I believe men are style-conscious. Actually, some are even more so than women. Whether they admit to it publicly or not is another story. And it seems they have always been conscious about their looks since the beginning of history. In olden times, men used to dress up and groom themselves as a sign of how respectful they could be towards others. Back then, men used to be much more elegant and stylish.
It's a fact that men do read women's magazines – they even pick up skincare tips from them. When women can use make-up to improve their looks and appear presentable, what's the harm in men using male grooming products to look good? I mean, they spend as much time in front of the mirror as women do or perhaps even more. This in itself speaks volumes about men's desire to look good.
Of course, it's another matter that many men do not follow the Time, Place, Occasion (TPO) rules. It matters to know what to wear at the right time, right place and for the right occasion. It's better to follow the rules rather than just dress up according to your personal preferences.
In terms of fashion, I think men too are fashion victims. They seem to pay more attention to the prevailing trends than to what really suits them and thus bring out the best in them.
A piece of advice to style chasers: if you are a corporate guy, please don't look up to Hollywood celebs as role models. They are in show business; you are not. That is the first wrong move men make in terms of choosing a style or a look that is inappropriate.
Imagine a man with shiny slicked-back hair, in a sharply-tailored black suit, a dark shirt, a dark tie and black patent brow-tip shoes turning up for an appointment. How would I profile his company's brand image?
I suspect he would not be able to answer my questions satisfactorily because he would seem to be more interested in trying to impress the world with his image. In other words, the real issues would take a backseat.
His dress sense could indicate a lack of business protocol, intelligence, even professionalism.
Personal or professional image does matter. It reflects not only your personality but also what you represent.
So all you men out there, please take care to not send the wrong signals in the wrong place at the wrong time!
- Zelda Makhlouf is an image consultant with Style Management Consultancy.
