Compliments.
Do you care about them?
Of course. We all do!
What about compliments on your clothing?
- Nice tie!
- You're rocking those jeans!
- Where did you get those cool shoes?
Are we shallow for wanting them?
Not if we look at the bigger picture.
Such comments acknowledge how well you present yourself, signaling that you're well-mannered and pay attention to detail, among other things.
In other words, good clothes send positive messages about you.
Want to send the right message and get noticed?
Try new looks. Experiment with your style to get an edge over other well-dressed men.
Receiving more compliments means that you stand out in the crowd.
This article will help you do just that.
Style Tip #1 – Find Role Models In Film & Television
No surprises here. The entertainment world inundates us with style inspiration from celebrities, singers, and fictional characters. We have everything from Mad Men‘s classic suits and ties to Dickie Greenleaf's understated, casual elegance in The Talented Mr. Ripley.
Then there's old-school Western fashion from shows like Hell On Wheels. A good friend of mine molded his style after the character Cullen Bohannon.
Cullen always wore black, a leather vest, and a pocket watch. My friend wanted to incorporate more vests himself, so he went to Suit Supply, where he found some that he really liked.
Brave man that he his, my friend also tried a hairstyle inspired by Ragnar Lothbrok from the historical drama series Vikings. Did he pull it off? Not quite – it was an ambitious style in the first place. But he did end up with something that still worked.
And that's the whole point of style inspiration from film and television. Your goal isn't to be that character, but simply to use his style as a guide for your own.
Who is this friend of mine? Ryan Masters, the guy behind the Sparta Strength YouTube channel. He's one of the regulars at my yearly Menfluential conferences. I admire his work as a fellow online entrepreneur…but I also envy his Spartan physique.
Ryan knows quite a lot about health and fitness. He offers workout programs for busy men who sit in offices all day. Watch some of his videos yourself. You'll definitely be impressed.
Aside from a being fitness guru, Ryan is also a great dancer. He runs another channel called Show Her Off that teaches country dancing, including country two-step and swing. There, you can learn about dancing safely and gracefully, as well as social etiquette in dance clubs. Check it out.
Another thing I like about Ryan is that he understands the importance of style. He takes advantage of clothing that gives him a distinctive look. When he receives compliments on how he dresses, he knows that he's sending the right messages about himself. I of all people can tell you that's a powerful thing.
Style Tip #2 – Try On Things MANY Times
Patience is key here. The reality is, you're not going to perfect your style after just one or two experiments. You may know the direction you want to go in, and that's great. But at the beginning, accept that you're probably going miss the mark every once in a while. Success at anything takes time.
Whether you're looking for a different style of loafers or casual shirts with a new pattern, shop around and be comfortable with trial-and-error.
Explore different color options and make sure they match your personality, complexion and whatever dress code you have to follow (remember, there's ALWAYS a dress code!). Going bright and colorful isn't the only way to draw more attention. It's not even the best. Want your clothes to set you apart? Nail the fit.
Having experimented long enough, Ryan has brilliantly upgraded his style. Whenever he gets compliments on his clothes, he knows that he's made a great impression even before talking or dancing.
He likes dressing up stylishly and authentically, expressing who he is to anyone he meets. He's popular with the ladies at local bars and dance clubs, and it's not hard to see why. He's a winning combination of charm, skill, and a fine-tuned sense of style.
Style Tip #3 – Introduce One New Piece At A Time
By all means, have fun when you experiment with your style. Just take it slow. Five or ten new pieces at once is too much to handle.
The best way to experiment is to focus on one item at a time. Start with the smallest detail that you're comfortable altering. Maybe you might like to try a new pocket square or change the color of your belt buckle. Bear in mind that even the tiniest changes can work wonders for your style.
There's no need to switch from t-shirts and jeans to three-piece suits. Hold onto your basics, at least at the beginning. Then consider some easy ways to bring in something new that'll show your personality better. Figure out what will make your whole look pop at your next party or business event.
Ryan struck gold when he decided to stop wearing running shoes everywhere. He switched to a nice pair of navy boots and quickly noticed the difference they made whenever he went out.
People would approach him and ask where he'd gotten those boots. They stood out and signaled that Ryan was a man of style, and he was able to use them as the perfect conversation starter.
Since he often went to the same hangouts, Ryan decided to expand laterally. He bought a few more pairs of the same boots in brown and olive green. This collection really came in handy for his dancing gigs, especially because he's a bit further west, in Colorado. His new footwear, he discovered, was a natural fit in his environment. When you experiment, make sure you know what clothing works where you are.
Want a bonus piece of advice? Get used to your new clothes at home before wearing them out in public. This lets you go through the awkward adjustment phase without other people seeing you. It also gives you a chance to get honest feedback from family or close friends. They can tell you what does and doesn't look good on you, or whether an item resonates with who you are.
Click Here To Watch The Video – How To Experiment With Your Style
Click Here To Watch The Video – Get Complimented On Your Clothing