I often get asked what I mean by utilizing the power of your presentation. Or why I talk so much about non-verbal communication and what your look communicates about you. Honestly it’s not necessarily because I want these things to be true. Like you, I actually wish it didn’t matter. In the words of the great MLK, “a world where we can be judged by the content of our character” is one I too would prefer. However beyond the extreme examples of the racists of the world, our overall look and clothing can, and typically does impact our day to day lives. From how confident we feel about ourselves; to our public image. (and yes your own environment, colleagues, family, etc.  may be your public image, you don’t have to be famous!)

So let’s fast forward to those of you who are already on board with this concept and are starting to build a wardrobe. Once you’ve got a sportcoat or 2, it’s time to add some PR. Ever wonder why politicians wear Flag pins on their lapel? Or others School/University/fraternity or company pins?  Membership clubs? St. Jude Hospital does an incredible job branding their high profile supporters subtly and tastefully  with magnetic lapel pins. Google an image of it and I bet you’ll say “oh, yaaaa”.

All these are fine examples of subtle and effective cues to emphasize non-verbal communication. Showing love of country, alumni pride or brand loyalty. It doesn’t take much to customize a pin to your own company logo or cause you wish to support. It’s also reflective of your personalities and causes you are passionate about, or a great way to brand your company.  I love my San Francisco pin, my Egypt lapel pin or my American flag lapel pin especially for themes events. 

However The Clothing Coach in Union Square is partnered with some of the Bay Areas finest jewelers who create custom pieces and have all kinds quality lapel pins. Onyx or Gold and silver even diamonds, and may not be quite as expensive as you may think, but boy what a statement it makes. 

So up your game when networking at your next event. Add a lapel pin right in the button hole of that coat’s lapel. Then, speak softly -and carry a fly pin.  

It’s hard to pick my favorite place for french fries in San Francisco. So many great tasty choices! Since they are usually a side order after all, -does it matter what I’m having them with with? Regardless of your preference, can you tell me what French Cuffs (for your pants) have in common with French fries for your tummy? That’s right! They’re both bad for you!

It’s classic when a gentleman comes in for a suit alteration requesting French cuffs for the bottoms. Now we are not talking French cuff shirts, but the type of hem tailored for your pant bottoms. I know we all love wine and croissants and all the lovely things France has brought us, however French cuff bottoms is not one of them. In their defense the term wasn’t coined in France. This is an old tailor’s trick when there’s only 2-3 inches of fabric at the bottom of the trousers, they can fold and stitch it to appear like a regular cuff.  It doesn’t carry the same weight (affecting the drape) or look as regular cuff should when tailoring the bottoms of a trouser. Now we are not talking when you roll or turn up to make a cuff by hand on your pants or jeans, we are talking when actually getting trousers or suit bottoms tailored.

And when it comes to denim, make sure you see a proper tailor even if you aren’t going custom. It’s very rare to get the best length directly off the rack. Rather than hem the bottoms to get the right lengths, the right tailor can re-attach the original manufacturer hem, to maintain the style of the look when shortening.

France brings us many great things, including Dormeuil  fabrics (where we offer a lovely selection in our own Downtown SF studio). But be weary of fabrics and of other random services being labeled with “French”. It’s often a substitute for Faux or fake and often more a part of a marketing strategy.

Just come see The Clothing Coach in Union Square and we’ll get you tailored the right way from bespoke to simple alterations. Customized to your goals.

I often get a kick out of watching folks test for the quality in fabrics by, “feeling them.” “Oh! ITS SOOO SOFT” They say. Or I love when I see someone grab 2 suits, 1 in each hand as if to be a scale and say, “Oh ya this ones definitely lighter-weight, perfect for the summer!” Trust me folks, if your taste buds can be fooled, your sense of touch is no wiser. Often, many of these soft to the touch, silky smooth fabrics, are not silk or anything natural at all. This is important to realize this time of year in your sweaters and especially your beanies, socks and scarves. Obviously meant to keep you warm and cozy, often the inexpensive versions are made of acrylic and other polyester petroleum based fabrics.

Acrylic, yes the same acrylic that is best for fake nails and also makes amazing quality paint for your home. But consider that maybe what is best for the exterior of your house, may not be the best for the exterior of your body, including your hands (sorry ladies).  Again scientists and companies are hard at work spinning chemicals into less expensive versions of natural fiber based fabrics. Cotton is extremely breathable and so can many wool weaves be as well as excellent to help retain heat; without stuffing you up. Blended with silk or cashmere is best to look for when wanting an extra touch of warmth and luxury. So a synthetic fabric may feel smoother and lighter, but will not help regulate your body temperature while keeping you warm as well as a natural fiber. Not to mention all the additional chemicals it takes to create these synthetic impostors.

Remember nothing is ever really free, and hidden costs are not your friend. A $2 scarf may sound great, but, what is it they say again when it’s too good to be true? You may as well build a quality wardrobe you can rely on, rather than constantly replacing cheap impostors. You will find its better for your health, style and value; maximizing your price per wear if it can last multiple seasons. And if you know San Francisco, a beautiful scarf can be great many times of the year, and perfect for a night time walk. I always keep one handy around The Clothing Coach studios in Union Square SF. Come by for a visit some time, we always make you feel warm and cozy!

It’s a colder time of year for most around the country, and it’s no different for us to here in the San Francisco Bay Area. I’m turning on the heat now sitting in the Clothing Coach studios in Union Square. But especially as we get into warmer months, people often ask me, ‘why wear an undershirt? It’s just another layer!’  Hmmm. So is that really just another layer? -Or should we realize the importance? I assure you it’s something you should look at in the same way as you do underwear, -year round.

Often comfort in these matters, is a matter of habit so if your not used to wearing an undershirt, just start and you will get used to it. Just like you got used to your boxers, or boxer briefs or -tighty whities. Not for me to judge,just as long as they are a basic start to your wardobe, and really just a part of hygiene. Like underwear, undershirts protect us and our clothes from our natural occurring sweat and odors. Your undershirt will protect the longevity of your clothing, by not needing as often or as intense of a washing, as odors won’t seep into the fabric as they do direct to skin contact. It’s really important primarily with sweaters, and if you like to wear form fitted clothing. That’s what your undergarments are for, which is why they generally get washed at a higher temperature, require more soap and we are not as concerned with fading as it obviously doesn’t matter.

It’s also a great way to reduce emitting any odors aka -bringing the funk. As undergarments again are an absorbing safety net. I do not recommend moisture wicking or otherwise impressively labeled synthetic undergarments. They are counter intuitive, and are just being molded to attempt to do what cotton, a natural fiber does. Manufacturers are just trying to bring costs down, not enhance your underwear experience. Don’t fall for ‘air vents either’ around the marketing of underwear. Cotton naturally breathes, which is why it is best as your undergarments rub against your skin, in some pretty sensitive places.

Whether you wear a custom suit, tie or not, athletic jersey, sportswear, vacation wear, pretty much anything but swim wear, you need to be wearing undergarments. Bottom AND top.

What better day to bring back The Clothing Coach blog than super Bowl Sunday! Not to mention our own San Francisco 49ers are in Miami representing for the whole Bay Area as they take on the KC Chiefs. I for one am repping some niner gear today (under my black blazer with the red trim of course)  and hoping for a BIG win!

This actually reminds me as a kid growing up and remembering Deion Sanders and how great he was as not just a player, but a brand. A lot of that had to do with more than how he played; it all started with presentation i.e. how he dressed. As he famously put it best ‘You look good, you feel good. You feel good, you play good. You play good, they pay good.’

Even if you don’t know football you know Deion Sanders. He truly was a trendsetter, and among the first to realize another way to make a statement, -this time off the field. His style wasn’t just about being flashy, this man understood the impact and power of branding. And he took it to new levels. Now athletes better understand this power, and find creative ways to stand out with their wardrobe and appearance.
Now just because you don’t have as many eyes and cameras on you (not ones your aware of at least) doesn’t mean that your look is not impacting your own life; financially or otherwise. Can presentation play a role in how you are ‘branding’ yourself in your own circles? around family? colleagues? co-workers and loved ones? Well if you’ve been following our company and what we are all about, you obviously know the answer.

Now this doesn’t  always mean a custom suit and tie, or dressing you like me. That’s not how we do it at The clothing Coach. And there can only be one Union Square Player. The point is to understand your personality, your environment, and how can we give you more confidence to better enjoy, -or dominate your environment. Non-verbal cues. Branding. Goals! Your name doesn’t have to be on a global scale for you to think about this. We all have our own personal scale, and I’d like to think you would appreciate being branded positively in your community. This has nothing to do with what people think, it’s just an obvious reflection of who you are. You never know who you might inspire! We can all be like Deion, unless you just don’t wanna be prime-time. Go Niner-gang!

-Coach

Menswear is a hotly contested segment of fashion.  It’s expected to generate more than $40 billion in global revenue by 2019.  Everywhere you look, a new style blogger is popping up.  Men as a whole seem to be more style conscious and adventurous as ever.  But this is just one side of the coin.  The sheer abundance of men’s fashion and so-called experts doesn’t mean shopping has gotten any easier for guys.

When it comes to shopping, guys are at a disadvantage.  The average male is fashion-averse.  He’s more interested in Monday Night Football and Call of Duty than runway shows and ready-to-wear collections.  And even if he has some mild interest in looking good, he’s clueless on where to start.  What fit looks best on his body type? What colors complement each other well? How should the perfect suit fit?  We men are stubborn and don’t like to ask for help.  But fashion is one area where we truly need it.

If your life was in shambles and you needed help moving forward, you’d enlist the services of a life coach.  If you felt chronically depressed, you’d seek out a therapist.  If you wanted to get healthy and make some huge lifestyle changes, you’d hire a trainer.  Fashion shouldn’t be treated any differently.  For the guy who wants to overhaul his style and figure out how to navigate department store racks once and for all, a clothing consultant is an absolute necessity.

What Is a Clothing Consultant?

You might know clothing consultants by a different name.  You’ve probably heard of personal stylists, fashion consultants or image consultants.  A clothing consultant has the primary mission of enhancing your style game and equipping you with the necessary skills to make great fashion choices on your own.  Consultants, like Mack Deezoe, will give you a solid foundation and walk you through all you need to know.  When you’re finally turned loose, you won’t just look good for today. You’ll have great style for the foreseeable future.

It’s important to note that clothing consultants are more advanced than the type of personal shopper you’d encounter in your local department store.  Those shoppers are trained by their employer, so their knowledge doesn’t expand much further than that of a sales associate.  They’re well versed in what the store has to offer but not necessarily what’s happening in the fashion world outside of those four walls.  A store-specific personal shopper wants to help you but their ultimate goal is to make money for the business.  Their session with you isn’t so much about making you look good as it is about upselling and increasing the total of your transaction.

A clothing consultant offers a more personal touch.  Since they’re not tied to any particular store or brand, the objective isn’t to max out your credit card.  Clothing consultants offer you a life-enhancing service that’s skills-based.  The objective is for you to walk away informed and educated.  Your clothing consultant has his finger on the pulse of what’s happening in fashion.  But he’s also well-informed about classic style and men’s wardrobe tips that will stand the test of time.

A clothing consultant doesn’t treat you like a cash cow.  You become their student, and you stand to gain a ton of knowledge.

Why You Need a Clothing Consultant

Fit

The biggest style complication that trips up most guys is fit and rightfully so.  The industry is heavily centered around slim and tailored fits, but these cuts don’t work for every guy.  Fit problems are all over the place.  There are guys who remain loyal to classic and regular fits and, consequently, their clothes are too baggy.  There are other guys who worship at the skinny fit altar, but they’re either too big or muscular to pull it off.  Or skinny fits make guys look even skinnier.  There’s a time, place and body type for every fit on the market.  Instead of navigating store shelves on your own, your clothing consultant teaches you about what’s out there. Then, he helps you figure out which ones work best for your body and aesthetic.  This is crucial, foundational info that will change the way you look.

Trend

Streetwear is huge right now.  But the key phrase in that sentence is ‘right now’.  Fashion is built on trends, and those trends come and go in the blink of an eye.  Until the last few years, menswear had been immune to trend.  Mad Men ushered in a new generation of guys who wanted to rock classic haberdashery.  But as streetwear increased in popularity, traditional styles took a back seat to ripped jeans and logo tees.  Now, there’s nothing wrong with this style per se, but it’s very specific to a certain age group and lifestyle.  For professional guys who spend the bulk of their weeks in boardrooms, it’s not a viable style move.  And with all the varieties of fits and distressing, you could end up building a new wardrobe without ever understanding the basics.  This is where a clothing consultant comes to the rescue.

He’ll teach you everything you need to know about the different aesthetics.  And based on your day-to-day life, he’ll help you identify key looks and pieces that are appropriate for your everyday activity.

Color

Color is a really complicated fashion concept for guys. Should you match your tie to your pocket square? Should your belt match your shoes? Which colors complement each other? There are a lot of basic color rules that every guy should know.  Plus, you need to understand how to match your outfit colors to your skin tone and how to take color risks without disastrous results.  Your clothing consultant knows all these rules and then some.  He can help you focus on the best colors to enrich your wardrobe, and he’ll walk you through various scenarios so you’re prepared to tackle this territory on your own.

Suiting

Every guy needs a suit.  Whether you work in a traditional setting or you’re going to a wedding or you just bought tickets for a black tie fundraiser, suiting is extremely important.  But despite its importance, finding the perfect one is hard work.  Buying off the rack is never sufficient.  It’s likely that you’ll have to work with a tailor to master the perfect measurements.  However, if you aren’t well versed in what to expect, there’s no guarantee that your tailor will get it right. Clothing consultants can teach you about everything from the suit jacket vents and sleeve length to the break in your pants to the size of your lapels.  They’ll leave no stone unturned so you understand how the perfect suit should fit and how to have a productive conversation with your tailor.

Image

In any field or career, looking the part is essential.  When you walk into a meeting in an amazing look, you feel confident in your abilities, and you’re more likely to succeed.  And it’s likely that other people in the room will pick up on your confidence.  Looking good isn’t just an added benefit for your self-esteem.  It’s a way to communicate your image to other people without ever having to open your mouth.

In conclusion, a clothing consultant is more than a stylist that can buy clothes for you because you’re just too busy.  His primary goal is to educate you and give you the ability to do this on your own with great results.  Just like a physical therapist, the goal isn’t for you to come crawling back every few months with a new problem.  The ultimate objective is to arm you with invaluable knowledge so you feel comfortable, confident and capable.  If you’re on the fence about whether you need a clothing consultant or not, trust your instincts.  This is an opportunity no guy can afford to miss.