Image via Complex Original
Style is more than just clothes. It's how you wear them, and also what you're trying to say through them. It's a way of instilling your identity and personality to people without saying a word, and that sort of self-knowledge doesn't just happen overnight. There's a marked difference between people who put some effort into their look, and those who merely throw things on because they'd rather not be naked.
Indeed, there are a ton of things that influence someone's personal style, and the funny thing is, plenty of them have little to do with the fashion industry. Beyond popular designers, hyped about brands, and the various forms of media dedicated to covering trends and clothing, there are other things that factor into someone's overall aesthetic. We examine some of them, and how they affect what you want to wear. Here are 10 Things That Influence Your Style (That Aren't Clothes).
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Climate
The first thing you do before you get dressed? Check the weather. If you're lucky to live in a tropical climate, you probably have enough shorts and tees to last a lifetime. Harsh winters? You have a go-to winter coat. Where you live and what the weather's like affects the kinds of essentials you need in your closet. Perhaps that's why people in the Pacific Northwest are particular about rainproof outerwear and winter gear that you can literally scale a mountain in.
Your Job
Two words: Dress Code. Thanks to Allen Iverson and David Stern, NBA players had to quit with the sweatsuits and get real, actual suits. Still, plenty of athletes managed to get it wrong. Obviously, if you have a uniform, then you don't need to worry about what to wear to the office, but if you don't, then a good amount of your budget goes to what you rock during 9-5. Of course, if you happen to work in a spot with a lax dress code, then you're more free to dress how you want to, rather than how corporate thinks you should.
Other People
Humans are weird, man. Most of us have this innate desire to be accepted, and for approval. That's why our clothing choices are subconsciously affected by a desire to not stand out. It's the reason next-level fashion heads are accused of being gay, weird, or crazy. Guys also want to wear things that will make them seem attractive to the opposite sex, or won't get them laughed at by their peers. Depending on the type of girl or you're going for, or the type of crew you roll with, those also have an influence on your style.
Your Hobbies
Do you like to skate? Then you probably wear clothes that make that easier for you. If you enjoy hunting in your spare time, then you probably have some RealTree camo in your closet. Enjoy fishing? There's a bucket hat and lure vest with your name on it. Or even if you don't actually do any of these things, being interested in them affects your clothing choices, which is how the whole "skater chic" and "urban lumberjack" trends happened. No one was chopping around trees in New York City, but perhaps they like Brawny paper towels. Not everyone in a Spitfire shirt knows how to Ollie—but maybe they were really good at "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater."
Sports
Varsity jackets, button-down collar shirts, and other current menswear trends all have their roots in the world of sports. Whether it's putting on for your favorite team or gearing up for a big game, the sports you're into and the sports you play can have a big part in what you wear off the field. In fact, it's where many guys learn about matching colors and brand loyalty. Tons of sports teams have colors that don't only inspire team spirit, but totally complement each other.
Furniture
Your want of an Eames Lounger versus a La-Z-Boy recliner reflects your overall taste level. Granted, you might like Philippe Starck, but your budget says you can only afford Ikea. No matter, simply having an eye for finer things means you know how to appreciate details, and why things that have been classically deemed "good" are "good." So whether you're looking for a bed, desk, or even a marble conference table like Kanye West, your discerning eye will be able to tell the difference between what's tacky and what's tasteful. This same eye translates over to your taste in clothes. Not saying you'll go out and buy all designer gear, but you'll have a better idea of what looks good on your body. After all, you already pay attention to what looks good in your house.
Architecture
I.M. Pei, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Renzo Piano are names that you may be familiar with, but you've definitely seen their work. The kinds of buildings and spaces you find aesthetically appealing also influence your overall taste. Whether you prefer minimalism above all else, or clean lines associated with Mid-Century Modern, it all ties into your aesthetic preferences. Even Kanye West admitted that one of his greatest inspirations for Yeezus was none other than Le Corbusier.
Graphic Design
Art and style are often tied together. While the jury's still out on whether high fashion will ever achive the same prominence as high art, it's evident that graphic design plays greatly into what someone will wear. The entire streetwear industry depends on the graphic T-shirt. Supreme's box logo, Stussy's linked S's, and A Bathing Ape's ape face logo all depend on strong graphic design mixed with highly successful branding practices.
Artists like Espo and Haze have ridden the street art wave into collaborations with footwear and apparel companies, Shepard Fairey turned his OBEY giant campaign into a full-fledged lifestyle brand. The connection between art and style has never been more self-evident as it is now.
Movies
Quick, name some style icons. Chances are, more of them graced the silver screen than the runway or a street style photo. Cary Grant, Radio Raheem, and Indiana Jones have probably influenced more men to put some thought and effort into what they wear than most fashion designers out right now. Clothing, combined with the mythology of a character and iconic pop culture moments in film, is like the fictional equivalent of when Jordan dropped buckets or won championships in his signature sneakers.
Both instances take something normal, whether it's a sneaker or an Alden boot, and make it iconic by infusing it with meaning. That's why plenty of sneakerheads associate their Js with nostalgia, and why the Alden 405 Boot is affectionately known as "The Indy Boot."
Music
This website wouldn't exist had it not been for the undeniable connection between music and style. Sure, items like bucket hats and brands like Versace and Stussy have roots in the hip-hop world, but even before the '80s, punks and Teddy Boys made Doc Martens and Ben Sherman shirts symbols of youth in rebellion. The Who made fishtail parkas and slim suits a signifier of mod culture, and you know, there was that whole punk thing too.
Your taste in music is probably one of the biggest influnces on your style. Fans of a certain genre tend to adopt their own uniforms to find each other, whether it's all-over print paisley jackets (sup, Jim Jones?), streetwear brands, or skinny jeans and Schott jackets (word to The Ramones). At the end of the day, music is often a gateway to the world of style, because it makes you think about clothes as a way to express yourself and your tastes to the world at large.