Fads come and go. Few things seem more outrageous in retrospect than the outsized effort a guy puts into an outdated trend. If you thought that powdered wigs were insane, just wait until you check out bombastic doublets. Classic habits never go out of style because they provide a good baseline for looking good no matter which way the trend winds blow. So rather than wasting your money on a passing fashion, buy stock in these style standbys.
1. Invest in a Good Support Team
Sometimes, it takes a village to equip a man in style. That doesn’t mean that you need somebody to tie your shoes, but part of being a competent adult is knowing how to surround yourself with a good team. Lock down that barber. Make sure you are well acquainted with a tailor. If you want to know how to get rid of mask acne, make sure you’ve got a dermatologist you can trust.
2. Be Able to Take Care of Yourself
Just because you know a good mechanic, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn how to change a tire for those blowouts that always seem to occur in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere. And in similar fashion, simply because you’ve got a top-notch dry cleaner and a tailor who’s a wizard, that doesn’t mean that you can’t learn how to sew a button back on. Be ready to take action when you spill that glass of wine on that recently tailored suit. You shouldn’t have to call anybody to provide your own measurements. What’s more, self-care for meninvolves more than clothing maintenance. Keep that body in line by making sure you are working with clean skin, a good night’s sleep and a good fitness routine.
Even the most accomplished mechanic can’t change a tire with their pinky finger, so there is no shame in owning the right kinds of specialized tools, especially since that under-eye gel doesn’t take up too much real estate. So why not include it in your kit? In fact, upgrade everything that touches to your face, from your razor to your pillow.
3. Streamline the Look But Add a Signature Flourish
Once you know what works for your features, it’s best to keep it simple. Not only are those kind of clean lines the best look, it’s easier to put together so that you aren’t rushing in late wearing things that probably clash with each other. And with the time that you save, you can pay attention to the small details that really seal the deal. Build out from the basics. Make sure you’ve got a well-made dark suit that fits. Make sure you’ve got a few interchangeable core pieces in your wardrobe.
4. Don’t Skimp on the Base Layer
Just because something isn’t on display doesn’t mean that it isn’t a contributor. A ratty undershirt that bunches up or underwear that rides up can throw off those clean lines in a hurry. It’s hard to look poised if you are always tucking things back into place. And while most places of business prefer that you remain shod, there’s always a chance that you might be called upon to take off your shoes – and those occasions tend to coincide with the days that you choose socks with holes in them. So just eliminate those socks from the rotation.
5. Understand the Material
If clothing makes the man, it seems like a good idea to know what makes the clothes. You don’t have to drop a ton of money to look good, but if you are spending a lot of money, it’s worth being educated on what you are getting and what kinds of materials are worth the investment and the maintenance. And if you want your clothing to make a statement, it might be smart to do a bit of background checking on the brand itself to make sure you know the kind of statement you are making.
6. Know When to Hold on and When to Let Go
It’s important to invest in garments that will always be in style, and to make sure you know how to take care of them. But it’s also important to know when to let go of clothes that are worn out or aren’t a part of your rotation. They hide what else is in your closet. They waste your time when you put them on and then remember why you haven’t worn them in a year or two.
Style isn’t a matter of knowing what’s trendy, but a matter of knowing what you like and how to be a good steward of what you own. It’s also knowing when to let a fad pass you by and when the usual rules can be broken.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
