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

Late last summer, Charlottesville, VA was headlined across the country with news of the tragedy that occurred around those racially charged protests -surrounding the takedown of confederate statues. A group of brave Virginians came out to counter-protest hate, when a car came plowing straight into them at a high rate of speed. The impact injured Marcus Martin’s leg as he pushed his fiancé Marissa out of harm’s way -before he went flying in the air. Even worse, the impact fatally injured their good friend Heather Heyer. Their upcoming wedding became the last thing on their mind and hardly seemed possible. But while it’s hard to make sense of senseless acts, this one has brought people together from all around the country to try and make this couples big day a much more pleasant memory.

Bella-Giornata events, of Fredericksburg, VA heard about what happened and that Marcus and Marissa were now no longer planning a wedding. After all they went through, that just did not sit well with Cristina, owner of this small business -and she did something about it. Bringing together over 30 vendors to ensure she could give them the wedding they deserve without the associated stress or cost. While the couple was truly touched and extremely thankful, they were mindful of Heather’s favorite color purple, insisting on that color scheme to honor her memory.

The event was remarkable, put together at Walden Hall in Reva, VA. The Clothing Coach men’s custom clothing line provided Marcus’s entire outfit, while also styling the groomsmen in cooperation with Men’s Wearhouse. Marcus wore a custom 3-piece suit, with a vest matching the finely pin-striped black pants paired with a suit coat uniquely blended of wool, silk & linen in a gorgeous shade of purple. With all the purple accents to match, Marcus also wore a customized lapel pin honoring Heather.

It truly was a wedding to remember and brought more people together that no hate can divide.

Technology is cool. We love gadgets and technological advances that make life easier and more convenient. However, when it comes to fabric for clothing, tech advancements are often more like artificial fillers then artificial intelligence. This can be obvious when it comes to dress clothing, but often overlooked when it comes to casual clothing and workout gear. There are probably a few things you should keep in mind when making causal or routine clothing purchases.

A helpful way to assess value is by looking at the tags for fabric composition. Natural fibers are almost always more expensive then their man made counter parts. Synthetic fibers are generally manufactured to simulate the performance of natural ones, and while there have been great advancements from what was first on the market, they still do not adequately compare. The primary motivation behind this technology is the lowering of costs both for companies and consumers, however there are many hidden costs to keep in mind.

Comfort is often measured by stretch-ability and we fall for marketing gimmicks such as “stays-cool” or “clima-cool” tags. If the fabric is polyester, (or another synthetic) molecules are just tweaked or grooves created on spots throughout a shirt to attempt to simulate what cotton does naturally. If stretch and ease of movement are priorities for your workouts, then try synthetic/natural blends when it comes to your workout gear. Our pores open up and absorb more during workouts, the last thing you want is 100% synthetic fibers that do not breathe and are treated with any of the 8,000 known chemicals used in the manufacture of clothing today.

Undergarments and socks are an area where you should not compromise. 100% cotton undergarments have not only become more expensive, but are increasingly harder to find. Again, there synthetic counterparts have come a long way but I advise all my clients to stay far away. The breathability cotton fibers provide are necessary to your health and hygiene in addition to comfort. Sizing and quality can often have more to do with comfort, so make sure your buying the best size, style and fit for you.

Upgrading your entire wardrobe is a real challenge for most men to take on, not to mention costly. Clients often ask me where to start? What’s most important? Or, what’s the quickest way? While its always most important to develop your style to match your individual personal and professional goals, there are a few general moves that are sure to make an immediate impact. Here are a few wardrobe game changers you can trickle in as you gradually build your wardrobe.
Visit a local tailor- Before you replace everything, look for Jeans, shirts, sportcoats things you may already own (that are still in good shape of course!) and find a good tailor to update the style. Jeans and shirts can be tapered or shortened, coats taken in or let out. Factor the cost of tailoring vs. replacing items, or so they can be added in with the new daily rotation. Most importantly, your tailor will be an asset and guide with newer purchases as well.

Shoes- The quickest way to make a strong impression, -update and upgrade those shoes. A nice suede slip-on, or maybe a leather chukka boot. A sharp saddle tan or sleek black, something crisp and well maintained. Whether classic or edgy, you’ll notice that this will be among your wisest investments; so do yourself a favor and prioritize quality and style over price. Spending a little more will go a long way, for your comfort and confidence.

Watch- Pulling out your phone to check the time can be often misconstrued as a lack of attention or respect in many situations. A watch not only adds style but a practical grace to your style. Removable leather bands can add a nice touch of style to pair with your belt and shoes. It’s hard to go wrong with a classic timepiece, but whatever style you end up with, keep it tasteful and no need to overspend. Here is a great place to crawl before you walk.

Give these a try for an immediate boost to your wardrobe and style. Great starting points that make a noticeable impact.

We’re all caught up trying to stay on top of e-mails and e-bills, making sure we don’t miss anything important. Delete the old and useless to stay on top of what’s new and relevant. We all know the importance of organizing tasks, finances and documents, but often neglect a space we not only utilize daily, but can cost us money, confidence and adds stress when forgotten; the closet.

An edit of your wardrobe and what’s being housed in the closet is the perfect way to start. Before you begin the actual organization process, I’m willing to bet there are some things in there that might be time to let go of. Set apart some time with your clothing coach, and try on each item. Understanding not only your style as it relates to current and traditional trends, what it communicates and understanding the possibilities and limitations of alterations is key. You may actually save money on upgrading your wardrobe through altering some items you already own.

As for the pieces that can’t be saved, you let go which not only creates space and a new game plan of what needs to be replaced or upgraded, but you can donate to help those less fortunate and create additional deductions for your household come tax season.  That’s what you call a win-win-win.

For many out there, this is far from a luxury expense and should be prioritized. When your closet is neat with nothing but perfect fitting, go to outfits right for every occasion, there’s no stressing about what to wear, saving you time and money.

The confidence you get from dressing to your highest potential will always help you in your daily interactions. When you feel great, you’re ready to take on the world which primarily means dealing with people. While confidence is the true upper hand affecting your body language, you can communicate even more before saying a single word through your wardrobe. It’s a great opportunity to not only let your personality show through, but show the level of respect you wish to display to whomever you’re interacting with.

Romantic Setting– Imagine you’re in a long term relationship, and it may be time to remind her how you really feel. What if instead of putting all your energy towards a gift, and instead put yourself in a new outfit that you know she’d appreciate, got a haircut, got your hands cleaned and just the right amount of the right cologne that smells so good on you, she forgot you even brought a gift cus’ the only thing she thinking about unwrapping is you!  Especially if you’re not known for your fashion and grooming ability, the time and effort you’ve spent on preparing to meet her will communicate the highest level of love and respect before you say a single word. Unless you were planning on going with diamonds, try this strategy and thank me later.

Professional Setting– Let’s say you’ve been in the same position for a while, and that’s not where you want to be. You feel like you’re going unnoticed and not being taken seriously. Try upgrading your wardrobe and developing a personal style that not only makes you more confident, but communicates where you see yourself belonging. This is among the easiest yet most effective steps to take in attracting the next position you seek. Watch how again without speaking, those around you will notice the immediate change and treat you accordingly. Whether you move up, or move on, you will put yourself where you see yourself.

The right Clothing Coach can do this for you, but a quick disclaimer that it only works on gentleman of substance. Those with more to offer in skills and ability, as a shiny look with nothing more to offer will yield low results.