First off, allow me to introduce myself to this forum. I'm a 21 year old college student with an overly eclectic background that has left me facing adulthood with absolutely no idea how to present myself in formal situations. I can groom, maintain, and be appropriate...But lack any real experience in color matching, selecting outfits for occasions, picking accessories, or simply feeling comfortably in anything other than cotton. After lurking for a while, I've finally come to this forum for help from the masters.
I have to dress formally for department meetings with my job, academic functions with deans and professors, conventions, speech competitions, and a growing number of social occasions that require more class. I'm also a first degree Freemason who accordingly has to learn how to dress out of respect while showing my own colors. Here's what I have to work with: I am 5'6 and a half, 127 pounds with a distinct taper from a forty inch chest to a twenty six inch waist. No arms to speak of, legs are developed from my work as a fencing instructor. I travel internationally quite a bit, have grown my wavy hair out past my shoulders to blend into some cultures and appear non-threatening. I'm quite fond of fedoras casually...But wear them properly on my brow, matching them to my outfits and always following respectful protocol regarding their use. I have to buy cheap, am working my way through school and can't afford anything finer. I own a total of four ties, two of which were given to me last week...That should imply how limited my wardrobe is so far.
I'd like to thank this forum as a whole for giving me indirect advice and guidance so far, and hope that as the years go by I can develop some sense of style when it comes to dressing like a professional.
I have to dress formally for department meetings with my job, academic functions with deans and professors, conventions, speech competitions, and a growing number of social occasions that require more class. I'm also a first degree Freemason who accordingly has to learn how to dress out of respect while showing my own colors. Here's what I have to work with: I am 5'6 and a half, 127 pounds with a distinct taper from a forty inch chest to a twenty six inch waist. No arms to speak of, legs are developed from my work as a fencing instructor. I travel internationally quite a bit, have grown my wavy hair out past my shoulders to blend into some cultures and appear non-threatening. I'm quite fond of fedoras casually...But wear them properly on my brow, matching them to my outfits and always following respectful protocol regarding their use. I have to buy cheap, am working my way through school and can't afford anything finer. I own a total of four ties, two of which were given to me last week...That should imply how limited my wardrobe is so far.
I'd like to thank this forum as a whole for giving me indirect advice and guidance so far, and hope that as the years go by I can develop some sense of style when it comes to dressing like a professional.
