A big concern I hear from guys who are starting to improve their style is that they don’t feel comfortable wearing different things, or they feel “weird” in their new look.
Both totally understandable. And if that’s you, I think I know why you’re feeling that way.
Let me introduce you to this idea of Style Archetypes.
We’ve discussed them on the site before, but today, I’m talking with my friend, Tanner from Masculine Style, all about this (I first learned about this concept from him).
In the video, we discuss:
- What exactly are the three style archetypes?
- What if you realize you’re one archetype, but you have to dress in the style and ways of another?
- Why you should have a signature item in your wardrobe
- Why guys who start dressing better often make the mistake of going too far, and how to come back from that
- How to feel comfortable in your own skin (and in your clothing) as you are on your style journey
- Why incremental style improvement is better than trying to get to your ideal look in one shot
- Are you dressing well, or are you playing dress up?
And about
- How to step up your suit game, even on a budget
- Why you shouldn’t go “custom crazy” with your made-to-measure or custom suit
- Why you should upgrade your cheap
suits to better versions before moving on to your next color or fabric - What
suiting brands to buy at $300, $500, $700+ - The real difference between custom / made-to-measure and off-the-rack, and why custom is worth the extra cost
- How to stop feeling like you’re playing dress up when you’re wearing
suits (or anything else)
Check out the video, and when you’re done, read more below!
Style Archetypes + Lean Wardrobe = the building blocks of your personal style
While knowing your style archetype isn’t the complete answer to a new style and wardrobe, it will serve as your guide when buying clothes, because you know:
- what makes sense for you and what fits your taste, and on the flip side,
- why you may hate certain clothes or can’t get into specific trends (or even more common “essential” items)
Tanner tells a great story about his uncle who needed a suit for a funeral, but he happens to fall under the Rugged archetype, a group who isn’t normally inclined to wear
Make sure you check out the video above for the full story.
So here’s how to use this
First, figure out your Style Archetype.
Then, work on building your Lean Wardrobe (for a hands-on, step-by-step approach, sign up to be notified when we re-open our course, Build A Lean Wardrobe).
Once you have your essentials (the bottom tier of the Lean Wardrobe Pyramid), slowly add more unique items to make your look and style more personal. There are no hard and fast rules to this, so I wouldn’t think too hard.
If there’s a ring you like, a watch you love wearing, or a leather jacket you could see yourself throwing on every day… go for it.
What style archetype do you see yourself falling under most?
Let’s hear it in the comments.
And if you enjoyed the video, please subscribe to Effortless Gent’s YouTube channel. I plan on doing mo’ videos, mo’ regularly.
