Man on the Move: Keep It Simple

Valentino  Fall/Winter 2017-2018

In the style world, keeping it simple doesn’t necessarily mean basic, boring, or minimalistic. It means don’t overthink things or make your wardrobe too complicated. As one of the pioneers in the fashion industry (and someone that knows a thing or two about how to dress), Valentino Garavani once said: “I like things simple.”

Style isn’t being someone you aren’t, or dressing like celebrities even if you aren’t comfortable. There’s a look for every guy out there, and it starts with your attitude. You have to be confident, and one of the best ways to up your swagger level is to keep things simple mentally. There’s a reason why certain highly intelligent people – like Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg – wear a similar look each day. They don’t want to spend too much time with what is called ‘decision fatigue’, or getting tired of making unnecessary decisions that take too long and prevents you from using your time for more productive things. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care about what you wear, or what you shop for, but it does imply that you shouldn’t spend too much time on either of those things. Valentino’s vision is a great way to be inspired without the mental exhaustion.

Style Advice:  Although Valentino likes things simple, that doesn’t mean he has a dull sense of style. He has a natural way to combine classic styles with a touch of boldness that strikes the perfect balance of being looked at without being laughed at. Start with a classic slim-fit striped dress shirt like this one from Massimo Dutti. Throw on a timeless gray sweater similar to the one seen here from American Eagle Outfitters. Up the swag level with a narrow bow tie from Turnbull and Asser. Add a touch of color with these berry-tinted pants from Polo Ralph Lauren paired with New Balance sneakers that’ll provide a pop. Layer it all up with this leopard print topcoat from Zara, and you are good to go. The print may be wild, but it’s balanced out with the rest of the look, so as long as you keep that guideline in mind then your simple look will stand out.

Must-Have: As touched on above, the gray sweater is indeed a timeless addition to any wardrobe. It can be dressed up with a white shirt and black tie underneath, or it can be paired with jeans for a casual look. You can even throw on some sweatpants with it and have a top-notch athleisure look. And in keeping with the simple theme, why not go with this Valentino version from the man who likes things simple. It’s on sale, and it also has the classic Valentino rockstud on the back so you can stand out with subtlety. If you like to keep a simple budget as well, then opt for a more wallet-friendly option like this from Nordstrom.

Industry Update: You’ve probably heard before that fashion is art. Well, it’s that and so much more for Louis Vuitton’s Volez, Voguez, Voyagez exhibition that opened in New York recently. This isn’t a first for the fashion house, but it is another beautiful reminder of how travel impacts fashion. And Louis Vuitton has the most classic luggage and travel ‘art’ that you can possibly find. If you’re blessed enough to have one of these pieces, it can be used just as much for décor as it can be for travel. That makes it more of a worthwhile investment. The free exhibition is open to the public until January 2018, so be sure to check it out. This takes airport style to an entirely new level.

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Man on the Move: Confidence Is Key