by Adam Olsen –
In the past I rarely paid much attention to the clothes I wore, and I certainly never considered myself fashionable. Buying clothes was frustrating. I would pop into a chain store and pick up the first thing I saw that came close to filling my need. I avoided dressing rooms and rarely sought advice from the retail clerks.
High-end menswear stores were out of my league; mostly I was scared away by the prices and worried about getting too much attention. As I became a more public person I realized I had better take dressing myself more seriously.
When I finally went into a “menswear” store I found sales people helpful, not intimidating. The shopkeepers take care of the details, like showing interest in their customers, and they take the time to show you how to choose clothes that fit, and will tailor them when they don’t. They will show you how to select flexible and functional items that can be dressed up or dressed down.
Quality clothes last longer. Choosing quality over quantity has been an excellent investment over the long term and I realized that for years I had bought dozens of items I never wore – a total waste of valuable resources. Supporting local, independent shops is a priority for me and I don’t mind spending a little more to support them. However, you don’t need to shop in high-end stores to buy clothes that fit properly and you don’t need a wardrobe worth thousands of dollars to feel good in the clothes you wear.
For a dude there is usually very little joy in shopping. Instead of running into a chain store to grab new jeans, take time and find a local retailer that pays attention to what they are selling you.
Finally, pay attention to what you already have in your closet. It’s important to have a few options that mix and match well, a couple of great pairs of jeans, dress and casual shirts, a sport coat, a solid coloured suit, a belt, and some interesting ties.
In order to be comfortable in my surroundings it is important to get the fundamentals right. It starts with underwear and a fantastic pair of shoes (or two). The foundation is the undergarments. I have said this before: nothing is worse that underwear that do not fit!
Anyone who knows me well knows I love excellent shoes. I invest more in my shoes than anything else. It’s part fashion and part function. Amazing shoes do not go unnoticed and if you are on your feet pounding the pavement as much as I am then you will agree that solid, well-made, comfortable shoes is critical.
For those of us who are not built like fashion models and whose shape fluctuates from morning to night, dressing can be a challenge. I am still by no means a fashion connoisseur, but I have learned to enjoy the process. Thinking it through with a little assistance from a helpful attendant can increase your comfort, your confidence and by thinking quality over quantity you can decrease your overall clothing consumption.
