Photo by Michael Gilman Megan Collins is forging a mini media empire with her company Style Girlfriend. She's also quite the smart, funny and pretty lady (that's her above). So, we went to Megan to get some answers about how guys should dress and generally comport themselves. She gave us some great insights that you should listen to -- or -- you can just continue to look and act like a total schlub (we're not talking to you -- it's that other guy).
IN THREE SENTENCES OR LESS, WHAT IS STYLE GIRLFRIEND AND WHAT QUALIFIES YOU TO DOLE OUT ADVICE TO DUDES?
Style Girlfriend is all about helping guys dress with style and live with more confidence, through daily tips, tricks and shopping shortcuts - all coming from a friendly female perspective. We want to be the helpful stand-in for the girlfriend or wife/best female friend/sister that a guy might not have in his life to ask for help… or maybe he does but doesn’t want to have to ask her for help! As for what qualifies us to give advice, we feel pretty confident in saying we know what women want to see guys wearing because we are women!
WHAT IS THE ONE STYLE SECRET EVERY GUY SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?
Make friends with a good tailor! It’s crazy how even small tweaks made to your clothes can make a huge difference when it comes to fit, and by extension, how you feel in what you’re wearing. Taking in a dress shirt, shortening a pair of pants that are too long, heck you can even tailor a t-shirt… there’s all these things you can do to make clothing you bought off-the-rack look and feel like it was made to measure just for you.
When your clothes fit you just right, you look so much better, which gives a big confidence boost. Most of us can’t afford to buy everything custom or made-to-measure, but we can all budget in a little extra for a quick trip to the tailor to build a wardrobe that’s got that extra somethin’ somethin’ to ensure you feel like a million bucks every time you leave the house.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST STYLE FAUX PAS THAT MEN CONSISTENTLY MAKE?
The biggest faux pas guys make when it comes to style is assuming it’s not for you. I think it’s easy to look at GQ or Esquire and see a celebrity on the cover in a $6,000 suit and be like, “Welp, if I don’t look like that, and can’t afford those clothes, then I’m just not going to try.”
Maybe it’s a defense mechanism, but it’s a bummer when I’ll tell a guy what I do for a living and he’s just like, “I don’t care about clothes. Appearance shouldn’t matter.” Which, sure, maybe in an ideal world, what we look like wouldn’t matter maybe, but that’s just not the world we live in. First impressions matter, and what you wear, and how you take care of your hair and skin, matters. And not just to other people, but it matters for how YOU feel about yourself.
And I wish I could tell every guy who’s apprehensive about working on his wardrobe that, yes, you’ll probably feel weird and embarrassed and confused when you first start putting effort into your style, and you might have some friends who who will call you out and try to shame you about your new clothing choices, but they’re dicks and are just jealous that you’re capable of personal growth and they’re not. The thing about working on your style is that it’s just like anything else… you can only get better. So don’t go out and try to overhaul your entire wardrobe in a day; take time with it. Start to notice what kind of clothing and style you like, and start adding pieces to your closet - and tossing things - piece by piece. After awhile, dressing well will feel natural and you’ll feel confident in knowing your personal style.
So that, and square toed shoes. Those things are the worst.
CAN A GREAT PERSONALITY OUTWEIGH LESS-THAN-STELLAR LOOKS AND STYLE?
A great personality is key! The way we see style is that it helps contribute to confidence. So when you dress well, you’re going to feel more confident, and that confidence shines through in your interactions. You’ll be your best ‘you’ when you’re not feeling underdressed at a party, or sloppier than everyone else on your team at work. Dressing with style means you have a leg up for everything else in life.
DAD BOD. YES OR NO? AND WHY?
Haha, is that really a yes or no question? I’m a big believer in working on your body the same way you work on your mind and spirit. They all go together, right? And it’s worth flexing each of those muscles - physical, mental, metaphysical - on a daily basis. Plus, when you feel good about your body, you’re going to want to show it off with clothes you love and that fit you just right.
Of course, being ‘in shape’ looks different on everyone, so one person’s dad bod might be another’s goal body. We’re all different, and that’s okay.
DO YOU LIKE BEARDS ON GUYS? WHAT LENGTH AND HOW SHOULD THEY MAINTAIN A SMOOTH BEARD?
For me, it totally depends on who’s wearing it. Sometimes I like when a guy has a beard; other guys I think look better clean-shaven.
But if you are going to sport a beard, maintenance is super-important. Keep it clean and shiny, and of course, well-groomed. Nobody wants to fight their way through a squirrel’s nest on your face to make out with you.
WHAT GROOMING PRODUCTS SHOULD A GUY NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
Moisturizer with SPF. A shampoo and conditioner that’s not two-in-one, and a scent you love and feel good wearing.
WORST PICK-UP LINE YOU’VE EVER HEARD OF?
Oh wow, it’s not a specific line but I’m not a fan of negging. Don’t tell me “I’d look better without makeup” or that my outfit looks “comfortable.”
BEST PICK UP LINE YOU’VE EVER HEARD OF?
“Hi, I’m ____.”
DESCRIBE THE ULTIMATE GENTLEMAN IN YOUR VIEW?
A guy who’s not afraid to call himself a feminist. Respecting women is very sexy.
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