Aaron Marino's Style Rules for Men

Oct. 11, 2010 - PRLog -- You may not be able to judge a book by its cover, but how you dress still reveals a lot about you.  And because judgments are pretty much unavoidable for discerning men in high-profile circles, making an unforgettable impression is every bit as important as making an appearance.  So with the style secrets of Aaron Marino, founder and senior consultant of the Atlanta-based Alpha M Image Consulting, a premier image consulting firm that specializes in executing image strategies for men, we help you suit up for every occasion.

“Life is too short to dress poorly,” says Marino, who, as an image consultant, evaluates his clients’ overall image, which includes individual style, wardrobe, grooming, and mannerisms.   “I analyze everything from their current wardrobe to their hair style, and even things as commonly overlooked as their smell; overpowering cologne can be as offensive as bad breath or body odor.  I then make the modifications necessary to take their style to the next level.”

The image of the modern man has significantly evolved.  No longer are men leaving their look in the hands of a partner or spouse.  Today’s man actively invests in himself and is conscious and concerned about making the right impression—one that will yield personal and professional advantages in a highly competitive world.  And given the fact that men are competitive by nature, dressing for success is more paramount than ever before.  “Men need every advantage over the competition,” Marino says.  “They have finally realized that ‘casual Fridays’ just aren’t getting it done.”

Of course, image is fickle, and a man’s style often hinges upon his social circle, priorities, profession, personal life and even geography.  The Atlanta man, for example, is most concerned about dressing to impress, according to Marino, who cautions that the amount of money one spends on their clothes does not necessarily equate to image or style success.  “Atlanta men are more concerned about the labels they wear, as opposed to if their clothes actually fit properly or make them look amazing,” he says.  “But you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars in order to look like you did.”  

Once a man is committed to presenting his best self, it takes surprisingly little effort to sustain.  Even the smallest bit of time and energy can have a dramatic impact one one’s overall appearance.  The key is consistency (read: routine) and knowledge.  “People form opinions within the first 10 seconds of meeting you,” Marino says. “These impressions are subconsciously formed by all non-verbal communication.  Paying attention to all aspects of your image will undoubtedly improve your chances of getting the girl or making the sale. Why?  Because your competition is not.”  

Despite some blurring of the rules when it comes to male fashion, style is largely subjective.  But because some rules never change, we asked Marino, with his incredible style savvy, to solve 10 style quandaries commonly encountered by men.

When is it acceptable to wear a belt with a suit?
“In my opinion unless you are wearing suspenders, you should always wear a belt with your suit, but never with a tux.”

Under what circumstances should shirt points be tucked into the collar?
“Collar points should always be tucked in.  [Otherwise], unless you are going for that ‘I’m a playboy and super hip’ look, you’ll just look sloppy.  Keep it classic and elegant.”

Are pocket squares and handkerchiefs a style do or don’t?
“Pocket squares or handkerchiefs are coming back in a big way.  With or without a tie, a pocket square is a fantastic way to jazz up any suit or sport coat.  This subtle detail tells the world you are here and a man among men.”

Is it better to wear a t-shirt or a tank top under a white or pastel-colored shirt?  How do you lessen the tackiness of either showing through?
“If you wear an undershirt to absorb sweat, wear a V-neck so that it is less obvious.  If worried about showing your nipples, wear a white tank top.  If neither is a concern, take off the undershirt, you don’t need it.”

When is it acceptable to wear a dinner jacket to a black-tie event?
“It is never acceptable. When in doubt, overdress.”

When is wearing white acceptable?
“Wearing white is a great look if you are at a horse race, in the Hampton’s, on a cruise, at the beach or a polo match, or possibly golfing.  If none of the above applies, stay away from wearing all white, which is a good way to point out discolored teeth.  So unless you are sporting a great set of pearly whites, you may want to avoid white.”

How should men reveal chest hair tastefully?
“Ladies love chest hair, just not too much.  So if you have thick chest hair, start “manscaping.”  Don’t shave it off, but do manage it.  Use a trimmer with a ¾ inch guard and go to work. Think subtle in terms of the amount of hair that you show.”

How should you wear different types of footwear sharply and appropriately?
“The five shoes every man should own are black lace up cap toes to wear at formal and classic events; fashion sneakers to wear with jeans or shorts on weekends; driving moccasins for casual occasions and to pair with jeans, khakis, and shorts; black or brown loafers with an elongated toe box to wear with a suit or jeans and a blazer, and athletic sneakers to wear at the gym or for outdoor fitness only.”

How do you know if you ever too old to wear what is most trendy?
“There is nothing more painful than a man who is trying too hard to be young and hip.  It is possible to be stylish and fashionable, and at the same time, age appropriate.  If all of the sales associates at a store are young enough to be your kids or grandkids, chances are that you shouldn’t be shopping there.  Dress too young and you’ll look ridiculous.”

DRESS REHEARSAL

Whether or not you feel that you are a good candidate for image consulting, every man should consider the following five factors from Marino’s “out-the-door” checklist before getting dressed.

• Make sure your clothes fit
“Wearing ill fitting clothes sends a message…the wrong message,” says Marino, who adds that the goal is to look as tall and proportioned as possible.  “Clothes that don’t fit properly can give the illusion of you being shorter, fatter, thinner, and/or less muscular then you may actually be.”

• Clean and polish your shoes
“You may be wearing a fantastic outfit but if your shoes are a hot mess, it kills your whole look,” Marino says.  “There is no substitute for good shoes.”

• Match shoes and belts  
“Belts and shoes should match both in color and texture (i.e. shiny black shoes equals shiny black belt),” Marino advises. “Black is easy, brown takes a bit more effort because there are 20 shades.  When buying a new brown belt, wear the brown shoes into the store and match them.”  Do not rely on your memory.

• Trim ear and nose hair
Don’t neglect grooming.  “Just because you can’t see it when you look in the mirror, doesn’t mean it is not there,” Marino cautions. “Manage your over-growth.”

•  Examine yourself in a full-length mirror  
Start at your feet and look up.  “Think of your image as personal packaging. Do all the pieces say what you want them to,” Marino asks.  “Look at [each component] individually, then as a package.”  Pay attention to the details.

http://www.alphamimageconsulting.com
http://www.malestyleguide.com

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alpha m was established in 2005, specializing in real world guidance for men centered around image, style, fashion, and grooming. Not only does the company provide male makeovers and other image consulting services, but the company provides certification workshops to train others to be image consultants.

Male Style Guide was formed shortly thereafter, giving men advice, commentary, and products on all things image-- namely virtual services for those not in the Atlanta area or don't have a means to get to Atlanta. Aaron Marino penned the book, "The Guy's Guide to Image, Style, & Impeccable Grooming" which is also for sale on the Male Style Guide site.

The popularity for the virtual services has sky-rockted as well as the YouTube videos are wildly popular.