Image via Complex Original
As much as stores and brands would love you to believe so, having great style doesn't mean buying everything that's trending at the moment. And as much as we wish it was, style isn't easily explained or achieved. Each guy has to undergo a process unique to that individual before finding the sense of style he's ultimately happy with.
Whether you're setting out for the first time in an effort to become stylish, or you're hitting the reset button on a lifetime of mistakes, this is a guide for anyone looking to up their style game. These aren't steadfast rules, but instead some tactics that will help you achieve obtaining the style that makes you happy. If you're starting from the bottom, these are The 10 First Steps to Becoming Stylish.
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10. Envision how you'd like to dress and start out by copying some of your favorite style icons.
Before setting out on your journey to becoming stylish, a key step is to imagine what you want the end-goal to be. Undoubtedly, this initial vision and what you end up happy with will differ, but having tangible ambition is necessary. Otherwise, without knowing where you're going, you'll start out with no self-guidance, and end up with a fragmented and incoherent manner of dressing.
Like Glenn O'Brien said, everyone starts out copying others before eventually finding their own way. But until then, learn from the masters and you won't stray too far off a stylish path. The choices you have as idols are almost limitless—Andy Warhol and Muhammad Ali provide two different ways of dressing, but both icons provide an achievable and awesome sense of style.
9. Before you start branching out, makes sure you cover all the basics and essentials.
It's easy to immediately start copping next level pieces and filling up your closet with crazy shit, but these won't do anything for your style if you don't have a strong foundation to build upon. If you just made the commitment to try and up your steez, then make sure you have your bases covered. They may be "boring," but sturdy chinos, plain shirts, good denim, and a few reliable T-shirts will make a solid backbone of a wardrobe that can grow into something awesome and unique.
8. If something works, keep it in the rotation.
Pretty soon, you'll find that a certain item or specific outfit will simply work. Don't be afraid to repeat this way of dressing. Pharrell has been rocking this BBC Bee Line cap at every single appearance and video cameo since Mark McNairy put it out, and nobody's mad at it. If you love something or like the way it looks, own that feeling and rock it as often as you want. Congrats, you just unlocked your first "don't give a fuck" achievement.
7. Invest wisely in timeless items.
What you do with your guap is your business, but we highly advise you don't spend it on super-expensive trend-pieces that will turn into regrettable purchases in one month's time. Sure, you can stunt for maybe a week, but spending wisely will get much more milage out of your scrilla. A watch, an amazing pair of shoes, or a grail blazer that will last a lifetime are such better ways to spend your dough than the latest jawn that some celeb rocked. It will take a large amount of patience and willpower, but your kids will thank you when you pass it down to them.
6. Don't be afraid to take risks, even if you look back and regret them.
There's no room for pussies on the path to becoming stylish. Once you do have a solid foundation of reliable essentials, don't be afraid to take a style risk or two. Yes, someone will say you look ridiculous, and there's a pretty good chance you do, but such is life, cuh. Learn to tweak your mistakes into something awesome and come out on the other side laughing at those not bold enough to venture into uncharted territory.
5. It's not just about the clothes. Style is mostly about the attitude you wear them with.
You could be wearing the illest clothing in all the land, but if you rock them meekly and unconfidently, you will without a doubt not come off as stylish. But don't worry—in a self-fulfilling ouroboros prophecy, being stylish gives you confidence, and having confidence makes you stylish. You'll have to consciously build up both of these qualities, but they'll propel each other until your steez is unmatched. As cliche as the word is, it really is about your swagger, so make sure you're rocking with the right attitude to go along with the right gear.
4. Stay abreast of current trends and brands.
Just because you got a compliment from the cute girl down the hall on your newly-improved style doesn't mean you've claimed the throne. You think Michael Jordan stopped hitting the swollatarium after he got his first ring? Personal style might not change quickly, but make sure you stay on top of what exactly is going on. Stay informed from the best sources, follow the right people on social media, and keep an eye on the young go-hards so that you don't get left behind. That way, if something catches your eye, you're one step ahead of the competition. Just don't respond to the cute girl with "Bitch you wasn't with me shootin' in the gym."
3. Don't blindly subscribe to what others are doing.
It might be tempting to immediately sign up for that new new, but give some time and thought to anything before impulsively jumping on board. Just because Celeb X (okay, we mean Kanye) is doing it, or something looks dope in a street style shot doesn't mean that it merits an instant co-sign. We all have to learn this the hard way, but once you have a firmer grasp on who and what and why you want to look the way you do, you should hopefully be able to swerve from something you later realize is not for you.
2. Take inspiration and borrow from unlikely places and people to create something that's entirely your own.
Once you've found a steady style groove, it pays to not get too comfortable. You may have mastered mimicing famous style icons, but now it's time to forge your own path. Designers take inspirational cues from all types of crazy shit, so who says you can't do the same? If you see something that you like the look of, there's no reason you can't incorporate it into your sartorial expression. It'll take some imagination, but open your eyes and ears to all the inspiration around you that's just waiting to be stolen for your own cause. And don't forget, this is probably the most exciting and most fun part of becoming stylish, so don't forget to be excited and have fun with it!
1. Stop giving any fucks.
Once you've achieved master status, there's simply no reason to give any thoughts to the peons below you, and what they may think of their new style overlord. At this point, dressing well and emanating swagger come naturally to you and don't require any effort. The haters will always hate, and the biters will always bite, but your recent style-gawd status acquisition renders these facts meaningless.
