It’s a sad truism that many me simply aren’t raised to take care of their appearance – beyond physical fitness. When your idea of looking good doesn’t extend past working out, you run the risk of being half of one of those lopsided couples, where it’s evident the woman is making a big (yet subtle) effort to impress, to highlight her best features and show the world her style, while the man is happy to pull on any old t shirt that still bends and walk out of the house.
If you’re part of this tendency and you don’t correct it, you’re risking losing your partner (if you have one) to someone who’s better able to negotiate the world of fashion. You’re also at a disadvantage when it comes to the world of work: if you’re expected to dress smartly for your job, whether that’s to fit an office dress code or for an event, and you simply don’t know where to begin, you’re starting a rung or two down the ladder from those that do.
You don’t have to go the whole hog: buy a male manicure set and turn into Niles Crane. You can just take a few small, easy steps to improve your look, and therefore improve your image with everyone, from partner to employer.
Dressing The Best
Everyone should have a suit in the wardrobe that makes them look amazing, feel just as confident. You should also be able to build a similarly empowering selection of clothing choices for the everyday – clothes that flatter your build, emphasise your best features and draw attention away from any weak spots.
If that feels a bit too much like fashion for you, think of it as armour – a suit is armour for the social battlegrounds of the 21st Century, and like medieval platemail, it needs to be fitted just right for you.
We don’t all have the resources to go to a tailor and have all our clothes made just for us, but we can apply simple principles to flatter your build. If you want to emphasise your height (rather than your width) opt for pinstripes. They draw the eye up and down instead of side to side, sparing a stocky physique. Shorter men should opt for two button suits which elongate the look of your torso, and if you’re tall and gangling, a three button jacket will help do the reverse to help you look in proportion.