While a gentleman should never judge a book by its cover, it is still true that people do judge, and thus we must put our best foot forward every time.
1. Quality over quantity
With imports at an all time low, it is easy to buy, buy buy. However, a gentleman knows that it is the quality one looks for over the cost at which one can buy. This isn’t just clothing. I read a review for a knife a while back that stated the knife breaks easily, but for the price buy a good number of them. This makes no sense as for the same price as buying many knives that would break, one could obtain a knife that would be more likely to last!
The same is true for our clothing and accessories. A man doesn’t need twenty pairs of jeans that will not last. One or two pairs of good quality jeans will work better and save money in the long run. One quality suit will look great, where as four cheap suits will all reflect poorly on the wearer.
2. Wear clothing that fits & dress for one’s body type
This falls along the same lines as the first rule. One may buy an inexpensive shirt and look great. However, even an expensive shirt, if too baggy or too tight, will make the wearer look unkempt. Skin tight clothing does not look good on a man. Overly loose clothing makes a man appear to be hiding his true weight. A proper fit is worth the extra cost. If one is tall, look for tall clothing. An “XXL” may be long enough, but a “L-T” (Long Tall) will be a better fit.
3. Be attentive to patterns and colors
It is easy to throw together a solid and stripes, yet if their colors do not compliment one another, a man will not appear dapper. Likewise, no matter how well the colors match, one should not match up patters that do starkly contrast one another. Matching patters and colors creates a pleasant style that others will notice.
4. Dress for the occasion
Going for a job interview? One should wear a suit, three piece preferably, and a tie. Shining one’s shoes will make a gentleman stand out. However, one would not wear a tux, as this would be overkill. Likewise, when meeting one’s significant other’s family for the first time, nice jeans, dress shoes and socks, and a shirt and tie will impress. Wearing a three piece suit would be overkill, unless one is meeting them at a church or formal function. A gentleman will be the best dressed man in the room, but he will not overdressed.
5. Pay attention to the details
Paying attention to the details means shinning one’s shoes, making sure there are no stains or rips in one’s clothing. It can also mean dressing to the level of those a gentleman is with. My wife and I are attentive to what the other is wearing are dress in a manner that compliments the other. This does not mean we dress to match. However, I dress in a manner that allows her to be the one standing out, regardless of how dressed up I get. She will often wear colors that go well with what I am wearing to we look like we are together. For example, on Sundays I will often wear a kilt. She will wear very nice dress pants to compliment my attire. Yet by the time we are ready to go, she easily outshines whatever I have on.
Final thoughts:
It really doesn’t matter how well one dresses if they do not act the part. Be sure to be a gentleman, every time, all of the time.