Human beings are intrinsically wired to judge each other by the cover – how we appear from the outside. Sounds unfair and shallow, but that’s the reality. If a man wants to get the most out of life, they need to look sharp and well-intentioned. If you want that panel of interviewers to consider you or that cute girl walking on the street to be receptive to you, you need to be presentable.
Luckily, with a bit of effort, you can leave a positive first impression on anyone you want. Not through superhero mind control, but rather through fashionable dress. Sprucing up your wardrobe does not have to be difficult and near-impossible; you just need to observe a few rules and one rule in particular: quality over quantity.
Quality over Quantity
We all strive to have a bunch of choices in everything. From jobs to dating prospects and from vacation destinations to the places we can afford to eat. Having a variety of options to choose from is the essence of freedom and we love it.
However, there is such a thing as too many choices. Having many choices can make the whole process much more confusing; you cannot decide what you want without feeling you are missing out on something by not going with something else. We call that indecisiveness.
Let’s bring it back to your clothing: If you are indecisive about your clothes because you have too many clothes, you will find yourself wasting time or making the wrong fashion choices. Therefore, the best approach is to have fewer high-quality choices that you can easily pick to wear for any given occasion.
Make a conscious decision to style up
Improving your wardrobe is a conscious decision that will require you to invest more of your time and money. Therefore, you must be ready to invest as much of these resources as you can because if you get it right, it pays dividends.
If you have been influenced by your friends, spouse, or coworkers, you should decide whether you are really up for it because you do not want to do something you have been pressured to do. It will be stressful and mind-numbing if it feels like you are being forced to tune your wardrobe. However, if it is a conscious choice, you will enjoy the process.
Cater to your specific needs
You need to mold your wardrobe around a central theme. The best way to find a theme is to determine which clothes you spend the most time wearing. If you a businessman or corporate man who spends most of his time in suits, it should be formal. If you spend most of your time in polo shirts and jeans, well, you know where you fall.
Do some research
You do not have to hire a personal stylist if you cannot afford one – if you can, by all means, hire one. We are living in the information age. Everything you need to know about anything is just a few clicks or touches away. The same applies to fashion advice and online cloth stores.
If you do a bit of research, you will find some interesting blogs that dedicate all their writing to men’s fashion. It is a multi-billion industry mind you.
They write about:
- Where to buy nice cheap clothes
- How to wear your clothes
- What to wear for different occasions
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. If reading is not your style, you will find numerous YouTube channels dedicated to men’s fashion. There are endless videos on how you can upgrade your fashion.
In addition to advice, there are numerous online cloth stores that sell stylish clothes. You can find cheap clothes and accessories or even designer wear online. If you are into luxury wear or contemporary brands, Kenzo Menswear is a good place to start because they deal with the latest designer trends. Other mainstream fashion lines are also available over the internet if you want to find them. You cannot feign ignorance if you are willing to work on your style.
Drastic overhaul vs. slow and deliberate process
A drastic overhaul requires a bigger investment of money and time. If you have the capacity to carry it out, you should do it. However, even if your wardrobe is dire when you decide to change things, there must be a few things you can retain or resize.
The better option is to change things slowly over time. In a few months, you can change your entire look while spreading the cost over a few paychecks. It is also less demanding and allows you to alter your opinions as you gather more information.
Involve your partner
Let your partner in on your decision (if you are married or in a serious relationship) before you move ahead with it. It sounds a bit emasculating, but it is in your best interests to have her on board. You don’t want her unexpectedly resisting or sabotaging your efforts. Plus, she will want to be part of your life-changing decisions and this is one of them.
Some caveats when involving your partner in your fashion changes:
- Do not let her make your major fashion decisions. However well-intentioned her advice is, take it with a grain of salt unless she is a fashion guru herself (of men’s fashion, of course).
- Do not involve her if you just met her or are not in a serious relationship with her. It will weaken your position in the dynamics of your relationship.
You want her to support you on your journey, but not be the driving force or the decision maker. You are not being misogynistic when you take control, you are just being a dominant man who knows what he wants.
The process of developing an enviable wardrobe is a conscious decision followed up by an investment of time and resources. Work with the resources that you have while focusing on a theme. Whichever way you go about building your wardrobe, remember that having fewer high-quality items that fit well is the epitome of style in a man’s wardrobe.
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