Ladies, I may be just like your husband or boyfriend: clueless about fashion.
This could potentially be a life-changing read for you. It's a moment inside the brain of a country boy who has had an epiphany -- I HAVE NO STYLE.
I'm going to change that fact. This is the start of my blog.
I can't begin to describe my fight with fashion. It has become apparent to me that men's fashion may in fact be the most underrated tool in success (Thanks Tess and Julie!). I've also started to realize that women will look at a man's fashion sense and if it's good, they'll decide that he's probably a great catch. Well-dressed men also seem to be in higher ranking positions. The smarter, harder working country kid seems to be spinning his tires in the lower rankings.
I may be wrong, but style and fashion make up for a lot of shortcomings.
Let me backtrack for a second. I was born and raised in Kleefeld, Manitoba. I rode dirt bikes, shot guns, and my first paycheques came from cleaning out chicken and hog barns. When I visited my friends the night often started with chores, then dinner, then play time. That's country living. I miss it, but I'm on a mission thanks to my degree in Kinesiology from the University of Winnipeg. I started personal training and working with pro athletes. T-shirts and sweats were my daily life. I went from the country, to university, to the gym. You can see why I've never been a fashion guy.
Now my career has evolved to keynote speaker, wellness consultant, and health writer. My newest skill sets include making a killer cup of coffee, and schmoozing. I need to add to that, fashionable.
Men, if you learn nothing else from me, learn this. Style will get you noticed and promoted, your skill and hard work will keep you there. It's sad, but it's true. You can't fight it, so just go shopping already.
On the right is me doing my thing with Birchwood Chevrolet. The left is my first ever button up sweater
I stopped in at Hudson's Bay, and used social media for help deciding a shirt for a night out. Grey won.
This article serves as a starting point for me. With the few small purchases I've made to my wardrobe I've noticed two amazing things.
1) I walk into a room well dressed and people take me seriously instantly. I don't have to sell them on my skill set when I look like I'm a success.
2) There is a lot of great bonding time to be had with my significant other while shopping. I still don't like it, but walking through a store, trying things on, finding a new look, and having a lot of fun gets us out of the house and laughing. That's worth putting on a sport coat, sort of.
My passion, and the focus of my writing will always be workplace wellness, and healthy living. However, I think I've found something that can help a lot of men. The next articles coming up with be tips from professionals on things that need to be in your wardrobe. Those key pieces that will change your style up completely.
November is our month men, so let's tighten up. Skin care, health care, and our style. This month is all about our health. To all you country boys like me who love their moms, can't get enough outdoors, and simply don't get fashion, let's learn.
Nothing beats being a dude who is doing things right. I guess that means fashion too!
Still going to be a lot of this....