Few aspects of contemporary life matter more than dressing correctly. First impressions, whether in business, school, or private life, can make an enormous impact on people we meet, and as society becomes more casual — making do without the old-school dress codes that used to abound in public life but have declined in recent decades — it’s confusing as to what exactly makes the right impression.

Importance of Fit

One suggestion is to pay attention to the fit of clothing. Fit makes the outfit, and making sure when you’re wearing a suit or even a simple pair of jeans and a t-shirt the way those articles drape along the body is of the essence! Making sure your clothes compliment your body shape when you try them on in a store, or having your clothes tailored for a reasonable price, is one way to make a good outfit seem extraordinary. Cary Grant, one of the greatest men style icons of recent times, even went so far as to say it isn’t necessary to buy an expensive suit to look good — but attention to style and convention was of utmost importance. It is commonly said an inexpensive suit with a good cut is better than an expensive suit with a bad cut.

Know Your Patterns

Knowing how patterns work, by doing research on men’s clothing, is also absolutely essential to looking good. Understanding how to match patterns of similar or disparate design — using same sizes for different patterns and different sizes for same patterns (stripes on stripes, a certain size of plaid against a similar size of line, for example) is a central tenet of men’s clothing.

Invest in Good Shoes

Another tip here might be to invest in shoes. It has been said in the past, “You spend half your life in bed and half your life in your shoes, so spend good money on both.” What this means is that a good investment on footwear is a good investment in health. When many of us spend hours a day on our feet, the right shoes can be the difference between comfort, or aches and pains. You don’t have to splash out to afford a good pair, either — shoe companies like Sperry Topsiders and Bass & Co. have provided comfort to men in even the most elite circles of American Society, Presidents Kennedy and Bush Sr., for example, and often sell their products for less than a hundred dollars a pair.

Know Where to Find Deals

And you don’t have to break the bank to afford a good wardrobe! In recent years the Internet has made acquiring a good suit an easy proposition. Finding your size by the right measurements, and using sites such as eBay.com and Etsy.com, can put you in touch with sellers who can offer premium brands like Brooks Brothers and Ralph Lauren Purple Label who sell at deep-discounts. Good dress shirts, like the classic Oxford Cloth Button Down by Brooks Brothers, can be found for as little as $15 online if you look in the right places. These are clothes built to last a lifetime.

Pay Attention to Hygiene and Grooming

As you work to make sure up your style, make sure you don’t begin to ignore personal hygiene. Shower regularly, use deodorant, brush your teeth. A well-dressed man will get nowhere if he smells bad. You will also want to make sure you keep your beard, mustache and other hair properly trimmed. Depending on your personal preferences, you may want to consider laser hair removal for men.

With these things in mind, know you’re not alone in wanting to look good, and that looking sharply dressed is often the first step a man can make toward greater social and occupational success in life — nothing is more pleasant than the company of someone who shares good dress and good manners. And with the prevalence of the Internet, male fashion blogs can provide the kind of tips that will ensure that you can be one of the best-dressed men in the room wherever you go. With a bit of curiosity and willingness to learn, it’s hard to go wrong.