Before writing this blog, I never considered myself a “stylist”, but after offering several style classes, and styling other female entrepreneurs for their photo shoots, the title might just stick.
I’ve used my #starstyle moments for so many things over the years, and I genuinely believe that the better we dress, the more confident we feel, and the more confident we feel, the more success we attract! While most of my clients are women, there has been the occasion when I’ve been asked to style men indirectly through his girlfriend, wife, or sister who always ask the question, “how can I get him to dress better?” I’ve shared the answer with them, now I’m sharing it with you. My favourite part? You’re going to have him dressing in a way that appeals to you without him even knowing it! Here are 3 subtle ways to sharpen his style:
1. Buy him what you like- yes, with your own money
In the words of the illustrious Beyonce Knowles Carter,
“Yup, I put it on him, it ain’t nothing that I can’t do
Yup, I buy my own, if he deserves it, buy his shit too
All up in the store, shorty, tricking if I want to
All up in the store, shorty, fly as we want to.”
Key to this line is “if he deserves it”. I’m assuming that if you are that invested in this man’s style, then you actually care about him and he about you. If there is no future here, I hate to say it, but sis, this blog is not for you. I am not encouraging you in any way to buy things for someone you do not see yourself with a year from now.
If you are invested in him and he in you, then contrary to popular belief there is nothing wrong with hooking your man all the way up with pieces that you love. For style inspiration, search for men’s wear on Pinterest and by using your Instagram hashtags.
2. Be creative about getting him to wear it.
Again, I’m assuming the guy you just spent money on is worthy of that investment and is therefore also the type of guy that’s willing to do things like make you happy. If you find that your guy has gotten the great threads you picked out for him but is yet to rock them, see an occasion that subtly forces him to wear it. For example, a date night you’ve been planning, or a friend’s birthday party. My personal fave? Ask him to take photos with you, these can be professionally done or with your cell phone, and you choose the outfits. This puts him in something you love and sets you up for point 3 .
3.Get other people to compliment him on what you’ve bought
If you end up taking photos of him looking hella fly in the outfit you’ve picked out and he’s open to you posting pictures, be sure to share them and then share any positive comments you’ve received about him/you both, looking cute. (Secret sauce- get friends and family to comment under the photo)! If you didn’t take, but you did go out, be sure to bump into people that you know. If the outfit is as dope as you think it is, and he doesn’t usually wear something like it, people are bound to compliment. Be sure that you back up their compliments by emphasising how sexy he is, how much you love the look too, and by encouraging his ego at all cost.
Do not, however, make it about you by reminding him that you bought the clothes or that you’ve been telling him to change up his look for years.
Bonus Tip because I love you: find out what your man’s interest is and who inspires him. Prayerfully at least one of these people will have great style, and you can send him article clippings, posts or images of his idol styled the way you would like him to be.
Ultimately, remember that you can’t change people, but you can enhance their style if they let you. If this guy has everything going for him but his clothes, it’s a win sis. Give these techniques time, be willing to compromise (including possibly wearing ugly stuff he’s bought for you) and swap out his closet pieces one by one.
Happy styling!
