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ITT I am learning that many of you do not dress /deliberately/ Think I need to explain how to learn to increase ones sartorial power ๐ค thread to follow after breakfast https://t.co/1tUZCmJzhc
there are plenty of guides about styles fit color coordination materials patterns formality and these are worth reading to expand your sartorial palette however acumen is mostly a matter of paying attention to what others are doing, and especially to what you are doing
when you dress yourself you are sending messages whether you want to or not that message includes information about your status, your disposition, your age, your aspirations, your culture (macro or micro), and more people in turn interpret this message deliberately or no
since this is happening regardless it is in your best interest to send the message that you want to send, to the people to whom you want to send it this is a mix of broadcast and narrowcast it is *both* expressive of yourself--often a genuine--and socially instrumental
1. Start with your existing wardrobe. Think about how you wear your outfits. What do you like best? What do you only wear grudgingly? In each case--why? Spend some time with a mirror and think about this. Then ask why you don't wear things like the stuff you like all the time
I emphasize starting at home because a common failure mode for people who are learning to dress themselves (rather than simply cover themselves) is diving in headfirst to flamboyancy, and while dandyism has its place it's best to work up to that
2. Ok, now that you have some motivation or some curiosity, go learn about some things that are possible One option is /r/malefashionadvice, which is a nice introduction to contemporary stuff or was eight years ago (I assume a distaff version exists)
There are (or at least were?) lots of good fashion blogs and tumblrs They have some good practical advice but what's more important is learning how other people look at clothes; these blogs are people viewing and interpreting messages from others' attire, and many are good at it
You can also get proper books on the matter I liked this one when I got it; lost it at some point but it had plenty of advice about pattern, fit, and color More importantly it had /history/ https://t.co/AnOyQldJwk
Clothes are not just things you put on your body; they are cultural artifacts with decades or centuries of semiotics encrusting them like barnacles The stripes of a Breton shirt, the origin of broguing, the wool of a flat cap, the fade of a Nantucket red: you wear History
3. Go shopping Don't be dumb about this, it's easy to burn huge amounts of money on things you hate and while error inevitably accompanies trial you don't need to make it worse Recommend going out with a budget and some sense of what sort of outfit you want to leave with
If you're in a major city, the best place to go is to a used clothes store For nice shoes, you might get lucky at Goodwill because estate sales Otherwise, going to a slightly better thrift place may be more efficient Explore a few places to get a sense of their stock
Generally when you buy (but especially when you buy used) it's good to have done some reading on clothes fit, and knowing what can be tailored. The end of your shopping phase should be taking things to a tailor because having a good tailor is a superpower
I want to emphasize this in particular because tailoring is niche today, but the easiest way to get compliments from strangers on your attire is to take your shit to a tailor to get it to fit /just right/ Find a good, affordable tailor (they exist) and make them love you
4. Continue paying attention to everyone around you; how they dress; what they seem to be communicating to you (or others) with their attire. Pay attention to how people react to your presentation. Pay attention to how /you/ react to your presentation too
At this point you should be starting to pick up all kinds of messages--is that man in a suit really high status, or is he going to his first interview, or is he a doorman? Wait a minute--are those shoes /square toed/?! Aha--he reads /r/MFA and nothing else And so on
At this point you're an independent operator. Enjoy your new powers, and don't forget a little nod of acknowledgment anytime you make eye contact with one of your own. And remember to simply pay attention. https://t.co/ASbgHk2eu0
(Addenda) I don't but I kind of want one because it's a major blind spot for me any recs @nwilliams030? https://t.co/7gB4L1Reaq
@eigenrobot ahaha my strategy has been - people have too much control over me, they will not control my wardrobe - wear what sparks joy - i like prints and patterns, so: buy whole outfits at once when you can, that way you KNOW the clothes match (for your definition of "match")
@goblinodds your clothes as I have seen them are incredibly powerful and communicate (i) indeed you do not want anyone telling you what to do and (ii) they shouldnt anyway because nothing they would say would improve upon statue quo