Menswear is a simple expression (as with the nature of how men are in general in comparison to women). Therefore, to accurately distinguish between a quality, well-designed piece to one you can do away with in your life, it always comes down to the details.
Personally, when it comes to browsing at potential pieces to add to my collection, there are three specific details or clothing features that I always tend to gravitate towards. I call them the detail trifecta: pockets, buttons, and elbow pads.
But before I go in on how this trifecta resonates as the go-to features to spot out on a piece, let me quickly go over a quick and handy fashion tip I have learned and followed over the many years of browsing and shopping. Before deciding to buy any piece at a whim because a particular detail feature has caught your eye or is of the latest trend, use the tried-and-true 3 point check list that I follow to judge whether a detail feature is well-designed for the piece.
Is the detail feature...
(1) in the appropriate place in respect to its intended function,
(2) at just the right amount so that it doesn't look overdone, and
(3) of quality material that it is complementary to the fabric?
When designed correctly (by passing all three check-points to the above criteria), I would personally be able to say that the piece is worth considering as something that will last in your closet.
Pockets
Now, where do I begin with pockets... Functional for one, and when perfectly executed, pockets are a must-have style feature that brings character to the clothing piece. However, this is also one of the trickier detail features that is most often overdone or ill-placed. More often than not, pockets are the one thing that is missing to a piece that hits all the spots or makes you question whether the designer ever tried wearing the piece himself/herself because the pockets provide no added value to begin with. Watch out for the two tier pockets and say yes please to the pockets you find in the inner lining of your jacket (cause having well-hidden pockets here are key).
At the end of the day, the bottom line is to find the right balance between your love for how functional pockets can be to have at your disposal versus having too many to the point that it becomes far too easy to "lose" your phone or keys in. Understand that having too much of anything, regardless of how much you like something, will not last. In this case, it will only make the piece look unnecessarily overdone and cluttered to your look. Quality over quantity, guys.
At the end of the day, the bottom line is to find the right balance between your love for how functional pockets can be to have at your disposal versus having too many to the point that it becomes far too easy to "lose" your phone or keys in. Understand that having too much of anything, regardless of how much you like something, will not last. In this case, it will only make the piece look unnecessarily overdone and cluttered to your look. Quality over quantity, guys.
Buttons
Buttons are easily the one feature that can make or break a piece. Conventionally, buttons serve to bring together two sides of clothing together as a means to tighten or hold fabric in place. However, this feature can just as easily be overdone or misplaced for all the wrong reasons. For example, buttons should never be placed where the above function is not intended. The worst deal breaker is when the button is placed in the most appropriate of places, but the quality of the button used on the piece does not match it whatsoever (this has happened to me far too many times and has driven me completely nuts).
A solution to this is to look out for buttons made of a contrasting texture to the composition of the piece. This contrasting effect allows for the look of the piece to balance itself out, rather than simply having the button pieces blend itself completely into the fabric. Buttons to an oxford shirt or button down are easily understated style details that could add just that extra bit of crisp to a plain top without doing over much.
A solution to this is to look out for buttons made of a contrasting texture to the composition of the piece. This contrasting effect allows for the look of the piece to balance itself out, rather than simply having the button pieces blend itself completely into the fabric. Buttons to an oxford shirt or button down are easily understated style details that could add just that extra bit of crisp to a plain top without doing over much.
Elbow pads
Elbow pads are usually what gets me really excited when it comes to searching for comfy knitwear sweaters and shawl cardigans (we can always use more of these, am I right?). This feature most often passes the initial two check points to the criteria; therefore, don't be fooled as the focal point here is to examine the quality of the fabric used to construct the elbow pad. Again, classic fabrics, such as genuine leather and soft suede, are my go-to picks. When it comes to a bolder, patterned elbow pad look of the plaid or checkered variety, it is often difficult to see it matching well with the overall aesthetic of the piece - be cautious when you see this on knitwear!
Is the fabric chosen complementary to the overall structure of the piece? Does it stand out from the piece so much to the point where it looks awkward to the eye (despite the fact that the elbow pads serve the purpose of giving the piece some flair)? These are some crucial questions to consider and ponder upon when trying on the piece in front of the mirror.
Is the fabric chosen complementary to the overall structure of the piece? Does it stand out from the piece so much to the point where it looks awkward to the eye (despite the fact that the elbow pads serve the purpose of giving the piece some flair)? These are some crucial questions to consider and ponder upon when trying on the piece in front of the mirror.
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For some, these detail features don't matter or factor in their decision when selecting a piece to buy. However, for the odd group or few who have made it this far and know just what I mean, these details are the backbone behind why you decided to give that particular piece of clothing a second look and perhaps also the reason why you even purchased it in the first place (apart from it fitting you nicely of course).
Hence, whether it's at your next opportunity to treat yourself to an expensive splurge or at your next shopping spree, I hope you take something away from this when you find yourself at a decision point where you have to decide on whether or not you should buy a particular piece. Remember to pay attention to the detail trifecta and follow the three point check list!
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