A More Urgent Note on Fashion: Gentlemen

Everyday I see the same mistakes being made by otherwise kind and dignified young men. Like it not guys, your general appearance can make the difference between "Sure!" and "I'm going with friends." Even if you already have a significant other, you can be sure she'll appreciate any effort you make to dress better. Don't care about 'significant others'? Well what about respect? Dressing respectably can go a long way towards procuring the respect you deserve. So here are a few rules to be followed. Note that I said "rules", and not "tips". If you're not already doing these things, start now.

1. Wear a belt. In the first blog of this fashion mini-series I noted the importance of wearing a belt whenever your shirt is tucked in. But I'm going to expand that to anytime you are wearing pants (even if your shirt covers it). Because guys pants are so often cut to be somewhat baggy, what fit this morning may expand by the afternoon. And if it was already falling off your hips you're setting up innocent bystanders to view one crescent moon they never wanted to see. That aside, the top half of your boxers is only a slightly less nauseating alternative. Some girls find boxer waistbands sexy. But when they say "waistband", they really do mean the waistband. We're not interested in a wide shot of your flaming chili peppers, miniature hearts, race cars, or the pair with the holly berries you got for Christmas.
2. Don't Wear Clothes with Holes or Stains. Unfortunately some guys still need to be told that holes and stains aren't classy. I don't care if you just came from working in the yard or how chill your mother is. If you're leaving the boundaries of your own property (or stepping outside the house for that matter), change your clothes.
3. Wear Clean Clothes. And by clean we do not mean it was at the top of your hamper. If you've worn it more than twice, it's time to wash it. B.O. and dirty laundry aren't attractive. So grow up. And don't use the excuse of "there was nothing else clean". Circulate your loads like the rest of adult society. Your mom and sister have been doing it for years.
4. Take a shower. I'm not even sure why I should have to write this. I just know there are some guys who either don't have the will or common sense to heed this rule. But you stink. So jump in the shower and clean up. And when you get out, use some hygiene sense and put on deodorant--for everyone's sake.
   
5. Make sure your pants settle on the tops of your shoes. This is a personal pet peeve of mine. Call me superficial, but few things strike me as more un-classy than high water pants.
6. Own a suit. You're a big boy now, so dress like it. Having a suit of your own ensures it fits, and gives you something to wear on formal dates, to weddings, at church, banquets and proms, and some kinds of job interviews. Not to mention you can split up the pants and jacket and wear as needed.
   
7. Own at least one pair of dress shoes. Sure they might be uncomfortable, but that suit won't look very good with your grubby tennis shoes. And the 'suits-with-kicks' look only works in some settings. Even if you only wear them once a year, buy them anyway. Think of it as a doorway to manhood. Aren't guys always saying "no pain, no gain"?
8. Know How to Tie a Tie. You tie your own shoes don't you?
   
9. Wear Clothing Your Size. Wearing clothing that's sized too big makes you look suspicious, and wearing clothing that's too small looks like you think you're all that and a bag o' chips. Even the most muscled guys shouldn't overdo it. If you look like your trying to show off, the point is null.
   
10. Don't wear a lot of prints. I don't have any great fashion science behind this rule. I've just noticed that on a whole, guys who experiment further than the traditional bi-color stripe, solid, and monotone plaid just don't look quite... well they lose points. So just avoid it.
    

Six Things that Will Make You Instantly More Attractive:

1. Keep your hair cut. If you're growing it out, than do so, but keep a hat around, or work out some alternate hair style until your hair grows out past that awkward mid-length.
   
2. Shave. Facial hair may be manly, but if you can't grow a full beard (and maybe even if you can), your clean shaven face will be a lot more attractive than the whole stubble, peach fuzz, hair-in-every-direction look.
   
3. Wear unwrinkled clothes. Even if it's fresh out of the wash, if it's wrinkled, you'll look unkempt.
   
4. Take care of your face. Everyone has acne. But it won't get better by ignoring it. Unless you have really severe acne, pimples can be diminished for the most part by simply washing your face twice a day (perhaps with a skincare scrub or foam), keeping your pillow case fresh (pillow cases should probably be changed every ten days, or one to two weeks), and your hair as greaseless as possible.
   
5. Stand up straight. Slouchers aren't attractive. They look small, timid, and weak. The more confident you look, the more attractive you'll be to the opposite gender, and the more respect you'll garner with your peers and employers.
   
6. Work out. A little time in the gym never hurt any--oh wait, it did. But overall it's still probably worth it. There are some things that are genetic and will never change, but a balanced work out routine (that means one that works on muscles all over, not just your upper body or core), can go a long way towards making you stronger, and thus more attractive.