How to Dress Like an Adult Man, Not a Boy

Learning how to dress well is one of the growing pains all men go through. As we transition from high school to college and into adulthood, the look we want to present to the world changes dramatically. If you’re in a fashion slump, our style team at Berle is here to help upgrade your look. Read on to learn how to dress like an adult man, not a boy. If you’re looking for more style tips afterward, sign up for our free newsletter. 

Sign Up & Save

How to Dress Like an Adult Man, Not a Boy

Here are some tips to help upgrade your look:

Know When to Take Your Measurements

Choosing quality items is essential. However, an elegant suit can appear sloppy without tailoring. While most men stop growing in height by age 18, other measurements, like your waist size, can change dramatically from your early 20s and beyond. Looking sharp goes further than your body type. In the end, what matters most is that you choose clothing that fits you properly. Take your measurements semi-annually or yearly to keep up with your tailoring. You can always have clothes tailored later on if these measurements change.

Ditch Your School Style

During high school and college, many of us are hard-pressed to express our individuality through the clothing we wear. However, as adults, our actions and words should speak louder than a graphic tee-shirt or loudly colored shoes. Here are a few simple ways to upgrade your wardrobe for the adult look you want:

Trousers

SUPER 130'S TASMANIAN GABARDINE FLAT FRONT
$225.00

 

DRESS DENIM SELF SIZER FLAT FRONT
REGULAR RISE

$95.00

CHARLESTON KHAKIS STRETCH TWILL SHORT IN STONE

$95.00 

Your dresser drawer always begins with the pants you keep. When curating a more mature look, ditch the ripped jeans and plaid shorts, and opt for more classic styles. Every grown man should have at least one pair of tailored dress pants and chinos for work and business-casual affairs. Additionally, upgrade your casual items with tailored denim and khaki shorts.

Shirts

Buttons and collared shirts should be a staple in every man’s closet. You may love your old graphic tee shirts, but we recommend that you save these for working on your car or hitting the gym. Everyday classics that will keep you looking sharp include short and long-sleeve Polos, Oxford button-ups, and Henleys. For a casual look, opt for plain tee shirts that aren’t overly baggy or tight. 

Footwear

Footwear is one of the most crucial parts of your outfit. Opt for timeless styles, like Derbys, polished loafers, and Chelsea boots. Neutral colors always work best because they match with any outfit you choose. Avoid flashy footwear. After all, when it comes time to interview, you want your attention to be on your resume, not on your shoes!

Accessories

Accessories are the final pieces you should add to finish your look. Choose your accessories carefully, and remember that as an adult, your actions and words should speak louder than your outfit. As such, avoid over-the-top items, like ties in loud patterns or excessively flashy jewelry. Overly flashy pieces tend to direct attention more to what you’re wearing and less to what you’re doing. We recommend opting for a classic, well-made watch in gold or silver. A timepiece is a wise accessory choice because it shows that you care about your time and the time of others.

Pay Attention to the Details

After investing time and money into your style transformation, don’t let the little things despoil your progress. Maintain your new image by carefully caring for your clothes. Take time to read your labels so that you can mindfully launder your clothes and keep them looking fresh. Mark one day out of the month for a trip to the dry cleaners.


Additionally, invest accordingly in simple care items, like shoe polish, stain remover pens, mesh laundry bags, and everyday sewing materials for making minor repairs to your clothes.

Upgrade Your Look Today

Now that you know how to dress like an adult man and not a boy, it’s time to put your best look forward. Always remember that quality matters and perfectly tailored clothing is essential. If you’re ready to upgrade your look, shop our tailored trousers collection by Berle today. 

Shop Tailored Trousers

Dress Khakis

Featured Pieces

 

SUPER 100'S GABARDINE, FLAT FRONT

$160.00

 

POLYESTER WOOL TROPICAL, PLEATED

$85.00

 

CHARLESTON KHAKIS, STRETCH TWILL

$125.00

Shop All Dress Khakis

Wool Trousers

Featured Pieces

 

HOUNDSTOOTH CHECK, WORSTED WOOL

$150.00

 

WOOL FLANNEL, PLEATED

$170.00

 

POLYESTER WOOL TROPICAL

$85.00

Shop All Wool Trousers 

Fancies

Featured Pieces

BLACK WATCH WOOL PLAID PLEATED

$175.00

STRETCH BLACK & WHITE PLAID

$175.00

ROYAL STEWART WOOL PLAID PLEATED

$175.00

Shop All Fancies