A Gentleman's Guide to Navigating Fashion

4 things every millennial man must know

written by Rayvon Shelton

your style is your point of view – it speaks for you without you having to open your mouth and sends a message to people before they even know who you are. that’s why it’s important you’re always speaking a language that proves you’re style conscious, my brother. and whether you’re going for a classic street look or getting ready for a stylish evening, here’s a list of things you’ve gotta know before you step out.

4). know your size.

if you truly want to take your wardrobe to the next level, you gotta make sure you know your sizes first. does your shoe size depend on the style of the shoe? do you know your sleeve length for dress shirts? what about your blazer size? pants size? neck size? it may seem like a lot but trust me, committing these measurements to memory will help you make better decisions when it comes to the types of garments you’ll buy and the type you’ll pass on. don’t know your size? cool. all you gotta do is go to the suit and tie section of any department store and see a tailor (for free). you’ll be glad you did, watch.

3). know your style.

arguably, the most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to fashion is your personal style. because clothes speak for us before we even open our mouths, it’s important that your clothes adequately reflect an aspect of who you are. and although it’s tempting, refrain from “biting” someone else’s style – that’s hella lame. don’t be confused, though. it’s ok to have a similar style as another person. but at the same time, there’s a difference between having similar tastes as someone and having identical tastes as someone. the way I see it, we all have our own mind and our own story; and our clothes are a tangible representation of those stories. hence, no two styles, stories (or people) should ever be the same because we were all born to be original versions of ourselves, ya feel me? besides, people can always tell when you’re faking it.

2). know when to change it up.

you ever heard the saying, “there’s nothing new under the sun”? well, that proves to be especially true when it comes to fashion. it’s no secret that things are constantly going out, coming back, and leaving again. that’s why our parents are always reminding us of how they used to wear the things we wear now “back in the day.” but the key to staying in tune with what’s “out” and what’s “in” is simple: remain culturally relevant. and before you say it…no. doing this does not mean you’re easily influenced. it means you’re cognizant of cultural trends in the fashion world and are capable of which of those changes apply to you and which of them do not. we not out here wearing 4x t-shirts anymore (at least the mass majority of us aren’t). girbaud (ji-boe) straps not poppin’ like they once were; and it’s not because everyone decided not to be true to themselves. it’s because one day, everyone collectively decided “hey, we ain’t wearing this no more.” and you know what? that’s perfectly fine because change is inevitable and if you’re not changing (in a positive way), you’re losing.

1). know your price point.

long story, short. don’t be out here spending all your money on clothes to impress people who low key gonna talk about you behind your back regardless. you should never seek to do it for the people anyway. do it for yourself. and a part of getting dressed for yourself means shopping within your budget. if you can’t afford it, don’t get it. if your bills aren’t paid yet, don’t get it. if you gotta exceed your credit limit to buy it, don’t get it. it’s a simple concept but a hard one to grasp and actually apply. don’t be one of those guys that knows how to look the part, but is broke. nothing is worse than a public success and private failure, real talk.