Image via Complex Original
Dressing well is something we advocate every guy should learn. There's nothing wrong with wanting to look good and put your most stylish foot forward. But don't get it twisted, it's not the end-all, be-all of why we were put on this planet.
There are much more important things to focus on first, like paying rent and keeping your health in check. Sometimes, men just get so carried away with this whole "style" thing that it's easy to forget what our priorities should be. That's why we've rounded up these 10 Uncomfortable Truths About Style. Take heed, and take notice.
10. Style doesn't make you a better person.
Case in point—Scott Disick. No one can argue that his bespoke Astor and Black wardrobe is a sartorial force to be reckoned with, much in the same way no one can argue that he's going to win any congeniality awards anytime soon. Having a quality wardrobe and good sense of style is great, but there are plenty of other things worth straightening out first—like being a decent human being.
9. Each season consists of new "timeless classics."
One of the big tenets of well-dressed men all over the Internet is the notion that guys should "buy less, but buy better." Thing is—how are all these companies supposed to sell clothes season after season if every year you're told "this is the last pair of pants you'll ever own." Easy: redefine what's "classic."
Does every guy need a peacoat, spread collar chambray shirt, toggle coat, blackwatch trousers, and jodhpur boots in his closet? Definitely not. While these are all great examples of things that will never go out of style, the trick is to sift through all these products and find out which ones you actually like, not the ones being pitched to you via lookbooks and catalogs.
8. Style won't make you look as good as going to the gym.
There's nothing wrong with not having a six-pack. However, there is something wrong with substituting style for fitness. Face it, a regular exercise regimen and a healthier diet will do more wonders for you how feel and look than having the same pair of flannel trousers let out a few inches every time winter hits. The same way that bowl of Cheerios is one part of a balanced breakfast of fresh fruits and yogurt, your style should complement the body you put some effort in to maintain.
7. Brands don't really matter.
Whether it's the new ones making waves and covetable items we want now, or the labels that have been around for a while and still stay on top of the game, there's nothing wrong with brand loyalty. But what makes one brand better than another? Well, as far as style is concerned—that's totally subjective.
What one person thinks is totally awesome another might think is way corny. Hell, just look at some of the comments on Hypebeast. While there is no clear definition of what makes a brand "good," you certainly have a good idea of what you're into, what you want to look like, and what kinds of designers and labels can help you do that. The only brands that really matter are the ones that you identify with—whether you discover them online or in the real world makes no difference.
6. Stuff isn't made as well as it used to be.
Thanks to larger companies buying up the little guy, the rise of synthetic fabrics, and the death of American manufacturing over time, the quality of many clothing products has cheapened in favor of larger production and profits. Whereas people used to buy fewer clothes that would last ten times longer, the fast-fashion industry now has us buying more clothes that aren't meant to last longer than a season.
Not only is this detrimental to the consumer, who is fooled into spending more money over time, it's also harmful to the environment. Clothes—especially ones made from man-made material, just don't decompose. It's also messing up the vintage market. All the quality goods from the 80s and before that are being scooped up, and in the future, most of today's disposable garms just aren't meant to be the next generation's thrift store finds—they're meant to be tomorrow's garbage.
5. Chasing trends will put you in debt.
Shop like a man. That means don't be dictated by trends, and only buy stuff you really like. Think back to your sneakerhead days and how you'd just look at a colorway or model and think either "cop" or "pass." You knew what worked for you and what didn't. It's the same with clothing. Not every guy needs a double-breasted blazer or a belted cardigan—especially if you've already got a closet bursting at the seams with stuff you've only half-paid off.
4. There are few things you'll actually keep forever.
If you're into clothes as a hobby, chances are you switch up your look every now and then. That means you more than likely get rid of a good chunk of your gear. The Rick Owens hoodie you dropped $300 on? You'll probably get $200 for it on eBay or SuperFuture. The vintage surplus peacoat you haven't worn in three years? That goes to the donation bin too. Your new style inspiration is a street goth who joined the circus. Once you're done deciding what stuff you can get rid of, then it's time to go shopping, again.
3. Dressing well won't make people like you.
So you got a new pair of Margiela sneakers, a fresh Gitman Vintage button down shirt, and a new pair of Levi's Vintage Clothing 505s. Thing is, the girl you've been trying to get with still turns you down. Maybe it wasn't your clothes that were the problem?
On the other hand, if that girl who used to not give you the time of day now appreciates your newfound style, but not your hobbies or personality, well, we're not saying she's a gold digger, but she's probably shallow.
2. The majority of men could care less about clothing.
Despite every guy claiming they learned how to dress from their dad or grandpa, take a walk outside and observe how men are dressed in the real world. They probably look like they stepped right out of a Sears catalog, or an Averagé campaign. Although menswear as an industry has seen steady growth over the past few years, most guys are likely to drop serious dough on technology or a sweet new ride rather than a pair of raw denim or slim-cut suit.
Most guys think of shopping like they do a vaccination—get in, deal with a minor annoyance, then leave as soon as possible. Hopefully, we make the process a little easier by guiding them towards better-looking choices than cargo shorts and flip-flops, but the fact remains that men prefer to look "acceptable" rather than exceptional.
1. It doesn't matter where your clothes are made, only how they're made.
Remember that stink people got into when it was revealed that Ralph Lauren was making U.S. Olympians' clothes in China rather than the U.S.? We've covered this point before, but basically, where something is made doesn't automatically mean it's superior. There are crappy factories in the U.S. and there are crappy factories in England, China, and Japan. A country of origin doesn't signify handiwork quite like a manufacturer's consistency.
That's why British shoe manufacturers like Tricker's and American fabric mills like Cone Denim have become such trusted figures in high-end menswear—because their products have consistently stood the test of time and proven themselves to be superior to the competition. Uniqlo, a fast-fashion company, holds their products to a higher standard despite manufacturing in China, while many of Nike's shoes outshine the fakes—despite often being made in the same countries—because of stringent manufacturing practices. Where a brand makes their stuff doesn't factor into the greatness or shoddiness of the end product as much as their own quality control.
