When it comes to getting dressed before heading out the door, I’m like a lot of guys: honestly, a little lazy. I don’t like taking 30 minutes to put everything together before going out the door. I want to sleep another five minutes, watch TV for another five minutes, or keep enjoying life. So when I decided I wanted to elevate my style, I built the Lazy Man’s Guide. There’s a lot to cover, but once you’ve got it down, it couldn’t be easier.

One of the first things I did is pick up enough underwear and socks to last me at least two weeks. I highly recommend you do the same. There’s no reason to be scrambling in the morning because you’ve run out (if you’re like me, it’s happened, and it’s only fun going commando so many times). When it comes to socks, pick up a few pairs of the same style; five or so should do it. Why? Because socks go missing, and if you’re pulling out a pair, you don’t want to be searching for the missing mate when you’re in a hurry. I have several pairs, so I just grab another one and get gone.

That’s the basics, but most of us wear more than just socks and underwear when we head out. For a lot of guys, this can be as simple as a good t-shirt and jeans, and maybe a hoodie when it’s colder out. Nothing wrong with that, but it’s getting a little overdone, don’t you think?

A little variety can go a long way, and it doesn’t need to be complicated. The key is layering. So let’s say that up top, when we go out we’ve got an under layer and an over layer. The under piece is usually a collared shirt of some type. Not necessarily a dress shirt, but maybe a more casual buttoned shirt or polo. I like to mix-in cowboy shirts, for example, because I grew up out in the countryside. I recommend picking up something a little slimmer fitting so that the extra fabric doesn’t stick out from your over layer like a muffin top.

Next we have the over layer. Here’s where there’s lot of opportunity to try some things out. You can put pretty much anything over a collared shirt, but leave the hood behind for the boys. When it comes to the over layer, you can throw on a crewneck sweater, a V-neck sweater, a button up sweater, a vest, a zip-up sweater, a pullover, a thicker Henley, or even just a sweater vest. Some of these items take a little more work than usual because, yeah, there’s three buttons to be done up. You’ll want to keep these slimmer too. With two layers you don’t want to end up looking too bulky

So you’re ready to pick out a couple of options, but before you just grab anything off the rack, let’s think one more time about what you need. A little prep now will trade you back plenty of extra R&R down the road. What I’m talking about is colour and pattern. Pick them right and you’ll be able to swap a whole bunch of your under and over layers with each other. My generally rule of thumb is that if one layer is bright, the other should be toned down or plain. I use a lot of blue because I’m told it brings out my eyes, but see what works best for you and try out a few different combos. The easier it is to change things up, the faster it is in the morning.

That’s it for now; try a few things and see just how easy it is. You’ll be thanking me in no time.

Tim Lucas

Tim Lucas enjoys writing, working on fast cars and sipping fine tequila. He appreciates the delicate art of creating a personal image through one's wardrobe. He has been employed by Club Monaco, Harry Rosen and Holt Renfrew. He now operates his own blog on men's fashion, known as "Mr. Sartorial".

Homepage

Twitter Page