The Deadly Sins of Style… and How to Fix Them (I) | Men’s Clothing Style Guides
The Deadly Sins of Style | Men’s Clothing Style Guides
People make a snap decision about you.
The greatest men in history knew this, and from Twain to Gandhi, Churchill to Reagan, they used their personal presentation to set the stage for their message.
Too many men fail to understand that how they look is how they are perceived by others; and how we are perceived by others can have a huge effect on how successful we are at work, at home, and in life.
If you look incompetent, you will be treated as incompetent and face an uphill battle changing minds.
If, however, you appear to be on top of your game, people will assume you are an A level player.
Dressing smart doesn’t make you intelligent, but it does give you the benefit of people assuming you are.
I wrote this article to stress the importance of paying attention to your appearance, and how a man can transform his appearance for the better.
With that, I present to you the seven deadly sins of men’s style. I hope it creates in you a hunger to dress sharp and become the man you know yourself to be.
Dressing well isn’t rocket science, so why does it get written about so much?
The simple answer is that it’s easy to keep creating content (and fashions for people to buy) as long as you write about the very specific things that people should be doing right this moment to look better.
The purpose of this guide is to get away from that fashion-chasing mentality and lay out the things that will always be the wrong choice.
Our goal is to provide you a comprehensive guide on how to avoid looking bad instead of yet another guide on a single new look or strategy.
Without beating around the bush, we’ve broken down seven basic mistakes that most men are guilty of at least once or twice in their life:
Sin #1 – Bad Fit
Most men don’t realize it, but the way their clothes hang on their body is actually the most defining aspect of their appearance.
Sin #2 – Not Dressing for the Occasion
An over- or under-dressed man makes everyone around him feel a little awkward. Know what you’re getting into at various social and business events, and know how to dress for every level of formality.
Sin #3 – Mismatching Patterns
Patterns that don’t go well together jar the eye. Wearing nothing but solid colors is boring. Learn how to avoid both!
Sin #4 – Mismatching Color
Forget “honey, does this tie go with…” Know what’s just not going to work, avoid it, and get on with your life.
Sin #5 – Dressing Your Body Inappropriately
Some “looks” work well on certain body types, but seem ridiculous on others. Don’t be tempted into a bad style just because it happens to be trendy – you’ve got to know your limits.
Sin #6 – Choosing Quantity over Quality
A wardrobe stuffed full of bad clothes is no substitute for even a lean closet of garments that make you look like a million bucks.
Be strategic with your purchases, and know the quality of what you’re buying.
Sin #7 – Getting the Details Wrong
A well-chosen outfit can be marred – or improved – by details as small as the cufflinks or the pocket square.
Know what details people are going to care about, and how to get them right.
Knowing and avoiding these “Seven Deadly Sins” of menswear is the fastest way to look sharp every time you step out the door.
It won’t matter if you’ve bought the latest fashion because your wardrobe is based on the timeless rules of menswear – the classic style that’s endured.
You’ll also wind up saving money by relying on pieces of clothing that last for years and serve equally well in different outfits and combinations rather than buying a single article for every occasion.
Of course, there’s an ethos that says men shouldn’t worry about dress at all.
We should be judged solely on our merits and not our appearance.
It’s a nice idea, but scientifically unsound – the human brain makes most of its judgments visually.
We form our impression of people within a few seconds of meeting them. Later interactions might change that impression, but the brain will continue thinking that a quality dresser is a quality person.
Other men prefer to look at dressing well as an act of personal transformation: I wear the clothes of the powerful, therefore I become the powerful.
Or you might choose a style that looks more responsible, or older, or younger, or more relaxed, or more artistic – the point is that looking a particular way will help you to feel that way as well.
And looking good will always translate to feeling good. It’s one of those lessons that you can’t teach someone until they try it for themselves, so just give it a shot and see what we mean.
Perhaps most importantly, dressing well is a habit that makes you a cleverer, more observant human being, to say nothing of a more diligent one.
The self-discipline it takes to iron your own shirts when they start getting wrinkled is the same mental skill that gets you to put in those extra, boss-impressing (or subordinate-inspiring) fifteen minutes before and after work.
Thinking about your clothing first thing in the morning wakes you up and puts your brain in high gear before you get out the door.
Once fine clothing becomes a habit of thought, you begin to notice it in other men as well.
Be confident that others will notice as well – once you’ve mastered the well-chosen jacket and the perfect tie, you’ve entered into a brotherhood with signs and symbols as recognizable as the Masons’, and you’ll be surprised how many other dapper chaps you find yourself exchanging knowing nods with on the street.
Of course, joining that fraternity does require a touch of foreknowledge and preparation, and this guide provides the basic information you need to get started as a well-dressed man.
By avoiding the fundamental “Deadly Sins” of menswear, you’ll be able to craft a look that’s sharper and more consistent than the trend-driven approach to fashion.
TO BE CONTINUED… PART II
This is just the beginning of your style journey? Stay connected for the upcoming articles.
Please note that much of this publication is based on personal experience and anecdotal evidence.
Although the author and publisher have made every reasonable attempt to achieve complete accuracy of the content in this Guide, they assume no responsibility for errors or omissions.
Also, you should use this information as you see fit, and at your own risk.
Your particular situation may not be exactly suited to the examples illustrated here; in fact, it’s likely that they won’t be the same, and you should adjust your use of the information and recommendations accordingly.
Finally, use your head. Nothing in this Guide is intended to replace common sense, legal, medical or other professional advice, and is meant to inform and entertain the reader.
So have fun and learn to dress sharp!
