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Young men are a country’s future fathers, husbands and leaders.
It only makes sense then that they should start dressing as such.
It may seem superficial, but the harsh reality is that a young man is judged by others within seconds of being noticed.
The old saying that “you only get one chance to make a first impression” is true.
Take the time and effort to look your best and you’ll start on good footing – dressing down to what might be fashionable in your age group only creates barriers when you are looking to rise to the top.
Two sharp dressed young men at the Iron Bowl – picture courtesy of the Social Primer
What Does Dressing Sharp Mean?
Before we get to the reasons why young men should dress sharp, I believe that we should examine what “dressing sharp” means. Below are four definitions of the sharp-dressed young man.
1. Dressing sharp means to wear clean clothes that fit
Does dressing sharp mean that we young men have to wear suits everyday of our lives?
No! Most of us will not be in a career that requires us to wear suits everyday.
There are many young men who go into noble trades like carpentry, plumbing, etc. there are also young men who serve a greater cause than themselves– soldiers, priests, etc.
Dressing sharp for all young men, regardless of profession, is to wear clothing that is free from tears, rips, stains. Clean clothes.
Not only should you make sure your clothes are clean, you should also make sure they fit. Extra large may feel comfortable, but wearing clothes a size or two too big does not do justice. Fitted does not mean restrictive! We may think that fitted clothes will be too tight and will limit the sense of freedom. On the contrary, fitted clothing will seem to be weightless.
Why? Fitted clothing requires less fabric to achieve the sense of freedom, thus less weight. Fitted clothing is loose wear normally tight and snug wear normally loose.
Know what styles benefit you
2. Dressing sharp means to be aware of personal style
Building on clean and fitted clothes, the next level of dressing sharp is to be aware of personal style.
The way of mastering this awareness is to disregard mainstream trends in fashion. Educate yourself by understanding how your build, your hair and skin tones, your environment and your wallet affects what your style is.
We are all not the same – an outfit you see on the young man next to you may or may not work for you.
3. Dressing sharp means to learn from the classics
Now that you are aware that a sharply dressed young man wears clean and fitted clothes and is a master of his personal style, the third level is to learn from the classics. More often than not “dressing sharp” conjures up the image of men from the past.
There is a reason why the clothes from our grandfather’s generation are considered to be classic. Classic menswear, unlike fashion trends, holds firm over time; there are no ebbs and flows of classic clothing.
Sport coats are sharp and look great on young men
4. Dressing sharp means to excel
The last level of the definition of dressing sharp is excellence. The etymology of the word “excellence” comes from the Latin “excellere” which means to rise, to surpass and to be eminent.
Dressing sharp in the greatest sense is to rise above the social norms of the day. Jeans and t-shirts are a common sight in our society and for the most part this casual outfit is accepted in many locations. The problem is that jeans and a t-shirt does not rise above these social norms.
To excel means to dress sharp. To dress sharp means to surpass the norms.
Five reasons why young men should dress sharp
Now that we know what it means to dress sharp, let us cover five reasons why a young man should dress sharp.
Reason #1: Dressing sharp draws positive attention
We live in a judgmental world; we are quick to make assumptions and to categorize individuals based on what we see.
Even if you try to justify your choice of clothing, you are still giving people reasons to overlook and undervalue you. By default we lack the veteran label which older men have through many years in the working world. We don’t have the experience and most of us are fresh out of college.
In order to have potential employers and passers-by stop overlooking and undervaluing us, we need to dress sharp. A young man who wears clean and fitted clothing and uses classic style to his advantage will make people value him, his ideas and his presence.
A young man who excels (excellence) in dressing sharp will rise above and chances are, he will be spotted first, valued and respected.
Reason #2: Dressing sharp shows maturity
No matter if you chose to go to school or to enter a trade or to serve your country, you are now a young man.
Your background has shaped who you are today, but it is your responsibility to carry yourself forward.
And the clothes you wear are no exception. You are responsible for every facet of your life.
Dressing sharp shows motivation and maturity to everyone who looks at you. They see a young man with energy, with health and with a full life ahead of him, but they also see a young man who is mature and responsible enough to sever himself from and rise above his boyhood past.
Reason #3: Dressing sharp radiates self-respect
If you take the time, effort and pride into dressing sharp, you will undoubtedly radiate an image of self-respect and self-worth.
People will see you and think positively of you. Dressing sharp means that you are respecting your body. Furthermore, a sharply dressed young man will radiate a sense of worth. People will see you in your classic, clean, fitted clothing and they will start to think that you are worthy of their time and company.
Reason #4: Dressing sharp boosts self-confidence
A young man who has confidence in himself can rise to the challenge and move mountains. Believing in yourself is a vital necessity in order to be successful and to survive.
How can a young man snag a job he wants if he doubts himself? How can a young man walk up to an attractive woman and ask her out on a date if he thinks less of himself?
Dressing sharp will exponentially boost your self-confidence. Don’t believe me? Go put on your best clothes that you own. The immediate psychological effect is unquestionable.
Look good, feel good. Feel good, do good.
A simple sport shirt is a huge upgrade from the T-shirt
Reason #5: Dressing sharp attracts and keeps wanted attention
A sharply dressed young man stands out from the crowd.
He is eminent. If you stand out from a crowd, then you attract attention and keep it. This is a good thing, attention is wanted when you are seeking to establish yourself as a young leader.
Dressing sharply is the first step to attracting and keeping wanted attention. We see with our eyes and we think with them too.
Image is very important. A young man who dresses sharp gives a strong image to which people will be attracted to and will strive to maintain this attention.
Share your thoughts with us by leaving your comments in the comment box below. An active community of men with style is something everyone benefits from!