A Growth Mindset and Men's Style: Refine and Never Get Stuck
We've all been there: moments when our personal style feels stuck in a rut. Our vision for our ideal look seems frustratingly out of reach, and mustering up the energy to chase after it feels like an uphill battle. It's disheartening, isn't it? Feeling like your style is stagnant can be overwhelming, almost like you're trapped in a cycle of sameness. But here's the thing—breaking free from that cycle starts with shifting your mindset.
Embracing a growth mindset that welcomes challenges, learns from feedback, and constantly seeks improvement is a game-changer both in life and in how you express yourself through your style. With the right mindset, you'll cultivate a style that feels effortless and timeless.
Let's dive into how adopting a growth mindset can transform your approach to style. We'll explore how we sometimes get stuck in a fixed mindset and get into the ways you can adopt a growth mindset to become your most stylish self. Ready to make that change? Let's do it.
Always Refine Your Style and You'll Never Feel Stuck
Personal style moves in phases. How you dress in college will differ from when you start working. It shifts again as you get older. You should always refine your style so you don't get stuck. You want to be the most polished man in the room—not the man who dresses like a 40-year-old teenager.
It's easy to keep your style the same. But that fixed mindset doesn't do you any favours. You can get stuck in a stale style that messes with your confidence and self-esteem.
A growth mindset embraces improvement. It understands that style is constantly evolving and open to refinement. It's an approach that improves your confidence from the belief that you can overcome obstacles. It sees feedback as a chance for growth. It's intentional and takes effort. But the work is worth it.
5 Keys to Refining Your Style with a Growth Mindset
Dressing well is a skill like cooking or playing the piano. It takes effort and a desire to improve. Approaching these skills with a growth mindset empowers you to pursue improvement no matter your starting point. Use these cornerstones of a growth mindset to refine your style and become the best version of yourself.
1. Get Ready to Ride the Style Rollercoaster
Growth-minded individuals embrace challenges and obstacles. Don't avoid them. View challenges and obstacles as avenues for growth. Persist through the challenge of finding clothes that fit your body. Try to understand what holds you back and address those areas. The key is to stop avoiding the challenges and use a growth mindset as fuel to refine your style.
2. You Got This! (Seriously, You Do)
Believe that you can develop an elegant and timeless style. Shift your self-talk from "I don't dress well" to "I don't dress well yet." The simple change in your language (and thoughts) will develop the belief that just because you don't know how to dress well, it doesn't mean you can't dress well in the near future.
Developing your style will overwhelm and confuse you. Check out this article about timeless Italian style, Face the World with Sprezzatura, and achieve an effortless elegance.
3. Take Feedback (Maybe with a Sip of Whiskey)
We'll be honest. Putting in the effort and taking on challenges won't always be rainbows and lollipops. You'll stumble on pitfalls. We all do! But you have to learn from them. Seek advice and feedback from people you trust. Aklasu client and stylish wine distributor, Matt Tramonte, gets his wife's opinion on his style. And we must say, she has excellent taste.
Don't avoid feedback and criticism. Welcome it. Seek a diversity of opinions, and don't be afraid of feedback from people who might be critical. Criticism can be tough to hear—but it's invaluable. It's the vehicle that will take you to your ideal style.
4. Get Inspired! But...
Focus on your growth—not on others. Learn from others and get inspired. Read articles like Classic, Conservative and Comfortable: Bruce Miller. Gravitate towards men whose style you want to emulate. Avoid comparing yourself to others—especially on social media. Instead, focus on your progress and your own path.
5. Celebrate You!
There are no small victories. Find joy in elevating small details every day like artist, Aaron Black. Take a moment to celebrate a great outfit you've assembled. Look at yourself in the mirror a little longer and say, "Damn, I look good." These small wins are stepping stones to everyday effortless style. Use the moments of success to motivate and push you forward.
But remember to be kind to yourself. Not every outfit you create will be ready for the red carpet. Embracing a growth mindset means learning from your mistakes and accepting that you won't shoot 100%.
Start your journey and use a growth mindset to develop timeless style. Commit to these practices, and before you know it, that uphill battle will feel like a casual walk down the streets of Milan.
Explore the topics in our Journal to refine your personal style. If you're looking for a great read, don't skip Alan Flusser's Dressing the Man. It's a terrific guide to what men need to know to dress well and look stylish.
