DON’T DO WHAT IS POPULAR.
Never follow the fashions of the time; not with tactics or with style. We wear clothing for various reasons, and it’s mostly for practical purposes. Some use fashion like armor; its used intentionally or unintentionally as a means of making or not making good or bad impressions upon others.
Hans Christian Anderson wrote aptly about pride and vanity in his story the Emperor Has No Clothes. I think most people get the idea Anderson posited. Feeling exposed in front of others, we might feel a lot of shame. Feeling shame induces many people to cover up their perceived failures and flaws. Humphrey Bogart was a veritable tough guy in film noir but he was a reedy 140 lbs outside of those choice suits. I’m not opposed to fashion. Geoffrey Beene lamented the need to show too much skin on runways as bad style.
My brother taught himself to tailor high end men’s apparel and I learned the basics of construction, color theory, style pros cons etc. High quality threads can sometimes hide the worst physical deficiencies; legs too skinny, belly too large etc but it can’t hide ability when the time to show it comes. It can’t hide whether you can run, box or shoot. Clothing can’t hide heart but it can sometimes hide fear, right, even when you’re shaking like nothing else. It can sometimes mask muscle but it can’t mask willpower.
The Duelists told the story of two soldiers that distinguished themselves through their service and become generals, however, their mutual hatred never ceased, even when the initial cause of their rivalry was forgotten. So clothes can’t cover up common sense, skill and talent or a lack of it; many slicked up shooters can’t even shoot at all. In the movie Collateral actor Tom Cruise does an excellent job mowing people down all while dressed in a slick looking grey-tonic suit. How do you determine what is good apparel for your purpose? The market is catching up with the demand for functional, stylish wear. Learn to look smart learn to perform smartly where you get comfort and utility. But in the end the man must make the clothes, not the other way around.
Ability over style first.
*The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Spotter Up Magazine, the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.