So, I was just about to post something clever on being true to your own style and not worrying about what other people tell you is “in fashion.” I think this is very important because so often men feel that dressing like a “guy” and talking about “guy” stuff is more important than just being yourself sartorially.
Telling everyone that you don’t really care about clothes, style or monogrammed stationary (or whatever your thing happens to be) is often a lot easier, but can also leave you empty. Now, if your personal style is guy stuff, then more power to you. However, if you don’t really want to spend the weekend watching NASCAR highlights, then don’t. Go organize your ties, pick up some Canali shirts, or see what’s new at Duncan Quinn. Just focus on the things that truly make you happy; and for the record, I’m a Dale Earnhardt Jr. fan.
Through the blog and my consulting, I’ve been able to move beyond a lot of this junk. Nonetheless, I’m still surprised by the number of guys who, at first acting like they could care less, quickly open up and ask all sorts of clothing, style, and etiquette questions. It’s like we bottle up personal expression and actual creativity just to go with the tough guy/jock thing.
Well, lest we forget, professional athletes – the ultimate pop culture tough guys – are some of the biggest preening peacocks out there. Those six button lavender cashmere suits and gaudy diamond and platinum Cartier watches belong to NFL roughnecks, not botoxed Hollywood playboys. They have their own fashion gurus of course, but the point is that every strata of society has its own obsession with fashion, clothing, and fitting in. Make a point of stepping outside the fray and be comfortable in your own clothes.
I started off this post by saying I planned on writing about being true to your own style. That’s because just as I began, I came across a posting on The Sartorialist that pretty much summed up what I had to say. It’s a quick true story about a girl (but it could just as well be a guy) from the Midwest finding her true style in New York. So check it out, the post’s title is “After One Year in New York – Kara”.