Listening to this month’s book (How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big) has taught me a lot already. One of the things Adams talks about is the importance of focusing on things that energize you.

For me, that’s all of this blogging stuff. I hadn’t been able to put into words why I feel the need to create content. I’ve been doing it for years over various formats and it’s always been an itch I can never scratch.

I’ve told myself it’s because I want to make the world better, or that I’m good at it and I feel a moral obligation to expand on my talents, or that I want to offer answers to other men that I had to look for myself.

All of these may be partially true, but really I do this because it gets my blood flowing. I’m finding that’s the case even more when I do videos or podcasts, and the most when I speak about it in real life – be that one-on-one with a client or in front of a crowd.

Dressing well energizes me too. It helps me feel like I can command any room I walk into – even when I’m the lowest man on the totem pole. It gives me energy to be productive and accomplish daily goals.

If I were to show up at a conference in baggy cargo shorts, flip-flops, and a too-big T-shirt, I would have to work against that negative energy to get my mojo going. But when I walk in and know I’m well dressed, therefore projecting confidence and competence, the energy has already started to build.

It’s a positive added to a positive rather than a positive and a neutral canceling each other out.

When I’m energized I’m happier. I’m more playful, funnier, less high-strung, more attractive, more generous, and better all around.

Dressing well doesn’t make me a better person any more or less than having money does, but it can serve to magnify those qualities or work against them.

Start with the basics, get them dialed in, and either expand if it gives you more energy, or leave it there and move on to other endeavors that do. If you feel like it’s a drain to get comfortable at dressing well then don’t focus on it too much. Just become competent and move on. It’s all about that long game.

I’m a huge advocate of investing the money required to buy quality pieces, but no man should be a price snob.

The shoes I’m wearing were lovingly crafted and painted, by hand, by an old cobbler in Italy who has probably made more shoes than I’ve lived weeks.

The suit I have on took longer to create than my body needed to completely reknit a broken collarbone when I was 14.

The tie?

It was a gift from a friend and I’m pretty sure he paid ten bucks for it. And it’s not like it was some incredible thrifting find. I bet it’s only worth that $10.

Sure doesn’t ruin the ensemble though. No it’s not as nice as my other ties. It doesn’t drape as well and the weight leaves a lot to be desired.

But man do I like the colors and it ties a killer knot.

So don’t immediately write something off just because it’s cheap. You may miss a lot of great finds.

A quick comment on the importance of proportion. It really is a necessary component of dialing in your appearance – especially when it comes to suiting.

One key area is the balance between the tie width, lapel size, and shirt collar height. As the sartorial world is moving away from the razor thin lapels circa 2010, the rest of the ensemble need to keep up.

Of the three, collar height is the least important, but if you haven’t worn a tall collar, you’re really missing out. The substantial size is more flattering with a bigger tie (especially if it’s made from a heavier material like this wool). It’s also more prone to stand properly when worn without a tie. Smaller collars want to “pancake” under the jacket’s lapel.

Getting it “wrong” isn’t going to ruin a look. In fact, I rock a regular collar with big lapels plenty of days. But knowing more makes it much easier to use all of the guidelines to your advantage. You can follow or break the rules at your leisure.

Want to learn more about the right proportions for you build? Check out the Style Profile for personalized advice and coaching.

It was raining again when I left the house this morning. So I decided to lace up my dress boots. (Allen Edmonds Daltons)
These are great for the upcoming seasons because they keep my feet warm and protected, without sacrificing the Refined aesthetic I need from my footwear.

If you live in a temperate climate and spend any time dressed up, dress boots are a worthwhile investment.

They also do an excellent job of dressing up a more casual look. I can throw them on with jeans, an OCBD, and a f/w sportcoat (all Staples btw) and have something that’s more Refined than workboots or more dressed up than chukkas.

#dressintentionally