“That guy’s got style.” Well sure, but why? That’s not such an easy question to answer. Style is highly personal and situational. It’s not one look that’s seen in New York or Milan or Peoria. It’s fluid. Yet thanks to the internet, it’s often judged harshly with little context. Get to the core of what “having style” means and you won’t find brands or trends, but instead you’ll find a foundation that’s more mental than retail. So what are the components of having style? And what are the most important ingredients? The proposed formula below has just two factors making up most of the equation. Your analysis is welcome in the comments.
This right here is why I am always sending people to Dappered. Terrific!
I think that inkblot guy looks like either Barack Obama or Fred Armisen.
He’s making jewelry now! He’s got his like on track, woo-ooo
excellent infographic! more of this!
Interestingly, I’d say having confidence and style are a classic “chicken and egg” problem. When I began dressing better, I gained a lot of confidence. When I gained confidence, I had a better sense of self and what I liked to wear.
I’m not sure what comes first, but it seems to me that each is a necessary element of the other.
Agreed.
Definitely agree with Jay about the confidence and style issue. Not sure whether it matters which comes first, since they will positively reinforce each other, if you get one, there’s a good chance the other will improve with it.
I think what’s missing from the graphic is: “Not trying too hard” (or “Nothing looking like you tried too hard”). It’s kind of shuffled in with the not obsessing part, but I think there is also that, even when you’re formal, a little messiness can go a long way (i.e. don’t constantly worry whether your shirt is perfectly tucked in etc.)
In my personal experience, my style increased once I lost weight and gained some confidence to start dressing differently. The compliments on my style obviously increased my confidence further, but I’d say the the confidence building was the first step in my case.
Haha, thank you for that. I must now look up that Portlandia clip where he’s freestyle canoeing to “Oh L’amour”
It’s like Chicken and egg, but you get to have your cake and eat it too 🙂 Or a country fried chicken breast on omelet cake.
They feed off each other in ways that only benefit you 🙂
did we just add comment rules, or am I just now seeing them?
I completely agree that practice is a big component as well. You can have loads of confidence, but if you don’t know what to wear still, that’s gonna hurt.
Call me conventional, but I’d say “knowing the rules” plays a much bigger role here than just 4%. How can you achieve a good fit with a suit jacket if you don’t know the rules about how a jacket is supposed to fit? How can you be confident in what you’re wearing if you don’t know whether a black pinstriped suit is appropriate for an interview, or you’re unsure whether your pocket square should match your tie or your belt should match your shoes?
In my opinion, knowledge is the foundation. If you don’t start from a place of knowledge or seeking knowledge, then good fit will only occur by accident, and confidence will only manifest as ignorant hubris.
Truth. A healthy dose of Castiglione’s sprezzatura never hurts.
I think you’ve got to try pretty hard to not look like you’re trying. At some long-awaited day, you will arrive at style nirvana wherein you actually don’t try very hard, but look fahbulous.