Man Up: Complete Your Journey from Gent To Gentleman
There
was a time when “men’s grooming” meant “not stinking” and “not being naked”. It
was a dark time that reeked of Axe and rustled with poorly-fitting clothes.
It’s
much easier now to become a modern gent but the myriad ways to achieve full
dapper-dom can be overwhelming. Fear not! Follow these tips to Destination
Gentleman.
Be
Sharp: Suit Up With Flair
A gentleman wears a suit. Simple, right? Not quite...
If
you’re starting – and ending -- with a suit off a rack, you’ve stumbled at
gent. Invest in quality tailoring and explore different materials and cuts to
define your personal style as a gentleman.
Start
with two suits: a heavier winter suit and a summer suit. As you construct each,
consider all the details that will add to your style: peaked
lapels bring evening-sharpness to the look, additional pockets break the
symmetry, kissing buttons add a handmade feel.
With
each suit, choose the material carefully. You want a wardrobe that
will endure but feel unique to you so don’t just jump in at plain black or
pinstripe. Investigate tweeds, gray, blues, patterns. But take your time – this
is an investment and the foundation of your image as a gentleman – research
online, talk to tailors, learn about the process and commit only when you’re
ready.
If
your budget can’t stretch to a fully handmade suit, an off-the-rack suit can be
improved no-end by taking it your tailor to adjust for you and by following the
next step.
Be
Precise: Meticulously Choose Your Accessories
First
up: cufflinks, obviously. While your suit, shirts and neckwear all build the
classic gentleman aesthetic, cufflinks allow you to express your interests and
personality. They can also be an effective conversation starter so, if you’re
on the shyer end of the spectrum, let your wrists do the talking.
And
while you’re there, buy a proper watch. A gentleman’s mobile phone belongs in
his pocket and, great as technology is, nothing in the current world of digital
wearables is a gentleman-worthy.
As
with the suit, go into real shops and try on a range of watches to find what
feels and looks best on you. Stay in proportion to your wrists – the aim here is style, not just
strapping a stack of cash to yourself. For skinnier wrists, try an elegant
leather strap and a shallow case. For chunkier arms, check out a silver band
with a wider face. If you choose a watch with a classic automatic motion,
invest in a good quality watch winder
to keep it running smoothly and reduce servicing.
Moving
away from your arms, treat your neck and chest as one area. Select a pocket
square to coordinate with your neckwear, whether that’s a tie, bowtie or, on
your most dressed-up days, a cravat. As you start on this journey, it’s best to
buy these accessories together, building up looks until you’re ready to mix and
match. With all these accessories, learn to fold
and tie them properly.
Be
Knowledgeable: Feed Your Mind
Style
is nothing without substance. The great gentlemen of history were revered for
their intellect and wit more than their ability to buy snappy threads. The
internet puts the whole world at your fingertips, so step away from the cat
memes and make knowledge your new distraction.
Every
week, try to ask yourself one question you don’t know the answer to and
research it to the bitter ends of the web. For example:
- · How does a whisky distillery work?
- · Why are carrots orange?
- · How many religions are there?
- · What’s the alternative to capitalism?
When
you’re not becoming an expert in the random, challenge yourself and your values
by thinking differently. The true gentleman wields logic like a sword so
prepare yourself for battle by understanding your opponent. As before, choose a
topic but research the alternative position to your own, trying to understand
why people may think, feel or believe something you don’t – you’ll learn a lot
about others and yourself.
Most
importantly, your wisdom and maturity will single you out as a true gentleman.
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