How to Be Stylish If You Don't Live in NYC

If you're located outside of the Big Apple, there's hope for you yet.

August 29, 2013

Image via Complex Original

Listen, even if it feels that way, we're not saying that New York City is the end-all be-all of men's style. While there are plenty of stylish places across the globe, and NYC often assumes the title of the world's style capital for good reason—it's a melting pot of different looks, and it's where everyone comes to make it. Of course, Europe is extra popping, but places like Paris and London feel like a world away. So our attention is focused on our own backyard: the five boroughs.

Here's a fact though: You don't have to reside in NYC to be stylish. To be honest, it might be better if you stay where you are. You won't have to move across the country, pay out the ass for essential elements of basic living, and there are plenty of ways in today's digital world to keep up with elitist New Yorkers—even if you feel they're a few steps ahead of you. So before you sign a lease in some rat-infested hole, stay where you're at and read this: Here's How to Be Stylish if You Don't Live in NYC.

Pray to the Internet gods.

Not sure if you've heard of it, but there's this thing called the Internet. With the advent of men's style forums, Tumblr, and Twitter, right now is the easiest it's ever been for men to discuss personal style, and none of that requires residing in an NYC zip code. We're not saying you should be cooped-up all day, constantly searching for cool shit online (do as we say, not as we do), but if you pay attention to the general conversation, you'll eventually develop a great sense of how to dress.

Websites such as Put This On, Style Forum, and even our own serve as a place where dudes can learn not only how to dress, but about the garments they put on their backs. And once you master the basics, you're on your way to a stylish future. All that it requires is sacrificing your eyesight and your healthy back to the Internet gawdz.

#Influencers gets tons and tons of #influential clothing.

#Influencers have #influence for reasons that may escape us, and they live all over the map: Montreal, Iowa, and Massachusetts. Essentially, they convince people that things are cool via online content and personal co-signing. There's no need for them to exist in real life besides to attend trade shows that take place several times a year, and occasionally visit NYC to meet all their favorite friends and brands—which fly them in for free.

Still, the best perks of being an influencer is getting all the free clothes that they are "obligated" to take pictures of and post on social media or their blog. They're dipped on a regular basis from head-to-toe, and never have trouble picking out an outfit. In fact, they have more clothes than they know what to do with. All you need to do is post cryptic, semi-motivational quotes about how influential you are, and watch the swag roll in. And what's great about being a non-NYC influencer is you have plenty of closet space for the free gear.

Dress like where you're from and mix in a few stylish pieces.

A lot of style trends might have started in NYC, but many of the clothes have origins in places other than the five boroughs. Take the urban lumberjack look that dominated style a couple years ago: If you lived in Washington State, and dressed like everyone from your area, you'd be just as steezy and even more authentic than dudes in NYC. That's right, by dressing like the dudes at the local diner you'd be more stylish than all the New Yorkers who spend hours perfecting their look in the mirror.

So, if you live in Texas, Oregon, or New Hampshire, do yourself a favor: Dress like the locals, and mix in a few next-level pieces. You'll kill it in a way that few dudes in NYC can wrap their narrow-minded heads around.

Thrift stores in the middle of nowhere have less people fighting over the great clothes.

The most obscure thrift stores often have the rarest and most awesome shit. Of course, the thrift shops in NYC are jam-packed with good stuff, but you're fighting with tons of people over limited racks. If you live in the middle of nowhere, you have less competition over the vintage Woolrich flannels and Allen Edmonds wingtips. You might even be the only dude rummaging through the mess of old crewnecks and vintage basketball jerseys from the Milwaukee Bucks that no one wants anymore—except the most stylish.

There are other cities to live in than NYC, and guess what? They're stylish, too.

In case you weren't aware, NYC isn't the only stylish city in the U.S. Of course, there's steezy places in Italy, France, England, and Japan, but going overseas feels like a move only the very lavish can immediately afford. However, you can always go to Los Angeles, Austin, Miami, or Portland, Ore. These are all cities that we co-sign and have their own plethora (or handful) of well-dressed characters and inspirations that will ultimately contribute to your steez. In fact, living in these cities trumps NYC-life in a lot of ways, and you're probably better off. It's just tough for us to admit that.

Shop from international boutiques, all from the comfort of your home.

Stop being a pigheaded American and get it through your skull that men's style is global. There are plenty of overseas online boutiques that ship to the U.S., and even waive the VAT tax for those who aren't paying in Euros (what's up, Très Bien?). Surprise, you don't need to live in NYC to shop at these stores, or even to know about them.

Now you have access to the same coveted garments that New Yorkers are fighting over, too. People in Nebraska may care more about rare steaks than rare jawnz, but you can have the best of both worlds. Sure, you might stick out, but so will everyone that takes a style risk. In the end, it will all be worth it.

Become a freelance writer, you'll never need to leave your home.

You may work as a copy editor in Oklahoma, but if you stay up on your Internet fashionz, you can score a gig as freelance writer. Chances are, no one will really know who you are, and you may only write a few articles a month. But if you write a piece for the right brand, they may send you the complete run of shirts from the fall/winter 2013 collection, which isn't sold within a thousand miles of Bumfuck, Okla.

If you gain enough of a rep, you might even get asked to relocate to NYC, where you will be able to stunt on a daily basis. Until then, it's nothing but next-level jackets and slim-cut chinos in the midst of your bros who are more concerned about the Red River Rivalry.

Stop caring that you don't live in NYC.

You don't live in NYC—who cares? If you insist on being miserable that you're not chilling at NYFW or popping-up in the street style features on Four Pins, you're going to be a miserable dude. Misery will never be cool or stylish, so stop caring. The less you care about what's going on in NYC, the better. The cool things you think are constantly hapepning in the city actually aren't, so please curb your FOMO.

Giving no fucks is an essential part to becoming stylish, and that also includes where you live. If you're constantly dreaming about strolling through SoHo and chilling with girls you follow on Instagram, you're going to live in a fantasy world. Embrace the life you have, not the one you fantasize about. In the long run, you'll be much, much cooler for it.

If you don't live in NYC, that doesn't mean you can't visit.

If you don't live in NYC, there's no reason why you can't visit. Come to the big city and live out all of your stylish dreams. Take a trip to SoHo, cruise through Brooklyn, and do everything else to condense a life in New York down to a weekend. Just being around the city and its stylish residents will inspire you to dress better and pay closer attention to what's going on in the style world.

Each trip, you'll be able to visit places like Supreme, Flight Club, and Opening Ceremony. And who knows, you might even see Nick Wooster and Mark McNairy in person. Who else in Ohio can say they've had the same experience?

You can always move to New Jersey and pretend that you live in NYC.

When people say, "NYC area," they're inferring that they live in New Jersey. Bad tan, fat governor, and mobster jokes aside, New Jersey isn't that bad of a place, and way more affordable than living in NYC. Also, you might have a yard and an apartment you can actually walk around in. You'll be a short train or bus ride away from the city, and can soak up the inspiration that the city breeds, and then sulk into your Coors Light tallboy as you have to take NJ Transit back to Central Jersey.

Yes, you'll never be a true New Yorker, but what does that phrase even mean? If you live in Jersey, you can reap all the stylish benefits of your city friends, and while they're giving handjobs to pay rent, you'll have a few extra bucks to spend on new gear. The only thing is, you won't have a place to take your Tumblr crush whom you've finally met after months of obsessively scrolling through her page.