No matter where you are in the world, gentlemen, it is essential to know the difference between fashion and style. Men's fashion (just as women's) comes and goes in full circles. It's almost like a recycling program. Familiar trends resurface in new interpretations; the second-coming of the 60s and 70s style in the modern form, for example. This is what happens in trends - they are temporary. Designer Yves Saint Laurent put it best when he said, "Fashions fade, style is eternal."
Style is you. It's in everything you do on a regular basis. The way you walk, talk, listen to a certain kind of music, watch a certain genre of film, etc. The clothes, the way you dress? That's the last layer of the cake. Your clothes are the visible representation of your personality. You may not care how you look, but face the facts, other people do. Giving the best impression will only benefit you. We now live in a world in where certain positions in life, your image is
everything.
There is a slight change in menswear, in men's fashion. It has evolved. Nowadays, there is a vast understanding of what a real gentleman should look like. These days men take more care of themselves and the way they look. We are fashionably aware and actually care enough to make a significant and positive change to the way we look. It's alright to still have a rugged, 5 o'clock shadow, and look attractive in casual clothing. It's also fine to have a more polished look and come off very attractive in semi-formal clothing. It's no longer about being 'metrosexual' - that term is outdated. Do not use it. It was (back in the early 2000s) a term used to refer to a man who went the extra mile to look more attractive. The manicures, pedicures, and waxing certain parts of the body. To most men at the time, this was simply unacceptable. It was considered by some to be too feminine. They were still trying to grow out of the earlier stages of what was considered 'macho', not knowing how the way a man's upkeep was evolving.
We no longer live in the 80s or early 90s. It is no longer the time where, to men, being macho was mimicking Rambo, The Terminator, or John McClane and shouting out, "Yippie-ki-yay, motherf*cker." Sad truth is, we were influenced by pop-culture. The glitz and glamour of the western world put everyone on notice. They became the trend setters. The fashion world, with majority of male designers, mostly garnered the attention of women. The first decade of the new millennium was a very important transitional period for men's fashion and style. No longer reliving the mistakes made in the 80s and 90s, this was a period of time where men finally decided to no longer live by terms that were slapped onto them by others who considered them to be less manly. The term that was mentioned earlier, that you shouldn't use, lasted as long as 'bling-bling'. It's purely played out. What's in are the many talented designers who have tailored to menswear that has hit the masses. But again, this is most certainly influenced by pop culture. In other words, we must appreciate what some male celebrities have done for us. The leading men in Hollywood now have stylists who wrap them around with designer suits. Even athletes are found sitting next to important style icons at runway shows. We are now tuned in to concentrate on the details. The funny thing is, the attention to detail has been there for ages! You should know things haven't changed much in certain parts of the world. Walk down Savile Row in Westminster, London and you will see nothing has changed, aside from the fashion throughout time. These men have been creating perfected tailored (bespoke) suits for decades. And the reason you might have heard of it more now is simply because of the exposure. It is simply because now, men not only want to look their best but
feel their best. A little known fact, it was a British tailor who moved to Paris and started 'haute couture' for women. Charles Fredrick Worth, was the designer in the late 19th century, to create, which is now, the most prestigious and expensive line of women's fashion (not made for the general public; ready-to-wear).
Is it clearer? The way men used flamboyance (wigs and all), through tailored clothing back in 17th-18th century France, is still in affect now. It's just that today, we have learned to tone it down. We've learned to balance glamour and humility. The true essence of style is in the unique manner you present yourself. It is not the clothing, but the way you present
'you' to the rest of the world. It's perfectly fine to carry a grooming bag; yes, it is manly. It's perfectly acceptable to purchase the best facial products (shaving kits, etc.) so you look your best; yes, it is manly. It is perfectly essential that you wear clothing that actually fit! Yes, it is
very manly. Women love this, more importantly, other men will respect you. It is not a question of vanity, but the ideal of creating a better you. Healthy habits will not die. Others will appreciate your attention to detail, your discipline will lead to success. It doesn't mean to be too tight or stuffy. Ultimately, you must show that you care about yourself. Being comfortable in your own skin is the perfect way to present yourself as a relaxed and confident man.
Do not fall into the trap of drowning in a pool of labels. You are better off getting a suit made or tailored to fit you for $600 than to wear a $2,000 Armani suit that doesn't fit. The great thing is wearing something under a grand that fits perfectly on you will make it seem you are rocking a designer suit that breaks the bank. In other words, pay attention to what you purchase. Everything is an investment to your overall style. From casual jeans to tailored fit trousers, you must feel comfortable first. Remember, style is in everything you do. Just as the GQ slogan says, "Look sharp, live smart." Instead of always following trends, make sure you balance the inspiration to your own style. Be inspired by
everything around you. Be honest with yourself and smart with what you put on. Dare to be different, but know your limits. Be comfortable enough to fit right in but make it easy enough to stand out from the crowd. Confidence, gentlemen. Keep it stylish. It's all about the 3S Effect: Sexy, Sophisticated, Suave.
(What's the "3S Effect"? Click here to know more!)
