Don’t be tempted by deals, sales, or bottom prices. Those that buy cheap, buy twice. Go for quality, one gets what one pays for.
Three rules for a gentleman to live by:
1. Be clean, inside and out
2. Make sure your clothing fits you, literally and stylistically
3. Dress and behave in a manner appropriate for where you are
To live these three rules, men must shop. We buy soap, cologne, clothing, gifts, and more. While both men and women think their sex is the better shopper, the reality is that both genders have flaws in their shopping techniques. Typically, ladies enjoy looking for sales, and men want to get in and out. These are both overstated generalizations, yet ones that most everyone can agree on.
The reality is that both of these methods have their merits and their flaws. While shopping to see everything can produce great savings, there may be greater savings if one just get what the need and leave, thus not falling for sale items one may not need. At the same time, getting in and getting out may result in overpaying when one could have found the same item for less elsewhere.
Based on this, I have come up the following rules for shopping.
1. A gentleman buys what he can afford, he should not spend more than he has, but save up, if needed, to buy the best product for his money
Debt does not do well for the true gentleman. A gentleman strives to match style with his pocket book. Sometimes doing this does mean spending more. Paying more for something that will last is a far cry from paying more to stay with the latest trend that will fade, or buying a low quality item simply for its brand name. Trends and brand names do not have to be avoided, nor should they be blindly followed. As the saying goes, “a fool and his money soon part.”
The best strategy for saving money is to make a list of needed items, research the best prices online, then shop. When doing research, find out when store wide sales will be. But beware, often “store wide” means items people do not need. Also, some stores will only care one of two of the sale item to get people in the store. Be prepared to walk away empty handed if they do not have what you came in to buy.
2. A gentleman is polite, yet leery of salespersons
The gentleman is the consumer. This is why stores exist, and employees are hired – to sell to us, the buyers. This is why I recommend that gentlemen never go shopping alone. The people that work in stores want customers to buy, it keeps them employed and, if they earn commission, financially satisfied. Bringing a trusted friend to keep keep one from taking bad advice when buying for one’s wardrobe is, therefore, essential.
3. Use variety to have more, yet spend less
To keep within one’s budget, buy clothing that is interchangeable. If one owns two suits, buy additional vests and trousers that will work with one or both jackets. This saves money while allowing for more variations in a gentleman’s wardrobe. A good blazer may be worn in numerous ways, from casual to professional.
4. A gentleman knows his measurements
Every gentleman should know his measurements. This is a simple thing, and local tailor can help with this (there may be a low fee). Having them memorized or carrying them in one’s wallet ensures that if a gentleman has an opportunity to purchase wares, he will not do so and find himself is ill-fitting garments. This is especially needed when vintage clothing presents a buying opportunity.
Always be sure clothing fits correctly. This cannot be stated enough. It should be almost hugging one’s body without being tight. Baggy or too-tight “skinny” clothing may go in and out of style but proper fit is always in.
Summary
If there is one take away from all of this, it should be for one to think before one buys. Questions a gentleman asks before making a purchase for himself:
- Do I need it/can I afford it?
- Does it express my values – present to others the best of who I am?
- Can I find it for less somewhere else?
A true gentleman puts others before himself, and that means that he should not be too extravagantly wasteful on himself. What one wears lets the world know who he is. A gentleman should be sure his attire tells the best story. Number three on the list echoes back to the first point; even if one can afford it, needs it, and it is “them,” it does not excuse throwing money away. If one can find it for less, pay less. The exception to this rule would be to pay more for a noble reason, like buying a locally made suit at a slightly higher cost to help the local economy rather than buy one made overseas by people that could never afford that same suit on their current salary.
Final thought:
Being a gentleman doesn’t mean suit and tie, it means being one’s own man and the best man he can be. Being a gentleman is about how we treat others. Dress in a manner that says who you are, carry yourself well, and be the best you. This is what makes one a gentleman, not his accessories.