Month: September 2018

There is not much that can break an entirely, no matter how fire it may be, except for one thing: shoes. One’s fit could be immaculate, measured and cut specifically for you, but an ugly or ill-fitting pair of shoes will take away massive points from an otherwise good outfit. This can range from ugly leather cap toes to ugly running shoes with jeans.

Let us first talk about running or athleisure shoes with jeans. Now, I used to heavily oppose this idea, sanctimoniously if I may add. I not only hated the look, but would also try to stop colleagues and friends from embarking in this trend that had become the norm. But then, as my style chops strengthened and widened, my conclusion changed, from hating them to understanding why and how people wear them and how they SHOULD be worn.  

First off, baggy jeans and running shoes will never cease to look horrendous. The pants will make your proportions appear smaller than they really are, specially your feet, which are now covered by an excess of fabric. What one wants is a nice tapering of the trousers, from the waistline all the way down to the hem, making you appear taller.

Now, What shoes to choose shouldn’t be too difficult really. Simply choose your favorite brand and pick a pair that look as if their intention is to be worn for some sort of sporting activity, but really aren’t. If the shoe appears too athletic, the fit will be ill, that’s a personal guarantee. It must look nonchalant, like the shoes were meant to be worn like that. Do this and avoid achieving the dad look, chunky sneakers with baggy jeans. As a rule, anything that your father could have worn should be avoided at all costs.

Alright, lets talk dress shoes now and man oh man have i seen this everywhere on campus. Just because a shoe is black and made out of leather does not make it nice, classy, or formal in any way. Just look at this comparison.

Although the shoes on the left would technically be more formal due to their color, the chestnut oxfords on the right look astronomically more formal because they are a classic silhouette and are not covered up by excess fabric. This gives them a more stylish feel, which will definitely set you apart from the crowd, whether your goal is to look attractive at a dinner party or chic at an interview.

One does not need dress shoes to elevate an outfit. One must simply keep in mind the style of the shoes and the fit of the chosen pants. Just always remember, whether you go for the jeans with running shoes look or are wearing a suit, shoes will always determine your outfit, for better or for worse.

The fall job fair is finally over here at Penn State, but something which I observed a lot during said day probably won’t be over for a while: ILL FITTING SUITS. Students might as well have been borrowing their dad’s cookie cutter boxy suit because the lack to attention to detail frightened me. If one cannot look properly presentable, how can a future employer think that you’re the right man for this position if, you can’t even tie a half Windsor knot properly. 

Look here, feast your eyes onto Daniel Craig’s suit. I guarantee you none of the students at the Job Fair had a suit tailored just like that or a tie done properly. But achieving this image is not unattainable by any means, no, it simply takes a trip to a tailor and around 60 dollars for alterations. He or she will go over all the adjustments needed for that suit to fit you and no one else. A suit should enhance your frame, not undercut it or present yourself as visually sloppy. A good suit should fit like a glove, not overly tight or baggy, both common problems seen today. 

 

Before one asks themselves whether it’s a throwaway of money onto invest a good amount of money into a suit, think about this. What exactly is a suit for? It is a formal dress for men, used to indicate respect for the formality of an event and to present oneself as properly as possible. An ill-fitting suit makes achieving that goal impossible. In fact, a suit with a terrible fit signal to your potential employers that you’re simply a kid trying to dress up and falling miserably, a kid trying to be an adult. Not a good look. 

 

Now, apart from the visual aspects of a clean-cut suit, comes the mental game of owning one and wearing it with pride. If one knows he looks good, he will act in that manner too. Simple psychology. If instead of wearing a cheap suit you got for one hundred dollars at some discount store you were, perhaps, something worth four hundred dollars but that fits you properly, your confidence will be boosted exponentially. All the more reason to invest, not just on clothing, but on your future. 

Our clothing should represent our individuality. Our clothing should embody a representation of who we are as individuals. A suit should be worn, the suit shouldn’t wear you.

 

It has become self-evident to me, especially in college, that most men dress in a manner appearing to simply be wearing clothes to not be naked. We have forgone classic ideas in style that used to elevate our image and sense of confidence. In a world in which first impressions can be the make or break in an already oversaturated and competitive job market, the forgoing of our image, can and will have tremendous impact on our lives. 

Now, what exactly does this mean lads? Am I preaching out and invoking you to run to your closest suit shop? No, of course not. The need for lots of suits in our wardrobe has, although sadly, been killed off over time. We live in different times, times in which Mark Zuckerberg’s can give billion-dollar presentations and still wear the same plain gray hoodie and black t shirt, matching his emotionless eyes if I’m to be honest. Our image is still, however, one of the most important ways in how we communicate today.  

Job interviews, first dates, weddings, these are all powerful times to market yourself as an individual and, most importantly, an individual that understands how to properly put himself together. Human beings, no matter how good our intentions may be, tend to judge people instantly when first meeting each other. This first impression will be based mostly on the way a person presents themselves to you. Taking this fact into account, it would rather seem that most people don’t particularly care for first impressions, specially men, given how they dress in a day to day basis. This being my first semester in college, I’m still amazed at the uniform that countless guys seem to be rocking here on campus, be that baggy jeans and a t shirt, athletic shorts and a tank top, all seems to be thrown together without any thought. I never really thought that college students would go to classes wearing pajamas, but man was I the wrong. Ive seen the same person wear 5 different pajama pants to astronomy class. Talk about commitment I guess.

Am I coming across as vain? I’m not defending that we do this. A person should always be judged on the quality of their morals, the way in which they act when no one is looking, on their values and wishes. This is, for better or for worse, not how we naturally operate as people. We can, however, make sure that our incredible qualities are not downplayed in which we present ourselves. We are visual creatures after all, might as well appeal to all senses.