“I don’t know what to wear on a dinner date; let’s see what the hottest celebrities are wearing.”
The Art of Charm doesn’t think you should imitate celebrities as such. However, for the man who is having trouble coming up with the right personal style for himself, celebrities and men that you admire can be a great way to kickstart your walk to better fashion. It doesn’t really matter which celebrity you choose; It just needs to be one that you admire. What’s more, it needs to be someone whose style isn’t so distinctive that you’re going to be easily called out for ripping them off.
If you’re wondering what to wear on a dinner date, and looking for some celebrity inspiration, here’s a quick guide on how to get the most.
Step 1: Picking the Right Celebs
One of the best things to do when you’re picking a celebrity to emulate while in search of your own personal style is to go with the classics. Guys like Humphrey Bogart, Steve McQueen and George Clooney are always going to be in style, no matter how much fashion and trends change. This is because they have a simple, understated and stylish masculinity that’s effectively timeless. You can go for contemporary ones like Clooney or classic ones like Bogey or Clint Eastwood — it doesn’t really matter. You can get cues from anyone that you admire.
Step 2: Picking the Right Styles
Obviously, if you pick Clint Eastwood, you’re going to be nicking more from him in Dirty Harry than you are from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. The point here is that you need to find the things that are situationally appropriate for where you’re headed on your next dinner date. Are you going out to a fancy restaurant? Look for suits that they wear and see if you can’t put together an outfit like your favorite celebs. Headed to a sports bar? Maybe go more for a polo and jeans look that they pulled off. Different things work in different situations, so when deciding what to wear on a dinner date, you want to pick something that’s right for the situation.
Step 3: Walk the Walk
One piece of advice we give to men who are struggling with confidence is to emulate both the style and the walk of men they admire. Haven’t been on a date in a long time? Struggle with acting confidently? This might be a time when you can imitate Clint Eastwood from an old western — or at least his swagger when he walks and his mannerisms. Eventually you’re going to form your own, but using a celebrity can be a great set of “training wheels” while you develop your own personal sense of style in terms of mannerisms as well as clothing.
When obsessing over what to wear on a dinner date, remember that the clothes you wear are only part of style. Your mannerisms are another huge part of it. Don’t be afraid to practice them a little bit when you’re hanging out alone. See what works for you and what doesn’t; What feels comfortable and what feels forced. Your own judgment is the best way to go.
