FASHION HANDBOOK

AESTHETIC
OUTFIT GUIDE
Navigating fashion trends in the social media age can be extremely daunting, not
only due to the sheer volume of trends arising nowadays, but the short-lived nature
of the modern-day fashion trend cycle makes it hard to discern what styles and
pieces you should actually invest in and what you should hold off on and remain on
the sidelines for.

In this handbook, not only do I walk you through actionable steps on how to elevate
your style and find what trends happening in the space, I also give you the tools you
need to confidently find and express your own personal style and a complete
resource list of the best brands and shops to building that perfect wardrobe.

About Me
I have been into fashion and style for almost
an entire decade, starting out as a fun little
hobby which eventually grew into a full-time
passion that led me to starting a YouTube
channel as I grew older.

I can speak wholeheartedly as to the huge

impact fashion has had on my life, not just
as a creative outlet – but a tool and vehicle
that has truly elevated my self-esteem, built
deep relationships with amazing people in
my life and given me fulfilment and sense of
direction in my life.

Fashion and fitness were truly the two

biggest things that impacted and saved my
life as a teenager and with this handbook, I
want to help you feel the same way.

I want to guide you to discovering the best styles and how to truly improve your eye
and sense of styling to become your most attractive self. Investing in yourself to
really upgrade your personal image is one of the best decisions you’ve made. This
will be a turning point where you truly start to see a change in yourself.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Finding Your Style………………………………………. 3

Knowing Your Body Type……………………………… 6

The Most Attractive Styles…………………………….. 9

Power of
Accessorizing……………………………………………11

Finding Your Best

Colours……………………………………………………13

Setting a Budget and Shopping Smart……………...14

Conclusion…………………………………..…………...16

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 FASHION HANDBOOK: AESTHETIC OUTFIT GUIDE

Finding Your Style

This can be one of the trickiest questions to ask yourself when you finally start
taking a more conscious approach to dressing yourself, you might find yourself
thinking questions like,

“What is my actual style?”

“What do I like?”

“How do I find my style?”

This definitely isn’t something you can conclusively pinpoint overnight, and rather
than definitively asking yourself these questions, instead, I want you think of your
style as a personal journey that reflects your own self-identity throughout your life.

Okay but what the hell does that actually mean?

Essentially, your personal style and taste is something I can guarantee you will
change throughout your life.

For some people, this may be drastic changes to their personal aesthetic
throughout the years (think those scene kids or gothic kids in high school
transitioning to a more normie work core fashion), or for others, more subtle
refinements to an already existing style language they strongly lean into.

I say this all to reassure you that whatever jeans or type of sneakers you’re into now
doesn’t have to speak for your taste five years into the future. I used to love rocking
skinny jeans and really slim fitting Ralph Lauren buttoned shirts, but now you won’t
even catch me alive in any type of pants slimmer than a straight leg – does this
mean I haven’t found my own sense of style? No, rather this is an indication of my
personal style that I have found evolving with me as I grow.

Now, accepting that your sense of style and taste will be fluid, let’s get right back to
the question, what is actually the best way to get started in finding your style?

I want to give you this thought exercise;

Who are the celebrities/influencers/figures that inspire you? Whose style speaks to
you the most? Which friends of yours continually impress you with their outfits and
general style?

Fashion - like any other art form and creative outlet stems from inspiration.
Referencing Pablo Picasso on creativity, “Good artists copy, great artists steal”.

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 I cannot stress this enough that the best thing you can do to truly find your own
style is to firstly emulate the style of other people. Those celebrities/influencers with
style that you look up to? Find the specific outfits and pieces that you love and
slowly incorporate them into your style. That fitted hat you saw styled so nicely with
the boxy hoodie? Steal it. Those baggy light wash denims you loved how that guy
paired with the monotone camp collar shirt? Take that exact same combination.

Doing this while building out a combination of wardrobe essentials and modular
pieces (think your basic jeans, neutral tees etc.) guides your wardrobe in the best
direction to finding your own personal style. I’m telling you, as you start to get more
and more confident and experienced with building outfits, your own natural intuition
and personal flair will start to slowly sleep through these “copied” outfits.

You might’ve liked the way someone styled a certain jacket but now when you wear
it yourself, you actually prefer pairing it with these other style of pants you
envisioned might match better– or maybe, you really messed with a specific
sneaker that somebody wore but you choose to cop a different colourway of the
shoe because that’s your favourite colour. This is what I mean in, “Great artists
steal”, it’s up to you to take that inspiration from others and use it to build your own
personal identity.

This copying and making your own strategy goes a tremendous way in getting you
started with fashion. Getting deeper into this as you build your own preferences, a
core point I want to emphasize is that you need to stay tuned into the space to
understand upcoming trend cycles, fads and changes in the season.

This is where you first and foremost get the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in
fashion and understand your own style on a deeper level.

While I don’t necessarily emphasize nor want to push for you to become a trend-
hopping monster, staying current with the fashion hivemind and understanding
active trends is another way to gain more inspiration and exposure to new potential
styles, pieces and aesthetics that might speak to you.

For instance, the streetwear wave and Jordan 1 trend that peaked in 2020-2021
exposed me to more relaxed baggy jeans which led me down a rabbit hole of
experimenting with wide leg tailored trousers, straight-leg denim and starting to
understand the effect the cut and width of your pants have on your silhouette and
outfits as a whole. See, I never would’ve known I actually like baggier pants more
than the conventional skinnies I used to rock if not for my staying alert to trends and
fashion waves.

Joining fashion spaces and communities and regularly absorbing content does
wonders, this is a skill like any other and you need to devote the time to learn. You
don’t know what you don’t know.

Saying this – I highly recommend avoiding solely sticking in the same fashion
communities or consuming the same type of fashion content all the time. Some of

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 these spaces can become echo chambers with community dogma where before
you know it, your style and tastes stagnate and you stop experimenting and letting
your unhinged creativity out.

The ocean of fashion is too wide and deep to let yourself feel constrained to one
style.

Your “style” should never be easily summarized – are you, yourself easily
summarized? Are you not a person with a multitude of dreams, hobbies, differing
relationships and networks that you hold together so complexly?

Look at yourself in the same manner and be proud of your style at every point. I feel
like if you can’t look at any picture of your past self and somewhat cringe or laugh
at your style choices at that point of time – it just means you were playing it too safe
and weren’t truly dressing for yourself.

So now speaking of trends and getting involved in fashion spaces, where do you
actually find that inspiration or display of active trends and fads rising in fashion? I
always preach the strength of social media for this, but what platforms are actually
the best for this?

Platforms that focus heavily on short form and image-based content of course.
Instagram, Tiktok and Pinterest have to be the juggernauts when it comes to this in
influencing and showcasing the trends and state of mainstream fashion.

I will say that this advice speaks for the broadest appeal aesthetics and
communities sparking their own movement on the internet, but what if we want to
go a layer deeper?

What can you use to really delve more closely into the styles and items that are so
fashion forward and contemporary that they haven’t been hijacked and washed
down by mass audience?

The answer is Fashion newsletters/editorials and runway shows.

These are by far the best form of content to observe the direction of fashion in
present day. This type of content brings enormous value in the sense that you see
the raw and hyper passionate community sentiments and observations behind
current trends and movements, and in regards to runway shows – you’re seeing the
direction and trend themselves dictated in real-time by world class designers and
the prominent minds of our culture.

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 Knowing Your Body Type
This is sometimes a sensitive topic to address in our present day thanks to the
notion of blind body positivity and accusations of body-shaming running rampant
on the internet. Regardless of all of this, I want you to know I won’t sugar-coat this
at all, your body heavily impacts the type of clothes and general styles you will look
best in.

This is merely to say that fashion should of course be used as a tool to accentuate
and highlight the strengths and silhouette of your own individual body – because no
human body is completely identical, but you should never neglect building your
own body to the best shape possible.

I remember when I was heavier, puffier and the different thoughts and factors I had
to account for in my clothing to not only make sure I looked my best, but also felt
comfortable in my clothing – finding jeans with the right waist to thigh ratio, shirts
with the perfect length, jackets that were slim enough to pull in my chubby physique
without being too tight on the stomach – shopping was not the easiest thing.

I want you to thoroughly invest into your health and fitness and focus on dropping
your bodyfat down to at least 12-15%. This is generally the sweet spot as a man to
look your best, feel your best and serve as a perfect base for your clothing to
accentuate. I find this is the key issue with “body type” in fashion – it’s really just the
issue of carrying around excess bodyfat which as men, doesn’t sit as fondly on our
physiques compared to women. Our stomachs, faces, thighs – these spots are what
ruins the aesthetic of your outfit.

The fitness advice aside, to actually get an idea of how to best dress for your
current body, here are some pragmatic tips to identify your body type and resulting
strengths/weaknesses:

• Take Measurements: Grab a measuring tape and measure key points such
as your chest, waist, and hips. The relationship between these
measurements will give you clues about your body shape – do you have a
long torso? Are your hips wider than average? Etc.

• The Mirror Test: Stand tall and observe your body's proportions. Notice
where you carry most of your weight and how your shoulders, waist, and hips
compare in size.

• Consider How Clothes Fit: How do different garments feel on you? Do

certain styles cling to specific areas or drape awkwardly? This can provide
insights into your body type.

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Rectangular

This type of silhouette is characterized by wider shoulders and a relatively narrow

waist. Very balanced silhouette and simple easy to dress. Be sure to keep all
clothing well-proportioned with this body type – your shirt length should end nicely
at the waist, avoid overly baggy pants here which can shorten and compress your
silhouette etc. This is a great silhouette that works for almost all styles.

Triangle

This type of silhouette consists of an inverted triangular shape characterized by

much wider shoulders to waist ratio, a very athletic physique. This type of silhouette
looks great when dressed to its strengths, make sure to choose clothes that
highlight this. Your broad shoulders look powerful in relaxed tees, singlets and less
bulkier tops. The slim waist will look even more accentuated with V-shaped tops
that can further to the illusion making your shoulders look even more prominent.

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Oval

This silhouette, as the name implies is round like an oval, especially at the abdomen
area. This causes narrow looking shoulders and thins out the lower part of the legs.
You want to essentially broaden out your shoulders with adding more length by
wearing jackets, avoid wearing short-sleeved shirts as they make the midsection
look bigger. For this body type too, you want to avoid any tapering from the hips to
knee. Tapering exaggerates the hip width and can come off feminine.

Wearing more high-rise pants too will help hide the wide hips, but I do have to
emphasize that as good as these strategies are – your best result will come from
putting in those hours in the gym. Building your back muscles, shoulders and
burning some fat will help this body type tremendously.

All in all, I want you to understand that your “body type” is ultimately just a tool, not
an absolute rulebook - fashion is about expressing yourself, so don't feel limited by
any categories out there. The most important thing is to wear clothes that make you
feel confident and comfortable in your own skin. I cannot stress this enough, wear
what makes you feel your greatest. That fit that gives you that extra pep in your
step, makes you hold your head up high with a smile. That’s truly the power of
fashion – you can control your own perception.

Embrace your unique silhouette and let your personal style shine through.

You have no idea the amount of looks and outfits I’ve styled that “shouldn’t work”
but end up looking the most imposing, interesting and stylish in person. These
guides and tips are great for starting out and giving you some structure to improve
your style, but the real fun in fashion comes when you build that unshakeable
confidence in your physique and fitness and also when you start unapologetically
experimenting and putting together whatever ideas and concepts inspire you and
speak best to your inner artist and individualism.

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 The Most Attractive Styles
Now, what is the most attractive way to dress?

I love getting this question because it just shows the understanding of how powerful
clothing can be in elevating your sex appeal.

Your style and fashion are a soft power.

Understanding the impact your clothes can have on your persona and the way the
world perceives you is the one of the most valuable faucets that comes with
improving your fashion.

Now when it comes to the most attractive way to dress, I like to generalize there to
be two ways of dressing for the most sex appeal:

The grown and mature perception

Like the name suggests, the grown and mature perception focuses more on a
wardrobe centred around traditional and timeless menswear pieces, with a focus on
subtlety with premium cuts and fabrics. This aesthetic primarily uses more neutral,
dark colours and plays to the strength of conveying a more “high status” look. This
is definitely a style that is a lot easier to play into as it takes less creativity in seeking
out interesting and playful pieces and the “statement” in this type of fashion is
more-so you, yourself.

Your skin, your haircut, your physique.

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 These are all points that need to be taken care of in order to truly rock this look to
its best.

The grown and mature perception banks off of conveying an abundance of

resources, perceived wealth, knowledge and status – which essentially
encompasses having all of your shit together.

This is why some of these looks might come off as “tacky” when you see young
teenagers or trying to pull this off, because they don’t have a lot of these other skills
and areas of their life covered so it feels very ingenuine.

Pieces that are best for this type of style are blazers, tailored trousers, quarter zips,
polo shifts, cardigans, button downs etc.

I want you to take inspiration from businesscore, old money and these other
functionally formal aesthetics in building this type of perception and remember that
YOU are the statement of the outfit.

Flamboyant and confident perception

This is more the style that immediately comes to mind when you think of a “fashion
mf”, the raw unhinged creative sense of styling that expresses a youthful spirit. This
style of dressing speaks more to that “wild” and “bad boy” type of perception and I
think is the more fun way to dress in my opinion.
This aesthetic is a lot harder to nail as there really are no “strict rules” or traditional
pieces to simply assimilate into your wardrobe, but rather this perception begets the
need of a refined eye and taste (which comes with experimenting and time spent in
fashion) and the confident mindset to unapologetically be yourself.

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 Power of Accessorizing
Fashion isn't solely about the clothes you wear.

It's about the personality you show and story you tell with them. And the most
captivating stories often hinge on the details – the final flourish that elevates an
outfit from ordinary to extraordinary.

This is where the art of accessorizing comes in.

I want you to think of accessories as punctuation marks to your fashion sentences.

A statement necklace can be the bold exclamation point, a scarf a soft comma, and
a pair of statement sneakers the intriguing ellipses.

Okay, enough of the language metaphors, the main point here is that accessories
can add an intangible flair and dose of character to your outfits.

This is where you can really wear the same exact outfit in a completely different
manner than someone else thanks to the choice of accessories you rock.

Used strategically, accessories can:

• Elevate Your Look: A simple outfit can be transformed by the addition of a

well-chosen accessory. A crisp white shirt and jeans take on a whole new
personality with a chunky statement necklace or a pop-of-colour belt.
• Express Your Individuality: Accessories are a fantastic way to showcase
your personal style and interests. A vintage baseball cap tells a story, a
quirky scarf adds a touch of whimsy, and a layered stack of bracelets speaks
to your personality.
• Highlight Your Features: The right accessories can accentuate your best
features.
• Adapt to the Occasion: Accessories can effortlessly transform an outfit from
day to night or from casual to dressy. A blazer loses its formality paired with
statement sneakers, while a simple tee becomes evening-ready with slacks
and a bold, classy watch.

Accessorizing Tips:

• Balance is Key: Avoid overwhelming your outfit with too many accessories.
If you're wearing a statement necklace, keep your eyewear simple.
• Consider Scale: Proportion is important. If you're wearing a voluminous
outfit, opt for smaller accessories, and vice versa.
• Mix Metals: Don't be afraid to mix different metal tones! Silver and gold can
coexist beautifully.
• Play with Colour: Accessories are a great way to incorporate pops of colour
into your outfit. Experiment with colour combinations that make you feel
confident.

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 • Don't Be Afraid to Experiment: The best way to find your signature style is
to have fun! Try different combinations, mix and match, and see what makes
you feel your most confident and stylish self.

I truly think jewellery and headwear are great places to start when incorporating
accessories into your looks. These can go so far for yourself to use in a variety of
outfits within your wardrobe – which is another great aspect of accessorizing, you
save money by investing in core accessories that can shake up the same old outfits
and allow for more combinations without having to buy an entirely brand-new
wardrobe.

Remember, accessorizing is a creative process. There are no hard and fast rules.
Besides my key point of maintaining balance and not overwhelming an outfit with
accessories you have free reign to creatively express yourself in any manner with
the power of accessories. Tell your unique fashion story and transform even the
simplest outfit into something truly special

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 Finding Your Best Colours
Your perception of your “best” colours is influenced by skin tone, hair colour, and
eye colour.

These natural factors of yours create a unique colour harmony that certain colours
will complement more than others.

Let’s go over two main systems for colours analysis: seasonal analysis and
undertone analysis.

Seasonal Colour Analysis:

This system divides colours into four categories, each inspired by a season:

• Spring: Warm and bright colours like peach, coral, light yellow, and sky blue.
Imagine a fresh spring meadow bursting with colour.
• Summer: Cool and soft colours like rose pink, lavender, dusty blue, and
seafoam green. Think of a gentle summer day with pastel hues.
• Autumn: Warm and rich colours like burnt orange, olive green, mustard
yellow, and burgundy. Picture the vibrant foliage of autumn.
• Winter: Cool and deep colours like navy blue, emerald green, icy white, and
cherry red. Imagine a crisp winter landscape with bold contrasts.

Undertone Analysis:

This method focuses on identifying the undertone of your skin, which can be cool,
warm, or neutral. Here's how to find yours:

• The Vein Test: Look closely at the veins on your wrist. If they appear
greenish, you likely have a warm undertone. If they appear blue or purple,
you likely have a cool undertone. If it's difficult to distinguish, you might have
a neutral undertone.
• The Jewellery Test: Hold a silver necklace and a gold necklace next to your
face in natural light. The one that makes your complexion look brighter is
likely your better metal match, hinting at your undertone (silver for cool, gold
for warm).

Once you've identified your undertone, you can choose colours that complement it.
For example, if you have cool undertones, cool-toned colours (like those in the
summer palette) will generally be more flattering.

A simple yet effective method to find your colour - stand in natural light and hold
different coloured fabrics up to your face. Observe how the colour affects your skin
tone. See if it makes you look brighter, healthier, or more drawn out. Colours that
make you glow are likely good matches for your palette.

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 Setting a Budget and Shopping Smart
This is the part where many people struggle in building the wardrobe of their
dreams – the shopping.

I understand we are all at different points within our lives and finances can be a
limiting factor in us dressing the way we really want to, that’s why alongside this
handbook I have included a list of shops and brands you can best utilize in building
your style.

As much as fashion is a form of fun and self-expression, let's face it, it can also be a
budget buster. The key to enjoying fashion without financial stress is mastering the
art of budgeting and shopping smart. This chapter equips you with the tools to take
control of your finances and build a wardrobe you love, all within your means.

Let's explore smart shopping strategies:

• Cost Per Wear: Focus on cost per wear, not just the initial price tag. A more
expensive piece that you wear often can be a better investment than a
cheaper item you rarely use.
• Embrace Quality Over Quantity: Invest in timeless, well-made pieces that
will last for years. It's better to have a few high-quality items you love than a
closet full of trendy clothes that fall apart quickly.
• Utilize Sales and Discounts: Be patient and shop sales. Many stores offer
seasonal sales, clearance racks, and coupon codes. Take advantage of
these opportunities to score great deals.
• Befriend Second-Hand Stores: Thrift stores, consignment shops, and
online marketplaces offer a treasure trove of pre-loved clothing at a fraction
of the original price. You can find unique pieces and designer items at a
steal.
• Utilize Your Wardrobe: Before buying something new, take a good look at
what you already own. Can you reinvent existing pieces by mixing and
matching, tailoring, or accessorizing differently?

Budgeting and shopping smart are not about deprivation; they're about
empowerment. By taking control of your finances, you gain the freedom to buy what
you truly love and build a wardrobe that reflects your unique style.

Taking time to actually sit down and go a while without shopping and just utilizing
your current wardrobe will allow you to actually find out your style weaknesses in
day-to-day situations do you find you run out of jumpers quite soon in the week
during colder months? (Need better jacket rotation) Do you find yourself lost and
scrambling to put together an outfit when you’re invited to more formal occasions?
(Invest in more menswear pieces)

Knowledge is power, and the same applies to shopping.

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Having an in-depth understanding of what your wardrobe needs will actually guide
you to be a better shopper and stylist since you will be purchasing things that
actually compliment and nicely build off of each other.

More strategies to utilise:

• Become a Sale Sleuth: Subscribe to email lists and follow your favourite
brands on social media. Stay informed about upcoming sales, special
promotions, and coupon codes. Many stores advertise sales in advance,
allowing you to plan your shopping trips strategically.
• Leverage Reviews: Read online reviews before you buy. Customer reviews
offer valuable insights into the quality, fit, and overall value of a garment. This
can prevent you from making purchases you might regret later.
• Embrace the Power of Lists: Before venturing out, create a shopping list of
specific items you need or are looking for. This helps you stay focused and
avoid impulse purchases.
• Consider Multi-Functional Pieces: Look for versatile pieces that can be
dressed up or down. This allows you to create multiple outfits from a single
garment, maximizing your cost per wear.
• Free Shipping Saviour: Factor in shipping costs when comparing prices
online. Look for retailers that offer free shipping or reach minimum purchase
thresholds to qualify.
• Bookmark for Later: Utilize the "save for later" feature on online stores. This
allows you to revisit items you're interested in but don't want to buy
immediately. It gives you time to consider your purchase and compare prices
with other retailers.
• Price Trackers are Your Ally: There are online price tracker tools and
browser extensions that can monitor the price of an item over time. This
allows you to know when the price drops and snag it at the best possible
moment.

Your shopping journey doesn't end at the checkout. Here are some additional tips
to maximize your shopping wins:

• Become a Returns Ninja: Most stores have return policies. If you're unsure
about an item, take advantage of the return window. This allows you to try
the item on at home and return it if it doesn't work out. Just be sure to
familiarize yourself with the store's specific return policy.
• Master the Art of Wardrobe Care: Learn how to properly care for your
clothes. This will extend their lifespan and save you money in the long run.
Read care labels carefully and follow the recommended washing and drying
instructions.

Shopping should be an enjoyable experience. By employing these hacks and

strategies, you can become a confident and empowered shopper who can find the
best deals and build a wardrobe you love, all without breaking the bank. So, hone
your shopping skills, unleash your inner bargain hunter, and go forth and conquer
the retail world.

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 Conclusion
All in all, I truly want to thank you for the read and taking the time to invest in
yourself and personal image. I’m immensely grateful for your support in
purchasing the book and really thankful for you.

I put a lot of thought and effort in this and wanted to make a sweet, straight-
to-the point, helpful guidebook here for you.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the content and feel free to reach out to me on
Instagram @brianchukwuka with #aestheticoutfit in your message for any
more help or direct advice for the book.

All the best, have fun in your fashion journey and remember, this is only the
start!

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