The Essential Gentleman's Guide to Grooming and Attire
gentleman (gen-tle-man) – a man of noble or gentle birth; a man belonging to the landed gentry; a man who combines gentle birth or rank with chivalrous qualities; a man whose conduct conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behavior; a man of any social class or condition – often used in a courteous reference.
According to Merriam-Webster, a gentleman is all of the things listed above. Today, a noble or gentle birth isn’t really important – but to be described as a gentleman, one must still possess chivalrous qualities, high standards, correct behavior and courteousness.
Consider yourself a gentleman? Check out these three key grooming standards to insure you’re not missing the mark when it comes to your appearance:
1. Have some pride
You don’t have to have a designer suit or expensive Italian shoes for this one. Simply put, take a look in the mirror. Your clothes should look neat, hole-free, and pressed. Your hair and beard should be well-groomed and your finger nails trimmed. Now, is that so hard?
2. Practice self-care
Self-care isn’t just for the women in your life. It’s a real thing, you guys. Take time to schedule in workouts, get regular manicures and clean up the hair trailing down your neck. You don’t have to frequent a spa to complete this step (but try it - you might like it!). Instead, just schedule in some self-care time to make sure you keep up your appearance. Please and thank you.
3. Find a role model
Thanks to Instagram, inspiration is just a hashtag away. Search for #gentleman or #moderngentleman – and a feed of well-groomed, well-dressed gentlemen along with tips and tricks to become that way is just a few scroll and taps away.
So, why is any of this important? People listen to and want to follow someone they respect. They are more likely to respect someone who takes pride in and makes a little effort on their appearance.
You want people to start following your lead at work? Start with your appearance and see how they line up.