May 25, 2020
Men's style coach Tanner Guzy joins the show to share some tips for improving your style and making sure you are highlighting the physical gains you've worked so hard to make in the gym.
Any time you mention style around a group of men, there's an inevitable mixture of bemusement, eye rolling, and genuine interest. Many guys proclaim (or perhaps complain) that they dress "for comfort." They just want to be comfortable, they say, and aesthetic concerns are subordinate, even anathema. Tanner argues that style and comfort are in fact closely related, and men often mistakenly believe that you cannot have both.
The foundational principle of style, he says, is context. Understand who you are, what you do, and where you do it. Your geography, culture, profession, body type, and personality all affect your individual style choices. While Daniel Craig may look dashing in a bespoke dinner jacket at the Casino Royale Montenegro, an IT professional from the American midwest would look ridiculous in the same. Where a mid-level corporate worker could elevate his style with a sport jacket or better fitting slacks, a freelance programmer would perhaps fit in better with a nice pair of chinos and chukka boots. Context matters, so the more you understand where you fit into your own society and culture, and what's realistic for your climate, the better your style choices will be.
When coaching men, Tanner also takes personality into account. He divides style into three broad archetypes: rugged, refined, and rakish. Each describes the intersection between personality, cultural values, and profession. The refined man exudes effortless confidence with fine but subtle clothing choices, whereas the rakish man proudly displays his rebellious spirit with bold, fashionable clothing styles. Each can dress well, to be taken seriously, and in a way that enhances his individuality.
Tanner offers an online style course for men as well as one-on-one coaching (he even helped Matt frame his baby blues). You can also take a free quiz on his site to determine your style archetype.
Also be sure to pick up Tanner's book on the intersection of style, power, and masculinity, The Appearance of Power: How Masculinity Is Expressed Through Aesthetics.
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