I’ve previously posted about this topic, but I recently e-mailed a friend regarding clothing and decided that an updated sartorial manifesto bore repeating here. I could ramble for days, but below is a hopefully more streamlined and straightforward version of my view of style as of December 2011.
History:
I grew up focusing more on function than form. I’d always appreciated different styles, but I feared preoccupation with clothing was frivolous. I didn’t know how to put articles together and I wore whatever was comfortable–tee-shirts and shorts. Upon encountering the shock of being confronted by my family over my wardrobe, I began the arduous pleasure of its update and maturation.
So a change was in order, but it was a challenge. My size is pretty small, and most of the clothing stores I visited hawked very mature items, items that I could never pull off, or bland colors, announcing: “Outdoorsman” (and while I love the outdoors, I wouldn’t consider myself a lumberjack).
I later found this book written by Kate Betts about First Lady Michelle Obama’s style. The broader theme of the book is that style and substance are not mutually exclusive. Your style communicates your substance non-verbally (a societal rule that reportedly is less common in the States than it is abroad). As everyone has to find his or her own style, I pondered: What do I want people to know about me? What is my style? Although I couldn’t articulate it at the moment, I knew what I liked and what wasn’t really me.
I now I realize that I like classic but youthful and unique. It’s like standing out just the teensiest bit: expressing myself in subtle ways: in an accessories, shoes or belts; color; the cut of a piece; in a pattern or texture–I try to balance colors, patterns and textures. It’s like a game.
Placing a unique twist on classics is a task that requires much thought. I’ve had some misses, but I think I’m usually able to get the classics to work for me. Fortunately or unfortunately, clothing choices for men seem limited. It’s easier to play with boundaries and bend rules when you know where and what they are, and for men, they are relatively narrowly defined.
Rules:
That said, I have found my personal basic rules of style; there are two:
1) The most important guideline to remember is that you need to be yourself. Whatever you wear has to convey your essence, if you will, meaning that you need to be comfortable in your skin and in your clothing. Otherwise, the clothes are wearing you, which is the message other people will receive. Your outfits should align with your energy and personality. I want to look nice, but I’m not seen at any country clubs or fashion runways; therefore, I don’t usually go for styles reminiscent of a country club or a runway. Basically, don’t be a poser and don’t spend beyond your means.
2) FIT IS KEY. The way a piece fits on your body is the most important aspect of a clothing article. I was discouraged upon finding several interesting pieces that didn’t seem quite right in the fitting room. Someone pointed out that the fit was the entire issue. If a piece skims your body, it will look fantastic–even if it’s plastered in roses and polka dots. I had to get used to wearing sizes that hugged my body a little more, but I adjusted and I do feel more comfortable in smaller clothing nowadays. There’s no need to be a blob or disappear behind ill-fitting clothes. I still find great pieces at affordable prices, but I can’t wear them if they don’t fit. Always remember the fit.
Links:
Below are a few links that I have found helpful.
1. The link below explains the basics of a male wardrobe. I disagree with the author on some points, but it still provides a good foundation. The main point is to go for quality and not quantity. I still walk the middle road and choose pieces that are cheaper and sort of out there. I still intend to wear them indefinitely, though, so I don’t go for anything too “trendy”, stylized, or outlandish. You may want to feel the material before you buy clothes: http://www.realmenrealstyle.com/mens-clothing-flexibility/
2. Below is the Male Fashion Advice section of Reddit. It contains a lot of interesting questions, comments, and answers about anything you ever wanted to know (and never imagined) about men’s clothing. The nature can be a bit anal-retentive, but my OCD side enjoys it. http://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice
3. I haven’t purchased anything here yet (in part because I like to try things on for fit before I actually make a purchase), but the items on this link are interesting. Supposedly, the merchandise is eco-friendly and “ethically-sourced”. http://worldofgood.ebay.com/Clothing-Shoes/Mens-Clothing/67/list?PageNumber=5&ipp=40
4. The Sartorialist is a popular clothing blog. I cannot afford anything on this blog but find much inspiration here, which is sometimes conveyed in my outfits: http://www.thesartorialist.com/category/men/
5. Lookbook–same as Link 4: http://lookbook.nu/
Shopping:
Where do I find clothing? I used to harbor a distaste for shopping but now find it entertaining. I’m still new to shopping and open to searching anywhere affordable. So far, my favorite corporate stores have been Banana Republic, Gap, and Izod. They’re a bit pedestrian but the pieces and colors are classic and interesting at the same time. The sizes usually fit well and seasonal sales can be fantastic. In fact, I’ve never bought clothing that’s not on sale. I’ve never needed a piece so badly that I’ve paid full price for it, contrary to the article in the first link. I also like browsing thrift stores, where unique and wonderfully quirky pieces abound–however, they don’t always fit.
Outfits:
Below are a few new combinations I’ve tried and pieces I’ve received recently.
I finally put the leafy shirt from my dad to use behind a solid coral sweater. The colors and the patterns / lack of patterns balance … I think.
The belt is from a Wicker Park thrift shop. I went monochrome under Mallory’s jacket.
I added a turquoise “Usher” clip given to me by a friend at church (apparently merited by my weeks of ushering).
My sister Robyn bought me this shirt for my birthday. The patchy color seemed to go over well with everyone.
Robyn gave me the sweater on the left for Christmas. My roommate Mark gave me the sweater on the right. Notice the pattern? I really like the Argyle texture; it’s an interesting accent that isn’t a full-blown multi-colored Argyle. This breathes a little life onto the front of the shirt while allowing it to remain monochrome. Since I have a harder time pulling off reds, I used a blue collar as a border or buffer between my neck and the sweater.
Below are new purchases from the outlets’ post-holiday sale. The prices were decent but not hte lowest I’ve seen. The shirt on the left has an interesting pattern. I also found sweaters in mustard and teal on clearance–I’ve been eyeing these colors for several months now and felt the time was right. The brown herringbone pants were also on clearance at Gap. I’m in need of trousers or slacks. I have a tendency to go for pants that are a bit short, but I opted for longer pants this time. The length made a difference. Now I just need to tone up and lose the pouch in order to squeeze into the pants. The fitness plan for 2012 is coming.
