Brian _'s List: Style

• What do you think about when you hear someone use the word “style”?
• Style = Expression
• It’s the total combination of the way you dress, talk, move your body, or do anything for that matter. Simply put, it’s how we express our inner being outwardly.
• Most of us aren’t aware of what we’re communicating most of the time
• This is where a coach can come in and pinpoint all the factors that are contributing to what we don’t want, and how we can fix it.
• Once you identify your unattractive flaws or mannerisms, you’ll have the power to change it.
• I firmly believe that every man has the capability to be charismatic - being the type of guy that everyone loves and is drawn towards.
• So what parts make up your complete “style?”
• 1. Your Reputation/Branding
• Guard your reputation above everything else, because once it’s tainted, it’s very hard to change people’s view of who you are.
• People will believe anything about you at first, and then they’ll keep their eye on you to see if you’re for real. Then whatever information is consistent with their perception of you will get added to their current picture, whatever is not, will be changed or removed.
• 2. Clothing/Fashion sense
• While what you wear isn’t going to make up your entire impression, it does make up over 80% of your first impression.
• Just because style = expression doesn’t mean you can wear whatever you want while ignoring the message it’s conveying.
• Which would you believe more?
• 3. Your Grooming
• Not only does the other man look more important and social, but he carries with him an image of more confidence and power.
• I’m not looking down on anyone, but judgments are being made everyday from every single person whether consciously or not.
• 4. Non-verbal
• The messages we get across to other people has very little to do with the words that we use.
• For example, what’s going to make you seem more like a confident and fun guy at a party? Standing around nursing a beer in your hand, and trying to look cool? Or goofing around, dancing like these guys, not caring what anyone thinks?
• 5. Your Lifestyle and Values
• The way we live is all dependent on our values. If we value adventure, we may enjoy activities that involve a level of risk and fear such as skydiving, bungee jumping, or riding a roller coaster. On the other hand, if we value security, we may be reluctant to do such activities.
• no matter how hard you pretend to be something you’re not, people will have enough information to piece together who you really are. No matter what you say, do, or try to orchestrate, something, somewhere, will reveal the truth.
• it’ll cost you less energy to actually work on becoming and being the person you want to be than pretending and trying to do.
• Don’t underestimate the perceptiveness of others, if you are trying to be someone you’re not, people will see it clearly soon enough.
• Even through a tiny action regarding an insignificant thing
• There are things that we can’t possible think to manage that will make an impression on the people around us.
• Why Should You Want These Things at Your Best Level?
• We all have an ideal vision of who we want to be. Whatever part of us that isn’t matching up to that ideal version of ourselves leaves room for us to grow. Only by being as close to this vision as possible, can we experience ultimate joy and fulfillment in our lives.
• 1. Create a folder of yourself and collect all your current pictures. Also, if you have a video camera, film yourself, and keep this file as well.
• Do you remember the last time you watched yourself on camera? Were you ever surprised at the sound of your voice? The way you talked? Your facial expressions? Your poor posture?
• 2. Send the pictures you’ve collected to your friends and get some friends to send you some notes about what they would think about this guy if they didn’t know him.
• Would they think he was successful? Intelligent? Attractive to women?
• 3. Check the notes that you now have
• , are they in line with what you want to be communicating?
• What kind of person would you like to be?
• Start by surrounding yourself with people who have the values and characteristics you want for yourself, and model after them.
• It’s imperative that you choose the people around you carefully, because you will start to become like them. Who we’re around on a consistent bases affects our thoughts, values, habits, and behaviors.
• So model after your favorite celebrities, ripped out ads from fashion magazines, or through friends you look up to.
• 4. Get a coach.
• 5. Track your progress on our newly updated forums. Get advice and feedback from other guys who are on the same quest - to becoming their best selves.
• What part of your personal style do you think you need to work on most? What next action do you plan on taking towards improvement?

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• THE COLOR WHEEL

   

  You must know what a color’s associations are and how they strengthen or soften each other.
• A lot of people have the “knowledge” but they don’t implement any of it.
• 

• There are three PRIMARY colors – BLUE, RED, and YELLOW.

   

  Adding lightness and darkness to these primary colors forms all other colors.

   

  Adding any of these two PRIMARY colors together gives you a SECONDARY color.

   

  Primary + Primary = Secondary
• PRIMARY and SECONDARY colors that are side-by-side on the color wheel are ANALOGOUS to each other.
• Analogous colors work well with each other. But only when they are matched according to the levels of light and darkness.
• Primary and secondary colors that are opposite each other are COMPLIMENTARY.
• Pair these colors for a bolder statement. Be careful matching these though, as certain shades will not look good on each other.
• 2. Remember that Analogous colors work together, but make sure they are of similar value. As a basic color concept, “value” represents the degree of lightness or darkness expressed in every color.
• 3. Use complimentary colors for a bold statement. Matching complementary colors together is a sign of a confident, knowledgeable dresser, and doing so creates an impressive, color-rich palette.
• 4. As a general rule of thumb you don’t want to have more than THREE colors in your outfit. So pick three colors to match throughout your entire outfit. Any more than this and it starts getting risky.
• 

• 5. Use the right colors for your skin tone and coloration. Try different colors against your skin and learn which palettes look best on you. Also, get a second opinion.

   
   
  • Never use holiday colors like red and green UNLESS it is close to that holiday.
   
  • Try to avoid gray colors with bright colors such as yellow.
• 6. The monochromatic look is always safe.
• Lighter and darker shades of the same color can often look good when matched, forming a monochromatic effect.
• Oh, and make sure to avoid wearing colored pants.

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• Every man wants to feel confident that they’re looking their best, but most guys are frustrated and confused when it comes to their image.

   

  Getting that new haircut, or trying on the latest fashionable shirt, feels like tiny baby steps towards understanding what really works for them. They don’t know what they want, or if they do, they’re not sure how to get there.

•  

  What’s the fastest and most effective way to find what works for me?”
   

   

  And my answer is always the same:

   

  Modeling after the best.
• We know that the best way to start learning something is to imitate those who are masters.
• By carefully observing the way he does the exercises and imitating him, you can make sure you’re using the proper form for maximum results.
• Women have been modeling after the best for decades, and that’s why they are so far ahead of us with style.

• This is the reason why we have the “lookbook” series on the website to help you get a sense of how to model.

   

  We take an attractive look, break it down to each piece, and then show you where to find similar pieces to replicate the look.
• From here you can take what you like, discard what you don’t, or make the changes you want until you’re satisfied. This is the easiest, most straight-forward way to build your style.
• Building your style through your eyes
• you can learn a lot from stylish people you see on the street.

• Whenever you’re out and you see a stylish guy, always ask yourself:

   

  “What about this guy’s image makes him attractive? Is it his hairstyle? The fit of his clothing? His nice shoes? The way he used color in his outfit? The way he put together a complete outfit?”
• Reversely, if something looks “off” on someone or they simply look horrible, always ask yourself, “Okay, now what makes him look bad, and how can he improve?”
• Simply turning your attention to looking for these things, along with asking yourself these questions will improve your sense of style tremendously.

• Start a personal style inspiration binder
   

   

  If you don’t have one already, I highly recommend getting a subscription to a men’s style magazine like GQ or Details, even if it’s just for the photos.
• One of the best ways to shop for yourself is to tear out all the magazines pages that you like and collect them in a folder. Then you can make a list of all the things you want to buy before you go shopping to find them and try them on.
• Here’s a picture of one of my style inspiration binders:
• 
• Personally, I save everything I like in plastic sheets that I can place in a big 3-ring binder, or in a folder on my computer. This way I have a whole resource of style inspiration that I can look at anytime I want.

• Ask yourself questions like:

   

  “What’s the most attractive part of this outfit?”

   

  “What noticeable details make a huge difference?’
• For example, you may notice that a pocket square always gives a blazer that sartorial flair, classy and powerful. Or you may notice that a man’s grooming is just as important as what he’s wearing.
• Take your favorite celebrities and start by trying small aspects of their image for yourself. Or for a bolder approach, you can even try to recreate their entire look if you like everything about it.
• Just remember that what may work for someone else may not work for you. Sometimes it depends on your body type, skin tone, face shape, etc. Sometimes personality plays a huge part. But you’ll never know unless you try…
• Modeling never ends.
• Make modeling not a one time thing, but a lifestyle.
• The more you model, the more you’ll develop, re-invent, and continuously evolve your own sense of style. Then you’ll be setting your own trends. Soon people will start imitating you.

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