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Versatility is a buzzword that gets thrown around a lot in the menswear world, but there’s good reason for it. Most men don’t have the desire to have a massive wardrobe and would rather get as much bang for their buck as they possibly can out of each item they purchase.
In this video, I show you how to use one item – in this case a Beckett & Robb field jacket – to create three separate outfits in each of the Masculine Style Archetypes.
Earlier this week I posted a video that was a companion piece to my article titled Fathers Have a Moral Obligation to Dress Well.
One of the comments on that video was interesting and required more of a response than what I wanted to type out – so I made a corresponding video.
Here’s the comment:
And here’s my response:
Click here to watch the YouTube video: Clothing & Conformity
Click here to watch the YouTube video: Clothing & Conformity
This is a word that used to terrify me, but it’s not nearly as scary as it could be. 50 years ago, the US had a dominant culture. It was one that expected and exacted conformity and those who refused to do so were treated as outcasts.
However, as the social changes of the 60’s gained momentum, the dominant American culture began to lose its steam, and by 2016 the idea of there being such a thing is a monolithic American normal is anathema to most people.
Instead, what we see is a stained-glass window of smaller subcultures (many of which started out as counters cultures). Rather than conforming to the American ideal, most of us dress, act, speak, and think like the other members of our own little groups.
In essence, we conform.
This commenter has painted a picture of what his appearance is by only using three words:
Tattooed
Skate
Streetwear
What’s ironic is that using these three simple words, he’s given me pretty big hints into what his clothing looks like, what kind of music he does or doesn’t listen to, his political leanings, and myriad other points about who he is and what his relationship is with the world.
Are all of those assumptions I’m making true? Probably not, but I bet a good portion of them are.
Because, by using those three words, he’s told me who his tribe is, and he’s used his appearance as a way to demonstrate his loyalty within that tribe.
It all goes to prove my main point for me. This man has established his relationship with the world. He’s found who his people are, and who they aren’t. He’s espoused his philosophy about being himself and a continued rebellion against the dying body of the American culture.
And the way he dresses helps teach his children those same things.
He’s taken a deliberate and intentional approach to the world. It may be antagonistic to a specific set of norms and expectations, but it’s still just as intentional and thought out.
And he teaches his children to identify with that tribe, to develop that same relationship with the world, and assume the norms of his chosen sub culture – in part – by the way he dresses.
To that end, regardless of whether or not I like his aesthetic, he’s a well-dressed father who’s meeting his obligation to teach by a visual example, albeit unintentionally.
And that brings it all back to my original point. A dad who works on a ranch can wear an entirely different “uniform” than one who runs a skate shop. A father who spends is days in a suit and tie isn’t necessarily any better dressed than one is part of a tech startup.
If each of these men is a father, then they need to understand that what they wear each day teaches their kids specific lessons. And it’s a dad’s responsibility to understand what he’s demonstrating and to do so on purpose – with a specific goal in mind – rather than haphazardly or without any forethought.
Kids, especially little boys want to be like their dads (it’s awesome), and we can teach them much about the standards to which we are willing to conform and the ideals by which we want to live in the way we dress and the way we expect them to dress as well.
Want help in learning how to dress like your own subculture? Well go check these out.
The Three Masculine Style Archetypes
Learn where you fall into the Three Masculine Style Archetypes?
Take this quick quiz and I’ll tell you. CLICK HERE
While we may not have one societal expectation of conformity, there are still ways to dress well in any tribe or subculture. I’ve put together 30 items that every man, regardless of his affiliation, should have in his wardrobe.
Travel has suddenly become a larger part of my life.
It’s a fun challenge to learn how to eat right, work out, maximize mileage, and do a million other things you road warriors are already good at.
One of the unique challenges for me is dressing well while traveling. Since most of my trips are related to the world of menswear, my game has to be on point. And that can be a bit more difficult when it’s all done out of a suitcase and a duffel bag.
Not only do I have to look great, but I want to keep my packing as minimal as possible. It makes the actual act of traveling much easier and mitigates my potential damage if a bag gets lost.
Like many of you, I’ve found that the outfit I wear while I’m on a plane or in a car is often the most important of the trip. It needs to be functional, comfortable, and stylish – three concepts that can often be in opposition to each other.
Which is even more the case with shoes. So today I’m going to give you my new favorite travel shoes and show you how well they do in the previously mentioned key areas.
Click Here to watch the YouTube video: The Best Shoes for Flying
Click Here to watch the YouTube video: The Best Shoes for Flying
The post 9/11 world of flying is trickier and more frustrating to navigate than the world before. We have to go through a lot of hoops to be able to board a plane – one of which is the removal of shoes.
Shoes that are easy to remove can be seen all over the airport. And it makes sense because no one wants to unlace and redo a pair of boots each time they go through security. This little requirement has led to the prominence of flip-flops, slippers, loafers, and sneakers.
At the same time, a pair of shoes needs to be functional. Even in my limited travel, I’ve seen my fair share of hurried traveler who has to double back to grab a rogue sandal which went flying while he was running to make a flight. Shoes do us no good if they don’t stay on our feet.
The maximal functionality is a shoe that is easy to take on and off, while still offering the security and support needed for more than a brisk walk.
This need should knock out most flip-flops, driving loafers, moccasins, and other loose-fitting shoes.
A self-explanatory need – because anyone who as spent 13 hours on a flight with uncomfortable shoes will never make that mistake again.
Thankfully most men don’t have to deal with the same frustrations a woman does. A pair of heels may be easy to slip on and off, but it sure won’t be comfortable while moving around.
While we don’t have to deal with it to the same extreme, we still see some discomfort in overly structured, heavy dress shoes. That goodyear welt is great for durability and longevity, but it sure sucks when a shoe doesn’t flex with the steps of its wearer.
The comfort requirement will remove a lot of dress shoes and anything else that leans too heavy.
Whether you are a casual dresser or fly in a suit, a man who falls on the Rakish side or more Refined, a pair of shoes needs to look good.
You never know who you’ll bump into while traveling and the last thing you want to do is have them distracted by how awful your shoes look.
At the same time, no one wants to pack a pair of shoes for the sole purpose of flying. If you’re like me and travel for business, you already have (at least) one pair of dress shoes, a casual pair, and some sneakers for the gym. Having flight shoes just adds to the stress, weight, and even the cost of flying.
The ideal shoe is something that can dress down as well as dressing up. If it can eliminate one or two of your other required pair, then it’s done its job.
As much as I like a pair of vintage Nike’s or New Balance’s, they’ll never look good with a business suit – which means a traveller needs to find something that works just as well with jeans as it does with a three-piece – no small order.
In the past I’ve had to compromise on one of these areas. I’ve worn dress shoes that weren’t easy to remove and weren’t the most comfortable, but they worked great with the aesthetic of a suit.
I’ve worn sneakers and insisted on dressing casually and comfortably while I fly, but changing into a suit in the airport bathroom is worse than flying uncomfortably.
I’ve tried loafers, sneakers, boat shoes, and other slip-ons but never really loved any of them.
For me, the best solution is a pair of Chelseas
These are so ideal because they hit all the key points. They’re easy to put on and take off, they won’t slip or fall off while running, they’re comfortable all day long, and they look as great with a pair of jeans as they do with a pinstripe suit.
My recommendation is to go with a pair in a brown suede. Suede dresses up as easily as it does down, whereas calfskin can look too dressed up for many casual outfits. Brown is also more versatile than black.
I continue to wear a pair I got from Cobbler Union more than a year ago, but there are a huge number of brands who make some great Chelseas.
They strike the balance between Refined and Rakish very well and cover all my other needs.
So if you haven’t given them a go yet, I strongly recommend you do so.
Don’t know what I mean by Rugged, Refined, and Rakish? Well go check these out.
The Three Masculine Style Archetypes
Want to know where you fall into the Three Masculine Style Archetypes?
Take this quick quiz and I’ll tell you. CLICK HERE
Want more?
Learn the how men throughout time and across all cultures have use their clothing to communicate specific, masculine virtues and tell stories that lead to more success, happiness, and fulfillment.
Somehow I’ve turned into a boot guy over the last two years. I don’t know how or why it happened, but I’ve amassed a modest – yet respectable – collection of boots.
Most of them lean a little more on the formal side of the scale, but even my more casual variations are a bit limited in their wearability.
All are excellent quality and durable, but I didn’t own a pair that I could comfortably use in the wet winters and springs we experience here in Utah.
Hearing about my “plight” the guys over at Thursday Boots offered to send me a pair to try out.
Click here to watch the YouTube video: Thursday Boots Review
Click here to watch the YouTube video: Thursday Boots Review
Thursday was started by two friends in 2014. They currently have six mainstay styles in multiple color ways and will do small runs of their top-end “black label” boots.
Knowing of my desire for something both more casual and more weather durable, we decided on a pair of the Commanders. Initially I wanted a pair in black, but due to a lack of sizing, opted for the Blarney Stone instead.
When they first arrived, they looked great out of the box. As I pulled them on, I was worried that they were going to be too large. My foot measures in at an 8.5 C on the Bannock device and getting review shoes has always been a trial for me. Based on both the length and width of my feet, I have found myself going as small as 7.5 with some brands and 9 with others.
While they felt a little lose as I was pulling them on, once I got them all laced up, the fit was spot on.
They’re just big enough to wear comfortably with a pair of thick, marled socks yet still not so large that they can’t be worn with something thinner – even a pair of dress socks.
After a couple of days of wear the thing that jumped out to me the most was how soft and supple the leather was. I’ve owned quite a few pairs of shoes and boots that needed some significant time to break, but these were ready to go from day one.
I’ve put them through their paces and they don’t look as pretty as they did on day one, but I’m of the opinion that a decent pair of casual boots looks better with a little life beaten into them.
Know that a pair of boots like the Commanders can be worn as a Staple for any of the three Masculine Style Archetypes, but they will always inject an element of the Rugged Archetype.
Here are some suggestions on how to wear these based on each of the three.
These hit all the right buttons, chromexcel leather, North-American make, goodyear welting, and durable hardware.
All of these variables are standard on boots that are two and three times as much as Thursday’s, making the $249 price point even more appealing.
If you’re looking to for a solid care of casual boots (which I strongly recommend you add to your rotation) then these are excellent candidates.
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Don’t know what I mean by Rugged, Refined, and Rakish? Well go check these out.
The Three Masculine Style Archetypes
Want to know where you fall into the Three Masculine Style Archetypes?
Take this quick quiz and I’ll tell you. CLICK HERE
I’m such a firm believer in the importance of a great pair of casual boots, that I’ve made them one of my 30 Staples – the essential items that every man should have in his wardrobe, regardless of age, income, or aspirations. Check out the other 29.
I spent about 12 hours on the road, by myself yesterday. It was a great drive and a chance to spend some time catching up on some needed books and podcasts.
One great thing about dressing better is how quickly you learn to find clothes that are comfortable and still look intentional.
The poorly dressed believe that comfort and style are mutually exclusive, and reality is the exact opposite.
This setup isn’t overly trendy or attention getting. I certainly wouldn’t be getting any magazine spreads for it, but I wouldn’t be embarrassed if someone photographed me in it either.
It’s a win-win – and that’s what all the best style decisions should be.
Want More?
The Three Masculine Style Archetypes
Want to know where you fall into the Three Masculine Style Archetypes?
Take this quick quiz and I’ll tell you. CLICK HERE
Even more?
Learn the how men throughout time and across all cultures have use their clothing to communicate specific, masculine virtues and tell stories that lead to more success, happiness, and fulfillment.
