After a few years of living in sweats, thinking about what to wear for events outside of streaming movies on your couch can be intimidating. Elastic waistbands are great, but buttoning up a shirt is worth the extra effort. With traveling and going out on the town on the table again, you’ll want to make sure to be dressed for success.
Getting out of your comfort zone and updating your attire may feel overwhelming at first. A survey commissioned by Stitch Fix found 43% of guys would rather do their own taxes than shop for a new wardrobe. (OK, it may be a little tough, but getting new clothes definitely sucks less than taxes.)
If you’re feeling a bit rusty, Stitch Fix takes the stress out of updating your wardrobe. Let’s be honest, lots of us are craving a change, even if it means parting ways with your favorite college T-shirt.
To ease the pain of breaking up with your old clothes, Stitch Fix partnered with actor and producer Keegan-Michael Key to help men overcome their biggest wardrobe challenges. Here are some hot tips for getting back out there with fresh threads from Stitch Fix.
1. Make the transition from takeout season to BBQ season with some fresh looks
Having trouble embracing an “out with the old, in with the new” attitude when it comes to jeans you’ve had longer than your current job? “I’ll admit, I’m guilty of hanging onto clothes for too long and at times need a nudge to keep me from falling into a style rut,” says Key. “For the 40% of guys who say tossing their overworn clothing is worse than a breakup, Stitch Fix is the wardrobe wingman ready to arm you with personalized style recommendations and provide a time-saving solution for that wardrobe refresh.”
Don’t worry, Stitch Fix isn’t going to change your personal style. They work with what you like, know the brands you love–all within your size, fit and price preferences. If you do want a major change, they can help with that too.
Credit: Stitch Fix
2. Spend your weekends lost in the woods — not lost in the mall
When it comes to knowing what works, a lot of guys appreciate some guidance. Nearly 40% rely on fashion advice from their spouse or partner, according to the survey, and 78% have felt like they didn’t fit in because of what they were wearing at some stage. Whether you’re getting ready for an outdoor adventure or a job interview, Stitch Fix creates an edit based on your preferences, size and fit from the more than 1,000 brands they stock, including Adidas, BONOBOS, Scotch & Soda and The North Face, plus 11 exclusive brands designed in-house.
You keep what you like and send back what you don’t, and the $20 styling fee you pay gets credited toward anything you hold onto. Another option is Stitch Fix Freestyle, which allows you to instantly buy curated items based on your preferences.
3. Trade time scrolling for new clothes for time relaxing on the beach
Maybe you’ve been sticking to what you know because you don’t have time to get sucked into the rabbit hole of online shopping. “Stitch Fix is a great solution for guys like me who need a little nudge to let go of old clothes,” says Key. “It helps streamline the shopping experience by showing you items that match your style and size and delivering them right to your door! It has helped inspire me to get rid of old clothes and replace them with staple pieces to refresh my wardrobe.” Which frees up plenty of time for booking some PTO on a beach.
Credit: Stitch Fix
4. Dress up for wedding season
A few months ago, throwing on some jeans may have felt a bit fancy, but the days of all dressed up and nowhere to go are over. Getting dressed for special events can still be tricky: 36% of gents feel nervous about choosing what to wear for a wedding and 34% said the same about getting ready for a first date. While the old standards of formality probably won’t ever be as rigid as they once were (good-bye, cummerbunds), suiting up for milestones with the help of Stitch Fix styling experts can actually be fun.
5. Swap out holes in clothes for holes on the golf course
T-shirts are a great staple, but the lifespan of a t-shirt goes from worn, to worn-in, to worn-out. If your tees are faded, tearing at the seams, and have shrunk from too many rounds in the dryer, it’s time for a refresh. With that in mind, we’ve also learned that basics can be dressed up and you can find clothes that are well-made but don’t sacrifice comfort. Easy moves like throwing on a blazer for your return to office is a sharp look which doesn’t take a ton of effort — and works for a weekend on the golf course.
Credit: Stitch Fix
Now that you’re getting back into the swing of things, Stitch Fix has you covered from sporty to serious. Sign up now and schedule a fix at stitchfix.com.