As I’ve grown and progressed personally and professionally, I’ve learned two inalienable truths:
1. “The change up is so real.” What I mean is that versatility is necessary in the world that we operate in, and if you don’t know how to walk in several different venues, you will find yourself ostracized quite quickly. Some people call it code switching or assimilation when it comes to your speech pattern or the management of your personality.
2. The pursuit of perfection will always be in vain, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.
I think there is a similar argument to be made when it comes to fashion. In the immortal words of the great Gucci Mane:
“If a man does not have the sauce, then he is lost. But the same man can be lost in the sauce.”
On some hood level, I feel like I could end the post here and all would be right with the world, but for the sake of consistency, I will continue lol. Let’s unpack this Gucci quote in a topically relevant way.
Sauce is a colloquialism used to suggest that one (typically male) has a way of capturing others attention through some combination of atypical style, status, or artful linguistic skills. It’s the je ne sais quoi that creates the allure of you. This is important because your awareness of this allure will impact your confidence level. I think what Gucci is suggesting is that you have to be authentically you, know what makes you dope, and maintain a balance of awareness that you are dope without becoming self-involved.
How do you strike a balance?
All of this leads back to the conversation around versatility. I admittedly feel most confident when I’m in a suit that is tailored perfectly to fit me, shirt is freshly pressed, shoes well polished, just hopped out of Wayne Iverson’s chair (See Braintrust Post). I honestly could take over the world, IJS. In the real life of this normal person, The Wkender, I wear t-shirts sometimes ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ , and I honestly believe that you don’t hit the pinnacle of your fashion life until you have the same level confidence in a t-shirt as you do in a suit. (Maybe i’ll do a lifestyle post on maintaining your stylistic identity, Hmmm…)
The fit:
110% 1990s inspired look, what you would never see translated through photos is the frustration that several pieces I had intended to couple with this fit are missing. Intended look: Death row t-shirt, ripped jean shorts, orange Birkies (Birkenstocks), bandana, fanny pack, and sunglasses.
Turns out, I didn’t bring any of the accessories to the shoot. I want you to know that I’m human, and although these pictures turned out fire thanks to Don, they are not perfect and that is ok! The key takeaway is that you are often more critical than the world is about your look. It may not come out how you initially expected. There may be a piece missing in your mind. Outside looking in, you’re still poppin and you have to own that!
This outfit is perfect for a chill day around the city. The Death Row t-shirt is a regeneration of a vintage classic. The distressed shorts are an easy win the summer; they are breathable and have lots of character. The Birkenstocks are always a go-to for me. Generally, it’s a get up and go fit. DO IT!
Stay confident Ladies and Gents!
To a Life Worth Living
-The Wkender