Top-Notch Persona: Greatness Awaits

Saturday, August 22, 2020

FCF #2: Versace Eros Vs. Dior Sauvage EDT-- Which Is The True King Of Clubbing Fragrances?

When it comes to performance and projection, Versace Eros and Dior Sauvage EDT are the two best I have. Both of these are going to last all day and get you noticed; this makes both ideal clubbing fragrances.

Both are definitely deserving of individual praise. While Eros is a sweeter, more lively, fun scent, Sauvage is a woody, peppery, pleasantly encapsulating fragrance.

In today's head-to-head match-up, I'm going to be pinning Eros against Sauvage EDT to find out which one truly deserves the title "King of Clubbing Fragrances". In case you don't know, it is widely agreed that Eros is the king, so in today's match-up Eros will be the champ and Sauvage will be the contender.

Price-wise, both go for around $95-- which is pretty standard for an EDT-- so for the sake of the battle I'm going to assume you only want one.

Both Eros and Sauvage EDT are different enough to warrant having both in your collection, but in today's post I'm focusing on which fragrance makes the better clubbing fragrance, and unless you're going out often, you probably wouldn't want to get two different clubbing scents.

As always, this battle will consist of three rounds: Composition, Performance, and Usability.

One quick note: this battle isn't going to be based on which fragrance is my favorite. I prefer Sauvage over Eros, so let's get that out of the way. Rather, it's going to focus on which fragrance is the better choice for the clubbing scene. So although at times I may be appearing biased, the battle is objective and not based solely on what I prefer.

Without further delay, let's get into the match-up and find out if Eros is truly deserving of its title.

Round One: Composition

Versace Eros: Top Notes: Mint, Green Apple, and Lemon Heart Notes: Tonka Bean, Geranium, and Ambroxan Bottom Notes, Vanilla, Vetiver, Oakmoss, and Cedar

From the second I experienced this one, I knew Eros was something special. The combination of mint, vanilla, and citrus is nothing short of sexy, which is likely why people tend to refer to this one as the king of clubbing scents.

Wait-up. Did I just refer to a fragrance other then something belonging to the Dior line as sexy??

I did and for good reason. Eros is the kind of scent that draws people in and makes them want to stay. It's both loud and mellow, almost calming to a certain degree. That being said, this one does have some potential issues, but I'll mention them during round three.

One last thing to note about Eros is that the longer it sits on you the sweeter it gets. So, if you don't love vanilla, I don't think this one would be the ideal choice for you.

Dior Sauvage EDT: Top Notes: Pepper and Bergamot Heart Notes: Geranium, Lavender, Pepper, Pink Pepper, Vetiver, and Patchouli Bottom Notes: Cedar and Ambroxan

In terms of composition, Sauvage is almost the complete opposite type of fragrance. While there is a bit of sweetness in the opening due to the bergamot, it's mainly going to be a peppery, somewhat synthetic definitely masculine fragrance.

You might be thinking that synthetic automatically equals subpar, but the way the ambroxan is masterfully blended with the natural notes in the composition is what makes this one so amazing.

In fact-- side note-- I would probably say that Dior makes some of the best fragrances consisting of both synthetic and natural notes that I've ever experienced. Sure, other brands do the same thing, including Versace, but Dior does it in a way that utilizes both the natural and man-made in a unique, distinguishable, god-tier level sexy (already, with the bias...)

The one thing I will say is that the opening in this one is kind of sharp, so it doesn't really draw people in like Eros does, but rather it sets you apart from the crowd.

It's still very pleasant and noticeable, but considering that the goal when going to a club or social venue is typically to draw people in, Sauvage might not be the best choice for that.

Winner: Even though both fragrances have an incredibly loud and powerful DNA, there's only one that I think would always work well when going to the club: Versace Eros. While Sauvage is just as noticeable as Eros, the peppery, bergamot opening probably won't draw as many people towards you as the mint, vanilla, and citrus in Eros. And unfortunately, when you're out and about you want to pull people in with something smooth and dreamy, not something spicy and bold.

Eros: 1 Sauvage: 0

Round Two: Performance

Versace Eros: 12 + Hours, 2 Hours Strong Projection

Dior Sauvage: 12 + Hours, 2 Hours Strong Projection

When it comes to performance, both Eros and Sauvage are equally matched. I get an easy 12 + hours with each, as well as 2 hours of strong projection followed by 8 more of subtle projection. Both don't start to become skin scents until around the 10 hour mark, and even then they don't ever quite dissipate.

I think, going by exact time, I get a bit more from wearing Eros (maybe 30 minutes or so), but realistically, who really cares how much over the 12 hour mark a fragrance lasts.

Considering, 12 hours is half the day, which is longer than you would most likely ever need a fragrance to last, I don't think the amount of time past that mark matters much. But maybe that's just my opinion.

Either way, you're going to get a lot out of both these fragrances, and for that reason, judging them based on performance is a nearly impossible task.

If you want to get technical, the sweetness in Eros last a little bit longer than the spiciness in Sauvage, but like I said, it doesn't really matter much. Both are absolute beasts in terms of performance.

Winner: These two fragrances are clearly evenly matched in terms of performance. For that reason, I have to declare this round a draw

Eros: 1 Sauvage: 0

Round Three: Usability

Versace Eros: Limited To Casual Events, Fun, Attention-Seeking.

Dior Sauvage EDT: Somewhat Versatile, Mostly Wear Casually or Intimately.

Based on the short descriptions of each fragrance's usability, it might seem like Sauvage is the better fragrance, and under normal circumstances, if I were talking about the overall better fragrance, Sauvage would easily take this round.

But this head-to-head is to determine which fragrance is the true king of clubbing fragrances, and therefore, the fact the Sauvage would work in several different settings doesn't really matter.

What does matter is the message each one conveys in different club-like atmospheres. While Sauvage definitely could work for certain venues like concerts or car shows-- are car shows still a thing??-- Eros would be a great choice in any venue because, not only is it loud, but it's fun, fruity, and lively.

Of course, I'm not saying Sauvage isn't an energetic fragrance, but it has its limitations.

To help make my point, let's take a look at the face of each fragrance:

The face of Versace Eros is Brian Shimansky, a pretty much random guy who was picked-up by Versace to model the fragrance, depicted as the Greek god of love, Eros. Consider the universality of a godly image. It is something that millions of people can relate to. They understand it. The image of a god is understood by everyone.

Now, let's consider the face of Dior Sauvage, Johnny Depp. Depp is internationally renown and admired by many, but the fact of the matter is not everyone is going to appreciate his style on film or his cool rocker guy persona. I happen to love his persona. If you've read or watched my review on Sauvage you know that I think he was the best choice to advertise the line.

But here's what it comes down to: Johnny Depp against the image of God.

So, while certain places will be perfect to wear Sauvage, literally any place is perfect for Eros. Just remember, it's limited to casual wear!

Winner: Overall, I am a bit more partial toward Sauvage just because it's not limited to purely casual wear like Eros is. However, considering this battle is to determine the true king of clubbing fragrances, I have to give this round to Versace Eros. Whether you're going to a club, a concert, an outdoor event, or anything else casual, you can safely put on Eros knowing it'll serve you well.

Eros: 2 Sauvage: 0

Final Thoughts: Both Eros and Sauvage are great fragrances in their own respect. I actually have a slight inclination towards Sauvage because of the sense of ruggedness it gives off. But as far as the title of "King of Clubbing Fragrances" goes, Eros definitely deserves it. I think in the future it would be really cool if Dior came out with a sweeter, more powdery version of Sauvage, which might actually be able to compete with Eros for best clubbing fragrance, but until that happens, Eros will reign supreme over the clubbing domain

Overall Winner: Versace Eros

-Ryan S.

Sunday, August 16, 2020

FCF #1: Dior Homme 2011 VS Dior Homme 2020-- Which Should You Buy?

Despite both sharing the Dior Homme name, these two fragrances couldn't be farther apart. One is a super refined, unique predominantly floral-based scent while the other is a somewhat generic, mass-appealing wood-based fragrance.

Both 2011 and 2020 deserve their own merits. Make sure you check out my review for each.

But in today's post, I'm going to be putting Dior Homme 2011 and Dior Homme 2020 against each other to find out which is truly the more worthy Dior Homme. Both cost about the same-- $95 USD for a 100ml-- so for the sake of the battle I'm going to assume you only have $100 to spend.

I know realistically, many people probably have both like myself, but I'm also going to assume you only want one.

In this head-to-head I'm going to be talking about three different categories: Composition, Performance and, Usability

Without further ado, let's get into it and find out, once and for all, which Dior Homme is superior.

Round One: Composition

DH 2011: Top Notes: Lavender, Sage, and Bergamot Heart notes: Iris, Amber, and Cocao Bottom Notes: Vetiver, Patchouli, and Leather

DH 2020: Top Notes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Elemi Heart Notes: Patchouli, Cedar, Cashmere Wood Bottom Notes: White Musk and Vetiver.

As noted in the intro, Dior Homme 2011 is a very refined, sophisticated, and eloquent fragrance. It has become my go-to fragrance for times I want to feel more professional and distinguished.

The scent itself is absolutely breathtaking. The blend of iris, cocoa, sage, and amber results in an intensely satisfying and immensely encompassing eau de toilette.

Essentially, this stuff is attraction in a bottle. It is so sexy and confident, and is unlike anything I have ever experienced. I have even legit already told my wife that I want more of it for my birthday next month!

Dior Homme 2020, on the other hand, has a somewhat generic quality to it. The strong presence of cedar and vetiver does result in a powerful and captivating fragrance, but it definitely lacks the uniqueness found in the former.

That being said, Dior Homme 2020 is probably one of the best predominantly wood-based fragrance I have ever worn, but I really don't see you standing apart from the crowd while wearing it.

Unlike 2011, which took me nearly a month to fall in love with, 2020 is extremely enchanting from the start. I actually bought a full bottle after shortly after getting a 10ml mini decant. I could quickly tell that it was something that I wanted in my collection.

Winner: Both are completely different kinds of fragrances. Dior Homme 2011 consists primarily of florals and herbal notes while the 2020 reformulation consists mainly of a few types of wood. So at the end of the day it's really going to depend on which kind of fragrance you want: floral or woodsy. However, to me the winner is crystal clear. I have to give this one to Dior Homme 2011

Round Two: Performance

DH 2011: 7.5 hours longevity and 1 hour of projection

DH 2020: 7 hours longevity and 1.5 hours of projection

As you can tell based on the numbers, both 2011 and 2020 have pretty much the same level of performance. The only difference is that I get a half hour longer in terms of longevity with 2011, and a half hour longer in terms of projection with 2020.

It would actually be really close to call if not for this one fundamental difference: despite projecting a bit longer and stronger in the beginning, 2020 quickly becomes a skin scent shortly after the 90 minute mark. I would say it becomes a skin scent after two hours, and doesn't really come back.

Despite not projecting as strongly in the beginning, 2011 doesn't quite become a skin scent until the five hour mark, and even after that you will subtly detect it for the remaining 2.5 hours. It's really nice to suddenly get a whiff of it after it seemingly has become a skin scent.

Because it is such a pleasant, relaxing scent, the fact that 2011 does lasts so long makes it a definite mood enhancer. 2020 would be a lot better if it performed similarly to its predecessor.

Winner: Again, the choice for this one is clear guys. Dior Homme 2011 is the all around better performer. 2020 is definitely stronger in the beginning, but what makes 2011 such a great fragrance is that it keeps coming back, even when you think it's gone.

Round Three: Usability

DH 2011: Somewhat versatile, ideal for formal situations

DH 2020: Incredibly versatile, perfect for any situation

Let me tell you: both 2011 and 2020 would make signature scents, but I think the latter would make an ideal first signature scent. Because it's a bit on the generic side, 2020 is super easy to wear and could be worn in virtually any situation.

Dior Homme 2020 is almost equally appropriate when worn casually and professionally. It's a pretty neutral fragrance, and therefore, you can be confident in wearing this one for whatever you're doing.

Dior Homme 2011, on the other hand, isn't as diverse when it comes to when you can wear it. Of course, you can wear it whenever and wherever you want, but I just don't see it working its magic when you're out at a bar or hanging with friends.

In fact, because the scent is much more unique than 2020, you're going to have to think before you wear this. Because there's a higher chance that you'll offend someone while wearing it. Even though I don't see that happening often, you probably wouldn't want to wear this one to a job interview or at a networking event. Better safe than sorry.

Both are pretty light fragrances though, which definitely makes me hesitate before wearing either outside on a hot day or in a moment I know I'm going to be sweating.

Winner: In terms of usability, I have to say Dior Homme 2020 is the better fragrance. The scent is just so mass-appealing and simple that your chance of offending someone while wearing it is virtually zero. Of course, there's always going to be that one person who will complain, but compared to 2011, 2020 just seems like a safer option.

Final Thoughts: Both Dior Homme 2011 and 2020 are phenomenal fragrances. I'm actually really glad I had the opportunity to experience both and to try 2020 before 2011, as mentioned in my review of the former. But regardless, there's only one that I want to keep in my collection and that"s Dior Homme 2011. There's just something special about the powderyness of the iris and the richness of the cocao. It's something that you'll be really glad to have in your collection!

Overall Winner: Dior Homme 2011

If interested in buying, I bought mine at: https://www.fragrancex.com/products/_cid_cologne-am-lid_d-am-pid_60802m__products.html?sid=DIORHOM34

-Ryan S.

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Finally Have A Date With Your Crush? 5 Tips To Win Them Over With Style.

I know how insurmountable it can feel to get the attention and interest of the person you're crushing on. It can feel impossible. Trust me, I'm probably the king of trying to get the girl I'm crushing on to like me. But in today's post, I'm going to forgo the getting your crush to like you part, and talk explicitly about what you should wear on your first date with them.

Just like with a job interview, a first date is all about making a killer first impression. You might be thinking, 'But I already know the person, so it wouldn't really be a first impression,' and you'd be right to think that. But the dynamics of dating are completely different than just simply knowing someone.

Even if you've known the person for awhile, the dynamics of a date are always going
to be different (Photo Credit: monycrashers.com

On a date, there's clear potential romantic interest. Let's face it, if there wasn't you wouldn't be on a date. So regardless of if you already know the person or not, going on a date with them will, in essence, be like meeting them for the first time.

But without further delay, here are 5 tips to ensure you, at the very least, win them over with style.

I. Dress For The Date

Sounds pretty obvious, right?

Let me explain what I mean though:

Unlike with situations like job interviews where there's a fairly clear dress-code, for a date there are literally no requirements or expectations for what you should or shouldn't wear, as long as you're wearing something, of course!

But because dating is so broad and could actually involve dozens of different things, you want to be mindful of what you'll be doing on the date and dress accordingly.

Maybe you absolutely love wearing suits and sport's coats like me, but if you're going to the local aquarium to gawk at fish than a suit may not be the best outfit to wear, especially considering aquariums tend to have hands-on areas where you can actually put your hand in water to feel the fish. That could be potentially disastrous if wearing a suit.

You really can never go wrong wearing a suit...unless your first date's at an aquarium.
Where else wouldn't a suit work? Let me know in the comments.

Instead, I think a nice casual button-up would be your best choice here. Something that's still going to look cool, but won't cause you to miss out on certain things. You could even consider wearing blue to show your date that you really thought about what outfit to wear.

Even with the waistcoat, I think this would be a great combo
for a first date, minus the scowl of course!

Obviously, it would take me probably at least ten posts to talk about what you should wear to in every single dating situation, which would be way too much. So just stick to these brief rules- of- thumb and you should be good to go:

Date:

Places that require minimum movement (ex. dinner, movies, bars, et cetera)- Dress your best with a suit or sport's coat with chinos

Places that require a decent amount of movement (ex. aquarium, museum, walk through the park, et cetera.)- Dress-up but still retain some casual aspects.

Places that require a lot of movement- Dress-down especially if there's a chance you'll be sweating. I'm not sure why you'd be doing something on a first date that has you sweating, but I wouldn't want to be too dressed-up in such a case.

II. Wear Something Bold

Regardless of what you end up doing on your date, you want to make sure to wear something bold that will make you stand-out from other people the person you're on a date with has been seeing.

Actually, come to think of it, going on a date is a lot like a job interview. Standing-out and showing your date you're the right person for them is key.

Now, when I say wear something bold, I don't mean something tacky. Of course wearing something tacky can be bold, but it's probably going to distract your date from getting to know you, which after all, is the primary objective for any date.

This is the epitome of something I would definitely not wear on a first date.
What do you think?

What I mean by bold is something subtly bold like a color or abstract pocket square design or even a memorable fragrance, which as I noted in my guide to finding your signature scent post, can be incredibly erotic.

In terms of colors, I think red or pink are your two best options. Red, because it is psychologically, the most attractive color you could wear, and pink because it conveys a strong sense of confidence that your date is sure to love.

You can't go wrong with wearing something pink on a first date.
It's going to show that you're uber confident. I probably
wouldn't wear the entire pink suit though.

I would avoid conservative colors like white, blue, and grey because you most likely won't stand-out wearing traditional colors.

The goal is to be memorable to the other person, and making bold style choices can be a great way to do just that.

III. Wear Your Best Shoes

To a lot of guys, shoes really aren't that big of a deal, but to many women and others who are more fashionably inclined, wearing an amazing pair of shoes makes or breaks an outfit.

That's why wearing a great pair of shoes is number three in. my Big 4 of Style-- because they really are so important.

Even if the rest of your outfit is on-point and you're wearing a bold color or fragrance, if you're shoes don't look sharp you're going to lose points.

Now, what kind of shoes you decide to wear greatly depends on the type date it is, as mentioned in number one. This means that you need to actually carefully consider what shoes you should wear.

For example, if you're taking your date to a fancy restaurant and are dressing-up, you need to go with a pair of black or brown Oxfords, but if you're taking your date to a museum and around the city, you need to go with a pair of loafers or even causal sneakers.

This pair of Ralph Lauren Polo Brown Leather casual sneakers would make a great
pair to wear around town on your first date. What do you think?

No matter what you decide to wear, there is one crucial thing you need to keep in mind: your shoes need to be in like-new condition. Absolutely do not wear a pair of worn-out shoes. I can guarantee you that you will lose major style points with your date if you wear a pair that looks like you bought them ten years ago.

This doesn't mean you need to buy a new pair of shoes for a date, although you could, rather, it means you need to spend some time cleaning and even perhaps shining your shoes prior to the date.

You want to dress to impress and nothing will impress your date more than wearing a clean, refined looking pair of shoes.

It probably sounds insignificant or like I'm exaggerating, but trust me, I'm not!

IV. Wear A Sexy Fragrance

This is kind of an extension of tip number two, but it is important enough to give it its own category. I feel like I mention wearing a fragrance in every list I do, but that's because it's so important.

A person's sense of smell is so powerful, and is also the most memorable. So if you want to really leave a lasting impression on your date, wearing a sexy fragrance will do just that.

Now, what do I mean by sexy?

Essentially, you should wear whatever you feel most confident wearing; preferably something that isn't new. I feel like fragrances take some time to mature on your skin which is going to make the fragrance you've been wearing for years smell a bit more appealing than the one you bought last week.

Or at the very least give you a boost of confidence while wearing it, which will inevitably help during your date.

While a sexy fragrance could be anything you feel great while wearing, there are a few things I should note:

1. Don't wear a generic fragrance, that is, something your date has probably smelt on fifteen other guys at least. It's very easy to figure out which scents are generic-- a quick Google search will likely give you an extensive list-- but here are several I can quickly think of that you probably don't want to wear on a date-

Paco Rabanne 1 Million

Armani Code

Versace Eros

Dior Sauvage EDT

Bleu De Chanel EDT

I'm not saying any of these fragrances are bad, not at all. What I am saying is that they are all choices any guy would be apt to make before going on a date. Therefore, by wearing a generic or common fragrance like these, you are going to risk smelling like other people the person has dated.

Honestly, if you have a great time with the person, the fact that you're wearing Sauvage EDT most likely won't prevent you from getting a second date, but wouldn't you rather leave a killer first impression with your scent? Something you can reminisce about with the person ten years after your first date.

So instead of going with something generic, I would go with something sexy that will make you stand-out like Sauvage EDP or Armani Code Profumo; both of which take the dna of the originals and gives it a unique twist.

Both Dior Sauvage EDP (left) and Armani Code Profumo (right) would
make perfect first date fragrances.

Exactly the kind of twist you want on a date.

But that leads into the second thing you should be aware of...

2. Don't wear a fragrance that is too unique, that is, something with an extremely uncommon note/composition like most things with oud. There's definitely a fine line between wearing something generic and something too unique. You want to make sure your fragrance is right on the line.

That's why I highly recommend you look for reformulated versions of more generic compositions because they'll probably be your safest bet.

I would avoid most niche fragrances though or anything that might not be mass-appealing.

Mass-appealing fragrances are pretty easy to detect because they're going to be comprised of more common notes like bergamot, vanilla, cedarwood, sandalwood, et cetera.

They're typically going to be something you smell and immediately can tell it's going to be a safe fragrance to wear.

So, if you don't get that feeling or if when you smell the fragrance you're left wondering what exactly is in the composition, DO NOT WEAR IT.

The person you're going on a date with might be a big fan of uncommon scents, so it might not hurt you, but I would play it safe especially on the first date.

You don't want to be remembered as the guy who wore an awful oud fragrance on your first date!

V. Wear Something That Accentuates Your Features

Because on a first date you want to really highlight your physical features, this is a subtle yet crucial thing you can do to make sure your date sees everything sexy about you.

Now, what I mean by wear something to accentuate your natural features is that you want to go with a shade or piece that's going to really make your physical attributes stand-out.

This means that if you have brown eyes you should wear a lot of earthy tones to bring out the color of your eyes or if you have light blue eyes you should wear lighter, pastel colors that will really emphasize the shade of your eyes.

Note how this guy's blue hoodie is almost the same shade as his eyes.
Imagine if he were wearing a black or grey hoodie: you'd still notice his eyes,
but they wouldn't be accentuated like they are in the photo.

Or let's say you have an athletic body, you would want to wear an athletic-fit shirt because it is going to highlight areas like your chest and shoulders; areas which you likely would want to show-off to a date.

Let's face it: physical attraction is a primary part of being on a first date. As noted above, if there wasn't any attraction between you and whomever you're dating, you wouldn't be on a date in the first place.

So when you're planning out your outfit, you want to be aware of what is going to make you look better and what's just going to look like a piece your wearing.

Wearing the right color or cut can be extremely beneficial, but it can also go against you if you try to hard to show-off your features.

For example, let's say you have an athletic type body, and in order to show it off, you decide to wear your gym outfit for the date. While a small number of people might not mind, I think most people would be a little annoyed and wonder why you didn't put much thought into what you decided to wear.

Just like the shoes you decide to wear, your overall style might not seem to matter much, but it absolutely does.

If you're really not sure how to accentuate your natural features, I would say just focus on the first four tips.

Yea, you can score some major points by doing this right, but you could also lose a lot if you do it wrong.

Bonus Tip #1: Style Your Hair

I'm sure a lot of guys think that taking care of their hair is more of a feminine thing, and stereotypically, it might be. But realistically, they couldn't be more wrong.

How you style your hair for a date is perhaps more important than the rest of your outfit because it is likely going to be the first thing your date notices. Of course, if you already know the person your going on a date with from school or work, this is probably less important of a factor.

But nonetheless, I would recommend at least spending 30 minutes styling your hair.

There are three crucial parts of styling your hair before a date: wash it, blow-dry it, and put product in it.

Even if you don't use shampoo and conditioner in your hair, washing it with water is important because it will allow you to get the best results from your blowdryer.

Spend about five minutes or so blowdrying your wet hair while brushing it back occasionally. This will give your hair a sleek and shiny look. Note: the brushing is essential; if you don't brush it while and after blowdrying, it's going to come out with a messy look

The key though is applying the right product and right amount of it. I've found pomades seem to do the best job at holding my hair in place without giving it that greasy, crunchy look that some gels do. Also, I've found that Vicks Vaporub actually does a really good job at giving my hair a light hold that lasts all day.

Regardless of what you decide to use in your hair, make sure you put something in it. There's nothing worse than feeling your hair go flat because you didn't put any product in it, at least there isn't for me.

---------

Ultimately, you want to wear something that's going to look good and make you feel great. Confidence is once again the most important factor in determining how a date goes, so if you walk into the date feeling super confident, chances are things are going to go well.

Since confidence is so crucial when it comes to going on a first date, I should note that you probably want to wear something you already feel confident wearing. Treat it almost like a more casual job interview. One that could result in a long-lasting significant connection.

So yea, like a job interview.

Don't tell your date that though. I can pretty much guarantee you won't get a second if they hear that!

What do you all think though? Do you agree with my tips? Do you disagree? Would you add anything else? Let me know in the comments, so we can all benefit from your feedback!

-Ryan S.

Saturday, August 1, 2020

My Top 6 Summer Outfits 2020

The summer is a great time of year: it stays light out longer, the temperature is consistently nice, and everyone just seems a bit more lively. The one flaw with the summer though is that your options of what to wear aren't as extensive as they are in the fall and winter.

For instance, a black jacket is going to look great in the fall, winter, and, even spring, but in the summer it's not going to be something you want to wear unless absolutely necessary.

So, in today's post I'm going to show you my top 6 favorite outfits to wear during the summer. These outfits most likely won't be what you're use to seeing people wear. One huge thing you'll probably notice is that I don't wear shorts.

I've never liked wearing shorts, but if you're more inclined to do so during the summer and want to emulate any of these styles, feel free to swap out whatever I'm wearing for shorts.

But my overall summer style is centered around retaining a lot of the formality and class of traditionally professional attire and adding a splash of summer. I do this primarily through the use of colors and lighter fabrics.

Also, one quick thing to note before I get into the post is that I bought the majority of these pieces from Macy's at a fair price. I'm going to be estimating the price of each outfit for you incase you want to replicate the look.

I'm sure you'll be able to immediately get what I'm saying when you see the outfits. So let's get right into it!

Outfit I:

Alfani Medium Grey Linen-Blend Shirt and Levi Dark Blue Denim Jeans with Ralph Lauren Polo Black Drivers Loafers and a Black Leather Band Kenneth Cole New York Watch

(Cost of Outfit $240)

Nothing quite says warmer weather than wearing linen or a linen-blend. Linen is a super light fabric which makes it incredibly breathable.

Therefore, if you're a guy who sweats a lot in the summer like I do, linen is going to help prevent sweat stains which is a major plus.

I can't wear materials like cotton or polyester-- especially not polyester which tends to absorb heat-- in the summer because I just get way too uncomfortable.

This outfit here is one of my darker summer looks. I like to stick with lighter colors because those tend to be even more breathable, but I also love darker colors hence this look.

I love the shade of medium grey in the shirt. It's the perfect in-between color and can be worn well with either light or dark colors.

In this outfit, I went with a pair of dark blue denim to give it a bit of a rugged, nonchalant essence. I've always found jeans to be a bit more rugged than chinos or khakis.

I'm also wearing a pair of Ralph Lauren black driving loafers, which are awesome for casual/business casual attire. I definitely wouldn't wear them with a full suit, but for any other outfit they look amazing.

And, I finish off the look with a black leather band watch from Kenneth Cole. The black leather band matching with the black loafers, of course.

Overall, I think this is a great outfit for the summer because it's breathable, classic, and still retains a bit of formality with the darker colors.

Outfit II:

White Plaid Casual Waistcoat from Zara's over a White Cotton V-neck T-Shirt and a pair of Khaki Pants with a pair of Ralph Lauren Polo Brown Leather Sneakers and a Gold Colored Stainless Steal Watch from Tommy Hilfiger. Also, wearing a pair of Opium Blue-Lensed Aviator Sunglasses

(Cost of outfit: $300?)

A good portion of this outfit I bought while in India last year, so it's hard for me to estimate the cost of the outfit.

I'm actually not even sure if you can get these sunglasses in the U.S. If anyone knows of a place that sells them, please let me know because I would definitely like to buy another pair or two.

Actually, this was an outfit I picked-up from my wife's uncle who definitely had his own cool sense of style.

He was-- and I'm sure still is-- apt to wear a t-shirt and waistcoat with a pair of camouflage pants, which is a bit too out there for me, so in reinterpreting his outfit for my own style, I replaced the camo with something more classic.

I also wear a t-shirt and vest with other colored chino pants and jeans, but there's something about this white and khaki color combo that has me wearing this outfit more than any other. It's just a great combo and matched with the brown leather sneakers, it's such a great look.

Because my watch collection is limited, instead of wearing a brown leather band watch, which I probably would if I had one, I decided to go with a gold bracelet watch. In my opinion, gold looks very nice with khaki and helps further the look by adding a bit of sparkle.

Overall, I love the t-shirt and waistcoat look. I always go with a v-neck although a crew-neck would look just as good. Also, wearing a pair of shorts with this outfit would totally work. Aviators are optional, but I think they add a bit of style to the look.

Outfit III:

Nautica Lavender Linen Shirt with Goodfellow Paris Green Chinos and a pair of Ralph Lauren Polo Brown Leather Sneakers with a Blue Leather Band Kenneth Cole New York Watch. Also, wearing a pair of Tortious Shell Blue/Silver Club Master Sunglasses.

(Cost for outfit: $250)

There's just something that I love about this color combo. Recently, I've been wearing blue with green a lot, but I actually like the light purple with green even more. Unlike the shirt from the first outfit, this one is 100% linen which makes it even more breathable and comfortable.

While I think the entire outfit is on-point, I think the center piece for this one is the club masters.

I'm actually a big fan of these shades because they don't seem as common as aviators tend to be. I bought this particular pair from Amazon, so I'm not sure the brand but I think club masters tend to all look very similar.

This blue pair with silver lenses goes perfectly with my blue leather band watch and my green chinos.

Much like the above outfits, this one would look great with shorts, especially the brown leather sneakers. I feel driving loafers look kind of off when worn with shorts, but sneakers and shorts are a perfect combo (just not for me!)

Also, I think this outfit is extremely versatile. It would look just as good with an aqua blue/white shirt and a pair of tan/brown pants.

I know, at least with me, interchangeability is key when it comes to creating outfits, so I tend to go with this combo more often with the above outfit.

Overall, this look is a winner and one that you could easily replicate.

Outfit IV:

Bright Orange Short Kurta and a pair of Goodfellow Off-White Chinos with a pair of Ralph Lauren Polo Tan Driving Loafers and a Gold Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch by Tommy Hilfiger. Also, wearing a pair of Black Club Master Sunglasses with Orange Lenses.

(Cost of outfit: $300?)

Such as with outfit two, it is nearly impossible to for me to come up with an accurate estimation because some of these pieces were bought in India.

This is an outfit you're definitely not going to see very often in the U.S. But it's very popular over in India; in fact if I were in India I would probably blend in...well sort of.

This outfit was meant for the warm weather though. It's very fun and lively. I love the shade of orange, which normally I wouldn't be a fan of. I also love the subtle design on the shirt.

I think it looks best when worn with a light pair of pants. I also really like how it looks with tan and navy pants, but off-white is definitely my favorite color to match it with.

In terms of the shoes, I feel like the tan goes perfectly with the bright orange. If you wanted to wear a pair of tan or navy blue pants, I think it would look good if you wore a pair of black loafers.

As for the watch though, I think gold looks best with the orange and tan, but if I had on my black loafers, I'd probably wear a black leather band watch.

The orange lenses on the club masters kind of ties the look together. As with any outfit, the sunglasses are optional and only serve to enhance the look. That is, you won't look any less stylish without them.

Overall, I think this outfit is super stylish; a bit more flashy than any other outfit on this list, but flashy in a good way. More people from the U.S should really start wearing it more especially during the summer. I don't think it would look very appropriate in the winter though.

Outfit V:

Nautica White Linen Shirt with Goodfellow Off-White Chinos with a pair of Byford Navy Blue slip-ons with a Blue Leather Band Kenneth Cole New York Watch.

(Cost of outfit: $150)

This is perhaps my favorite outfit to wear during the summer. I love the bright white color of the shirt matched with the off-white in the pants.

The shoes and watch in this outfit are easily changeable. You could wear pretty much any color to give the outfit an added boost. I wouldn't wear white shoes though. At least for me, that would be too much white.

Nor would I wear a bright white pair of Chinos because I feel that would be far too bright of an outfit.

I think this is the perfect combo for a beach party though. It's just super casual and feels great. Of course, the one downside to wearing all white is that you have to be very careful when eating.

For example, if you're going to an Italian beach party where they'll be servicing Italian food, I definitely wouldn't wear all white. In that case, I would probably go with outfit one or three.

Another thing I love about wearing all white is that it is almost certainly going to make you stand-out. I hardly ever seen people wearing white on white, so if you do, you're going to get attention similar to how people who wear all black get noticed.

As you may remember from my in defense of white post, white is an incredibly calming color, which makes it vibe extremely well with the ambiance of the summer.

Overall, I think this is one of my favorite outfits for the summer. It's just so classy. Only one outfit beats it, and that is the next one.

Outfit VI:

Ralph Lauren Pink Linen Sport's Coat over a Nautica White Linen Shirt and a pair of Goodfellow's Off-White Chinos with a pair of Ralph Lauren Polo Tan Driving Loafers and a Gold Stainless Steel Tommy Hilfiger Bracelet Watch. Also, Wearing a Dark Brown Belt.

(Cost of outfit: $350)

I've tried many different combinations with my pink sport's coat and this is by far my favorite. This outfit is essentially a more enhanced version of outfit five. I'm still wearing the same shirt and chinos, but I've switched to wearing a pair of tan driving loafers, changed to a gold bracelet watch, tucked-in the shirt, put on a belt, and threw on a sport's coat.

Even though the coat is linen, it's still not very comfortable to wear in the high temperatures, so if you are going to a beach party, it could be more of an entrance piece.

I also have a matching pink waistcoat which looks amazing under the coat, and would be perfect in situations that are too hot to wear the coat.

While I think this outfit looks best with tan loafers, you could also wear brown or even blue, but I definitely wouldn't go with black.

This outfit is so on-point because it's mellow and black isn't really a mellow color.

Stick with your light colors here.

You probably could even swap out the shirt with a light blue, purple or yellow.

Regardless, this outfit for me is as close to perfect as I can get during the summer, so when I wear it, it's exactly as shown.

Overall, I think if something really works, you shouldn't mess around with it. For that reason, I think this outfit is perfect as is. A classic summer look that's bound to get you noticed!

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There you have it: my top 6 summer outfits. All of these outfits are interchangeable, and I've worn each one several different ways. These 6 outfits are my favorite combinations of each.

What do you guys think though? Is there anything you'd like to try out for yourself? Is there anything you definitely wouldn't try? Let me know what you think in the comments!

And as always, if you have any questions or concerns, shoot me an email at tnpersona@gmail.com.

-Ryan S.