Ah, 2010. What a time for men’s fashion, right? I remember looking around and things were definitely changing. It felt like we were moving away from the super baggy stuff that was everywhere in the early 2000s. I was well into my groove by then, but you always gotta keep an eye on things, stay a little fresh, you know?
Starting the Shift
So, the first thing I noticed, and decided to actually try, was the fit of things. Everything started to get a bit more… tailored? Or at least, less like a sack. I remember going through my closet. My old jeans, super comfy, but man, they were wide. My shirts, too. I wasn’t about to go full-on skinny jeans, not my style, but I did decide to experiment.
My process was pretty simple back then. I’d see stuff in magazines, maybe what younger guys at work were wearing, or even on TV. Then I’d head to a department store, nothing too fancy, and just try things on. That was the key, actually trying them on. You can’t just guess.
My Experiments and What I Found
Here’s what I remember dabbling with:
- Slimmer Chinos: These were a game changer for me. I grabbed a pair in a kind of khaki color. Way more put-together than my old baggy jeans for just everyday stuff. They felt a bit snug at first, not gonna lie, especially after years of looser fits, but I got used to them pretty quick. They just looked sharper.
- V-Neck T-Shirts: Okay, this one was a bit hit or miss. I saw a lot of guys wearing V-necks. Some were fine, a subtle V. But then you had those super deep V’s… yeah, I skipped those. I did pick up a few modest V-neck tees in solid colors. They were good for layering under an open shirt, which was also a big thing.
- Plaid Shirts: These were everywhere! And honestly, I was already a fan. So, this wasn’t a huge leap for me. I just made sure the plaids I bought had a slightly more modern cut, not too boxy. Wore them open over a plain tee, or buttoned up. Easy.
- Cardigans: Now this was new for me. I always thought of cardigans as something my grandad would wear. But in 2010, they were suddenly cool. I was skeptical. I remember picking one up in a store, a simple grey one. Put it on. And you know what? It wasn’t bad! Actually, it was pretty comfortable and looked decent over a shirt. A bit more dressed up than just a sweater. I actually got a few compliments on that.
- Desert Boots: Footwear also changed. I ditched some of my clunkier sneakers for a pair of desert boots. Suede, simple. They went with the chinos, they went with jeans. Versatile. Took a bit to break them in, but worth it.
A Little Story from Back Then
I remember one time, I was going to this casual work gathering. It wasn’t a big deal, but I wanted to look, you know, current. So I put on my new slimmer chinos, a V-neck (not too deep!), and threw on one of those plaid shirts, unbuttoned. And my new desert boots. I felt pretty good, actually. Walked in, and my boss, who was usually pretty old-school, actually said, “Looking sharp, Mike!” (not my real name, but you get it). That little comment, it made me think, okay, maybe this new stuff isn’t so bad. It’s funny how small things stick with you.
Before that, I was still rocking much looser jeans and whatever graphic tee was clean. Trying to figure out how to wear a “blazer” with jeans was a whole other battle I was sort of fighting and losing around that time too. It always felt a bit forced on me. But the 2010 shift, the slightly more fitted casual stuff, that felt more natural to adopt piece by piece.
Wrapping Up My 2010 Fashion Journey
So yeah, that was my dive into men’s fashion around 2010. It was about trying things, seeing what felt right for me, and not being afraid to ditch some older habits. Not every trend worked, and that’s fine. The main thing was finding a few key pieces that updated my look without making me feel like I was wearing a costume. Some of those styles, like a good-fitting chino or a versatile plaid shirt, I still lean on today, just maybe with a slightly different cut here and there. It’s all about evolving, bit by bit.
