There has been a lot of angst in the fashion world lately. The coronavirus pandemic caused pandemonium in men’s fashion, with supply chain disruptions and collapsing demand for luxe attire since so many people were stuck at home. But people are finally getting outside again, and fashion is making a comeback in a big way.

It’s no surprise, then, that everyone is talking about style lately. Style, and romance too. People want to make up for lost time!

You’ve probably heard that most women love seeing a guy who has a great sense of style. It’s often true—but why? Why do women like guys with a sense of style and what should you be thinking about when you’re building up your own personal style? Let’s look at what “style” is and why it matters.

Why Style Matters

Style is basically just “how you present yourself.” Having your own well-developed sense of style matters because it’s authentic, substantive, and thoughtful.

Authentic

With a strong sense of style, even the most functional basics of your wardrobe develop a sense of personality, which in turn builds authenticity.

It’s a self-reinforcing cycle. Having your own sense of style is authentic—and being authentic is stylish. You’re not just wearing random clothes. You’re wearing your clothes, showing off your look. Consequently, women don’t see you as a generic anybody. They begin to see you as somebody unique.

Substantive

Having a sense of style suggests that you have an inner voice. It shows women (and anyone else) that you notice the world around you and have thoughts about it. Developing your sense of style is something you do first and foremost for yourself—but that’s exactly what makes it so attractive to women. It shows that there’s something deeper for them to be interested in.

If you’re not sure how to translate “substance” into “fashion”, no worries! You don’t have to think of everything yourself. You just have to be capable of picking up a little inspiration. GQ’s list of men’s fashion essentials for 2021 is a great place to start looking for inspiration.

Thoughtful

Even if you have authenticity and substance, you’re not finished. Plenty of people have authenticity and substance. What’s missing is a sense of thoughtfulness. Are you somebody who thinks carefully about your words? Are you somebody who notices the impact you have on the people around you? Do you pay attention to the wider world: things like the season, the weather, and the mood of the city?

Your style isn’t just a declaration of self. It’s a reaction to the world you live in. Being able to bend like this—dressing to fit the occasion—says a lot about your character.

What Makes a Good Wardrobe?

The most obvious part of your style, other than your manners, voice, and body language, is your wardrobe. But what makes a good wardrobe?

Let’s keep it simple. For starters, you need some tops and you need some bottoms.

Building a Simple Look

Suppose you want to go for a casual look today. Nothing too fancy. We’re talking the bare bones of fashion. What are women going to like? Well, for starters, get yourself a couple of pairs of jogger jeans—but be sure to choose a design that vibes with your character and supports whatever you’re wearing on top. Then follow that up with a nice clean top, like these men’s super soft t-shirts.

Combine your top and bottom thoughtfully. Make sure the colors are complementary and the textures get along well together. Make sure everything fits properly, or, if you’re going deliberately loose or deliberately tight, make sure every piece of clothing plays its part.

If you want a little dash of pizzazz to finish it off, you can layer this simple look with something like a vest, buttoned shirt, or jacket.

Another great way to amp up a simple look is to get professional hair clippers that will leave you looking fresh at a moment's notice. You'll be able to cut your hair as good as a barber before a big night out.

Building a More Elaborate Look

You can build on this basic idea to get more elaborate. Think about layers, underclothes, and accessories such as hats, timepieces, and jewelry. Just a little bit of layering and accessorization goes a long way toward making your style look a lot more deliberate and complex. It’s kind of amazing actually!

Don’t just fill up on “stuff,” though. Every item in your wardrobe is a tool, and you need to use it with the deliberateness and care of a tool if you want to demonstrate a coherent, attractive sense of style. The top men’s luxury fashion brands know this. They design their fashions to empower you with an incredible degree of control over your look.

Footwear

Last, but not least, when it comes to fashion, don’t forget the footwear! There was a time when a man’s shoes told you everything you needed to know about him. Those days are gone, but women often still notice your shoes.

Let’s just be clear: Your ratty old tennis shoes are not going to cut it. Spend some time checking out fashion shoes for men and picking up a few pieces of footwear that will support the wardrobe you’re building.

Good footwear can be jaw-droppingly expensive, but don’t let it bum you out. Well-made shoes should last a long time, especially if you’re spreading out the wear and tear across several different pairs. It’s an up-front investment that you won’t need to keep pouring money into for at least a couple of years.

 

Beneath the Clothes: Grooming, Skin Care, and Hairdos

Of course, style isn’t just about what you wear. Having a sense of style means deploying a particular approach to your male grooming habits. It means putting thought and maintenance into your beard and hairstyle. And it means taking care of your skin with cleansers, exfoliants, and moisturizers so that you’re smooth and supple. It also means brushing your teeth, flossing, washing behind your ears—the works!

There’s no getting around it. These things take a lot of work. Women appreciate a man who grooms for a few reasons -— it’s attractive and it shows discipline. It’s easy to sink some labor into a one-time project but personal hygiene is a never-ending commitment. Keeping it up with it shows that your discipline has staying power. It shows that you’re willing to put the hard work in, time and time again. What else does that remind you of? Oh yeah—relationships!

It’s not rocket science. Invest time in your body, and you’ll reap the rewards every day. That’s basically the point of style as a whole.