101 Things That Change When You Upgrade Your Wardrobe & Improve Your Style

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Often I meet men who tell me that they are comfortable in the clothes they wear, even though they admit that they don’t look good in them. Most of them don’t see the benefit of dressing up and so they just wear cargo pants, flip flops, and T-shirts.

Most men don’t realize that they could probably earn more money, attract more attention from potential partners, and be taken more seriously if they dressed well. Of course, dressing is a process and it takes some time, but at the end of the day, it is always worth it. When I was growing up, my personal style was not developed at all — my parents didn’t care too much about clothing — and so I just wore whatever I had without any concern for style. At the age of 14 and 15, I started to develop an interest in style, but it wasn’t an overnight success. Especially in the beginning, I had to try out some things before I found the style I really liked. Over the years, I have noticed a number of changes that happened after I began dressing well and improved my style. In this article, I would like to highlight 101 things that will likely change for you if you dress better.

Before we start though, I want to share a “before” photo when I dressed poorly and an “after” that represents my style now. It’s a world of a difference — but what I want to show you is that any man can make the decision to dress better. Will you master the art of clothing in a few days, weeks, or months? Unlikely — but you will continuously improve and after a while, you’ll feel uncomfortable look at “before” pictures of yourself because you have come such a long way.

Before, I was wearing short-sleeved shirts in black with designer pockets, white pants and square-toed shoes, a leather jacket with a gaping collar, and a horrible printed silk tie along with cheap straw hats and equally cheap belts.

A few years later, I wore a stroller suit that fit me well and even a white tie ensemble. I know you can change your style too, and I am sure many good things will happen to you because of it.

101 Things That Change When You Upgrade Your Wardrobe & Improve Your Style

1. Coworkers take you more seriously and ask you more questions

2. When you walk on the street, other people will turn their heads to observe you

3. Wherever you are, you are much more likely to be noticed by other people

4. People on the street ask you for directions because you look trustworthy

5. You will have no problem test driving a Porsche or Maserati

6. Strangers will compliment your style

7. Your guy friends may make fun of you in the beginning, but soon they will solicit style advice

8. Good friends ask you to help them order a suit and ask you for color combinations

9. People smile at you more often

10. At the bank, you don’t have to wait very long anymore

11. You are more likely to receive an unexpected upgrade  — in a hotel, at the car rental desk or for a better table at a restaurant

12. If your superiors are sloppy, they may feel threatened

13. People assume you are successful and treat you better

14. Salespeople are more likely to talk to you — but they are also more likely to leave you alone if you tell them you are not interested

15. Friends that usually just wore t-shirts all of a sudden wear a blazer when they meet you for dinner

16. You begin to want mother-of-pearl buttons on your shirts and horn or corozo buttons on your jacket; additionally, you want your buttons to have a shank, so they button more beautifully

17. You want to learn more about style and sign up to our newsletter

18. You notice little details such as hand-sewn buttonholes or the last of shoes other men are wearing

19. You will likely start to notice others’ (poor) style choices,  poor fit, etc. – always remember that you might have committed some style mistakes as well when you started!

20. Some people at work may feel threatened by you because you are dressed better than them

21. Some may think you are more arrogant, but if you are friendly you can quickly show them otherwise

22. Moths become your enemy

23. Suits and shirts that you always thought fit properly suddenly feel like an ill-fitting potato sack 

24. You become interested in closets and their size

Voxsartoria's Shoe Closet
Voxsartoria’s Shoe Closet

25. You analyze other people’s style and you smile when you see them wearing a real ancient madder silk tie, peccary gloves or double sided scarves

26. You realize your body is asymmetrical – your right shoulder is a tad lower than your left one, and your right thigh is slimmer than your left…

27. You start to see the scourge of oversized jacket armholes everywhere

28. You start wearing a tie to work

29. You will iron shirts better than your mother

30. You buy your first knit tie

31. Compliments from people who don’t dress well themselves mean less to you

32. Your alterations tailor knows you by your first name, and you know where to get hats reblocked

33. You don’t want to leave the house without a pocket square in your jacket

34. You understand the difference between a full canvas and a half canvas jacket

35. When you travel, you always look for nice haberdasheries or men’s accessories stores

Fort Belvedere Pocket Square with Purple Border
Silk Pocket Square in Light Purple Violet with Green Paisley – Fort Belvedere

36. You realize that your suit or jacket looks very different with a few new accessories

37. You buy more accessories and get rid of the shiny $5 silk ties you had since you were a teenager

38. Materials become important to you and you check if a sweater is made of wool or blended with polyester

39. Other people are more likely to flirt with you

40. You take a closer look at your dry cleaner, washing machine, iron, and ironing board because you don’t want to ruin your investment pieces

41. You realize sunglasses are not just functional but that different kinds work better with certain outfits than others

42. When people see you in gym clothes they are surprised

43. People will argue less frequently with you and you will achieve your goals in discussions more easily

44. Acquaintances are more likely to invite you to parties

45. The name Alan Flusser means something to you

46. You start reading blogs, websites and magazines about men’s clothing style

47. GQ, Esquire etc. become superficial and you realize they are not worth your time anymore

48. Things like 6×1 DB, MoP and Scye mean something to you

49. People want to take selfies with you

50. Co-workers and superiors compliment you on your presentations at work

Mid brown monk strap shoe with green socks and classic prince of wales suit
Mid-brown monk strap shoe with green socks and classic prince of wales suit

51. You don’t wear tennis socks anymore and invest in over the calf socks and become a little more daring with sock colors

52. You consider going sockless with loafers in the summer

53. You try to match the color of your belt and shoes, and your shoes now need shoe trees

54. You think about getting a pair of suspenders

55. People remember you as the stylish guy even though they have only met you once

56. You don’t want to take your jacket off anymore

57. Flip Flops are a thing of the past (or at least exclusively for the beach or sauna)

58. You get rid of your brightly-colored shirts and invest instead in pastel tones

59. You say goodbye to square-toed shoes and you try to understand the difference between Blake, Blake Rapid and Goodyear Welting.

A "Holden" cap toe oxford in black from Gaziano & Girling [Image Credit: Parisian Gentleman]
A “Holden” cap toe oxford in black from Gaziano & Girling [Image Credit: Parisian Gentleman]

60. Your new suit gives you a V-shape as if you had worked out 5 times a week at the gym

61. You begin to understand the power of appearance

62. Matching colors and patterns in an interesting way becomes your new sport

63. Your standards get higher and higher and you don’t need a salesperson anymore when it comes to shopping for clothes — you are less likely to get sucked into “good deals” if the fit is not right

64. Your dry cleaner knows who you are and gives you a volume discount

65. People who knew you as a child or teenager comment favorably on your Facebook photos

66. You only use shoe horns to put on shoes and shoe shining becomes very important

67. You sometimes get overambitious — thus creating a look that is not your best, but you know you can only improve your style if you constantly challenge the status quo

68. You don’t mind being overdressed

69. You have a spreadsheet with your measurements so you are always prepared

70. You want to visit Rubinacci in Naples, Caraceni in Milan, and Savile Row in London

71. You need to reorganize your clothes storage space — and you now want shoe racks

72. People assume you have more authority and will interrupt you less frequently

73. The meaning of “casual” dress is now redefined as an odd combination

74. You start to have a monthly clothing and accessories budget

75. You buy an unusual suit on sale, because the fabric is so great and it is all handmade — but then you realize the fit is not so good and you return it

76. You don’t trust the dry cleaner with your precious shirts, so you wash them on delicate in mesh bags so you won’t fray the collars

77. You start to become interested in other stylish things like watches, whisky and shaving with an old school razor.

78. The black suit you bought when you had no clue is now only used for funerals

79. You start to dislike monochromatic looks

80. You look forward to cold winters so you can wear your heavy overcoat, gloves, and scarves

81.When you travel you always take your biggest suitcase to avoid squishing your suits

82. At the airport you have to explain the TSA agents what metal collar stays, collar pins and tie pins are

83. You want shoes with leather soles, not rubber

84. You develop an affinity to tweed and other fabrics with a depth of color

85. You don’t throw away your shoes anymore, instead you have them resoled at the factory or at a local cobbler

86. You develop an interest in cuff links and French cuff shirts

87. You try to come up with different hairstyles and grow a beard

88. All of a sudden you don’t like those glasses you’ve had for years, and now you want a stylish pair of acetate or horn frames

89. You throw out your college hoodies

90. You invest in a pair of brown suede shoes

91. You realize one can never have enough ties

92. You invest in a tuxedo and seek out Black tie events

93. The wire hangers you get from the dry cleaners become unacceptable and you upgrade to fine suit hangers with a wide shoulder pad for your jackets and suits

Hanger Project (Made by Beverly Hangers) vs. Butler Luxury
Hanger Project (Made by Beverly Hangers) vs. Butler Luxury

94. You start wearing bow ties, and you always want to tie your own

95. You freak out when you find a vintage silk top hat in your size

96. You aren’t afraid to invest in your wardrobe; you know that a $450 pair of black cap toe oxfords will last for years

97. Your significant other has to wait for you to leave the house

98. You enjoy seeing yourself in the mirror, you get more confident, and you express that in everything you do – and other people notice it

99. You get excited if the dress code is Formal Friday and you dislike Business Casual

100. You start hanging up your jackets in the car because keeping them on when you drive wrinkles them

101. Scientific studies have shown that stylish clothes make you more attractive — and attractive people earn $250,000 more than a less attractive counterpart – so dress better and earn more.

Bonus

102. When you are standing in front of a judge or a jury, the decision is more likely to go your way.

Take the next step & learn how to unlock your full potential by

What are the things that changed for you when you dressed up? Please leave a comment below!

Reader Comments

  1. Raphael, you are truly one of the best to do it. It is great that you are not afraid to show your sartorial growth.

    1. When I wear my very best garments, I am at inner peace and happiness because it’s my best honest creation.for that occasion. That truth makes me confident in any situation. That feeling is very pleasurable and other see it and want it too.

  2. Dear mr. Schneider, I enjoy every one of your articles, but this one was especially entertaining. Over the last two years, I have slowly started improving my wardrobe, with the help of your wonderful website, and this article was a feast of recognition. I do have a sudden interest in tweed, and two months ago I did indeed buy my first knit silk tie. The suspenders, however, are still on my list. Keep up the good work.

    1. Thanks, I noticed that mistake before and thought I had it corrected. Now it is correct!

  3. A very entertaining read. Some I chuckled about… Saying to myself “That’s me!!!”

  4. Sven, I very much like your articles and newsletter. I especially like this list because I’m working with men who are just beginning their journeys into style and finish. They are experiencing the strange feedback of friends and coworkers asking why they’re “so dressed up” and making them feel awkward.

    This is a great list for them to see, so I thank you for putting it together!

    Stay brilliant,

    Blake – The Sharp Gentleman

    1. Thanks Blake, too bad you work for J. hilburn because the value to quality ratio they provide is not that great in my opinion.

  5. Dear Sven,

    I recognize very much of the “transitional proces” you clearly set out in 101 items. I sincerely do hope that a lot of men will read this and become gentlemen. Not only in wardrobe, but also in style and manners!
    Absolutely spiffing job you did.

  6. I just read your 101 article and like other posters I had a wry smile thinking “yup, that’s me”.
    To be very very honest I have really only switched on to what I would call ‘Old School Style’ in the last year/ eighteen months, and I have never had so many comments/compliments/remarks in my whole life.
    The most common being “why are you so dressed up?” ans I’m only wearing a nice tweed jacket!

    By far the greatest compliment to date was from my daughters boyfriend who asked her “Does your Dad ever wear T-Shirts!!!!”…trust me..living in Glasgow that’s quite an achievement.

    Great reading. Keep up the good work….I’ll give the suspenders a miss though.

  7. Fun list! Several of these definitely apply to me already. The most interesting thing is the reaction of people I work with. Ladies are much more likely to approach me to say hello or compliment my clothes. A man who has barely ever spoken to me in the 17 years I’ve walked past him in hallways suddenly has begun being very friendly and even holding doors open for me. And, no kidding, my performance reviews from my manager have even improved. This can’t all be coincidence. Is it the clothes or is it my confidence and attitude while wearing them?

    The other day a news item popped up where a TV producer was arrested in Beverly Hills because he was mis-indentified as the wrong tall, bald headed, black male… fitting the description of a robber at a nearby bank. I agree the police handled him very badly, but at the same time, all you need do is look at the photo of him and you can easily see why it happened. Had he been dressed more like a Producer and less like a Thug, it probably would not have happened.

    People are tuned into the idea that what they drive or live in makes a statement about themselves. Why then are they so naive when it comes to the statement clothing makes about them? They get seen in those clothes a lot more of the time than they are seen in their car or home.

    1. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I agree with you that a well dressed person is treated better by the police, though I think everyone should have the right to wear whatever they want. In this case, the victim must not be blamed – it is the police’s fault, although better clothes might have helped him.

    1. It is one of the things that happen, and you have the chance to sign up at the end as well ;).

  8. My sartorial problems of comportment ended @ 13. My parents bought me this boss suit and i realized that dressing well had its own reward. Many of the points mentioned I’ve experienced for the majority of my life, to the point where it doesn’t matter so much any more (I’m 57 yrs young!) . I found some points amusing, which had a positive resonating effect! Enjoyable reading!

  9. Another great article Sven. 101 good incentives to acquire additional clothing and accessories. There are some which I would omit. Thumbs up on the teddy bear tie and stroller suit.

  10. 42. When people see you in gym clothes they are surprised
    91. You realize one can never have enough ties
    95. You freak out when you find a vintage silk top hat in your size

    I felt so identified with these, as with many others.
    Thank you for the great article.

  11. Hi, my first time on your web so first a thank you, great work.
    As an Englishman who bowls I would like to see more of the manners and etiquette that should be afforded to all. The reason that I mention bowls is that we do have a code of etiquette that should be followed throughout a game and I believe that the world would be a better place if we all practiced some level of this art, because that is what it is becoming, on a daily basis.
    Nothing looks finer than a county game of bowls with the participants dressed in their whites of whom not all are chronologically gifted.
    Please make #102 on your list Etiquette, thank you.
    Stratts

    1. I agree etiquette is good and important, but you don’t get it if you dress well. It is something that you have to actively learn, as such, it doesn’t fit here but have you seen our etiquette guide yet?

  12. Absolutely entertaining and, in my case, sadly but highly accurate! The first suit I ever purchased on my own was in 1970. It was made of polyester and was brown with bell bottomed trousers. I still chuckle over that suit. When I first married it was in the first donation bag to go out the door.
    Sven Raphael thank you for another jewel of an article. Long may you blog!
    Carl

  13. Sven,

    In looking at your “before and after” pictures, I see nothing wrong with the “before” pictures. Certainly they are different styles but the black shirt, straw hat picture would be not only appropriate for a stroll through a beach town, but the white tie ensemble would be out of place in the same setting. My current standard of dress would accept both styles in their proper venues. I wear a tie and jacket or suit just about every day, have several black tie outfits (no white tie as yet) but wear Caribbean style camp shirts for casual occasions. While dress has certainly become more and more informal, one should still dress for the occasion, and not every occasion requires a stroller or top hat.

    Regards,

    Ponzio Oliverio

    1. What’s wrong with the “before” pictures?
      Quite a few things brside the occasion:
      “short sleeved shirts in black with designer pockets, white pants and square toed shoes, a leather jacket with gaping collar and a horrible printed silk tie along with with a cheap straw hats and equally cheap belts.”
      But, you are absolutely correct – before and after pics are not quite comrparble. I guess done to drum up the difference.

    2. You can only see the square toed shoes partially in the picture, and I could have added a number of other early pictures of me but that’s for another time. At the end of the day it’s “live and learn”.

  14. Thanks a lot for this very entertaining article, and also for sharing your personal experiences. Although I’m still far from being a style adept, I can tell it really makes a difference to put some effort in your clothes, so I can agree to those points.
    I would like to share a story out of my university days, when I had just started to wear sports coats: I was in a course, preparing a presentation in front of the class, and when some employees of the university showing up for controlling the work of the professors came in they thought I was the academic to be tested. Not to mention younger students started holding the doors open for me.
    It will always be a pleasure to read this fine gazette and learn somthing new every time. Keep up the good work.
    Greetings from across the Atlantic.

  15. You will always wear an hat or cap in the winter as well as in the summer and you will always need a proper stand to store them and proper accessories to keep them clean and in shape.

    Great article: again, congratulations.

    In hoc signo vinces

  16. Once I had to travel by bus wearing Giorgio Armani suit, a great TM Lewin double-fold shirt with Versace cufflinks and the shiniest Loake oxfords the world has ever seen. In Russia.

    As I walked in the bus, of course everyone looked at me. And one guy stood up to free a seat for me.

  17. Fortunately I learned these lessons decades ago. I quite enjoy being a boulevardier. I am frequently stopped by strangers who complement me on my ties and especially my hats. Being well dressed changes how everyone looks at you, and I find it positively fun! Now with the weather turning cool here outside Philadelphia I can’t wait to begin wearing jackets again with my silk boutonnieres.
    Michael G. Comfort, P. M.
    Norristown, PA

  18. Being a gentleman is much more than wearing the correct clothing. It takes a life time of teaching/learning to acquire these skills – those being how to dress correctly without looking too ‘sharp’, to chivalry, to gamesmanship etc. Clothing shouldn’t become bothersome. Turning up to a casual affair in something OTT only makes one feel awkward and out of place – therefore dress appropriately. Going from one extreme to the other will only raise eyebrows by your associates who will question your motives. Likewise, if you are already an old moneyed gentleman, matching tweeds on a shoot will be laughed at. One would prefer battered odds and sods, with holes etc. We all know the rules. And rules are made to be broken. Swap garishness for subtlety. Harshness for softness. Therefore dress accordingly. LH.

    1. Great comment!.
      A gentleman looks never hokey and pretentious. And he certainly does not waste many thought on how to impress others with his *new* clothes.

      Comtesse de Poitiers

      1. I agree, the clothes are a component of the whole picture. Dressing well, be it in new or used, is a good start to achieving a standard and people who make an effort certainly stand out from the crowd. Dressing well does create the changes in attitudes and behavior of others and in the confidence of the subject as suggested by the article. Improved confidence can open the door to the wider picture of the complete person for anyone on the journey of self improvement.

  19. Perfectly written Mr. Schneider, I will be showing this article and the website to my peers and friends for their own benefit. Thank you for always taking the time to write so many great articles that have helped many of us gentlemen around the world!

  20. Excellent article! It did put a big smile on my face, and you know what I mean.

    Just to share, I was initially fascinated into timepieces, and thought it was enough. Then I met a stranger at a cyber forum who wears nice pair of goodyear welted shoes. Asked him and let me to buy many pairs of shoes. Later on, I was introduced to suits and accessories. I made all the style changes in the past year which a friend of mine commented that I have a different “aura” nowadays. Women in office compliments my style.

    I’m still learning and hope to learn more from your excellent post.

  21. Great read… and spot on! Some of the points rang a bell for me… Funny.
    When I see some piccs of myself from the past…

  22. Most of these 101 reasons are very compelling … getting to towards the halfway point I was getting pumped to overhaul my wardrobe totally and completely!

  23. Dear Sven,

    I was raised in a semi-rural atmosphere. My mother had a fairly high standard for my clothing when I was young, but as I got older and began picking out my own clothes, I drifted toward trends. After college, I befriended a man who began to help me dress better and taught me about fabrics and putting together different textures. A couple of years later, I befriended a successful older man, who took an interest in me and furthered my knowledge of men’s clothing and it’s history. I consider myself fortunate because I took a serious interest in the clothing I bought, the fabrics, and ignored price. I knew what I bought was good quality and I looked good because people took me seriously with my baby face and as you said, asked me directions, came to me for advice, etc. About 10 years ago, I became seriously ill and in the aftermath, took no interest in clothing. I became depressed and didn’t care what I bought and how I looked. As a result of your column, I have come back to my former self and begun spending money on clothing and caring how I look. I consistently pick up valid hints from your columns and quickly apply them to myself and sometimes eventually recall that my friends told me these things 40 years ago. Now, when I’m in a suit (in a rural community), the men usually are the first to approach and compliment me. I am referred to as the man who dresses so well. Thanks for all the help, Sven. I will forever be in your debt for resurrecting my interest and knowledge in good grooming, clothing, and hats and shoes. I owe you a great deal.

    Sincerely,
    Tim Ryan

  24. Dear Sven, Thank you for this article. I began to write down the numbers of the experiences that related most closely to me and then I realized that virtually ALL of them related to me. Are you me?
    Long time dandy still refining. I need to move to a larger place and you know why.
    Many, many positive vibes directed my way over the years. For example—-
    Every October I go with my girlfriend to the Jekyll Island Club Hotel in Georgia. We go the dining room in our finest and are treated royally. The staff at the hotel remember what we wear from year to year. “What? You didn’t bring your bowler this year?” One night another diner just started applauding us. We were slightly embarrassed but so what? They have a beautiful formal room with great food and service and they end up with folks from the bus tour in pull-on pants and polyester. THIS IS WRONG. PLAIN WRONG.
    99% Positive vibes, but I dress up and well because that’s who I am.
    Thanks.

  25. I’ve certainly found most of these to be true – except those relating to the fairer sex, at least in the UK.

    On a recent business trip to New York, three women addressed me without prompting whereas in London it’s yet to happen!

  26. As a woman, fashion evolution for men is SPOT. ON. (great website, too, btw). I think that U.S. men in general don’t know about, nor are familiar with, the sartorial side of life, and what a HUGE difference it can make, especially to the opposite sex (or even the same sex, whatever). ZZ Top said it best: every girl’s crazy ’bout a sharp dressed man. There’s something powerful about a man who dresses well. A man who is comfortable with himself and fashion exudes a certain ‘je nais sais quois’ that’s hard to define, but is VERY attractive. I’m not talking purely metrosexual stuff, but just an overall awareness of it.

    Not sure if you’ve noticed, men, but actor Benedict Cumberbatch is THE current role model for sartorial sexiness (just google the man). While many women desire to be Mrs. Cumbercutie, what he actually brings to the table (besides looks and brains, duh) is really the art of dressing well, understanding fashion and how to dress oneself, something that seems to come much more naturally to British and European men in general. Let’s be honest, the man was born to wear a suit, but he’s just as comfortable in white tie and tails as he is jeans. In the U.S. it’s all jeans, sloppy t-shirts and sneakers or flip flops. Talk about a turn off. Women spend big bucks keeping up appearances and making themselves presentable for men…why shouldn’t we get the same in return? :)

    1. Thanks for sharing your point of view Jill. I wouldn’t say Cumberbatch is top notch but he is certainly very comfortable. I liked the new Sherlock Holmes show.

  27. Another one: The shadow you cast becomes a friendly travelling companion, different from the sagging shapeless parasite who used to followed you around. You’ll be surprised that your silhouette is more strong, erect, and confident.than you had realized. I often work evenings, so coming home, I stroll through parks and streets by myself, yet I never feel alone anymore.

    It’s form is a reminder of your own potential: when your shadow looks like a man ready to overcome any challenge, ready to graciously face’s obstacles life head-on, it’s easier to rise to meet those standards yourself.

  28. Thanks for the tip. I always feel better about myself when dressed well and always looks for good advice to dress for success and be in good style.

  29. Dear Mr. Schneider, I enjoy every one of your articles, but this one was especially was amusing because I have experienced many of those things. I love what you do and hope to meet you one day, a man of exquisite taste such as yourself. Continue to inspire and enlighten me and many others.

  30. My self respect actually exists now.
    I’m probably younger than a good chunk of the men visiting this site, I’m 25, but most of my life has been spent in various states of self-destruction and self-loathing. When my boyfriend started buying up odd waistcoats and jackets several years ago, my long-hidden love for proper mens’ clothing flared up and I figured what the hell.

    Our local Goodwill became a godsend, with the ridiculous amount of beautiful, quality silk ties that wound up there by some wonderful twist of fate. He found an incredible Visconti jacket there that somehow fits him like it was made for him, and I found a pair of Merona shoes that still had the tags on. Its a strange start, but its the only reason this upgrade of ours ever started on a minimum wage budget. I’ve become happier, and I’ve become consistently okay with and even pleased with myself because of this.

  31. I totally agree with you. You did a fantastic job on this 101 points. NICE ONE. I have been reading your works for some time now, but have allways been reluctant to coment, But this was like a “sartorial sermon” which i must say is excellent.

  32. One other observation to add is co-workers look foward to seeing what you are going to wear next.

  33. #102 is only partly true in Germany. In Germany lawyers wear usually a robe at court, similar to the judge’s robe. So only a little bit of the white shirt and white necktie (hopefully silk and not cheap washable polyester) will show…

  34. It is very funny,n being that I am still in high school just so much as tucking in my shirt will make people ask, “why are you so dressed up.” I just wish that I would stop growing so I could get some of my clothing tailored.

  35. Dear Sven,

    Your list struck my fond remembrance of style changes in a hundred and one places. I dare say I’ll be reading it a hundred and one times!
    I recall several instances of being moved further forward in waiting lines, being given more appropriate gifts, and certainly being complimented by those superior to me. The power of refusing to neglect appearance is apparent.
    How applicable your articles are. I enjoy them more than novels or news, for all the satisfaction they give to me and to those I share them with. It’s definitely a place to come when I need clarification or other insight.

    Thank you!

  36. Could not agree more, especially #101. I am an investment advisor and for fun I did an “advisor make over” with a national magazine, and made the cover. The caption used was: “THIS LOOK CHANGED MY LIFE” My confidence level rose, I became more focused and aware of my own presence positive impact, and my stress levels plummeted. Clients became more receptive to my advice so meetings took less time. With that new found time I was able to expand my practice and take more personal time than before. At functions, being the best dressed person resulted in me being noticed more and people seeking me. I now love ironing my shirts because I know that that small activity gives awesome results. Dressing better has indeed changed my life for the better.

  37. Enjoyable article, but you for the biggie: when you dress well your wallet seems to empty faster. Style comes at a price…

  38. On a peaceful Saturday morning, I am reading the LIST a 2nd time with the same “that’s me” smile on my face.

    Brought back a memory of a Mentor’s lesson about how to get your audience to pay attention during a dull training class…”There’s really only ONE message to deliver…AND IT PUTS YOUR CLOTHES ON EVERY DAY”.

    When I dress for any occasion, I follow the cliché rule: “The medium is the message”

    As to #102, more than once in Court I have been asked by the Bailiff…”which side Counselor?”. A lawyer, I am not.

  39. I traveled the world many times over for my employment and always wore a suit and white shirt with tie, highly polished dress shoes, etc even while in an airplane. I could not count the number of times I was approached by airline personnel and complimented and/or upgraded! I became very comfortable being dressed differently than the masses, but always made it a point to be very friendly with my traveling companions; they seemed interested in having a conversation with “that well dressed man”.
    Thank you for the excellent summary and please continue the excellent work.

  40. Outstanding article. I concur with everything said. I live in Canterbury, England and have been following many of the suggestions you made over the past 5 years. You definetly get more looks from woman when well dressed, not to mention the service in shops and elsewhere. I recently had a facelift (I am 66 years old and had a very bad turkey neck) and the overall results have been wonderful. I now get taken for 50 years of age. Combine that with being well dressed and hey bingo! – I feel so energised!!! I look forward to reading many more articles.
    PS. I use to buy a lot of designer brands, but always the found quality wasn’t relative to their price. Mostly disappointing.

  41. Thank you so much for the information. This is a must read for all young men today. Many of the things you mention in this list and in your list of 15 style mistakes are things that my father and uncles taught me when I was young. I am constantly telling my sons the same things that you mentioned and finally, upon finding your web site I forwarded these articles to all three of my sons for their reading pleasure. Thank you so much for your information and knowledge that you are passing along to others.

  42. What started my journey was an invitation to a golf day with an evening function requiring a jacket and tie to be worn. Not having clarity on the invitation and the event being held at a prestigious venue I chose traditional black tie which I rented. I was over dressed as it turned out however the respect that was given to the dress was astounding. Doors were held open and people were deferential in their manner which was entirely surprising to me.
    I later traveled on the QM2 by which time I had assembled several formal and semi formal outfits and again I was complimented on my dress and I enjoyed dressing well and receiving the consideration given to the effort by others. I have to agree from my own experience with the changes depicted in the 101 that have resulted from dressing well.

  43. Great article! Here’s a true story. For most of my life the highest pinnacle of sartorial elegance to which I aspired was tatty jeans and an oversize lumberjack shirt. Then a while ago I came across this website by accident and something connected. I think I had known for a while that the way I dressed probably wasn’t doing my business any good, and it gave me the push I needed to start making some changes. So I bought a few nice clothes which I tried on at home, but for some weeks they felt so alien and ‘not me’ that I couldn’t bring myself to wear them outside the house.

    Finally I plucked up the courage, got dressed up and went for a walk around town. It was a Saturday, and it was heaving with people. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so awkward or out of place in my life, I felt a total fraud, an imposter, and was sure that everyone must be laughing at me. Then it started to rain, and I didn’t have an umbrella, and I was wearing these rather nice chelsea boots for the first time and, being a neophyte, I had not scrubbed the soles before wearing them and—well you can guess what happened—I slipped and fell: not just a little trip, but a monumentally impressive flailing crash onto my backside.

    So I lay there, hardly able to move and genuinely wishing I was dead, when I found a woman leaning over me with a concerned look on her face. “Are you alright Sir?”, she said. SIR! No one ever called me ‘Sir’! Not even waiters called me ‘Sir’. And instead of being a general source or mirth and hilarity as I expected (and as would usually have been the case in my town) I found myself surrounded by a sympathetic crowd who picked me up, brushed me down and asked me if I was OK, and sent me on my way. And I realised that no one was thinking, “who’s that clumsy oaf”, they were just thinking, “what a shame that nice gentleman has fallen down”. And at that moment I finally got it. Appearance is an incredibly powerful thing, and that realisation has opened doors that would otherwise have remained forever closed. So thank you, Sven, I salute you, and all you stand for.

  44. When I sat for my first (and only) interview that launched my successful career of more than thirty-six years, the individual for whom I would work told me I needn’t “dress up” every day. That was alien to me!
    Dad and Mother were very glamorous and knew how to live–and dress. Mother often said most men looked terrific in black tie. They were stylish.
    While Mother shopped at Bergdorf, Dad enjoyed Brooks Bros. My brother and I graduated from Best & Co. and moved on to Brooks Bros.
    I learned from Dad that if you want to be taken seriously, you need not only the proper clothes, but you also need the confidence to wear them.
    I never go to a doctor’s appointment without, at the very least, wearing a blue blazer, usually a silk bow tie, and finely crafted shoes. In hospital hallways I’ve been greeted with “Hello, Doctor.” But the real reason I dress is that physicians spend more time with me than they do with patients wearing sweat pants, crumpled tee shirts, and filthy sneakers.
    And I thank Mother and Dad for teaching me how to look and feel my best at such a young age.

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