10 High-Fashion Pieces Basic Dudes Can Pull Off

If there's one thing that's true about "fashion," it's that it doesn't always translate to the every day lives of those outside its bubble. Be it bizarre takes on classic designs, or something completely new and out of left field, it's easy to get lost when all you're trying to do is look "good" and maybe (just maybe) impress somebody. But as inaccessible as men's fashion can seem, it's filled with pieces that most guys would recognize and feel comfortable wearing; you don't have to step too far out of your comfort zone to feel stylish.

Contrary to popular belief, fashion does exists outside of a Zoolander-esque capacity; clothes need to be wearable first and foremost. Don't let any men's style misconceptions fool you, there's plenty of ways to beef up your closet, while feeling right at home in your wardrobe. These are 10 High-Fashion Pieces Basic Dudes Can Pull Off.

Related: The Best Men's Style Brands of 2016

Considering that most dudes protect their Jordans like they're worth several hundred dollars (which, in some cases, that's actually true), this one shouldn't be too much of a stretch. When you have brands like Saint Laurent and Maison Margiela leveraging their luxury label names into the sneaker world, or brands like Hender Scheme and Gourmet creating custom and reworked twists on classic styles that sneakerheads already love, there's never been a better time for guys to invest in a pair of kicks that add an upscale edge to your shoe closet—while still feeling as familiar and comfortable as your most trusted kicks.

You're probably wearing a collared shirt as you're reading this; tucked behind a computer screen pretending to do work while counting the hours until the day finally ends. But just because your job is “white collar” doesn't mean that you actually have to wear a collar. Starting with humble factory workers in the early 1900's, a grandad collar shirt is really just a buttondown shirt without its collar attached. With designers like Tim Coppens and Gucci—along with mall retailers like Club Monaco and COS—producing the shirt style in some easy-to-assimilate colors like light blue or white, it's the perfect way to stand out without screaming for attention.

Whether or not you want to thank Kanye West for shoving this footwear into the spotlight, you can't deny that chelsea boots are making their mark. Minimal with their no-lace front and slip-on simplicity, it's a shoe that can play on a formalwear and suiting, but is still low-key enough to fit in with your Sunday T-shirt and jeans. Of course, if you're going to adopt this 1960's staple, it's best to wear it with slim-fit bottoms—stack your jeans over the neck of the boot if you're wearing them with denim. If you're new to the silhouette, and are unsure of how the boots should fit, never fear. Considering there's no laces, your best bet is a snug fit; tight that you're not walking out of them, but still loose enough that you don't feel like you're wearing foot casts when you slide them on.

These aren't fedoras…well, not quite anyways. With a crown that emulates the top of a fedora, the brim stretches out flat instead of into a sculpted shape that you've seen on fedoras and trillbys. Noting its historically Jewish origins, the hat often comes in black, and depending on color otherwise, can essentially go with everything. Understated tones are recommended when you're copping and wearing a headpiece this visually distinct. Also, you might want to avoid going for anything that's too wide, or else you'll end up looking like you're a lady at the Kentucky Derby. If worn properly, it'll be a statement at the top of your kit, making it practical all year round as it keeps out sun and snow. Just remember, keep things simple.

It's not that this jacket necessarily had “high-fashion” beginnings, but the fact is, it's become symbol of some designers' work. Obviously the name behind this classic leather outerwear comes from the motorcycle fanatics that wore the piece religiously. Considering it's been a part of the Americana wardrobe for decades, it's likely that you or someone you know has one in their closet right this minute. Regardless of label, the style is a little more adventurous than your normal leather jacket, with “classic” versions often coming in cropped with plenty of zippers. But like any attention-grabbing outerwear, it's really all about what you wear with it. Whether you're copping a Schott classic from consignment, or hitting up for Hedi Slimane's version at Saint Laurent, take a cue from the bikers that wore them originally: a T-shirt and jeans is really all you need to make this piece sing.

This isn't to say that blue jeans are a revolutionary new addition to men's closets—we've been wearing them for centuries because of their practical, durable nature. But when it comes to raw denim, especially now with all of the prewashes and varieties that exist for modern-day denim, it's carved it's own niche as something that optimizes “suffering for fashion.”

While most dudes walk into their local mall, cop a pair of Levi's 511s and bounce with a comfortable pair that fits them, raw denim is far more complicated than that. Sure, they're technically jeans, but the struggle of breaking in the raw material is more akin to wearing leg casts every time you struggle to pull them on your body. Of course, that fight is worth it as the jeans mold and stretch your shape and lifestyle. Furthermore, with selvedge hems (which are almost always served via raw denim) known widely as a mark of quality jeans, high-end labels from A.P.C. to Saint Laurent have offered their jeans in stiff selvedge. All that said though, you're still copping a pair of jeans, which, for most guys, is something to be worn nearly every day. Sure they may not be as easy to wear initially, but raw denim can definitely be pulled off by any guy without putting forth excessive effort.

The idea of wearing sweats anywhere but the gym or around the house may conjure up visions of retired mafiosos, but the truth of the matter is that sweats have grown up. From Nike's now-iconic tech fleece, to the swell of designers who have added slim-fitting sweats to their collections, you don't need to look (or feel) sloppy when you decide to leave the house in nothing but a sweatsuit.

Of course, there's a few things to note when you make a move like this. While nowadays people feel comfortable enough to wear all sweats when they're hanging out outside their homes, you need to have a little more tact when trying to dress up your sweats for things like work—which, for the record, is totally possible. For those still on the fence, buy a pair of tapered sweatpants in a navy or black, and wear them out once. We're not saying you'll become a cozy boy off the rip, but we can bet you'll be looking at dressing with comfort in a completely different way.

There's something that's really versatile about “formal” outerwear. As is the case with either topcoats or peacoats, their dressier appearance makes them a flexible piece of daily outerwear that can be either dressed down for everyday, or dressed up when the situation calls for it. As more guys gravitate to longer coats, there's no reason that even the most non-fashion conscious guys can't cash in on this move either. Length for practical cold weather wear, with a collar and lapels that imply that you actually care about your appearance. If you're on the trimmer side, double-breasted is solid option to add width to your frame, but it never hurts to go for a simple two button topcoat for peak versatility.

Maybe Steve Jobs left his mark on the style world as much as he did on technology, but there's really never been a better time to cop a turtleneck. You're probably already familiar with the design: effectively a sweater with just extra fabric in the neck, rolled back down over itself (otherwise, if there's no “rolling down” then it's considered a mock neck). But just because Jobs made the sweater iconic during his many Apple keynotes, it doesn't mean you need to style it that way.

Often better utilized as a layering piece, it adds the warmth of a sweater, with the effective neck-coverage of a scarf. Just throw it under a biker jacket or a topcoat when you're in the middle of a day that's too cold for a a simple jacket—but too warm to go all out on winter gear. If you're adamant about wearing one on its own, we'd suggest going for a heavier material and loose gauge—like Drake in Hotline Bling. Not only will you stay warmer, but it won't look like you're wearing an undershirt with crazy neckline either.

Shearling liners are one thing, but a shearling coat? That's a whole different ballgame. Seen notably in the '70s, and on Bane from The Dark Knight Rises, these jackets are a cross between a leather jacket and wool coat. Shearling jackets use the whole tanned skin with the wool (as opposed to lambskin, which is just the lamb leather without the wool). Generally speaking, the pelt is from a younger sheep that has never been shorn and—after traditional tanning—creates the iconic brown hide outer with the ivory fleece inner.

Particularly well-crafted in Spain and Italy, a shearling is ultimately delicate and strong: delicate in its buttery suede outer; strong in its dense wool liner. Basically, consider a shearling jacket to be a leather jacket on steroids when it comes to dealing with cold weather. Due to the amount of work and timing that goes into turning the lambs into shearling coats, these can tend to get pricey if you're looking for something truly authentic and traditional. But, if you're plunking down the cash on one of these investment pieces, take heart: When made well, these can become heirlooms.