It is crucial in fashion and style that you discover your unique edge. You could think of your edge as being a signature piece or fragrance, but I think that that's only advantageous to a certain degree. Having a unique edge is more than you being known as the guy who always wears scarves or someone who always wears Prada; having an edge means that you consistently stand-out.
Let's talk about how to find your edge.
Step 1: Identifying Redundancies
So imagine you're hanging out with some friends downtown, maybe doing some shopping. There are a lot of people out because of how nice the weather is. You spend a couple hours walking from store to store until finally you decide you need to sit down for a minute. You find a bench outside near an area where a lot of people are walking back and forth. You sit down and take a few moments to look around. What do you see?
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| Photocredit: Experience Chehalis |
I bet you envisioned something similar. Regardless of where you are, the majority of guys are going to be wearing something safe. A safe color, a safe top, a safe pair of jeans. The majority of people want to blend in, not stand-out. Simply put, they do not have a unique edge.
Finding your unique edge requires that you first identify these redundant styles and outfits that everyone else is wearing. Once you figure that out, you're ready to move on to step two.
Step 2: Go Against The Common Trends
You won't stand-out by dressing like everyone else, so in order to go against common trends, you need to either eliminate wearing those pieces from your wardrobe or remix them into your outfit. For example, I definitely have a few plaid shirts which I like to wear on occasion, so to ensure I don't look redundant, I typically like to wear a solid color waistcoat with me plaid shirts.
The waistcoat itself doesn't give me a unique edge, per se, but it prevents me from looking like everyone else. In order to leverage your style, you need to set yourself apart from the crowd. You need to be willing to take risks and make bold statements. You need to accept that by dressing-up, and therefore not fitting general society's conception of "normal", that you are going to be the center of attention. And pretty much, you need the confidence to do it anyway.
I feel like confidence is one of, if not the most used, words in the fashion community. Everyone stresses the importance of confidence. But that's because it is key. Think of confidence as a locked door containing all the perks and positive feelings you get when dressing-up. Once you have the key to the door and unlock it the possibilities are endless. Before you move on to step three, you need to obtain the key to that door.
Why?
Because initially you are going to feel uncomfortable going against normal trends. You will need confidence and perseverance to get through the initial awkward phase of developing your unique edge.
Step 3: Consistency Is Everything
After you've identified the redundant looks and developed the confidence to go against them-- or remix them into your own style-- it is time to consistently wear your outfits, that is, to show-off your unique style. I feel like this meme I made a a few weeks ago is a perfect example of the way people will react to seeing that you're consistently leveraging your style:
The waistcoat itself doesn't give me a unique edge, per se, but it prevents me from looking like everyone else. In order to leverage your style, you need to set yourself apart from the crowd. You need to be willing to take risks and make bold statements. You need to accept that by dressing-up, and therefore not fitting general society's conception of "normal", that you are going to be the center of attention. And pretty much, you need the confidence to do it anyway.
I feel like confidence is one of, if not the most used, words in the fashion community. Everyone stresses the importance of confidence. But that's because it is key. Think of confidence as a locked door containing all the perks and positive feelings you get when dressing-up. Once you have the key to the door and unlock it the possibilities are endless. Before you move on to step three, you need to obtain the key to that door.
Why?
Because initially you are going to feel uncomfortable going against normal trends. You will need confidence and perseverance to get through the initial awkward phase of developing your unique edge.
Step 3: Consistency Is Everything
After you've identified the redundant looks and developed the confidence to go against them-- or remix them into your own style-- it is time to consistently wear your outfits, that is, to show-off your unique style. I feel like this meme I made a a few weeks ago is a perfect example of the way people will react to seeing that you're consistently leveraging your style:
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| People will begin to notice your edge slowly over time. |
Ironically, I think that the pictures from last to first show how you're likely to feel when you start developing your edge. At first, you'll probably feel uncomfortable and extremely self-conscious. For me, I was really concerned about the length of my coats' sleeves. They were slightly too long, but I felt like that was a huge deal even though no-one else even noticed. But because I had confidence, I was able to get through the first several weeks of feeling like that.
After awhile, you begin to feel more comfortable with how you look. You might even like to take a second glance in the mirror. You appretiate the potential that your outfit gives you. And then ultimately, you become so comfortable with your new way of dressing that you begin to shift your gaze towards others because you know you look great.
I would say that once you find yourself looking at what other people are wearing and how they could improve their style that you have found your unique edge.
Of course, you might still find yourself consistently wearing a particular piece like a waistcoat or wristwatch, but your unique edge is both your signature pieces and the amount of time you spend wearing them.
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Step 4: Helping Other Guys Find Their Edge
This step is optional and not required for you to find your own edge, but I feel that it is your obligation as a man and a person to share your knowledge with other guys who are perhaps just starting out with fashion. After all, that's what I'm trying to do with this blog.
Of course, don't go around being a jerk and giving unsolicited advice to people who don't want it, but really keep an eye out for guys who you can tell are trying.
That's the beauty of style-- it's contagious. Even if you don't verbally share your knowledge, just by dressing-up everyday you might inspire other people. And I for one think that's really cool!
-Ryan S.
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