We only get one chance to make a good first impression, but there are infinite opportunities to continue making a good impression. It starts with being polite, respectful, and well-groomed.
Clothes make the man or woman, but they don’t need to be designer duds; the best thing about exhibiting sartorial style is that it only has one rule: Keep it simple. As long as they are clean, well-fitting, and carefully chosen to create an outfit, this scheme works for everything from jeans and a T-shirt to a bespoke suit. The fact that quite a few folks seem to believe that wearing pajamas or baggy sweatpants to the store or on an airplane is the height of style makes it easier to stand out and be a “dress like this” style-setter.
There is one caveat, of course: Working in the garden, changing the car’s oil, or otherwise doing “dirty work” is not the time to be concerned with choosing the right clothes. Instead, opt for practical and protective attire such as a long-sleeve performance shirt with UV-blocking capabilities, lightweight pants, a large lifeguard-style hat, lightweight boots, sunglasses and gloves for yard work chores, and a T-shirt that can get messy, along with a similar choice of pants, mechanic-style gloves, and protective eyewear for auto maintenance tasks.
Every day is a great opportunity to make a sartorial statement. For a trip to the local home improvement store, shorts and a T-shirt are fine as long as you consider the “Do I want to run into my neighbors or friends dressed like this?” rule. If you aren’t planning on piling bags of soil in the truck or doing other potentially messy tasks, break out that treasured, pristine T-shirt purchased at Red Rocks Amphitheater years ago during a favorite musician’s concert, khaki shorts, and clean cross-training footwear. Flipflops are easy to slide into, but few provide slip resistance, significant cushioning, or protection against sharp rocks or errant nails.
As an alternative to a T-shirt, consider a classic Aloha or camp shirt for a relaxed, confident look. Add a pair of nice sunglasses that provide protection from UV rays and errant bits of wind-blown debris while adding a dash of style, instead of cheap sunglasses that do neither. Dressing nicely leads to boosted self-confidence, which has the bonus for single folks of making a good impression on potential dates.
At the workplace, “casual day” doesn’t mean “sloppy day.” Dressing in a professional manner, whether the workplace is a Madison Avenue office or a Walmart store, provides nonverbal cues of being a self-respecting, reliable, and capable worker. If appropriate, invest in a few good suits and quality shirts, all of which must fit well; there’s no faster way to undo an otherwise sharp outfit than to have it too tight or too loose.
If three-piece suits are in the ensemble, mix the blue vest with the gray suit and vice versa every so often to keep the look fresh. For more casual work environments, follow the example set by the boss of spotless slacks or jeans paired with a crisp, clean shirt. As an example, the staff at the local feed store somehow seem more competent when they are wearing freshly pressed jeans, an attractive shirt, and recently polished, not-scuffed boots.
Formal events have their own style, but that is an opportunity to be creative. As an example, trendsetters in Austin, Texas, originated the black tie and blue jeans look in the 1970s; a thrift store tuxedo and stylishly faded jeans paired with boots is an easy look to create. The trick to all this is to do it with a light touch of panache.
When wearing a tie, choose it to accent the slacks and shirt, resisting the urge to wear a novelty tie. Belts and shoes are often an afterthought, but the key is to make sure they are the best quality the budget allows and that they match—black shoes call for a black belt, while cordovan shoes pair best with a cordovan belt. Black shoes and a brown belt? Hard pass. Make sure the socks match, too. If in doubt, for work or casual affairs, opt for black over-the-calf socks that can be relied upon to never droop.
Accessories matter: A quality watch is always a nice touch, and when bought right, it might outlast a pile of inexpensive timepieces. If the budget allows, a stainless-steel Rolex Submariner is perfect for anyone to wear at the office, the beach, the opera, and everywhere in between, and will increase in value over time. For casual wear, a baseball cap celebrating a favorite motorcycle manufacturer or a jaunty western-style hat adds flair and can also be handy on a bad hair day. Feeling sharp begins with looking sharp.
It’s All in the Details
Start With a Good FitThe plan for business, casual, or even formal events is to choose a properly fitting suit or clean, freshly pressed slacks and a shirt, paired with nice shoes.
Before leaving the house, stop in front of a mirror; scan from head to toe for the flyaway hair the brush missed, a bit of breakfast in your teeth, or a previously unnoticed stain on your shirt or pants.
Being well-dressed should be a fun way to exhibit a sense of style; strive to be known for wearing a great watch and very nice shoes.
