I posted this in another forum that I moderate when the girls
there seems to question my advice to someone on dressing. Well, I
thought it is interesting to share with everyone actually.
So here goes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, the girls dun seem to think I have good taste, but I would
like to say taste is something very subjective. Thus, I think I'll
share something on grooming instead. Not that I myself follows
everything that is said below as it's quite a drag and a lot of
effort to look well-groomed all the time. But I thought it will be
good to know some of these so called-rules about grooming. A
well-groomed man is a well-dressed man I would say.
Women like well-dressed men, we all know that. How to dress well
though? I'm no fashion guru, but there are certain rules no matter
what your wear that you follow to make you look good. And yeah, I
learnt them from an grooming course a few years back.
The key here is symmetry.
Why? Symmetry says "This isn't a fluke, I can create the same
pattern over again in mirror image." What it does is show that you
know what you are doing, that you have your stuff together so to
speak.
Think about how unattractive asymmetrical faces are (think
Quasimodo in the hunckback of notre dame).
Symmetry is broken by small differences between sides. The more
symmetrical you are, the more slight details stand out. So, attend
to even the smallest detail!
How to achieve symmetry? Here are some starters:
1. Press your clothes. No crumpling.
2. Polish your shoes. Not down at the heel.
3. Have the join in your shirt exactly line up with your zipper.
Have your belt buckle exactly along that line.
4. When wearing a tie, use a full windsor knot.
5. Have "color symmetry". That is, match the color of your belt to
your shoes to your watch strap to your wallet, etc. As for metal
(belt buckle, watch, pen) stick to the same color, silver OR gold,
not a mix.
6. Have a flat stomach so that your belt forms a horizontal circle
around you. Have the belt buckle just marginally below your belly
button so that your body is cleaved into two even parts, top and
bottom.
7. Have your trousers long enough to fall onto your instep, but not
so long so as they drag.
8. Make sure your collar is tight enough so it isn't sloppy, but
not so tight that you look like you are choking.
9. Cut a bold outline, a bold silhouette. Try these combos: Black
or Charcoal trou, dark gray or dark burgundy or dark forest green
or dark navy blue shirt.
10. Avoid yellow ties. Leave them for clowns. Have a tie darker
than your shirt (try a dark black/blue tie on a dark grey shirt).
Try a stylish red tie on a white shirt.
11. Wear long sleeves (never rolled up) with the cuff coming down
exactly to where your hand meets your wrist.
12. Make sure your hair forms near endlines. Shave the back of your
neck if you have to.
13. Make sure your sideburns are even.
14. Shoes should announce your presence audibly (hard sole) not
make you stealthy (soft soles).
15. Stand up straight!
16. Shave.
17. Have your clothes FIT.
18. Tie should come down so that the point lines up exactly in the
center of your belt buckle.
19. Wear over-the-calf socks (color matched OF COURSE), so that
they are evenly tight (not crumpled) either side.
20. Do up buttons. Don't leave back pockets unbuttoned.
21. Have a very slim wallet with a card or two. 1 or 2 keys at most
(color matched key-ring). Nothing bulging in your pockets ruining
the "line". (Oh, and no loose change in your pockets, don't jingle
as your walk!)
22. Ask stylish young women in good clothes shop what THEY think
would look good on YOU and TAKE THEIR ADVICE EVEN IF IT SURPRISES
YOU. (And even if it contradicts something I've written here).
Likewise for haircuts.
Oh, and one last thing, on colognes, which I'm sure most guys would
be interested to know about. There is some evidence that outgoing,
extroverted women tend to prefer men wearing spicier colognes,
while the quieter, more introverted women tend to prefer floral
scented men. So maybe you should consider choosing your weapon, er
cologne, based upon the personality of the woman you're pursuing.
Just a thought. :p
These are just some tips to help you get the general principle. The
key is to look STRIKING, to cut a bold, masculine figure. Notice
why some woman like man in uniforms? These women will say they
looks smart and masculine. Well, notice some of the points above
are very much in line with the way their uniform is worn, just that
it is not that regimental. You get the idea.
