pants a tiny bit so the belt is still visible, it also creates the image you have a slimmer wasteline. And coupled with tighter pants, you will look roughly 50 pounds lighter. I've seen it work.
You are on the right track, the improvement is astounding. Keep it up! : )
Grats on the lost weight too! That's awesome man, must feel good.
Go for flat front.
With jeans, you don't want them to be too tapered, but at the same time you don't want them be completely straight-cut, or your legs will look fucking huge. I'm a pretty big guy (same weight as you) and I find that Levi's 567 works pretty well with me. And if you're feeling like something different yet classy, try a pair of Levis corduroy. They're sized the same as jeans and are surprisingly not as hot as you'd expect. With corduroys though, you need to avoid blue and go for either brown or black, depending on what shoe color you wear.
EDIT: Also, as far as shoes go, Adidas Sambas are amazing. The only shoe I feel comfortable wearing with ANYTHING; shorts, jeans, khakis, even the occasional dress pants (depending on the specific pair). Do yourself a favor and invest in these. It's generally only $40 to $45 and they last a long ass time since they're made for playing indoor soccer. A comfortable shoe that wont make you look like a tourist who just arrived in Orlando, Florida.
It still sucks though.