Men’s Guide To Business-Casual – The Summer Edition
Paying Attention To The Details
Five SS13 Menswear Staples
Men's Short Hairstyles
Men's Mid-length Hairstyles
Men's Long Hairstyles
Men's Curly Hairstyles
Men's Black & Afro Hairstyles
Celebrity Hairstyles
The Modern Man's Mantra
The Mantra of Arrogance:
Many assume it to be a product of French invention; as it remains, arrogance is still an arrogant subject.
I want to arrogate to myself the ability to mantra an indispensable guide of modern man, modern accord, modern modernism(?), in a post millennium setting. The Buddhists won’t let me. Does my want rather than the self-proclaimed ability to, restore any lost humility?
The Mantra of Social Acceptability:
There currently circulates six thousand, eight hundred and ninety-two stagnant books professing their gentlemanly principles to the congregate; all of who show an affronted yet unified insight into all that is ‘socially acceptable’. Swearing is growing into ‘social acceptance’, but I’m more likely to slap you upside the head for your desertion of formal neckwear at a wedding, than I am if you scream the C word over Sunday roast.
The Mantra of Modernism:
Being a man; being alive is an all singing all dancing affair in the 21st century and it is harder than every before that is ever before us (read it sixteen times and it will appear logical). Ration books ushered men towards the weekly requirements of food shopping with the occasional nudge and a wink towards to zinnias for girl. Today it is nothing short of ‘nam, and a certificated relationship ender, if the yoghurt you bought fails to possess the fat-free, dairy repellent, calorie-burning powers of Superman or Jesus respectively.
The Mantra of Opinions:
You’re in avoidance at all times of sharing your earnest opinions about any given premise for fear of slipping down the echelons of a rarefied social circle. You pretend David Cameron is your best mate at the water cooler, even to your boss, but dare not mention his name to Pete down the pub who thinks he’s a right t*sser. In any case your opinions are falling on the wrong side of correctness and need to be adjusted and ratified to the ‘socially acceptable’ way of discourse.
The Mantra of a Love Interest:
Wooing any side of the gender spectrum requires a dissertation of do’s, don’ts and tries at your own risks. You can no longer wolf whistle and have the ladies swoon; you’ll be closer to getting listed under some ‘order’ or register than to the private booth of a restaurant. You tell a girl she has nice ‘pins’ and you’ll get an eight-hour lecture on why she thinks they’re fat. It probably rattles down to the fact you’re a t*sser and bought the wrong yoghurt.
Now you’ve been thrown into the same basket as that Cameron bloke.
The Mantra of Aesthetics:
Make no mistake, creep around or cower away from the reality of being judged solely on everything you don’t do, say or act on. Everything boils down to the relative aesthetic you leave behind or approach your appearance with. Entering a situation wearing your gym shoes outside of their adorning area and you are fighting a losing battle. You could proclaim your support for a racist welsh political party and you’d be no worse off than wearing a string bag with your suit.
You can pronounce a Vedic hymn if you like, your shoes still aren’t the right colour, there’s still a line/boundary/rule you’ve failed to adhere to with your scarf; and if you work with in a pretentious industry, why aren’t you doing better/dressed sharper/decorated in something more expensive than your car/house or salary?
The New Man’s Mantra:
Staying in accordance with the outlook I’ve given you: it’s your own fault not to have noticed these faults of modern living already. Maybe you’re to blame anyway and somehow you screwed it up for the rest of us?
Regardless of omitting any optimism from the get go; you’ve sat and read, you’ve nodded in agreement at the most parts but you’ve developed a ploy to dodge every foolish parlay in the above.
If I were to mantra the hedonistic lifestyle of modern man, pulling lattés out of thin air and occasionally checking for time, all I would have done is create a façade and justification for a further few of these arrogant sorts.
Once you have read a piece like this, it is important to take no notice of it whatsoever. At least not in anything but passive agreement. Do not study, nor reference, do not pedal nor preach. If you try to achieve everything, you’ll achieve nothing. You’ll take what you need.
History is stained with the few lacking capacity. I’m sure this isn’t through lack of trying but by far the opposite.
Do not judge by the socially acceptable, do not measure or weigh-in by scale.
Maintain yourself along the generic lines of normality: you tie your shoes in the morning, cats do not belong in wheelie bins etc.
You don’t have to thank me, or anyone for anything taught or learnt.
Luke Barrett Todd.
Editor Epilogue
Now I already know that after reading Luke's tongue in cheek look at what the modern male has to deal with on an everyday basis, a lot of you will be thinking “what has this got to do with fashion?”, or something similar. Well as a generalisation, everything he has stated above will either sculpt the man you grow up to be (for the younger readers) or has probably contributed to the man you are today.
In the modern world we are governed by more and more rules, social norms, opinions, and the like than ever before. It is literally a mine field that we tip toe around each and everyday trying to stay on the right side of what is 'normal'. In a world that is becoming more and more obsessed by looks, we now put so much unfair pressure on ourselves to conform that males have just as many eating disorders as women and the number is on the rise. You may not think men are as fussy as women when it comes to “I can't eat that it has a high GI” crap, but many of you (myself included) are on strict 6 meals a day diets and add supplements of some kind; whether it be simple protein shakes/creatines/vitamins or something more sinister like growth hormones or steroids. Our obsession with having the biggest and best body/car/house/clothes has got out of hand and it boils down to the fact that we stopped trying to please just ourselves and instead let our emotions and ego become dependant on outside validation from society.
I hope if you are a regular reader of this site, then you will notice that although we give fashion advice to the masses, we all actively encourage you to find what works for YOU. No-one else, just you. The people who stand out in fashion and considered to have great style are those that know who they are and make a look their own. When I have interviewed said individuals they all have one thing in common: they have all experimented with their clothing… and failed. You can learn so much by your mistakes, but due to aforementioned external influences less and less of us are inclined to take a risk for fear of standing out. But those who do stand out and are individuals are remembered fellas… life is too short to just blend in.
Reader Feedback
I would love your your opinion on this article and the subject areas it touches upon. I have so much to say myself on the subject but do not want to inflict my personal opinion on you too much yet. If you are interested we can all continue this discussion in the comments section…
Men’s Fashion Debate: Who’s To Say You Look Good?
Men’s Sicilian Style Inspiration
A Guide To: Men’s Italian Style
Taking Style Inspiration From Others
Back To Top
I’m starting an english degree at uni in september and nearly all Luke’s articles give me a proper brain workout. A combination of something I love (fashion) and something i’m Learning (English), excellent!
What he has to say is all very true. Do we dress for ourselves, or for others? Do we fit in or we stand out? How we act has an impact and how we dress arguably has a even greater impact, because its a visual representation of who we are, and as we all know first impressions are what matter.
society is very fickle. Often, standing out almost makes you a social pariah, people comment, laugh and joke, but you are nearly always remembered. the vast majority of people harbour an almost pathalogical need to fit in.
I salute all those in the world of fashion that have the confidence to wear what THEY want, to really stand out and still feel comfortable in what they wear. To stick two fashionable fingers up at social normality and dare people to do the same is certainly an honourable and worthy cause.
JonnyH, very well said sir.
I’ll be completely honest, Luke’s articles always give my brain a workout too! He is like a modern day Wordsworth mixed with, well… Alan Carr/Russell Brand?! Either way we are very lucky to have him contributing to this site, and after working with him for a while now, he is he epitome of being an individual.
I must ask… have you considered contributing to Fashionbeans yourself? I am always on the look out for new talent and just from your comments I know I already like your writing style. Would be good experience for you as well. Just a thought ;)
“He is like a modern day Wordsworth mixed with, well… Alan Carr/Russell Brand?!” -That is a odd yet equally arousing love-child!
JonnyH, everything you said is a great addition to the mantra.
I blag my way through any such means of a dictionary but i’m glad it pulls together the necessity to make sense, long enough for you to enjoy it anyway!
Keep brandishing those fashionable fingers at the unsuspecting jollies and follies of our park bench cider society sir!
I’d love to write for fashionbeans and it would certainly help me at uni. I’ve just got no idea what i’d write about!
Drop me an email on the contact us link right at the very top of the site (on every page above logo) and I will send you back some information about it. I can give guidance or suggestions about subject areas and how to set out articles etc. we have plenty of new exciting features coming for writers and readers alike so it is a great time to get on board.
Any other readers who have opinions about this article please just post comments below…
This article was very interesting, it points out what is obvious but yet difficult to realise. This article has made me think and I feel it’s strange at how much some people (although sadly not a minority) are afraid of things considered unconventional. I can relate this to my taste in music (I don’t listen to anything obsecure just indie rock) which many people are quick to insult without listening properly to the genre’s best. And also clothes; not many people my age wear worker boots and although nobody says anything to my face you hear things back from others which doesn’t bother me but just highlights my point. I enjoy most of your articles but this one was especially good; thank you.
“(read it sixteen times and it will appear logical)”
Am I the only one that thinks that if you have to say that and you’re not explaining how to plant ideas through someone’s dreams, you’re doing something wrong? As much as I like the topic and the substance of the article, I did not enjoy what others are calling a brain workout.
The Mantra of Neuroticism
It’s not about worrying, the modern man needs to think, to be self aware, to embrace doubt, a quest for improvement, concern and self worry, traditionally feminine qualities he has never previously been allowed access to. Alternatively, perhaps we all just turning into Dalston-esque Woody Allens. Love Dave
Although I’m reading this blog on a daily basis , I may assume it’s the very first time I’m like « daring » to comment on what are usually high-quality posts . But this time it’s not only high-quality . It just seems to me that It’s dealing with even more concepts that I’m concerned with , that I may ever have dreamed of .
Everything written down in here looks obvious and at the same time hardly achievable by most men around . Clearly , encouraging people to find what is great for THEM and not only a mass-trend and a clone-like attitude isn’t a common reaction in our society .
« life is too short to just blend in. » hit my mind hard , and echoed like something I find myself usually saying to mates , or other people. Individuality isn’t rewarded and reaching the step above normality is scaring , and may even be a burden for most , isn’t it ?
I don’t want to talk much about myself , but working in the art-field, you ‘d be afraid of the « contamination » of normality. As a child I dreamt that if people couldn’t be themselves anywhere , at least we could be ourselves and cherish our individuality in this field . Failure .
Being out and not inside the white chalk line of normality in life-schoolyard brings its mockery and everything coming with them. If norm is a pressure , then I guess being out of it also is , at least when you’re crossing that line .
When you’re far from it , this pressure tends to fade .
I care as much about my personal style as my drawing/art style. I mean wouldn’t it be silly for someone creating very own and recognizable anywhere pictures not to have its very own style . And without being the -as good as can be- copy of someone else.
Not wanting to be arrogant ( though I have the right to , I’m french … )but I’m glad to be grown up and not being blended in, and having little to no will to ever be just one within the mass.
Anyway , great job from Fbeans to try and manage to encourage every men to try , fail , and find their own « normality » .
( ps: excuse the language mistakes )
I only found this website quite recently and this is the first article I have read. Fantastic, I very much look forward to reading many more by Luke and the FashionBean contributors. Great work!
@TK I’m very humbled that your FashionBeans virginity was lost at my hands! The culture that FashionBeans is turning in to will cover all your needs from your basic ABC’s to the darn right hedonistic/ narcissistic etc of the above.
I coudn’t care less about the article itself but the editor epilogue, man.. did it hit the nail on the head.
There’s always one charmer. I’m glad you liked Ben’s very insightful addition regardless of your inability to fashion any literate sort of your own.
Another great article, and the epilogue was also an amazing read that did give the brain another work-out.
Also it’s true that we seem to have the need to fit in and fade into the background. But the ones that have taken the chance to try something new and take a risk have either been laughed at or people have stepped back and said wow. Only recently I stepped out of my comfort zone and wore a bow tie and was given compliment after compliment. All I’m saying is take a chance, if it doesn’t work just consider it a learning curve.
First of all, great article Luke, very relevant to todays culture/society!
Individuality is such a difficult concept. Although some may strive to be individual in who we are, our fashion sense etc… Are we ever truly individual?
I wear what I want to wear regardless of what people think or the looks or the… shall we call it ‘constructive critisism’ I receive from the ‘park bench cider society’ on a daily basis. The fact is I feel comfortable and confident in my apparel of choice. But… well it’s all been done before! Weather it be the vintage neck scarf, the vintage shoes or blazers paired with jeans, trousers, printed tees, floral shirts, ski-knits, stripy tees, denim shirts, denim jacket, woolen shirts, shearling jackets, brogues, boots, tasselled loafers, … etc I fear it still comes across as a bit of a cliche. Everyhthing seems to be a part of a trend and although we may stand out from the generic G-Star Gio-Goi look (no offense anyone) do we ever think: ‘I have my own style’?
An example of my point:
A couple of weeks ago I bought a denim shearling jacket from a vintage clothes store… fast forward two weeks and there is a feature on FB; ‘The Shearling Jacket’.
The point is: ‘indiviual’ is a difficult status to achieve fashion-wise and the materialist nature of today’s society doesn’t help.
I suggest you wear what makes YOU feel good regardless of anyone else’s opinion.
Be more concerned with being individual as a person; well-mannered, a smiling face amongst the masses, friendly, courteous, polite, non-judgemental, charitable, empathise etc…
These are the traits that you will be remembered for and make you stand out from the crowd. We’re just lucky enough to be able to look good – with the help of FB – while we do it :)