Whether we like it or not, what we wear says something about who we are and can directly impact our trajectory in life. While this isn't a guarantee of success, wealth, or love (as some have achieved these without much effort or investment in their wardrobe), being mindful of our appearance can positively impact where we land in life.
After reading this guide, I hope you understand the benefits of putting your best foot forward and presenting yourself well.
Being stylish is simply a matter of making intentional decisions that can influence the kind of life you lead and the people you meet along the way.
Finding Your Own Personal Style as a Modern Gentleman
Being a modern gentleman involves choosing well-fitting clothes for different occasions that complement your body type while adding tasteful, personal touches to let your personality shine through.
A true gentleman makes the most of what he has by investing in timeless classics. This includes quality, neutral-colored basics that can easily be mixed and matched to create a highly versatile wardrobe. To achieve this, it’s vital to avoid flashy clothing and focus on brilliance in the basics.
By selecting well-made pieces that remain stylish for years, any man can build an interchangeable wardrobe that will last a lifetime.
Dressing well should not solely define you, but it is essential to shaping your image in the workplace and among peers.
COMPETENCE BUILDS CONFIDENCE
While learning to drive ships for the U.S. Navy, I quickly understood that confidence was crucial for effectively leading and managing my team as we collaborated to navigate our ship through sometimes hazardous situations.
Building confidence begins with becoming competent in our endeavors. As we acquire and master new skills, a chain reaction occurs, enabling us to develop the skills necessary to accomplish tasks effectively and present ourselves professionally. This principle applies to nearly every aspect of life.
But be cautious of arrogance. A modern gentleman must understand that confidence can quickly turn into arrogance if he isn’t careful, which is never appealing (or inspiring).
Rule #1: Mind the Fit
Your clothes must fit you well, plain and simple, and this is one rule that I firmly believe will always stand the test of time.
Admittedly, I'm not a fan of specific trends such as the baggy or ultra-tight look (one being more popular than the other at the time of my writing this).
Some people can pull these looks off, and depending on where you live and what is considered stylish in that area of the world, you may or may not find it easy to adopt particular looks for yourself.
When you're just starting to build your wardrobe (or looking to begin anew), the assumption is that you aren't quite sure what your style ought to be. It's okay; I've been there myself.
We all have different body types; not everyone can pull off certain looks. Over time, you will most likely determine whether you can or can't pull off a specific outfit, but for now, it's best to focus on selecting garments that fit you well to get on the right track.
Choose clothes that compliment your body type, aren't too tight, and feel comfortable because, regardless of how you think of yourself in the clothes you wear, sporting ill-fitting garments does nothing to improve your appearance (or build confidence). Trust me.
I agree that how we feel about ourselves is important—there's no doubt about it. But, as a professional in today's society, a gentleman must understand that what he wears is not solely for his own enjoyment. It is also intended for the viewing pleasure of those around him. In many cases, how others perceive us can significantly impact our opportunities as professionals trying to build relationships with others.
Like many aspects of life, dressing well is all about balance. My personal style philosophy is that a modern gentleman should master the art of dressing classically while embracing contemporary sensibilities. The first step in achieving this is ensuring that our clothing fits properly.
No matter the era, timeless clothing that fits you well will always look handsome, and if you make a point to work out and stay trim, this will only enhance your style and confidence in the long run.
Rule #2: Find a Tailor
Finding a tailor will change the game for you. Simply put, a reliable and trustworthy tailor separates the boys from the men when dressing well.
Having a good tailor means taking items in your wardrobe that you were thinking about selling or donating and turning them into workhorse staples from which you can get a lot of wear.
A great tailor will save you money in the long run and, more importantly, help you to nail the fit of your clothes if you're the type of guy who doesn't have an "off-the-rack" build.
Having a great tailor is like maintaining a rewarding marriage; it requires trust and ongoing communication. So, when finding a tailor for yourself, ensure you are both on the same page.
ELEVATING YOUR STYLE TO NEW HEIGHTS
A good tailor who knows what s/he is doing can explain which alterations are possible and which ones are not. Here are some examples:
- Pants can be hemmed so that you can keep the original hem but not notice.
- Shirts can be altered to maintain the fit in the shoulders but trim up the waist and torso.
- Suit jacket sleeves can be removed and rotated if your shoulders sit too far forward or back.
Rule #3: Learn Your Colors
Colors significantly influence personal style, extending beyond well-fitting clothing to enhance the overall cohesion of a well-assembled outfit.
PRIORITIZE NEUTRAL COLORS
Dressing well shouldn't be overly complicated or insanely expensive. By learning to work smarter, any man can "fool-proof" his wardrobe by choosing neutral-colored pieces that pair well with other neutral garments. The straightforward nature of a neutral-colored collection allows men to accomplish more with less by affording them virtually endless options.
CONSIDER YOUR COMPLEXION
Your skin's undertone can influence your choice of colors when deciding what to wear. While this isn't the most critical factor, it does matter because our goal is to draw people's attention to our faces. We can achieve this by making intentional choices about the colors in our outfits.
Neutral colors are a safe choice for any man, regardless of skin tone. Understanding how colors complement each other is more important than focusing solely on skin tone.
For example, combining blue and green to create an analogous color palette can lead to attractive outfit combinations (when done correctly).
Analogous colors are those that sit next to each other on the color wheel. Blue and green are an example of this and serve as my personal favorites to combine.
And let's not forget that each season has its preferred color palette; for example, spring and summer should include brighter and more vibrant colors, while the fall and winter seasons typically use more neutral colors and darker tones to reflect the often colder, bleak weather.
It may seem insignificant, but understanding color makes a huge difference.
Rule #4: Ditch the Trends
GREAT STYLE LASTS FOREVER
We now come to what is arguably the most controversial rule of all: the truth is that there are indeed right and wrong ways to dress professionally as a modern gentleman. While you may prefer the baggy trend, this style can be challenging for those not experienced in dressing well.
If your clothes don't fit properly, they often appear sloppy. This brings us back to the first rule on this list: fit is king! That’s why it holds the top spot in my rules for dressing well.
Wearing stacked rings on every finger is just as tacky today as it will be tomorrow. Adding overly bright "pops" of color and calling them "statement pieces" won't enhance your professional image in life or the workplace, so it's wise to break those habits now—unless, of course, you work in the fashion industry, where such choices are often encouraged. But let's be honest, that isn’t the case for most of us.
Getting caught up in trends can distract you from what really matters, like maintaining a stylish silhouette (without being too flashy) and having confidence. Additionally, constantly chasing trends can drain your finances, as they tend to change as quickly as the wind.
Moreover, you put too much pressure on yourself to dress well by trying to keep up with ever-changing fads, which is not beneficial. Style should enhance your life for the better and never cause undue stress.
CHOOSE ACCESSORIES THAT ARE TASTEFUL
In my opinion, buying into trends isn't the best way to express yourself. Instead, I think that including tasteful accessories such as quality neckties, tie clips, wristwatches, classic hats, and sunglasses can all be used effectively to create stylish and gentlemanly outfits.
Incorporating the right accessories into your wardrobe is an excellent way to add a personal touch to your style without going overboard. This approach still allows your personality to shine through while facilitating tasteful self-expression.
Rule #5: Get In Shape
Here's some tough love for you: Get in shape. You can have the best clothes made from the finest materials and created by skilled craftsmen. However, if your body makes it difficult to wear those garments, you're forcing something that should work for you to work against you (don't do that). You feel good when you look good—it's as simple as that.
Getting in shape isn't as difficult as you think. Take control of your life and find ways that work for you.
Building a body that helps you feel confident, free, and, more importantly, like the man God made you to be isn't as difficult as you think.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of physical self-care. It goes beyond merely looking lean and attractive; it's about enhancing your health to become the best version of yourself (which is what God intended when He crafted you).
Rule #6: Dress For the Occasion
This rule is pretty straightforward: the dress code is important for every event. It's essential not to overdress or underdress; just dress appropriately for the occasion. A true gentleman understands the significance of selecting the right outfit for the right event.
Dressing well isn't about being overly "edgy" or drawing too much attention to yourself; it certainly isn't about wearing baseball caps tilted to the side. A gentleman recognizes the importance of adhering to appropriate dress codes, which means wearing formal attire at formal venues and more casually dapper outfits for casual events.
One way to interpret this rule is to create a wardrobe that offers various options. Throughout your life, there will be many occasions where you need to wear a suit and tie, blazer, or sport coat. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your closet is prepared to meet the requirements of these events, as this is key to following this final rule effectively.
All the Difference in the World
Trends may come and go, but good style is timeless and lasts forever. Dressing well can significantly enhance your appearance, boost confidence, and allow your personality to shine. Choosing the right outfit for an event reflects your character and is a key aspect of being a modern gentleman.
You don't need to be perfect always, but knowing how to make a good impression is essential, no matter where you are. Remember that while dressing well isn't everything, it does convey something about who you are.
Apply these style principles to your life, and you’ll notice how others begin to take notice.
