The Pakistani man's guide to rocking the normcore look in 8 simple steps

What is normcore, you ask? It's more than just a combination of the words ‘normal’ and ‘hardcore’; normcore fashion followers are people who do not wish to distinguish themselves from others through their clothing.

A little misleading, this does not mean that they just wear whatever they see or find, like the ever-so-atrocious shalwar kameez with joggers shudders, they just don’t wear clothes that use them as giant advertisement boards (looking at you Levi’s).

Instead, it stands for clothing and an overall look, which is comfortable, undemanding and easy-on-the-eyes.

So how does one achieve this look? Here are 8 ways to achieve true normcore, young grasshopper.

1) The man bun

Come on, it's time to take the plunge and grow your hair out; don't be afraid. Many men avoid growing their hair out because they think it'll be a big hassle taking care of them. Well, that’s where the man bun comes in handy! It's perfect for people who aren't very particular about their hair.

This hairstyle has gained a lot of traction during recent years, thanks to the numerous celebrities who have adopted ‘The Bun’ and also due to how quickly you can tie up your hair and be ready to go out.

A tip: wash the scalp ONLY and not the rest of your hair more regularly. This way, your hair remains tamed, you avoid split ends and the end result is a shiny, beautiful mane!

2) Facial hair is the new ‘clean’ look

Gone are the days where a beard was looked down upon, as something unwanted. These days, it is a must-have fashion accessory for any man looking to shake things up a bit.

Well-groomed facial hair gives the face a more mature, in-control of life kind of look.

3) Long-line drop shoulder t-shirts

Now, this one can be tricky.

It was said that the good ol' classic t-shirt couldn’t be improved upon. Well gentlemen, I present to you the drop shoulder tee.

Popularized by the likes of Justin Bieber and Kanye West, this t-shirt helps you keep cozy and fashionable, all at the same time.

4) Flannel ain't just for the farm

This fashion trend from the 90s is making a huge comeback but this time, it’s a light flannel shirt wrapped around your waist rather than a 10 pound hoodie.

To mix things up, you can even wear your flannel shirt over your long-line tee and still look effortlessly fresh.

5) Jeans that fit

Bye bye baggy jeans; even regular fit jeans are a thing of the past. Here's why they're no good: they make you look shorter and over-weight.

For a crisp and clean look, go for tech-stretch-skinny-low jeans and depending on the occasion, you can even go for the trashed (ripped) version of these jeans to give off a more easy-going vibe.

6) Basic, simple shoes

Since normcore mostly involves clothing that keeps you comfortable, same goes for the shoes.

Kicks, sneakers, converses are your best friends here. The occasional chukka boots to give off a more formal look gives you more options for style.

7) Accessories aren't just for the ladies

For your head: a snapback supporting your favorite team or a beanie.

For your wrists: leather bands and/or a leather-band watch

Stop carrying around your stuff in your hands or stuffing it in your pockets -- use a plain colored back pack instead, if you can.

8) Winter is coming

Although it's a few months away, winter will be upon us. Nothing says normcore like a well-fitted bomber jacket.

People always make the mistake of buying a jacket which is oversized. The trick here is to buy a size one step smaller than the one you usually buy.

So it's time to upgrade your wardrobe and get ready to showcase the world a new you.

The writer can be found on Instagram here.