Why authenticity and intention should be the pillars of your personal style
Since founding Bespoke Edge with my father and brother in 2012, I've really seen the positive impact of what I call "intentional style" among not only myself and brother, but with my clients.
A lot of men have a hard time finding their own style or knowing what to wear and when. In the world of custom clothing, we're forced(!) to decide on each individual feature of a suit or dress shirt. We have to consider what a peaked lapel might convey over a notched lapel. Or what jacket lining to include. Which button, etc.
This intentional approach to menswear has given my clients (and even myself) the confidence to build upon our personal style over the years.
Remember, style and fashion is a way of quickly communicating something to those around us without saying anything. We can do it for art or for practical business purposes. An example of the latter is wearing a collar pin (i.e. if a man is detailed enough to wear a collar pin to secure his collar, then he's probably detailed enough to be a smart hire, right?).
A carefully chosen lapel buttonhole thread or pocket square are also good examples.
Therefore, intentionally deciding on the aspects of your suit or overall wardrobe can certainly help you to discover your personal style.
Furthermore, in more recent years, I've developed an appreciation for vintage accessories. What I like about them is that they feel more authentic to me versus a mass produced and more contemporary alternative.
This morning my father presented to me some old style accessories of my great grandfather. Inside the small box was a handful of tie bars, cuff links, rings, and pocket watches.
To the best of my knowledge, my great grandfather was a farmer who lived in a small town in Nebraska. The area wasn't far from where my grandma and grandpa spent their entire lives.
It was fun to look them over and imagine my great grandfather taking good care of them over the decades. In the rural farm country of Nebraska, I don't think that he would have donned them too often, but were likely his Sunday best.
Between Ron and I, we'll definitely put the cuff links to good use. As for the pocket watches, neither one of us wear one, but we're going to brainstorm how best to honor and cherish these pieces. One option is to team with our friends over at Vortic Watch Co and transform one or both of them into a wrist watch.
Nevertheless, the theme here is that these are very authentic pieces. And they weren't even something we had to purchase. They were family heirlooms that were right under our noses and have some real meaning to us.
Whether it's a vintage watch from your great grandfather or a leather bracelet you picked up traveling in Central America, authenticity can be an excellent foundation to building your personal style. Your clothing and accessories will mean more to you than something off the rack and you might even take better care of them because of that.
So, there's my two cents on building your personal style. It's easier than you think and a lot more fun!
About me: I founded Bespoke Edge and the fitness brand, Motus Fitness. Follow me here on LinkedIn for my articles on building a Brand, Men's style, Marketing, and Fitness tips. James Bond references sprinkled throughout.