The connection between clothing and culture is undeniable. Even if you don't put much thought into it, your clothes still send a message. People will judge you based on your appearance, so it's worth considering the signals you're projecting. Even those who claim to dress for comfort still make deliberate choices to convey ideas about themselves, such as gender, class, or cultural identity. Our clothing choices reflect our subconscious desire to express ourselves and fit into certain social norms. So, while some may argue that they don't think about clothing, their decisions still make a statement.
Putting on clothes is one of the most universal human experiences. Inevitably, this involves choices; maybe you just grab the cheapest and most convenient clothing available, or maybe you want to fit seamlessly into your local environment, whatever that might be. But maybe you choose to dress more consciously, putting a bit of effort into crafting a personal style and creating a desired impression in others. Derek Guy has, to his own surprise, become well-known as the menswear guy on Twitter. He has put a lot of thought into both the practicalities of clothing (how to find a suit that fits) and its wider social impact (how fashion acts as a cultural language). We talk about both sides of the coin.
(Picture on right is not Derek, but rather former US Attorney General Elliot Richardson, whose dapper image Derek uses as his avatar.)
Blog post with transcript: https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2023/11/20/257-derek-guy-on-the-theory-and-practice-of-dressing-well/
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Derek Guy is a fashion writer living in San Francisco. He blogs at Die, Workwear!, and contributes to a number of publications.
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