It’s always exhilarating to finally find the perfect man for you: an understanding partner who knows exactly how to spoil you, is there when you need him. But, for some reason, he is unable to dress himself without looking like he shopped blindfolded at your local retail store. This is when it gets tricky. Do you tell him?

But the good news is, you don’t have to ask him to sit down and watch him breathe into a paper bag when you break it to him. In fact, you don’t have to break it to him at all. Here are subtle ways you can improve your man’s style without hurting his feelings. 

10 Tips on Improving Your Man’s Style Without Hurting His Feelings

Take him shopping for his birthday

There’s nothing more subtle than taking your man to the mall and dragging him to the dressing room with the coolest leather jackets you find. If shopping in stores is not your thing, you’ll find plenty of websites that suit a myriad of budgets.

Make sure you don’t make affordable options your priority; cheap brands will end up threadbare in just a few months and will compel you to buy a ton more clothes a second time, which will, in turn, make you spend more than you intended.

If you like alternative styles, opt for experimental online clothing stores, which can be a little on the pricey side, but will be in your man’s wardrobe for years whilst always looking good as new. If you’re unsure where to start, Canoe Club offers an eclectic range of so-called “engineered garments,” which are as unique as they are fashionable. They’re the perfect addition to your man’s wardrobe.

Pretend you both need a makeover

Although this may not be the sneakiest move in the book, it’s a nice and subtle way to introduce your boyfriend to styles that you find most attractive. He doesn’t have to read between the lines to know what you’re trying to say. If anything, it might make him more open about the kind of clothes he prefers for you as well.

Show him photos for “inspiration”

If the two of you have been together for a while, then both of you have surely snuck a peek at what your social media feed looks like. You’ve probably seen him scroll through photographs of Instagram models in bikinis, and he’s likely seen you browsing pictures of your favorite rock stars.

Be more direct and casually show him photographs of any style you may fancy, making sure to comment on how fashionable you find specific outfits.

This will give him an idea of what you’re attracted to, but be prepared to receive some criticism in return, and be sure to take it well.

Be honest with him

While you’re probably reading this to find the sneakiest, indirect way to tell your man that he dresses like a damn circus attraction. Sometimes, being frank is the best approach.

Make sure you start the conversation by letting him know how much he means to you, but that you’d rather he was more open to constructive criticism on the way he dresses. Offer him advice and ask him to go shopping after.

It’s all about choosing the right words. Be kind and constructive, and avoid making a joke of his style at all costs. It also helps to refer to clothes that he had previously worn before, so he doesn’t feel like you’re trying to make him into someone entirely different.

Take him out

Your partner probably knows how to dress better, but doesn’t bother to. Ask him out to a fancy dinner and compel him to dress his finest. When he does, ask him why he doesn’t dress like that more often.

Surprise him

While you could take him shopping, why not take care of it yourself? Buy your boyfriend a couple of new clothing items and let him know you’re dying to see him in them. Make sure it’s nothing drastically different from his current style. For instance, if he usually wears khakis, don’t surprise him with a pair of red leather pants.

The safest way to get around this is to opt for items that suit his style, but are simply in better taste.

Play the jealousy card

If you regularly see a friend who happens to dress better than your boyfriend, openly and clearly compliment his style in front of your boyfriend. Be specific so as to give your man obvious hints. Instead of vaguely telling said friend that you like what he’s wearing, make the compliment sound more aesthetically-specific. For instance, “Love the black jeans with that sweater.”

While it may sound a little cruel, men don’t like competition. This will instantly make your partner pay more attention to the way he dresses.

Ask him if he needs new clothes

If there’s something specific your partner wears that you absolutely hate, like a pair of worn-out sneakers, ask him nicely if he’d like a new pair. This is not to make him feel insecure, but to let him know you’re not a big fan of the same pair of vans that he’s been wearing for the past year.

Consider his budget

There’s a chance your man doesn’t dress well because he’s investing his money in something else, or because he simply doesn’t have enough funds to be clad in the latest designer combat boots. If you’ve been together for long enough, you’re probably aware of his financial situation.

Offer to take him to thrift shops and suggest low-budget stores. You could even add that you’ve found the perfect outfit for yourself for under X dollars.

Step up your game

Is your boyfriend dressing poorly because his partner is doing the same? Before you try to improve the way your partner dresses, see if you need to do just that.

If you’re unsure, simply bring up the question to your boyfriend. Ask him if there is anything that he would change with the way you dress, and he will likely return the question.

You don’t have to feel shallow for wanting your partner to look his best. After all, dressing well for each other is an indirect way of showing each other how much you care. With all those seemingly subtle ways to tell your man to dress better, the best amongst them is, to be honest with him.