Clothes Don’t Make the Man

A friendly arm wrestling match over a pint at an outdoor cafe. Everyman Shirt in Faded Olive colorway

A lot of men never think twice about what they put on their bodies. In many ways, that’s a virtue as it frees up mental bandwidth for more critical matters.

But sometimes, that inattentiveness is a missed opportunity. How we choose to dress tells a story, not just to the world, but to ourselves.

Like it or not, our appearance sends a signal. And while the old adage says you can’t judge a book by its cover, every cover still speaks. The aesthetic quality of a thing tells a story, whether accurate or not.

Shooting a game of pool inside at the bar. Everyman Polo in River colorway

Some might argue, “Real men don’t care about how they look.” History disagrees. From samurai to chieftains, from Napoleon to James Dean, the men we most remember were intentional about their appearance.

Their style wasn’t vanity, it was a deliberate extension of their identity, a way of saying without words: This is who I am.

Of course, context matters. A tuxedo at the grocery store is absurd. Silk robes in the gym are useless. Dressing appropriately for the task at hand communicates both competence and confidence.

Taking a stroll down a back alley Everyman Polo in Dusty Olive colorway.

Neglect, however, sends its own message. Carelessness in how we present ourselves is still a form of communication... just not a flattering one.

We may tell ourselves that our lack of effort signals being “easygoing” or “unpretentious,” but more often it reads as a lack of self-respect… or a quiet hope that no one will expect too much from us.

In moments of crisis, people instinctively look to the man who appears most capable. That’s rarely the one in crocs, basketball shorts, and an oversized T-shirt.