When the clock struck 12, on January 1st, many of us were thanking God that 2020 was in the past, like a crazy ex-girlfriend. The only problem was that you still carried some baggage with you into the New Year, that atrocious quarantine look. And although many out there have become accustomed to looking like an extra on “The Walking Dead”, it's time to shake off those rags and return to a civilized way of dressing. I know, it's hard to put in some effort after almost a year of not having to care, but with vaccinations and a White House administration poised to stop the spread of COVID, hopefully we'll be back "outside" soon. So wipe the crust out your eyes, dust off those suits and listen close as I drop some quick tips on how to go from Grizzly back to Gentleman.
Grooming
We all saw folks proudly sporting their grays and attempting to grown enough facial hair to make a Biker dude blush in envy. For some, it really was a good look. For most, it was kind of like that train wreck that you just had to keep looking at. Well, now It’s time to step it up.
Haircare—Maybe you, fry it, dye it and lay it to the side, or fade it and mousse it up. Or maybe you cut it off altogether, so you don’t walk around looking like George Jefferson. Whatever you gotta do, do it! Let the streets know that you’re back, and badder than ever. Throw on that mask, and hit the barber, or fire up those clippers so you get back to seeing that gentleman in the mirror.
Shave—Unless you’re planning on specializing in selling weaves, sourced from beard hair, cut it off! Or at least remove the month’s worth of food that you’ve dropped into your beard and give it a little cleansing. Even cavemen don’t want to look like cavemen, so make them proud and feel good about being able to see what the bottom half of your face looks like.
Clothing Care—Your clothes should still be in great shape, since you haven’t had to wear most of them in almost a year. Now all you have to do is iron or steam them and you’re good to go. If that’s too much, splurge a little bit and drop them off at the dry cleaner.
Ditch the Sweats
For many, at this point, putting on any kind of pants is a step up. However, most have found comfort in wearing sweats. They’re comfortable and they were kind to you, when you gained those 15 pounds during your freshman year at COVID University. I hope you’ve been working on getting your pre-COVID body back, so you can ditch the elastic pants for those well pressed slacks or slim cut jeans. If not, no worries, a quick trip to the tailor and he/she can let the waist out for you. As long as you return to structured pants, I’d say that’s a win.
New Specs
Hopefully you’ve left your house at some point to see some light, other than the glare from your computer screen. Whether you’ve been over exposed to the blue screen of the computer or need some sunglasses to protect your eyeballs from sizzling after seeing the sun for the first time in months, you’re going to need some new specs. Check out my previous post Shady Individuals to get on point with your eyewear. For an accessory so small, it’s still important to incorporate some style when choosing a pair.
Remember the Basics
Having great style is like riding a bike. If you’ve done it before, it won’t matter that you haven’t utilized your normal outdoors style in months. It will come back to you like muscle memory. Take these basics with you
Colors—Starting with a navy blue, khaki or gray slacks/pants will never steer your wrong. Pair any of those slacks with a tan/camel colored sweater or a blue shirt.
Patterns—To keep it simple, work with one busy pattern at a time. If your top is patterned, work with an understated bottom and vice versa. Pinstripes are great for business; polka dots are great for that lax look.
Footwear—A good loafer will get you through any door, but a great wing tip lace up will be a conversation starter. While It’s still nasty weather out, throw on a nice dress boot for durability and style
For more check out Position Your Patterns
Brrr It’s Still Winter
Even though things are getting better, we’ve still got to deal with this cold, so dress accordingly. Here in the Northeast, that means your coat game has to be on point, and your accessories are going to be the deciding factor between dope, or nope! Remember that overcoats are an extension of your outfit, so select them with the same level of care. Always think to complement the clothing that you’ll be wearing underneath. For example, if you’re wearing khakis or a light colored ensemble, steer clear of a black coat. Pair your scarf, hat and scarves with your coat, similar to how you would pair a pocket square and necktie with a suit. Be thoughtful and meticulous and always remember your mask. For more, check out Winter Fresh for some great coat selections and Stay Warm Look Cool on how to accessorize it.
A new year won’t automatically erase the problems of the old, but with a little effort, each day will become brighter or brighter. So if you’re looking to kick things off in high gear, get up get motivated, get prepared and mostly..
Stay Suitabull guys.
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