Sebastian Strobl

Category: style

  • The Art of Sprezzatura: Elevating Your Wardrobe, Personal Style, and Professional Life

    The Art of Sprezzatura: Elevating Your Wardrobe, Personal Style, and Professional Life

    Sprezzatura, an Italian term coined by Baldassare Castiglione in his 1528 work, “The Book of the Courtier,” epitomizes the art of performing tasks with such effortless grace that the effort behind them is invisible. This concept of studied nonchalance has influenced fashion, personal demeanor, and professional conduct for centuries. Today, adopting sprezzatura can significantly enhance a man’s wardrobe, personal style, and career. Let’s delve into why and how to incorporate this elegant philosophy into various facets of life.

    Embracing Sprezzatura in Your Wardrobe

    Sprezzatura in fashion is about looking stylish without appearing to try too hard. It’s about blending sophistication with a relaxed vibe, making one seem naturally well-dressed. Here’s why every modern man should consider it:

    1. Effortless Elegance: Sprezzatura allows you to look sophisticated without being overdone. It’s the perfect balance between polished and relaxed, creating a timeless appeal.
    2. Personal Confidence: When your appearance seems effortlessly stylish, it boosts your confidence. This natural self-assurance is attractive and magnetic.
    3. Timeless Appeal: Sprezzatura encourages investment in classic pieces that never go out of style, ensuring your wardrobe remains timeless and versatile.
    Practical Examples of Sprezzatura in Fashion:
    • Perfectly Imperfect: Rolling up your sleeves just so, leaving the top button of a crisp shirt undone, or casually draping a scarf over your shoulder. These small touches convey an effortless style.
    • Mixing High and Low: Combine high-end pieces with more casual items. For example, pair a tailored blazer with well-fitted jeans and a simple white t-shirt. This contrast highlights both sophistication and ease.
    • Subtle Accessories: Choose accessories that complement rather than dominate your outfit. Opt for a classic watch, understated cufflinks, or a simple pocket square that adds a touch of flair without overwhelming.
    Sprezzatura in Personal Style

    Incorporating sprezzatura into your personal style goes beyond clothing. It’s about your demeanor and how you interact with the world around you.

    1. Natural Charm: Sprezzatura helps you cultivate a demeanor that appears naturally charming and easygoing. This makes social interactions more pleasant and effective.
    2. Authentic Confidence: By projecting confidence without seeming arrogant, you draw people towards you with authenticity and ease.
    3. Balanced Life: Adopting sprezzatura implies a balanced life where you don’t appear overly rigid or trying too hard, giving off the impression of ease and grace.
    Practical Examples in Personal Style:
    • Conversation Skills: Engage in conversations with genuine interest and a relaxed attitude. Avoid dominating the discussion; instead, contribute meaningfully and listen actively.
    • Body Language: Maintain an open and relaxed posture. Avoid fidgeting or overly rehearsed gestures. A natural smile and eye contact can make a big difference.
    • Social Interactions: Move through social settings with ease. Greet others warmly but without excessive enthusiasm, showing you are comfortable in your own skin.
    Sprezzatura in Your Profession

    The concept of sprezzatura is not limited to personal appearance; it can be a powerful tool in your professional life as well. Here’s how:

    1. Workplace Presence: Master your tasks and present them with ease to give the impression of competence and reliability. This makes you appear naturally skilled and in control.
    2. Leadership Quality: Leaders who exhibit sprezzatura inspire confidence in their team. They remain calm under pressure and make complex decisions appear straightforward.
    3. Career Advancement: Sprezzatura can set you apart in a competitive job market. It reflects an ability to handle responsibilities with poise and finesse, making you an attractive candidate for promotions and new opportunities.
    Practical Examples in the Professional Sphere:
    • Presentation Skills: Deliver presentations smoothly without appearing overly rehearsed. This involves thorough preparation but a delivery that feels spontaneous and engaging, captivating your audience.
    • Problem-Solving: Approach challenges with a calm demeanor. Break down complex problems into manageable parts and present solutions in a straightforward manner. Your composed approach will instill confidence in your capabilities.
    • Networking: Cultivate professional relationships with natural ease. Engage with colleagues and industry professionals without appearing opportunistic, showing genuine interest in their perspectives and contributions.
    How to Cultivate Sprezzatura in Everyday Life
    • Practice Mindfulness: Be present in the moment. Pay attention to how you feel and how you present yourself, but don’t overthink. Mindfulness can help you achieve a natural, effortless demeanor.
    • Embrace Imperfection: Don’t strive for perfection. Instead, accept and embrace small imperfections as part of your charm. This attitude will help you appear more relaxed and approachable.
    • Develop a Signature Style: Find what works for you and stick with it. This doesn’t mean being predictable, but having a consistent base style with variations that suit different occasions.
    • Continuous Learning: Keep honing your skills, whether it’s in your fashion sense, conversational abilities, or professional expertise. Mastery allows you to perform effortlessly.
    Conclusion

    Sprezzatura is an art that blends effort with ease, precision with nonchalance. By incorporating this philosophy into your wardrobe, personal style, and professional conduct, you can enhance every aspect of your life. It’s about mastering the balance between looking effortlessly stylish, being genuinely confident, and handling professional responsibilities with graceful competence. Embrace sprezzatura to not only elevate your appearance but to also foster a demeanor that exudes calm, capability, and charm in every situation. This timeless art can help you navigate the complexities of modern life with grace, making you a more compelling and effective individual in all your endeavors.

  • The Power of Dressing Up: Why Men Should Always Aim to Be Slightly Overdressed

    The Power of Dressing Up: Why Men Should Always Aim to Be Slightly Overdressed

    In today’s casual world, the idea of wearing a suit or maintaining business casual attire might seem old-fashioned. However, choosing to be slightly overdressed can make a significant difference in various aspects of your life. Here’s why men should consider dressing up, even when it’s not required.

    1. First Impressions Count

    First impressions happen in seconds. Your attire can communicate professionalism, attention to detail, and respect. A well-dressed man immediately exudes competence and reliability, setting a positive tone for any interaction. As Mark Twain once said, “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.”

    2. Boost Your Confidence

    How you dress impacts how you feel about yourself. Dressing well can significantly boost your confidence and self-esteem, translating into how you carry yourself and interact with others. This confidence is particularly advantageous in professional settings. Yves Saint Laurent believed that “Dressing is a way of life,” emphasizing the power of good attire on one’s mindset.

    3. Show Respect and Commitment

    Dressing slightly better than required shows respect for your colleagues, clients, and workplace. It signals that you take your role seriously and are committed to presenting yourself in the best light, fostering a professional environment. Tom Ford encapsulates this by saying, “Dressing well is a form of good manners.”

    4. Stand Out from the Crowd

    In a casual-dress world, opting for a more formal appearance helps you stand out. It shows that you go above and beyond the minimum expectations, opening doors to opportunities, promotions, and positive recognition. “You can never be overdressed or overeducated,” Oscar Wilde famously quipped, highlighting the benefits of dressing well.

    5. Be Ready for Anything

    Being slightly overdressed means you’re prepared for unexpected opportunities, whether it’s an impromptu meeting with an executive or a networking event. A well-dressed man is always ready to make a great impression. As Edith Head put it, “You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it.”

    6. Enhance Your Professional Image

    Your attire contributes to your personal brand. Consistently dressing well helps build a professional image that aligns with your career aspirations, positioning you as someone serious about their career. Ralph Lauren wisely noted, “Style is very personal. It has nothing to do with fashion. Fashion is over quickly. Style is forever.”

    7. Cultural and Social Awareness

    Dressing well is often a sign of respect and good manners. It shows that you understand and adhere to the norms and expectations of your environment, crucial in global business settings. Giorgio Armani’s words, “Elegance is not standing out, but being remembered,” capture this sentiment perfectly.

    8. Influence Others

    Your attire affects how others perceive and interact with you. A well-dressed individual commands more respect and attention, facilitating better communication and more effective interactions. As fashion icon Coco Chanel said, “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.”

    Conclusion

    While casual attire is on the rise, the benefits of being slightly overdressed are undeniable. From making strong first impressions to boosting confidence and standing out, dressing well offers numerous advantages. In a world where image and perception are crucial, a well-dressed man is always one step ahead. Following the wisdom of these style icons, embracing a polished look can significantly enhance your professional and personal life.

  • What type of suit should you get

    What type of suit should you get

    What different types are there

    There are three different main categories when it comes to suits. The most affordable ones, ready-to-wear or off the rack. This is your typical Hugo Boss, Joop! or MassimoDutti suit. Suitsupply also has ready to wear suits with much nicer fabric than the first two in the list.

    Next price range are the made to measure suits, where most part of the suit is pre-produced and will then be modified to fit your real measurements. Once again an example would be suitsupply.

    The there are bespoke suit, completely custom/ handmade to your stature. Those will be the most expensive ones, made by real experts.

    So let’s give you a in-depth breakdown of the main categories below.

    Ready-to-Wear (RTW)
    Description:
    • Ready-to-wear suits are pre-manufactured in standard sizes and are available for purchase off the rack in retail stores.
    Characteristics:
    • Available in a wide range of styles, fabrics, and sizes.
    • Immediate purchase and wear, with minimal wait time.
    Benefits:
    • Convenience: Easily accessible and can be tried on and purchased the same day.•
    • Trendy: Often follow current fashion trends and are updated regularly.
    • Cost-Effective: Generally more affordable than made-to-measure and bespoke suits.
    Drawbacks:
    • Fit: May not fit as perfectly as tailored options, requiring alterations.
    • Limited Customization: Limited options for fabric, design, and details.
    Made-to-Measure (MTM)
    Description:
    • Made-to-measure suits are created from an existing pattern that is adjusted to the customer’s measurements.
    Characteristics:
    • Semi-custom: Uses pre-existing templates adjusted to fit the individual.
    • Requires a fitting session where measurements are taken, and preferences are discussed
    Benefits:
    • Better Fit: More personalized fit than RTW, as adjustments are made to suit the individual’s body shape.
    • Customization: Offers choices in fabric, color, and some design elements (e.g., lapels, pockets, buttons).
    Drawbacks:
    • Time: Typically takes a few weeks to produce, as adjustments and customizations are made.
    • Cost: More expensive than RTW but usually less costly than bespoke.
    Bespoke
    Description:
    • Bespoke suits are entirely custom-made from scratch, based on the customer’s exact measurements and specifications.
    Characteristics:
    • Fully custom: No pre-existing patterns are used; everything is designed from the ground up for the individual.
    • Multiple fittings are usually required to ensure the perfect fit.
    Benefits:
    • Perfect Fit: The highest level of fit precision and comfort, tailored specifically to the individual.
    • Unlimited Customization: Full control over every aspect of the suit, from fabric and linings to buttons and stitch details.
    • Unique: Each suit is unique and can be designed to reflect personal style and preferences
    Drawbacks:
    • Cost: The most expensive option due to the extensive labor and high-quality materials involved.
    • Time: Takes the longest to produce, often several weeks to a few months, depending on complexity and tailor availability.
    Comparison Summary

    • Ready-to-Wear: Best for those who need a suit quickly, prefer cost-effective options, and are okay with standard fits.

    • Made-to-Measure: Ideal for individuals looking for a better fit and some level of customization without the higher cost of bespoke.

    • Bespoke: Perfect for those who desire the utmost in fit, personalization, and quality, and are willing to invest time and money.

    By understanding these differences, you can make an informed decision on the type of suit that best fits your needs, preferences, and budget.

  • 6 ways my life got easier through building a capsule wardrobe

    6 ways my life got easier through building a capsule wardrobe

    Are you tired of standing in front of your bursting closet before a big occasion, important presentation at work, or just your usual Friday date night with nothing to wear? Read below how building an interchangeable minimalist wardrobe influence my life for the better and who knows, some points may even apply to your life.

    Create your own personal brand

    So this is twofold, for once you will be able to have some kind of designated uniform for your work activities. This is going to make it easier for yourself, to separate work from your leisure, personal life. You change into your uniform in the morning, focus on performing in your workplace and when you come home, you slip out of it and cut the chords to work stuff. This is becoming more and more important, the more both parts of your day are blending together. Are you self-employed and using one mobile device for business & private matters? Do you have a job, where working from home is permitted and therefore a company notebook and a company phone are always accessible? It can get out of hand quickly with constant beeps and vibrations, since work is more and more globalized and you are co-creating across different time zones.

    The other big benefit is, you will be recognizable, people will be starting to get a good feeling of what they can expect from you. It will calm their minds, and give you more opportunities to take over additional, greater responsibilities or just being recognized for your work and successes. Even if next to no one would ever say it out loud in a workplace setting, your appearance is the first thing that gets recognized and you will be judged base on that. Maybe just unconsciously, but we all do it. You see someone walking around in dirty joggers with a little fluff around the waist, is your first impression that he or she is a top performing lawyer or doctor?

    Save time dressing & shopping

    Once you own several staple items, that go well together in any potential combination and for every setting you can think of. Be it a summer wedding, a day in the office or running errands around town. It will be quite easy picking a outfit, that generally is the same look you will always wear. Pick any one item for tops and one for bottoms, depending on time of the year and temperature slap an item for layering over it, grab any shoes heading out and you are good to go.

    As for shopping, once you know hat sizes and colors match your type and preference, it will be far easier to add to your wardrobe. If you are already in the position where you are completely happy with the items you own, it’s just a matter of replacing pieces that are beyond repair with similar things.

    Spend less money on clothes

    In general, once you developed a clear feeling for your own style, what you like to wear, what makes you feel great and doesn’t limit you in your daily activities, the need to go with the trend or buy the thing some influencer advertised will subside. Therefore you will spend less on clothes in general and the potential for buying sprees in online or physical shops will be minimized. Try to develop a healthy relationship with the stuff you buy. If every piece in your closet is an item you absolutely love and love to wear, why would you want to buy additional stuff?

    Mitigate decision fatigue

    As mentioned two paragraphs before, the more interchangeable the core of the wardrobe you build is, the easier it will become to pick outfits tailored to any occasion. Feel like wearing a suit, wear the suit, either with a dress shirt, an oxford or a t-shirt/ polo. It will look well composed if the patterns/ materials and colors match each other. There will be no thinking involved, just picking items based on gut feeling. Don’t want to wear a full suit, just use the jacked and go with jeans, or the other way round, pick the slacks from your suit, throw a plain white T over it and you are dress for nearly everything, even the modern office job. And you will stand out between all the functional clothes, jeans and running shoes outfits of your peers.

    Boost your self confidence

    Once you look good and feel good in the outfits you wear you will have a confidence boost. Even without any recognition from other persons. Not to say, that every compliment you receive, and you will receive a lot, once you are always slightly overdressed, will build additional confidence. Coming back on the (unconscious) judging of people based on first impression and appearance, if you get this right, people will start to talk to you differently. They might not be aware of it, but they will treat you more to your benefit compared to the peer showing up like pulled from his own ass and therefore looking not as well prepared as you will be looking.

    Make traveling and business trips easier

    The bigger the overlap between your professional outfits, your leisure outfits and the pieces you feel and move great in, the less items you will need to pack for a business or even holiday trip. This will save you time and mental energy while packing, while out and about and when you are coming back and need to wash, iron and put everything back away. Travel lightly and it will make traveling itself easier, less space occupied for luggage, maybe you can make do only with carry-on baggage, which will make processing through the airport easier and faster.

  • Clean & easy casual outfits for summer

    Clean & easy casual outfits for summer

    Finally the summer hit central Europe (kind of at least) so ditch the wool sweaters, the heavy wool or tweed suits and dress a bit more breathable.

    All you need for sheer endless different outfits, that all have quite the same base and look to them is 3 pairs of trousers, 3 pairs of shoes and 3 different dress shirts. Pick colors that work well together like grey, blue and white, or tan, brown and white, tan, blue, white, or even tan, khaki and brown will also work quite nicely. If you make it really complex, pick different shades, dark, medium and light. If you mix those it will always look great. So let’s quickly expand on that. For example you can go with white sneakers (light) put over tan cotton chinos (medium/ mostly) and go for a navy shirt (dark). Or swap it around, dark blue chinos, brown loafers and a white or light blue shirt. You get the idea.

    Having a lot of nearly identical pieces that fit great will make picking a look for the day far easier. Just reach into the wardrobe and pull on thing for top and one for bottoms, if you designed your overall wardrobe interchangeable, it will be a match. On the way out slap some shoes on, if you only have 3-4 pairs you love and that go with every outfit, you won’t accumulate decision fatigue starting your day and you will look great, for what ever plans you might have.

    Have a look at the gallery below for some inspiration. Pictured are only a few outfits that can be put together with the above mentioned pieces. Every Shoe goes with every shirt & of course with every pair of trousers, so will have enough outfits for most weeks of summer, without wearing a combination twice.

    If you feel extra dapper, or your workplace doesn’t permit going without a jacket, even in summer, you can always swap a light linen/ cotton blazer over it. Can be a classic navy blazer, or a brown/tan hound’s-tooth sport jacket. Can be a pretty leisure seersucker blazer or even full suit or a tan linen blazer, a navy double breasted blazer does always look great. If you are the type you can also go with green or khaki or light blue. What ever you like and keep in mind, to mix light/medium/dark colors with each other or have at least on catch piece. Think dark shirt under a light suit or light shirt in a dark suit. Even in monochrome looks there should be some kind of variation in tone.