Dressing up for body and soul
THE gents are getting more stylish by the day and have themselves to thank for it.
According to a survey by local online shop, Spree, a large number of men are confident in their sense of style.
There is a new generation of men who are confident about how they dress. The idea of dressing your best’ being the preserve of women belongs in the past,” according to the report.
Of the male respondents, 73% are confident about the way they dress and 92% of women approve of their dress sense.
For too long, men have had the short end of the stick when it came to clothing choices, but that seems to have changed.
About 75% of the men stated they felt there could be more clothing choices for them, even though they had seen an increase in the locally available male labels,” the survey continued.
Personal style is the biggest influence of male shopping trends. Unlike the ladies, input from friends or peers is not needed.
Joburg-based attorney and one of the Peroni Dons of Style representatives, Nkosinathi Mvubu, agreed with the study, saying although he had asked for fashion advice, he hardly used it.
I have friends who rely on their partners for style advice, but I’m not like that. Every girlfriend I’ve been with has chosen to stay away from giving me direction,” said Mvubu.
According to Spree, about 20% of the men confirmed their lifestyle and leisure activities swayed in accordance with the way they dressed.
Only 11% pointed out that their wife or partner influenced their clothing purchases. What was clear was that men’s wives or partners did not decide what they bought,” read the study.
But 35% of the women falsely believed their men took their shopping advice.
Comfort plays a major role and comes above looking good for the gents. But this would be a different story if they had to wear heels.
Stylist to the stars Mahlatse James said comfort was paramount.
If you can’t be fully mobile and active in it, then it’s not yours to wear. There is a difference between fitted and tight. Options are varied, but as much as you must be comfy, don’t go buying safari shirts,” said James.
Body image has a lot to do with the clothes men choose. About 57% of them confirmed it was essential for clothes to be comfortable and fit their bodies.
This explained why the weights section of the gym was always packed with guys.
About 17% of the men said they stayed in shape to look good in the clothes they wore.
Unsurprisingly, more women [25%] felt men should stay in shape so clothes looked better on them,” said Spree.
Samuel Fakude, also a Dons of Style representative, said style meant more than just TAKALANI Sesame, the awardwinning South African children’s educational television and radio programme, has launched a dedicated YouTube channel.
The programme can now be accessed beyond its traditional television and radio broadcast.
Content will be updated dressing for your body.
Dress for your soul, but always take your body into consideration. If you feel good and dress according to how you feel, it’s bound to translate to you looking good,” said Fakude.
Accessorising is fairly new to men, which explains why they sometimes overdo it.
Don’t over-accessorise. Some guys will wear two watches or two pocket squares, this is not necessary.
Keep it to an absolute minimum,” said Fakude.
49% of the men think overdressing with lots of branded clothing is distasteful.
l38% of the men consider old clothes with holes and stains a big offence. 63% of the women agreed.
53% of the guys believe dressing well earns them respect.
33% feel their dress sense is an expression of themselves.
Other popular style blunders: Crocs, safari suits and not dressing your age.