A LOT of men want to look better and elevate
their style game, but they don't want to be rejected, look obvious, or be made fun of. Sometimes this fear will prevent them from actually taking that first style step although their style goals are to be envied by men and desired by women for their wardrobe.
Sure, style chameleons are out there-- those men can wear whatever, whenever, and wherever they want. But on the flip side, some of us men suffer and don’t have the ‘I don’t care what you think of my wardrobe attitude”. Wouldn’t having the support from your less stylish brothers be nice when
trying to elevate your style and wardrobe?
The most common statement I hear from men with whom I work is that they want to look better and step outside of the style box, but they're afraid of what people will think or say. I am here to tell you that you can up your style game and not look like you're trying too hard.
I call it THE THIRD GRADE PHENOMENON. We're grown men, but all of a sudden, we revert back to when we were in third grade, and all we wanted to do is fit in and not get made fun of. Do you want to be that little kid who shows up for picture day wearing a sweet gray tweed sport coat,
distressed jeans, and double velcro monk strap shoes when all the other little kids are wearing sweatshirts? The thought of this might simply too much to bear, but what do you do? Many would just put on a sweatshirt and not rock the style boat. Me, on the other hand:
This example may be over-simplistic in nature, but for those of you who feel like your style has been stunted, you know exactly what I'm talking about. It comes down to the need and desire to be accepted. As humans, we feel the need to be accepted by others, and I think this primal need prevents us from
exploring and ultimately deciding where we are willing to go stylistically.
But I have the answer, gentlemen! I have some tips and tricks to make your style transition as seamless and undetectable as possible. But before you do anything, look at yourself with a critical eye. Where do you currently fit with your style? I would imagine that you're
fitting-in friends, family members, and coworkers, and that the way you're dressing is pretty much consistent with how others dressed around you. Am I right? Here's what to do next:
Three Categories | Three Style Levels
STEP ONE: take inventory of your wardrobe by separating it into three categories: shoes, pants, and shirts. Certainly, a man’s wardrobe has more than three categories, but breaking your wardrobe down basically & simply as possible is necessary for this method. Every day when you get
dressed, you're making three decisions: what shoes to wear, what pants to wear, and what shirt to wear. That's it.
STEP TWO: each of these three categories has three levels. So let's keep this simple. Level one is not stylish. Level two is stylish. And level three is fashion-forward.
STEP THREE: to transition into a more stylish category without being detected, simply step up one (and only one) level at a time for one specific category (shoe, pants, or shirts). Then progress to another category. In other words, you will not be transitioning all three categories from level one to level three simultaneously. If you did that, people are going to notice. The progression will be more natural, but it's a very simple process. Deal with leveling up
one category before leveling up another category. Once you've reached that next level, proceed leveling up each category one-by-one.
EXAMPLE #1 | You're going to meet your buddies, which you usually wear a pair of running shoes, a pair of baggy acid-washed jeans, and an old ratty screen-printed standard t-shirt. Every category is
level one 'unstylish'. To elevate this style game, pick one category and move that category up one level. Let’s start with the shoes: get a new pair of shoes (minimal white leather sneakers) that elevate that category to a level two ‘stylish’.
And this is where it gets fun because you're wearing the same jeans and the same shirt with these new shoes. Will people notice? Possibly, but chances are probably not. If you had gone up two levels, they'd definitely notice a new pair driving moccasins. But with one level up, behold my friend, you have not been excommunicated for wearing more stylish shoes.
Get comfortable with the change, and then you will be ready to move to the next category. So instead of those acid-washed jeans, purchase a pair of slim or straight fit dark wash jeans. Here's the key: you're wearing the same old shirt. So you can see what we're doing; we're going through your entire wardrobe a methodically moving up one level per each category. When you finally get to that second level tier, you're now
‘stylish’.
When you want to get to the third level tier (fashion-forward), you'll have to take some risks. Proceed in the same systematic and methodical method. Start with one category (shoes) and move it up. Proceed to the next category (pants) and move it up; finish moving up your shirt to level 3 to complete the
process.
EXAMPLE #2 | This method doesn't just work with your buddies. This works in pretty much any situation or group setting that you can think of or find yourself in, whether exercising at the gym, going out
on the weekends, or working from the office. For instance, you're wearing Rockport shoes to work due to the orthopedic support and comfort. You're at level one ‘unstylish’ with these shoes. You're also wearing baggy pleated cotton khaki pants paired with a boxy button-up shirt with button-down collars.
Transition each category one at a time and one level at a time. Level up the shoes first. Instead of those orthopedic Rockports, select a more stylish shoe that is still comfortable and supportive. Next, move up your work pants, opting for a fitted, flat front khaki in a microfiber fabric. Nobody will notice, and if they do, tell them that you want to look better and that they could take a page out of your self-improvement book. Finish with the shirt-- a tailored white oxford.
BAM!
For those of you who are afraid to take that next style step, take your best foot forward and ignore the thought of what other people might say. Don't be concerned about sticking-out or looking obvious because you can slowly and stealthily level up. Most importantly, making an effort to look better is
self-improvement. These little changes over time will make a big difference long term.
Systematically implementing elevated stylish
options and replacing those unstylish ones over time will change your entire style game. Elevating your entire wardrobe will feel great, and you will love the results!
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