The Not-So Secret

The secret ingredient to effective style is hardly a secret… yet it remains elusive. ​

You’ve heard it a million times before: style has to be personal — it has to have some of “you” in it.

If not, your style will seem incongruent with your persona, which makes you both feel uncomfortable and seem inauthentic to others. That’s why taking inspiration from others is helpful, but trying to copy-paste their outfits rarely works out.

“So style myself according to my personality. Got it.”

Not quite.

Communication is a two-way street: one must consider both the message and the audience. What you want to say must be balanced against how you’ll best be heard.

That matter is simple, but not always easy. Most men get stuck too far on the extremes — either sterilizing their personality to look appropriate or overcompensating their individuality at the expense of their audience.

Style lets you script a message with your appearance. To dress and carry yourself authentically — and also graciously — is how your message will be best heard and most appreciated. That’s the secret: do both!

Not easy, but simple.