MAIN Shopping Men's Clothing

Contrary to popular belief that men couldn't care less about fashion, the truth is that most men like looking good.

They would love to learn more about clothes color matching, or what clothes best compliment their body type.

What stops them? Yeah, you guessed it. Most guys hate shopping! But joining the ranks of the easy chair and the TV remote, Internet shopping is man's new best friend.

Just up ahead, find a basic guide to clothes that will look good on YOU, along with info on the best times of the year to buy men's clothes and, if you're strapped for cash, where to find great bargains online.

Get clothes savvy

• Unless you want to show off hours spent at the gym, looser clothes are more stylish and definitely more comfortable. Look for cotton, or a cotton-polyester mix when choosing dress shirts or t-shirts for a more relaxed fit. If you still want to go the muscle shirt route, make sure of the proper fit -- snug -- not tight -- to avoid that "sack of potatoes" look.

• As the ladies already know, when it comes to clothes an optical illusion is your best friend. If you're slim, then horizontal stripes will make you appear wider, If you're short and stout, vertical stripes will make you appear taller and slimmer. Dark colors will also help you appear slimmer if you've recently put on a few pounds.

Left to right: To appear wider, wear horizontal stripes. A thin belt can finish your look and narrow
your waist, Meanwhile, dark colors are great for hiding those love handles if you've gained a few pounds.

• Avoid the macho, thick-buckled belt and opt for a thin belt, especially if you have a wide waist. Along with helping to tighten you gut, it will give you waist a narrower appearance.

• Use color depending on your taste or the occasion. Begin with black and white for a stark, dramatic look, For business attire, you can't go wrong with 'analogous' color combos such as brown and tan, navy and light blue, or gray and pink, For casual wear, pump it up a notch with "complimentary" colors such as bright blue and orange, or get inspired by the colors in a classic Hawaiian shirt and take it from there.

Where and when to shop for men's clothes

When clothes shopping online, you can stick with tried-and-true at Amazon or Target. Or, you can up your game by browsing around the more popular stylish men's clothing outfitters such as J. Crew, Hugo Boss, or even Brooks Brothers. And remember discount high-end men's clothing that you can find at outlet malls.

One way to save money on men's clothing -- either online or at the big department stores -- is watching for seasonal sales. That means waiting until after Christmas to buy that fancy suit, or scoring a bargain on an expensive winter coat in February as retailers try to clear the shelves for spring. (The same goes for buying summer clothes in July and August.)

Meanwhile, you might find exactly what you're looking for any time of year and save big at men's clothing clearance sales: As always, it pays to shop around:

More men's clothes buying how to's around the Web:

Around the Web, check out more resources for finding out about where to get the best and most affordable men's clothing -- ranging from men's shirts and ties to how to rent a tuxedo without ending up looking like a maitre 'd.

Ask Andy About Clothes - Billing itself as 'the world's most popular website devoted to men's clothing advice', this encyclopedia chock full of facts and information also has more helpful tips in the online forums.

Ask Men - Style - Check out the online experts to men's clothing, grooming, and fashion trends with a ton of practical advice on everything from how to suit up to choosing the best underwear.

Reddit - Clothes Make the Man - Join the fray in this online community swapping tips and advice on what to wear, plus check out the right-hand menu for more helpful style guides.