Rugged or Refined: A Man's Guide to Fashion

If you think of yourself as a man with a keen sense of fashion, you may have heard about the "Four R's" of masculine style: rugged, refined, rakish, and regular. If you understand these four tenets of masculine style, you will always be able to pull off a manly look for just about any occasion; it is important is that you understand the elements that make up each of these looks.

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The Rugged Look

Men have relied on their physical abilities to get things done since the dawn of humanity. Individuals become rugged out of necessity; the looks they tend to favor allow them to perform physical feats that are necessary to carry out life. A major aspect of the rugged look is based on the durability of the fabrics used: leather, denim, cotton, wool, and tweed are some examples. An easy way to pull off the rugged look is to wear traditional brands such as Dickies.

The Refined Look

The first rule of the refined look is that you must learn where to go when you want to find good clothing that is not only masculine but also stylish. There is no form over function in this look; style is all that matters. Fabrics must look as if they are expensive and accessories must be worn to accentuate the overall look. The key to looking refined is always quality; this means that you will have to favor Tommy Hilfiger jeans over Levi's and Brooks Brothers suits over Banana Republic.

The Rakish Look

When you mix the refined and rugged styles and inject bohemian style, you get the rakish look. If you want to show the world that your approach to fashion involves looking stylish for the purpose of getting attention, the rakish look will fit you like a glove. To start exploring this look, search for images of the late rock icon David Bowie or glance at the outfits that NBA star Russell Westbrook puts together before he enters the locker room and prepares for the game.

The Regular Look

Traditional men look great when they wear regular clothes such as jeans and t-shirts, but there is a certain science to pulling off this look the right way. First of all, you must be reasonably fit or at least know how to pick the right garment sizes. As long as your clothes are always freshly laundered and pressed when they are supposed to be, the regular look will appeal to your masculinity. 

In the end, any of the looks mentioned herein will suit you as long as you confident in presenting yourself in a masculine way. Find a good clothing store like DHDWear or someplace similar to be sure that no matter what look you choose, you’ll always be on point.

Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

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