“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no
influence on society.” – Mark Twain
I was a fan of Miami Vice’s Don Johnson in the 1980s for reasons best expressed by Roger Bennett in “My Love Affair with the USA”:
[Miami Vice’s ] Don Johnson…drove a Ferrari, kept a semi-automatic pistol… and possessed a head of feathered hair that became blonder the more successful the show became.
The most remarkable thing about him was that he was unafraid to be singular in style…[He] savored pastels to an absurd degree…No shootout was so treacherous that camouflage and Kevlar should be favored over a pink T-shirt tucked into a high-waisted, pleated linen pants and espadrilles with no socks.
What spoke to me that this was a man unafraid to be different. He found a look and committed to it.
Perhaps Don Johnson was so handsome he’d have success with the ladies sporting a mullet wearing overalls and tank tops.
But most men should avoid clothing or hairstyles that are lower on the social hierarchy because women have a strong preference for men who wear “high-status” clothes, according to evolutionary psychologist David J. Butler, author of Adapting Minds.
Interestingly, Butler claims this high-status preference occurs across the board in relationships ranging from one-night stands to marriage:
… research has found that women find men who are well-dressed to be sexier, more intelligent, [more] successful, more popular, and better relationship material. In fact, wearing “high status” clothes is one of the easiest ways for a man to become instantly more attractive to women
A 2011 survey by Kelton Research confirms women’s preference for high-status clothing.
…not only are well-dressed men viewed as sexier, smarter, more successful, and more well-liked, but they also fare better in relationships. In fact, 91% of Americans think dressing well can make a man appear to be more attractive than he really is
So what’s a good look for a man these days?
Don Johnson, Don Draper (Jon Hamm) from Mad Men, and James Bond are old school examples. David Beckham, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and John Legend are other examples of well-dressed men
But my vote for the most stylish goes to the Dos Equis pitchman, the larger-than-life older gentleman, who tripled beer sales over a nine-year period
Most of his appeal is that “He’s the Most Interesting Man in the World,” but his eyes sparkle, and he dresses immaculately in a jacket and pocket square
Besides conveying wealth, sophistication, and style, a jacket can conceal a small gut. I favor a traditional look, but there are many “roads to Jerusalem” when it comes to fashion and grooming
Lately, there’s been a resurgence in Western wear due to the popularity of Yellowstone. I particularly like cowboy boots because they give men a big lift and project a confident, masculine image. (I’ve never dated a woman taller than me, but I’d wear cowboy boots if I did. Not because I care about being taller, but because I know she may care.)
Regardless of the style you choose, you should be aware that research shows “women are more attracted to men who wear flashy, stylish clothes, have humorous verbal expressions, and display open, confident body language
The Rock’s and Colman Domingo’s all pink suits – and the raspberry velvet jacket worn by Daniel Craig (James Bond) – are example of men with enough confidence to dress boldly like a peacock
Now I can’t claim to have a pink suit in my closet yet, but if The Rock and James Bond are wearing pink suits and jackets, it’s masculine by definition
What’s not masculine is to dress in dark mustard shirts, drab neckties and nerdy glasses like Dwight Schrute from The Office.
Do you have the confidence to dress like James Bond and The Rock, or are you more like Dwight from The Office? If it’s Dwight, burn your clothes today!
If you’d like to arrange a free 15-minute consultation on how to improve your dating profile, please visit www.datingprofilesecrets.com to book a session, or text me directly at (240) 477-3999
