Being a rugged man of mystery can involve many specific accessories, fabrics, styles, and a certain je na sais quoi. Growing a beard isn’t the wrong answer either. Just be careful about teetering from rugged over to hipster. It can be a fine line.
You will see how some of the same key pieces can be reused and repurposed for various looks – just mix and match at will. Think grunge meets hiker meets military, but make it fashion.
1. Accessories
Suspenders, boots, bandanas, beanies, and worn-in leather wristbands, and messenger bags are just a few of the accessories that bring the rugged look to fruition. Bandanas can be worn on the wrist, around the neck, or just simply tied to your messenger bag. Do some of these accessories give you hipster vibes? Likely. But by adding some of the clothing above, you can change from hipster to rugged with the snap of a button or the pull on of a cool boot.
2. Boots
Boots are the quintessential accessory to pulling this look off. If you pair your dark indigo jeans, military jacket, and suspenders with white low-top sneakers or leather oxfords, then the look takes on a completely different meaning. A pair of brown Timberland boots just gets more broken in and better with age. The dirtier they are, the more rugged they are and the better they serve their purpose of making you the manliest man that ever was a man.
3. Canvas Jacket
Everyone needs at least one canvas jacket in their closet. This style is rough and tough and manly as can be. Built to withstand cold, wet weather as well as dirt and grime, a canvas jacket is as rugged as they come. With different silhouettes, some look like overshirts while others are cut as actual jackets, they are versatile enough to be refined for a day in the city and yet tough enough for any outdoor activity.
Wearing a chambray shirt, dark indigo jeans (rolled up, of course), and your favorite worn-in brown leather boots with a khaki waxed canvas jacket from Buck Mason combines fashion and ruggedness into one sexy package.
4. Denim and Leather
You can rock your leather boots by mixing in a denim on denim outfit that definitely adds the rugged feel you are looking for. Worn-in leather is going to get this point across much better than something shiny and new. A classic chambray jacket worn over a white t-shirt and your favorite jeans with your chestnut brown boots scream outdoorsy and badass. Throw on a beanie and a messenger bag, in a matching shade to your boots, and you are rugged royalty.
Or keep your look more tonal and slightly less obvious by sporting a navy baseball dad hat, a navy t-shirt under an open denim button up with jeans, and your favorite pair of leather boots from the Thursday Boot Company.
5. Edgy
If you have a rock and roll streak in you and you want to keep your rugged look a little on the edgier side, exchange your indigo and chambray for black. A black band t-shirt or Oxford button up paired with black jeans and a military green waxed canvas jacket does this look justice. Tie a black bandana around your neck or wrist and you will be exuding confidence and a devil-may-care attitude.
6. Lumberjack
Ok, ok, I can hear what you’re thinking. “Lumberjack? Really? This feels very hipster…” Well, kind sir, Next Luxury is here to show you how to pull off this style without an inkling of “I live in Brooklyn-vibes.” First, wearing plaid flannel, suspenders, a beanie, and having a beard is the wrong move. Throw a rock in Bushwick and you will hit 23 of these same-dressed individuals. And not one of them has ever held an axe, let alone seen one in real life.
The stylish way to channel your inner lumberjack is to not be so literal. Try a chambray sherpa-lined denim jacket over an open matching light-blue plaid button up, over a white graphic t-shirt with khakis and worn-in leather boots. Or try a green plaid flannel under a boxy light chambray denim jacket, sleeves rolled up on both, and over a white t-shirt and black jeans. You’ll be a lumberjack with edge.
7. Military-Style
Military-style can be accomplished in two main ways – with actual military-style jackets or anything in military green. Wear a military green waxed canvas jacket over a chambray button up and dark indigo jeans and your favorite brown leather boots. Or you can throw in some streetwear vibes here, with mid-tone jeans, a graphic tee, a military jacket, and a pair of Converses. As long as the jacket is broken in (think vintage) and your shoes are not brand new, you are still rugged.
8. Plaid
Plaid is incredibly versatile. The classic red, green, or yellow plaid flannels never go out of style. Wear them buttoned up as your shirt or open over another shirt as your “jacket.” Again, pair with best worn-in denim, boots, and roll up your sleeves as if you’ve been doing rugged manly things. You’ll have them all fooled.
9. Rugged Refined
No, this is not an oxymoron. You can absolutely up your game in the world of being rugged and refined. Remember those khakis from earlier? Wearing them with a fitted Oxford (white, denim, it’s your choice) and a canvas vest, fitted, of course. Looking refined is all about fit. Trade your normal boots for a pair slightly less worn in and you are good to go!
10. Selvedge Denim
Selvedge denim means there is a “self-finished” edge of a piece of fabric that keeps the denim from unraveling and fraying. This means the edge does not require additional finishing, such as a hem or bias tape. Dark indigo and a straight or stovepipe leg are the top styles currently and pair well with just about every color from chambray to khaki to military green. Roll up the leg two or three times, depending on the original length, to show off those rugged worn-in boots.
Don’t be afraid to try a selvedge denim jacket. Pair it with matching jeans or khaki-colored jeans and a white t-shirt. Keep it clean, keep it simple.
11. Street Style
Rugged street style? Yes. It’s “a thing.” Taking any of the above looks and changing your shoes to a canvas Converse or a distressed denim can take you from the woods to the streets much quicker than actually traveling to either destination. A flat-bill baseball hat can amp up the street factor as well. And obviously, Supreme anything.
12. Vintage
Vintage and rugged go hand-in-hand. You can find some actual cool vintage pieces at your local consignment shops or there are a few higher-end online shops with some one-of-a-kind finds. Wear a cable-knit fisherman’s sweater tucked into military green trousers with a plaid flannel thrown on top, those damn leather boots, and a beanie, and you will be the most rugged, handsome, fashionable non-fisherman at the party.
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