Some people have a warped impression that dressing better puts them above everyone else — namely, the average dude. This viewpoint probably stems from a lack of self-esteem and feeling insecure, but that doesn’t mean that everyone who is socially anxious and/or awkward dresses better to put themselves above others.
Let’s be honest: being fashionable isn’t that hard, and just about anyone can “be fashionable” if they put forth some effort. But on the flip side, dressing better DOES elevate you above the general populace in certain ways that don’t make you insecure or a snob.
A snob, in general, is a person with an exaggerated respect for high social position or wealth who seeks to associate with social superiors and looks down on those regarded as socially inferior. A style snob, specifically, is someone who looks down their nose with disdain and contempt at what someone else is wearing — most often a cheaper brand. A style snob perceives themselves as dressing better than others and, thus, feels superior to them.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I like nice clothing myself, but that doesn’t make someone a style snob. Also, when I see how someone is dressed, I judge them. It’s human nature to judge on the first 10 seconds of meeting someone, but I am not a style snob. A style snob is someone who wears things just for their label and thinks they are above everyone for it. I certainly dress better than some other men, but I don’t think I’m ‘better’ than them because my clothes fit me properly, and I put together a sharp-looking ensemble.
That being said, every one of us (including myself) has nowhere to go but forward with style. No one can ever reach the perfect style style. Someone will always look at someone else, thinking, “Poor guy, he’ll get there someday.” All of those guys I’ve looked at, walking around like there was nothing wrong with their style that included wearing big and baggy pleated pants and boxy button-ups pouring over their belts, were probably looking down on the guys in the ripped jeans and band t-shirt thinking, “Those guys should learn to dress better.” We come from somewhere stylistically, and we all have somewhere to go. So there’s no place for style snobbery.
A style snob is somebody obsessed not so much with substance but solely with projected image. There is so much snobbery out there, and it’s really a shame because it prevents many guys from taking an active interest in dressing better. Genuinely looking to improve themselves, guys go into style forums & groups, read style magazines, and watch men’s style YouTube channels where oftentimes the mantra is ‘if you’re not wearing XYZ, it’s bad.’
Men’s style snobs suck. They act high and mighty because they wear the trendiest clothing. They belittle others who wear clothing that makes them feel comfortable. Sure, style is an expression of your personality, but style snobs act like a man’s entire identity is tied to his wardrobe. To be honest, some of the men’s style forums, particularly on Reddit, hate me. In the past, I used to answer questions. One time specifically, questions were flying at me, and I was having a good time—then someone asked me about my 3 favorite shoes. I answered… and their response? “That goes to show you what type of guy you are!” Say what? Then they started to make fun of me as well.
Some people take style so seriously that they start learning a little, and then all of a sudden, they’re experts telling you what you should and shouldn’t wear. Regarding men’s style, of course, there’s the shoe snob, as I pointed out. There are also the automatic watch snobs (don’t let me get started on this one), brand snobs, tailoring snobs, suit snobs, and tradition and rules snobs—to name a few.
Style is totally subjective! What I think is stylish may be stylish; what you feel is stylish may be stylish. It all boils down to personal taste and preference. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong,’ which I’m really offended when people position style as ‘right’ and ‘wrong.’ Honestly, this is the reason why I don’t go to most style blogs and don’t regularly read GQ or Esquire — because that’s not my reality, nor will it ever be. Some of the stuff you see is just crazy expensive, not to mention outside of my style comfort zone and my ability to be comfortable.
My message from day one (and the reason why I get along so well with other vloggers like Primer (Andrew Snavely), Masculine Style (Tanner Guzy), Real Men Real Style (Antonio Cenento), and Modest Man (Brock McGoff)) is that style is subjective. We are all just regular guys who want to give our personal take & spin on style, provide tips & tricks, and help where we can. But under no circumstances do we ever say you NEED XYZ or you NEED to do this to be cool.
So that’s one of the reasons why I started Alpha M. in the first place. I realized there was room for somebody who’s just a ‘regular guy’ who happens to know more about clothing, shoes, and grooming than he does about football and baseball. Be careful when going to these snobby-style sites because they can make you feel bad about yourself. They are populated by a bunch of know-it-alls who think that their opinion is the only correct opinion — if you’re not wearing XYZ, you’re not cool.
If anyone tells you that you’re ‘wrong,’ that you’re wearing something that you shouldn’t be, or you’re not cool because of XYZ, give them the proverbial finger because they are wrong. Style should be fun – fashion IS fun. It’s supposed to be fun!
When you start taking yourself, style, and clothing too seriously, you just look like an asshole! Put on clothing that represents you personally. As Marcelino de Carvalho stated, “Do not be a snob… have your personality. Make the others accept you as you are. Just be natural. Dare to be yourself.”
