Dealing With Men's Thick, Wavy Or Unruly Hair

This type of hair can be difficult to manage but I hope that by following some of my simple guidelines you will be able to get the most from your cut. There will be a lot to consider, but all of these tips are guaranteed to make life so much easier for you in the long run.

1. Look After Your Hair

Firstly, thick hair needs to be looked after properly. A large percentage of guys still don’t invest in a decent shampoo or conditioner, but it’s vital to use high quality products in order to keep your specific hair type in its very best condition.

Using (read: stealing) your girlfriend’s shampoo might seem like a good idea, but if you don’t have fine/coloured hair and that’s the shampoo she uses, it just isn’t going to be beneficial to you.

The majority of shampoos on the market aren’t specific to a single hair type, they simply cleanse and moisturise the scalp whilst promoting healthier hair growth. However, if you are still struggling to find one that meets your requirements, you will find a list of my recommended shampoos and conditioners at the end of this article.

With thick hair it’s important to use conditioner as well as shampoo, even if it’s not used every time. This will help moisturise the hair and scalp and smooth the hair cuticles, giving your hair a healthy appearance and making it all the more manageable.

2. The Right Cut

Secondly, choosing the right haircut is extremely important. Be realistic with your choice of hairstyle and think about the amount of time you have to spend styling it every day. The biggest issue guys with thick, wavy hair have is that they expect it to simply fall into place without any work or effort.

When getting your hair cut ask your stylist for tips and advice on how to recreate your style at home. They may suggest using a hairdryer and/or straighteners and they should also go through what products to use. I know some clients just think they are getting a sales pitch off their stylist but you should actually listen to what they have to say – I am certain you will see the results and benefits of using salon quality products on your hair. Going to a supermarket and picking products randomly isn’t going to help you get that pristine salon look at home.

Time is a major factor to consider with thick or wavy hair. Opting for a shorter style will seriously reduce the amount of time you need to spend getting ready in the morning – if this is what you are looking for, or you just feel like a change, the current trend in wavy hair is to keep the back and sides aggressively short, leaving length through the top (see lookbook examples below).

I would always suggest paying a bit more for a decent haircut, especially when dealing with thick or unruly hair. This is because you’re not looking for a basic style here – you need someone who really understands how to remove bulk and weight from the hair. You also need a stylist who will give you the confidence and information you need in order to style the cut at home.

Hairstyle Inspiration

Texture & Hair Colouring

Texture is key with this type of hair, so a barber who uses

13 Ways To Look Better Instantly

There’s often not much that separates a so-so outfit from a special one, or a superb haircut from a subpar one. The truth is that looking your best doesn’t have to be all about dropping wads of cash on new clothes – sometimes it’s the little things that make the look.

Here’s our list of low effort, maximum impact tips you can try now to step up your style game:

1. Measure Yourself

If you like buying clothes online, then save yourself grief and disregard brands’ general sizing. Since one label’s ‘Small’ is another’s ‘Large’, and sizes vary within individual collections too, it’s worth taking your measurements and consulting brands’ and retailers’ online size guides before you waste your cash on a shirt that could double up as a sail or chino shorts that look more like three-quarter lengths.

Unsure exactly what or where you should be measuring? Consider getting a professional involved – sounds expensive, but it’s not; a tailor will give you a full set of accurate readings and, in the long run, save you time, effort and money.

Alternatively, if the store you’re buying from includes individual product dimensions, try measuring a similar item you already own that fits perfectly and compare before you snap up that bargain in the sale.

2. Get Your Basics Tailored

You could shell out over £1k on a Lanvin cashmere-blend suit but if the fit’s not right, your style will still look cheap. Conversely, high street tailoring can look considerably more expensive than it is with a few well-judged nips and tucks from a savvy tailor.

However, suits aren’t the only thing you can get professionally altered – whether you have your jeans hemmed, chinos cropped or Oxford shirts darted for a more streamline fit, these seemingly minor alterations to your wardrobe basics don’t cost much but can make you look a million bucks.

3. Freshen Up

Given the amount of wear they get, it’s no surprise

Go-To Smart Casual Summer OUTFIT Combinations

Dressing for hot weather is no cakewalk. Dressing well for hot weather is downright difficult. In fact, we’d go as far as to say that prioritising both style and sweat-prevention is enough to bring any man to the brink during the warmer months; so it pays to swat up on the basics, those staples that can be mixed and matched to produce looks that are comfortable but still cut a handsome figure.

Here are five easily executed smart-casual combinations you’ll want to add to your repertoire this season, whether you’re by the shore or hitting the city streets.

Short-Sleeved Shirt + Trousers/Chinos

If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that short-sleeved shirt shame (SSSS) is a thing of the past. Much more hot weather-friendly than its long-sleeved brother, a short-sleeved shirt looks perfectly smart when teamed with a well-cut pair of trousers or chinos.

Remember to pay attention to fit; the short-sleeved shirt is, despite its simplicity, one of those pieces that can look elegant or erroneous depending on how it sits on your frame. Put simply, make sure yours is fitted enough to flatter your torso and arms, but not so much that it strains around the biceps or neck.

When it comes to legwear, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for styles that are either cropped or that can be easily turned up at the hems. Why? Because you’ll be getting your ankles out and going sockless. Failure to do so will quickly see your efforts undone, so invest in a few pairs of invisible socks or your look will suffer.

Lastly, we’re probably stating the obvious but make sure your top and bottom half contrast or clash; the only head-to-toe colour that works here is white, which makes for a striking summer getup provided you have the skin tone to see it through.

Long-Sleeved Shirt + Shorts

If your biceps have looked better, then swapping

Lessons You Can Learn From Instagram's MOST Stylish Men

With over 300 million users, filtering through Instagram’s legions of stylish bloggers, editors, models and designers and their excellently curated feeds is no mean feat. If you’re anything like us, turning that blue button green inevitably prompts a domino effect that sees you up your following count by not one but fifteen people.

On top of that, whether you’re seeking streetwear inspiration, ideas for innovative formalwear getups or a new way to incorporate accessories into your look, you don’t always know if what works for them is necessarily going to work for you.

But we’re here to help. We pinpointed five of our favourite well-dressed Instagrammers to breakdown their many-liked looks and show you how you can switch up your wardrobe by emulating their bravura.

Phil Green

Green will probably be known to most as one part of the fashion collective Sartorial 7: a group of impeccably dressed globetrotters who have fronted campaigns for brands such as Reiss, Scotch & Soda and Hackett. But Scotsman Green is also a personal shopper for FarFetch, and the man behind an Instagram feed that epitomises what it means to be a modern gentleman.

Rarely seen without an immaculately tailored two- or three-piece suit, Green often builds his look around a predominantly blue palette. His feed features a mix of navy, cobalt and sapphire, which are frequently blended with earthier tones – a pair of brown Oxford shoes, for example, or a mossy green necktie.

Featuring snaps from all over the world, including New York, Berlin and Cannes, the backdrop for most of Green’s meticulously tailored looks is London – in all its soaked pavement glory.

For Green, tailoring in blues and browns are best. Hackett, Reiss and Suitsupply all come recommended for suits in these colours, while the look can be elevated with a statement tie or pocket square from Drake’s or Eton of Sweden.

On warmer days, a white T-shirt worn underneath a blazer and teamed with suit trousers can look just as dapper. Or, for something more smart-casual, try subbing in a pair of slim-fit indigo jeans from Acne Studios or A.P.C. for the suit trousers.

Follow: @mrphilgreen

Favourite Looks

Inspired By Pieces

5 Ways To Wear A Polo Shirt This Summer

Summer often means sartorial conundrums, and the unpredictable weather (in the UK, at least) can make a huge difference to how you dress. As the mercury rises, you’ll be thinking about dropping your usual uniform – sweatshirts, jumpers and heavyweight shirts – for lighter and cooler separates like tees and vests.

But just because you’re conscious of keeping cool, it doesn’t mean you have to look sloppy. Cue: the polo shirt, the ultimate in summertime smart-casual, and easily the most versatile piece you can add to your wardrobe this season.

How Your Polo Should Fit

Before we delve into some no-fuss styling solutions, here are a few guidelines on how your polo should fit:

• The sleeves should end at the mid-bicep mark.
• The hem of the shirt shouldn’t fall any further than halfway down your trouser fly.
• Check the neck opening – if it makes your neck look skinny and turkey-like, it’s too wide, but if it’s straining, then it’s too tight; aim for somewhere between the two.

With that out of the way, let’s break down five go-to looks you can add to your warm-weather repertoire.

1. All-White/Preppy

Whether you’re heading to Wimbledon for the weekend, or simply want to look smart on your downtime, an all­-white outfit can be just the tonic.

Start with a classic white piqué polo – keep logos and numbering to a minimum (i.e. nothing too ‘polo player’ ostentatious) and make sure it’s cut slim through the body.

Next, team with white chinos that are narrow through the leg and taper towards the bottom (a looser pair will instantly kill the sleek, tailored silhouette you’re going for). And, finally, to complete your one part minimal, one part American prep look, slip on some white plimsolls (to go white-out) or rich brown loafers (for a considered contrast).

The finishing touch? Ditch the socks and turn your hems up a couple of times to let your legs breathe.

And remember, if all-white doesn’t work for your skin tone, try introducing lighter neutrals like beige and stone, or subtle pastels such as mint green and sky blue, which won’t have the same wash-out effect.

2. Sports Luxe

Due to its sporting heritage (first appearing on