Guest Contributor: Paul Walters - "Stylistic Integrity"

Hello again. You have no doubt been practicing the presence of first impressions. Our conversation regarding their power and the importance of maintaining a polished image afterwards brings me to the next matter of business.
Today’s writing will delve into what I call “Stylistic Integrity.” As far as I know, this is my own terminology, but the principle applies to everybody. Stylistic integrity refers to developing one’s own personal sense of style, and integrating that style into your wardrobe. I must first stress the difference between “fashion” and “style.” Someone who simply keeps up with fashion is continually updating their wardrobe with pieces pushed seasonally by designers. One can definitely dress well this way, but the tendency to look like a mannequin in a department store window is virtually unavoidable. There is no face to go with the outfit; no real personality present.
The key to “style” is individuality. One who is developing his style (rather than keeping up with fashion) is updating their wardrobe with pieces that will always look good on them, instead of watching designer-created trends that will unavoidably go by the wayside. Buy for quality, and not necessarily for quantity. Steer clear of pieces that may be fashionable, but are simply not you.
A well-developed wardrobe may take 20 years to build to one’s satisfaction. That’s okay. Take your time. With patience, you will fill your closet with pieces that will look good for that long.
Some may ask, how do I know what is my personal style? How do I avoid buying simply to fill a certain fashion niche? For most of us, our identity is in flux, changing with life’s curve balls. What I offer is this: build your wardrobe around the things you like. If you like a Windsor knot as big as a croquet ball, choose ties that are made from thick fabric (generally Italian silk) and have at it. Those ties will serve you for years. If you have a passion for French-cuff shirts, diversify your cuff link collection, and buy shirts made from quality cotton. If you like bright colors, express them in your socks! A brightly colored sock is understated until you want it to be. Stick to the things that you like. Don’t let trends dictate your passions.
Fill your closet with things that make you happy. It’s nice to be able to choose fabrics in colors and patterns that you love, as you won’t get tired of wearing them. Invest in a couple of custom shirts. Astor and Black makes beautiful shirts with your choice of fabric, cuff-style, and collar-style. These are exceptionally well-made and, if cared for properly, will last you for years. Here’s another tip: custom-made clothing is not going to go out of style, and it will always be your style. Designing your clothing from start to finish is going to insure that the only person who knows when it was made is you, and leaves you knowing that you made a purchase for quality.
This is an investment in your personal style. This is especially important with suits. Pick up a couple of magazines, such as Esquire or GQ, and look at pictures of the suits for the features that really impress upon you. Some suits have an additional pocket on one side, above the waist. This is called a ticket pocket, and may be what you were looking for to make your suit stand out. Suits with functional buttonholes on the sleeves usually employ thread that is the same color as the suit fabric. Why not change that? Pick a bright red paisley print for your jacket’s silk lining if it rings your bells!
I mention all of this because it costs about the same price as a nice off-the-peg suit from a department store to have a suit custom-made by Astor and Black. An Astor and Black client can choose every detail of his suit’s construction from lapel size and shape to thread color on functional buttonholes. Features like a bright jacket lining, a ticket pocket, thread choices, or slanted or straight pockets are included in the price of your suit! Hand-picked stitching on lapels and pocket flaps is included if you like it, and can even be done in a different color thread from the rest of the jacket. The finished product will be decidedly YOU!
What I am stressing here is that your style is simply that: your own. And along with your mistakes, your style is one of the few things that you can truly call your own. Stylistic integrity can be achieved by embracing your quirks. Go all-out and exploit them! If you know “rules of fashion,” learning to break them is essential. Next time we talk, we’ll converse about some fashion rules. At that time I’ll provide you with some ideas on how to break them. Until then,
Cheers!
Paul

Guest Contributor: Paul Walters - "1st Impressions"

Greetings! My name is Paul Walters and I have grown up with somewhat of an affinity for men's clothing (no, baseball caps and sneakers don't count) and often downright dandyism, and am pleased to be offered the opportunity to share my thoughts.
Today's post expands upon the notion of looking one's best. Down the road my writings will be graced with more specificity, but as this is my first, let's discuss why we spend our time visiting sites such as this. I assume all of us here have a desire to not only put our best foot forward, but to smash it down in the face of mediocrity and insolence.
Will Rogers once said, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." Makes sense, right? Well, studies have shown that, upon your first meeting, an individual will give you a primary sweep and evaluate you within 30 seconds; and, it can take up to five years for them to change their initial opinion of you! If that is truly the case, I would hate to face the potential of meeting anyone important while running to the grocery store in worn track shoes and sweats. If this sits with you well, please read on.
The first impression is only the first step. Continuity is crucial. Consider this scenario: you have a job interview for an important position under an important boss. Five people interview, and all of you have the same qualifications. Obviously, the way you look when you walk into that room is how you will be viewed throughout the hiring process (assuming you speak with more intellect than Gomer Pyle). Did you look the part? Excellent! Let's move on.
Why waste any time presenting an image of poise and polish if it cannot be repeated? Maintaining a standard of excellence in your dress assures an employer that when you wake up in the morning, you take your time preparing to do your job. This assurance manifests itself throughout the whole of your work relationship. If you prepare to come to work, the assumption will be that you prepare to do your work. This is why two associates hired at the same time cannot both get a corner office with a window! The one that stands out is justly rewarded.
Shave daily, for crying out loud! Press and iron your clothes! Wear a tie! Shine your shoes! And then, imagine that everyone else does, too. Breaking through the corporate mold is where individuality finally comes into play. J.F.K. said, "If you accept 2nd place when 1st is available you make a habit of doing it for the rest of your life." Dress for first place, and all others can be nothing better than second.
Obviously, the workplace is a metaphor for all other areas of one's life, as work encompasses most of our lives, but the theory remains the same. I've never gotten shoddy service at a department store if I was dressed well. I've never repelled women when I was dressed well, and consequently, I'll always make sure that I am dressed well!
Hopefully my dedication to "the cause" has been well represented. My next writing will further explore developing stylistic individuality rather than simply explaining the nuts-and-bolts approach to self-representation, but remember: If you've found yourself here, the desire to look like a million bucks (whether you spend it or not) is obviously an itch that needs to be scratched, and you've come to the right place.
Cheers,
Paul