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What Is Dandy Fashion? Know The Best Dressing Ideas For Men This Season

With the fashion scenario becoming more inclusive and seeking refuge in retro fashion, the time is ripe for the return of dandy fashion. 

In the last few years, we have already had some awe-evoking dandy moments. If you are unaware, the red carpet dandy looks are very popular these days

Jonathan Van Ness, Donald Glover, and Billy Porter are some of the prominent names to sport the dandy looks for prestigious events like the Emmy Awards and Academy Awards. 

Further, brands like Thom Browne and Paul Smith are making dandy clothes accessible for men. 

So, do you want to incorporate dandy style in your daily dose of fashion? Let’s explore the ideas. Before that, we will briefly discuss what dandy fashion is and why it is so popular even today.

What Is Dandy Fashion? 

Dandy fashion takes us back to the early 18th century. The word was used for a man who was very particular about the way he looked. George Bryan Brummell was the pioneer of this way of dressing.

If you observe closely, you will find a close association of dandy fashion with details and opulent styling. The use of velvets and lace lent these clothes a feminine touch. 

However, some followers of the dandy style also opted for a more subtle way of dressing with clothes in muted shades and minimal adornments.

Novels like “The Great Gatsby” or “The Picture of Dorian Grey” depict the dandy way of dressing for men.

However, today, the dandy style has a more contemporary approach to fashion. Keeping the vibe intact, the followers of dandy fashion today opt for well-tailored and precisely cut suits and shirts. They are also not afraid to play with different textures, colors, and patterns. 

You will find dandy men today in well-tailored trousers, crisp shirts, and classy blazers. If and when they wear denim jeans, they go for a straight cut and usually prefer a button-down shirt to complement it. 

These men also love to wear trench coats and scarves. Based on the occasion, they accessorize their outfits with ties, hats, and cuff links. Wing-tip or pointed-toe shoes are the most favorite among men following dandy fashion. 

Understanding Black Dandyism 

Black dandyism, however, presented a completely different societal angle with a distinct way of dressing. The African American men of the United States defined the conventional concept or fashion of masculinity. The dandy way of dressing also became an important emblem of freedom.

Have you read “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass?”  In this memoir, he expressed his wish to get a “blue serge suit” once he was free of slavery. 

W. E. B. Du Bois, a prominent civil rights activist in America, chose the dandy way of dressing to express his angst against the politics of class and race.

Monica Miller, a professor and the author of “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity,” writes,

“When people talk about Black dandyism as a sort of practice, that is really about approaching a kind of white standard of respectability or being about assimilation. It’s never been only about that.” 

She also mentions,

“It’s always been a critique, always a tool, always a strategy. In thinking about your identity formation, self-fashioning. And thinking about the relationship between the self and the group. And always, ultimately, a kind of weapon.”

With men becoming more invested in fashion and their fashion, the dandy way of dressing is making a comeback this season. 

Dandy fashion encourages them to express their individual styles. So, without putting much effort (or putting a lot of effort), they are spotting a look that makes them stand out. 

Further, dandy clothes flaunt wonderful craftsmanship and perfect tailoring. The use of high-quality fabric also makes dandy clothes a favorite among fashion aficionados.

In the next section, we will discuss some exciting dandy looks for men this season. 

Exploring Different Style Ideas For Men’s Dandy Fashion 

In recent times, dandy fashion has been about fedora hats, crisp shirts, brightly colored suits, and more elements that depict a classy way of dressing. You will also see an emphasis on neckties, bow ties, cufflinks, and other accessories. 

Let’s find out how you can ace the modern dandy look for men for various occasions. 

1. Striped Pants And Shirts With Suspenders

Bring the charm of dandy fashion this season by wearing striped pants with a striped shirt. Suspenders and a fedora hat will be the perfect choice to accessorize your outfit. 

2. Double-Breasted Striped Blazer With Formal Trousers 

This combination is like the quintessential formal fashion in a dandy way. Layer your white formal shirt with a striped double-breasted blazer. 

A pair of formal pants in a classy shade will look excellent with it. 

3. Crisp White Shirt With A Waistcoat

Keep it classy and simple by wearing a crisp white shirt with a navy blue or black waistcoat. Don’t forget to accessorize the waistcoat with a pocket square and the shirt with a bow tie. 

4. Floral Shirt And Slub Blazer

You can be as creative as you want with your choice of outfit by wearing a floral shirt with a slub blazer.

To make your outfit quirkier, choose check pants to complement the blazer and shirt. 

5. Floral Printed Suits

Show your vibrant persona and stay true to the dandy trend of standing out by wearing a floral-printed suit. This suit will look good with Chelsea boots and brogue shoes. 

6. The Perfect Dandy Look In A Trenchcoat

Be the perfect gentleman in a checkered suit layered with a trenchcoat. You can get the trenchcoat detailed with faux fur along the collars to showcase your love for opulent fashion. 

Keep it stylish and classy by carrying a walking stick while heading to any occasion. 

7. Dandy Look In Denim Jeans

You can flaunt the perfect winter look in denim jeans. Wear your jeans with a crisp white shirt, charcoal cardigan, and a beige or black overcoat. 

To infuse some color into your outfit, you can choose a pink or red muffler. 

8. Do It Like Daniel Craig

Look dapper and sexy like Daniel Craig in a pink velvet blazer teamed with black straight-cut pants. Wear the blazer over a crisp white shirt. You can further accessorize your shirt with a black bow tie. Also, don’t forget a white pocket square to go with this blazer.

Derby shoes or brogues will be the ideal choice to go with this outfit. 

9. Keep It Pink And Black 

Have you seen the Valentino Fall/Winter 2022-23 Collection? You can get inspired by the outfits presented there to ace dandy fashion this season. One of the statement looks presented at the show is a white vest teamed up with a pink overcoat and black flared pants.

The rose detailing on the pocket further adds a distinct character to the design of the coat. Leaving the classy leather shoes aside, you can choose white sneakers like the model wearing these outfits.  

10. Keeping It Colorful With Scarves

You can keep your daily dose of fashion as colorful as you want. Choose a pink suit and match it with well-tailored green trousers. To add more color to your appearance, you can wear a multicolor muffler with this suit. 

Monk strap shoes and oxidized neckpieces will be the perfect complement to your outfit. 

11. Adding Some Tartan Fun To Your Dandy Outfit

How about layering your classy suit with a tartan overcoat? It will add a touch of color to your outfits. You can even wear a tartan muffler to accessorize your outfit in the best possible way. 

Chelsea boots and metallic framed spectacles are going to be the perfect accessories to ace this look this season. 

12. Flaunting The Perfect Dandy Look In Camouflage Prints

A follower of the classy dandy fashion may not agree with the idea of wearing a camouflage print outfit. However, with the right art of styling and skillful craftsmanship, camouflage print can be the best pattern for your velvet or brocade suit.

You can even go for camouflage print tweed suits to show your love for something quirky and modern. 

Wear your camouflage suit with Derby shoes to show your affinity toward a classy way of dressing. 

13. Dandy Look In Textured Jacket And Denim Jeans 

Are you planning to give your winter fashion a smart twist? Get a textured jacket with a two-way front zipper. The double-way zipper adds to the aesthetic appeal of the jacket. At the same time, the two-way zipper ensures optimized movement in these jackets. 

Wear the jacket over a turtle neck T-shirt and with straight-cut denim pants. Chukka boots will go well with this ensemble. You can even wear leather gloves to keep your hands warm and elevate your style statement. 

14. Velvet Suit With Denim Jeans

Velvet is one of the most popular fabrics in dandy clothes. The classy sheen and texture of velvet give these outfits a posh look.

To layer your crisp shirt and complement your well-tailored trousers for a glam evening party, you can wear a velvet suit with a unique pattern. 

You can even accessorize your velvet suit with cufflinks, lapel pins, and a metallic chain. 

15. Animal Printed Pants With A Double Breasted Overcoat

Dundy fashion this season has been adaptive to many contemporary fashion elements. Retro fashion is back this year, and you can also see a fusion of 80s fashion with the dandy style of dressing. 

To complete your look by exuding the vibe of retro and dandy style, you can wear animal-printed pants with a shirt and a double-breasted overcoat.

Wear this combination with leather mules to complete your look for special occasions. 

16. Tweed Suits To Bring Back The Elegant Charm

How about bringing the classy English elegance back this season with your distinct way of dressing? Consider adding some tweed suits in muted shades to your closet to ace your autumn and winter fashion.

These tweed suits will look good with striped shirts, pocket squares, and neckties. You can choose monk shoes or brogues as the ideal footwear to go with this outfit. 

17. Tweed Blazers And Cable-Knit Sweaters: Do It Like David Beckham 

When it comes to classy fashion, David Beckham never fails to set a benchmark. How about trying his style, where he teams up a cable-knit sweater with a tweed blazer or suit?

You can even accessorize your blazer with a classy scarf for some extra dose of color. Don’t forget your beret cap and pointed-toe shoes to get compliments for your fashion choice. 

18. The Dandy Style With A Touch Of Baroque

Baroque fashion and the dandy style both celebrate extensive fashion. However, the aesthetics are completely different in these two ways of dressing. This season, you can fuse these two distinct style of dressing into your clothes. 

Bringing the two distinct styles together will be like creating a melange of traditional patterns with checks and stripes.

You can try this trick for your outermost layers, like overcoats and jackets. Wear these jackets with well-tailored trousers and Oxford shoes to show your classy taste in fashion. 

19. Look Dapper In A Check Suit

Do you want to keep your dandy style of dressing classy and minimalistic? You have to always remember that some patrons of dandy fashion always prefer muted colors over boisterous ones. 

This season, choose a grey suit with checks to complete your appearance for a business meeting. You can further accessorize the suit with a black muffler and brogues to put your best foot forward. 

To add a touch of bling, you can even use lapel pins or cufflinks. 

20. Sporting The Dandy Look In A Printed Long Coat

The use of opulent colors and distinct patterns is very much a part of dandy fashion. In autumn and winter, whenever you need some serious layering to complete your dandy look, you can always go for a printed long coat depicting traditional patterns.

Wear the coat over a turtleneck T-shirt and with straight-cut trousers to look uber stylish for any special occasion. 

Choose moccasins to complement your outfit the best. 

Final Words 

Dandy fashion is about a lifestyle. The followers of the dandy style adhere to a particular way of dressing in well-tailored clothes and classy accessories. They usually avoid casual dressing as they are always up to making a statement. 

Do you want to infuse the dandy style into your daily dose of fashion? You can explore the ideas I have discussed here.
Also, if you have any insight about dandy clothes and style, don’t forget to share! To know more about different fashion aesthetics, you can read our complete guide.

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