Friday, November 23, 2012


Why looks matter

Have you noticed that people react to you differently based on what you wear? Do certain outfits give you special treatment and others give the silent treatment? Has a sharp suit won you a seat upgrade on a plane? Have sweatpants made you feel like a retard at the grocery store? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you've experienced the social dynamics of clothing. 

Judging someone alone on attire may seem unfair. Really, I’m the same person whether I’m sporting Prada or Payless. I still drink milk out of a wine glass and prefer my sandwiches cut in triangles, no matter what I’m wearing. But there’s no avoiding it: Looks matter, and there's no reason why we can’t use that to our advantage.


Why Looks Matter

So you might be thinking, “Duh. I kind of already knew that.” Homeless-guy fashion does not go  well with social gatherings, and socks with sandals is not very much appreciated. I agree with you. And that’s why I’d like to go deeper with you in this subject.

My goal is to offer you research-based facts that may prompt you to rethink your approach  when standing before your closet in the morning. I aim to show you that picking the right outfit can prove very valuable. Moreover, clothes can, in part, determine your success with women, how much money you make and the way people treat you in general. I’ll also include fashion tips to help you conquer each domain.

Clothes Affect Your Success With Women

In one university study, women rated the attractiveness of one man dressed in several different getups. Outfits ranged from a designer suit and expensive watch all the way down to a lowly fast-food uniform. As you can imagine, ladies preferred the power suit to the burger-flipping one. But it’s why they chose the businessman that’s important.

The study notes that girls actively sought signs of “status” when judging the man’s clothes, and they liked that look better because it suggested a good provider. In other words, women do care what you wear, and this is why looks matter. Girls favor a put-together guy because it's likelier he can put food on the table. Does this make all women gold diggers? Not exactly. Though like the humble homing pigeon bird, which can detect  signs to lead it home, women’s brains are awesomely good  at spotting signs on men that point to prosperity. (Note: Women do not have the brains of pigeons. Don’t pin that on me.)

So, clothes can be a tool to boost your standing with the opposite sex, but what kind of style should you be channeling? Fortunately, you don’t have to be a billionaire to win a lady’s hand. More realistically, you just have to nail the right details.

The goods you need to command a girl’s attention: A quality timepiece(Watch), a fitted (though not necessarily designer) suit, a well-polished pair of oxfords or boots, and a crisp button-down shirt. Equipped with these style essentials, you can scientifically increase your chances with women. (Note: Unless you respond to the name Jay-Z, never "over-bling” yourself. The risk of looking like a Christmas ornament stands too great .LOL

Clothes Affect How People Treat You

When you first meet someone, they instantly judge everything about you. They can sense if you’re sad, nervous, threatening, or possibly even gassy (possibly). Across history, humans have had to judge meaning quickly. Does that dinosaur want to eat me? Does this girl want to have sex? Is that a banana in that caveman’s pocket, or does he plan to club me atop the head with a concealed bone? Over time, people have grown really good at judging situations fast. Interestingly, the same holds true with clothes. People judge your outfit in a fraction of a second. You walk through the door and -- bam -- they've already formed an opinion of your attire and of you. 

You don’t need me to tell you this, though; you've likely noticed these snap judgments yourself. Take, for example, a time you proudly wore your best outfit for a night on the town. Your confidence was sky high as you entered the evening’s establishment, and like a glorious bolt of lightening, you were struck with a few quick yet unmistakable glances from women. Alternatively, remember the time you woke up late for work and slapped on the nearest shirt and pants within snatching distance? It was dark, unfortunately, and you couldn't have guessed you’d end up looking like a Muppet who raided a thrift store. You despised that outfit the entire day. Worse still, you met a beautiful girl for the first time, and there was no way to explain your fashion faux pas.

These examples reveal that looks do matter and that clothes can take on a bigger meaning with people we meet. In a way, I am not just talking about clothes here. I am talking about an external extension of ourselves that breeds either confidence or shame, and commands either respect or disinterest (hopefully not pity). The question is, what kind of clothes set you up for success with new people you meet?

Style tips to win respect from strangers: The most important rule here is to always wear outfits that are you. If you don’t believe in your attire, no one else will. This is not to say that you aren't a complex and multilayered person who experiences different moods on different days. If your temperament calls for a dangerous night, opt for a black leather jacket. If you’re feeling debonair and can’t shake Sinatra from your head, reach for a suit and tie.

Always trust your gut and wear what you feel, because people can sense when your getup has you glum -- and I want you owning the night. 

Valdemir





How to wear boots

Hey my Fashionfollowers,

December is right around the corner, the temperature has dropped and the sun is going down a bit more earlier.

This also means its Party Month!!!

For all the Gents out there who are attending formal parties or just something comfy to keep the body warm, my first advice to you is start from below.

YES.....I'm talking about shoes!
This year is all about the boots. 

Think men's boots are just for hoedowns and hiking? Think again. From Chelsea to chukka, there’s a whole wide world of options out there (even if you’re more the suit-and-tie type). So, buckle up, gents. It’s time to reboot your brain. 


The Chelsea Boot (aka dealer boots)

Characterized by ankle-high height, a close fit and, most notably, no laces. Instead, the Chelsea boot employs an elastic panel known as goring, which allows the shoe to stretch when taking it on or off. Although Chelsea boots rose to fame in the 60's mod scene (the Beatles booted up in a similar style), the shoe first came into being over a century earlier during the Victorian era as a riding boot praised for its convenience.  

How to wear them: Today, more refined varieties with dress shoe soles are making a comeback at the edgier end of Wall Street. I think it’s proof positive that suits and boots can live in perfect harmony -- provided, of course, that the cut complements the Chelsea’s slim, sleek lines. Your shirt collar, tie and, yes, even your briefcase should have an equally trim proportion to the slimness of the boot. I recommend pairing your navy suit with brown Chelsea boots, like these pictured here.

The Chukka Boot (aka turf boots or bucks)

Like the Chelsea, the chukka is also known for hovering in the ankle area. But the similarities stop there. This boot comes with two to three eyelets of lacing and is often outfitted in suede. In the 1940's chukkas popped up as part of a trend toward casual dressing, and by 1950, the British brand Clark's had invented its iconic desert boots (essentially a chukka with a crepe rubber sole), solidifying the style’s spot in shoe history. 

How to wear them: A recent resurgence in popularity has everyone from college kids to soccer dads sporting chukkas. And for good reason: It only takes a solid color shirt and straight-leg jeans with a single cuff that gently covers the boot without breaking (so the pants fall straight over the shoe in a clean line) to do these shoes justice.

The Motorcycle Boot (aka engineer boots)

The height ranges from above the ankle to below the knee, but all motorcycle boots boast a low heel in order to aid in putting the pedal to the metal, as well as heavy duty leather for protection against an unplanned meeting with the pavement. Engineer boots are the common old-school biking boot (as opposed to the tricked-out racing or motocross kinds) .  

How to wear them: These days, you can flaunt a pair with all the elements of a true engineer boot without coming off like a costume. Toss them on in your downtime with a pair of black jeans, a relaxed-fit pocket tee and, of course, a leather jacket.


The Military Boot (aka combat boots)

As you might expect, boots made for the military are designed with one goal in mind: to shield you from an unfriendly environment. As a result, combat boots vary from ankle-high to under-the-knee, and are typically made from technical materials like waterproof leather, Gore-Tex and rubber. The first boots for battle were worn as early as 1000 BC. Fast forward a few thousand years, and you’ll find them on the feet of everyone from generals to teenage Gothic and grunge types. 

How to wear them: Swapping traditional black boots for red ones and grunge dark denim , a vintage tee and a tailored pea coat should keep you clear of the battle field.

I love boots.
If you want to make a bold statement yet be classy flaunt a pair and wait for the ooohhs and aaahsss to follow.

Fashion is for the ones who dare to try and try to dare others.

Valdemir