Image via Complex Original
Thanks to the Internet, brands, trends, and the people that wear them are able to interact in a whole new way. Looking at cool clothes on people isn't just limited to lookbooks and fashion magazines anymore—you can see it in real life. Even for people who don't live in cities like Tokyo or New York, it's never been easier to find would-be style icons who wear stuff you think is totally awesome. Street style, blogs, and Tumblr made people realize that anyone could throw on some fancy clothes, snap some photos, and gain enough followers to be deemed an #influencer. Some people even made careers out of it.
Of course, in the realm of men's style, it's mostly been about the innate desire to stunt on everyone else. But before you go put on your illest outfits and go crazy with your phone camera, it doesn't hurt to have a few pointers. No, we're not going to walk you through that boooooring stuff about lighting, angles, or any of that actual "photography" BS. This is a plain and simple guide on what to take into consideration before you hit the "upload" button. So study up before you accidentally embarrass yourself online. Here's everything you need to know about How to Take a Stylish #Selfie.
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Stay out of the bathroom.
Nothing ruins a good outfit like a toilet behind you. The convenient mirrors inside bathrooms may be enticing, but there is nothing remotely cool about taking a piss or a dump. Think of a good selfie like a fashion editorial—it's supposed to let the clothes be the focus in a magical, mystical dream world where everyone is impossibly thin and no one ever has to worry about bodily functions.
Clean your mirrors.
Clarity is one of the most important aspects of a #selfie. Make sure you keep Windex handy for emergencies. At the right angle, dirty mirrors can make it seem like there's a stain on your clothes, or a blemish on your face.
Remove all embarassing struggle items that may be behind you.
A dirty room, relatives taking a dump, or Walmart bags are all sure signs of struggle. Check the background of a picture for anything incriminating prior to upload, it may save you from Internet embarrassment—the worst kind of shame.
Put on your freshest clothes—the more visible the brands, the better.
All hail Mike the Ruler, young Instagram king. Stylish selfies are all about stunting on the rest of your followers, and in the big stream of Instagram, what matters most is the photo. For all you people who prefer minimalism and subtle branding, you lost. It's all about noticeable brands again, except instead of Big Pony Polos and True Religion denim, graphic tees from Hood By Air, Supreme logos, and other recognizable streetwear iconography is key. And don't forget to run it all through the Been Trill app before uploading.
Broke? That's what fitting rooms are for.
LOOK GUYS, I GOT THE KANYE x APC JEANS! At least, that's what people will think. If you can't afford certain pieces, just go to the store, try them on, and take a picture of yourself. An image is worth a thousand words you know? And on the Internet, an image of yourself rocking something awesome is worth at least 100 likes.
Step outside for a change.
Take ambience into the equation. Think about mood, presentation, and lighting. Are you decked out in outdoor brands? Well, go outdoors. Rocking a dope streetwear look? Find some pavement, duh. Place your stacked denim and Jordans on some blacktop for maximum effect. Extra points if there's a run-down basketball hoop and chainlink fence in the background.
Get a timer app.
Chances are, if you're worrying about how to take a stylish selfie, you probably have no real, actual friends outside of the Internet. No worries! There are plenty of apps that allow you set your phone down and will gladly snap a pic on your behalf. Besides, it's not really a #selfie if someone else takes it, right? One we recommend is TimerCam, which appears to have heavy co-signs from Asian girls—the undisputed worldwide #selfie champs.
Are you ugly? Maybe hide your face.
Sometimes, guys have faces only a mother could love. But hey, that hasn't stopped them from becoming a style icon. Look at dudes like Jacques Dutronc and Trinidad James. One sure way to avoid the trolls? Hide your face. By putting the focus on the clothes, it ups the style ante—while giving yourself an air of cool guy mystery. It's almost like being a superhero, except instead of doing good, you're just looking it.
Consider focusing on the details.
What sets men's clothing apart is the details. When a designer puts a small spin on an oxford shirt, or a denim brand uses a special kind of fabric for their jeans, you can really only notice those accents up close. Sometimes the most stylish shots can come from showing people why a certain piece is awesome. So highlight what makes it stand out, whether it's a dip-dyed shirt, paint-splattered Margiela sneakers, or a dope jacket.
Don't forget to thank the hands that feed you.
If you can successfully fool certain brands into thinking you're some sort of #influencer, there's an unwritten rule to the free swag they sometimes toss your way—and that rule is TALK ABOUT THIS PRODUCT. In the name of journalistic integrity, you're not entirely obligated to do this, but let's be real. Plenty of struggle #influencers with a halfway decent following on social platforms are quick to thank the people and companies who help make their fake jobs possible. Whether you choose to go for a simple "thanks!" or write the Internet equivalent of an infomercial, that's your call.
Use hashtags sparingly.
Hashtags are like salt: When used to enhance flavor or balance out something sweet, it can be awesome, but too much can ruin an otherwise good dish. Hashtags can be used ironically or to provide context and relevance to any social post—like if you're at an event or there's some sort of media campaign underway. Otherwise, ditch the whole #Instagood #Instamood stuff. That makes you seem #Instacorny. Then again, so does posting #selfies, but whatever, everyone is at least 10 percent corny.
Never use the screen-side camera.
Cardinal rule for good selfies: Avoid the screen-side camera. It just isn't as good as the front-facing one. All the images look super grainy, and it's not like you can't retake photos if you're not happy with the result. Besides, with enough practice, you'll know how to flip around your phone and take a perfectly-centered photo.
Be careful with downward crotch shots.
Downward-facing selfies to highlight your kit (especially your shoes) are par for the course for #menswear dudes, sneakerheads, and every other guy on Instagram. The only guideline is try to make them not look like a dick pic. If there's a visible peen outline, move the camera a little bit further up or find better lighting—you know, as a courtesy to avoid flashing everyone who follows you.
Know which filter works best for your style.
In the vein of using selfies to convey a mood and sense of style, filters are suuuuper important. Outdoors guy? Valencia. Decked-out in colorful clothes from designer brands? Lo-fi that shit! Do you only wear black and white? Well duh, Willow yourself onto the Internet and show everyone how you've always #been #trill.
Remember: Style is about attitude above all.
Above all, a selfie is only as stylish as the person in it looks. So if you look like an herb in cool clothing, well, you might want to reconsider your pose, and perhaps not smile—especially if you're going for that whole "street goth" thing. Finding your ideal method of taking selfies is a lot like finding your personal style—it takes some trial and error, but when you find something that works, you stick to it. So go play Drake's "Cameras" and snap away.