Sometimes its fun to point out the obvious. I talk about glamour and elegance a lot and these are not words that we immediately associate with men and yet they can be just as true. Most women at some point try to upgrade the man in their life, with varying degrees of success, but I see more and more men wanting to do this for themselves. Image is becoming more important and just getting by with the style you've always had is no longer acceptable even on a professional level. Male fashion is a serious business which is no longer run by the women in your life, it is important that you care as much as they do. I went out last night with a great friend of mine and his comment was, "Damn, I missed the plaid memo." As I looked around I would say 60% of the guys in the room were wearing some type of plaid shirt. I wouldn't consider plaid to be an acceptable evening fabric, yes Lumberjack was a significant influence this season but I can reasonably state that there is not a chance you would ever see 60% of women choosing the same trend.
So who's fault is it? Is it men's fashion that isn't imaginative enough or men themselves that refuse to leave there comfort zone and be seen to care too much about their appearance?
Well I don't think its Men's fashion because there are other patterns and fabrics out there, I know I've seen them. Men who dress well stand out, as there are so few of them. I know sweeping statement and I deserve a raft of comments from all those of you who do try new things, without a knife in your back. When I've helped men in the past I've realised a few things; they tend not to have the same preconceived notions that women do, about what will and won't suit them but they also have a lot more fear attached to the whole process. Starting with shopping as an idea, for some it is almost a dirty word, conjuring images of trawling, schlepping and being dragged from place to place. I've discovered with Men it is vital to have a plan, that they can see, so they can see the finish line as you begin. They fear being laughed at by their friends and so changes have to be subtle and in increments giving them time to adjust to the new style. It is rare to find a man that embraces the process in the way that women do, until they start reaping the benefits. Then I become a useful tool in their arsenal, until then its a mix of iron fist in a velvet glove to make the necessary changes, luckily this is a personality trait I have in abundance.
I find that men care just as much about their appearance but they do not have access to the same tools that women have. Every women's magazine runs an article twice a year on dressing for your shape and styles that suit, men's magazines don't, every time you turn on the TV there is a stylist telling you how to look good, or dress better or understand this season's trends - men at best get an 'add on' piece at the end. They have less options and less information and then we wonder why they are all wearing plaid, it just isn't really fair.
Dressing men is both harder and easier but it can be more rewarding. So if you are thinking of clothes for Christmas, why not try to think outside the box of his, or your established style. New Year, new you and all that.
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