JT the Asian Frank Sinatra: Classy and Fabulous

People have said I look like anything from a sartorial dandy, to a rake, and even a badboy. But I’ve never been labeled boooooooring.

It all depends on my mood and what I’m wearing at the time. I’ve gone through experimental phases where I’ll dress like a badass biker to fiercely peacocking. Women were definitely intrigued, many times attracted, by me and several have actually approached me as opposed to if I was wearing my old boring “college Asian kid” clothes, I can assure that would never have happened.

Nowadays I go for an “Asian Frank Sinatra” look. It’s stylish and elegant and while women don’t approach me as much if I was peacocking, my ease into a conversation with a woman is incredibly easy in comparison when I approach her. Next year, who knows what I’ll be sporting, but I always dress the best I can regardless of what fashion phase I’m feeling.

As one person once observed about me, “He’s a walking piece of art.”

Above all, we want to catch the lady’s eye, but do so in an edgy yet classy way. So let me now give you 10 fashion tips guaranteed to get girls to sit up and take notice of you tonight!

1. It’s Not What You Wear. It’s How You Wear It.

Very often men confuse style with purchase price. The trick to looking good isn’t spending a lot of money on an outfit, it’s taking the time to make sure the clothing FITS well and complimenting colors.

It is very possible to make a $200 shirt look bad by buying a size too large or small or with clashing colors. However, wearing a suit that fits well and draws the female eye makes you look like, well, a million bucks.

2. Get It Tailored.

If you are going to bother leaving your house, trying clothes on, and spending your hard-earned money on it, you might as well get the best fit that you can. Whether it be a shirt that’s a bit billowy in the torso or a pair of slacks a bit too long, factor in a little extra cash to get it custom-fit. Often, it will cost you less than initially planned and a bespoke suit will always make you feel like a king instead of an Asian boy wearing his big brother’s hand-me-downs.

On average, it will cost $30 per minor alteration, more so for larger alterations like shoulders. I’ve sometimes literally spent more on tailoring than I have on the actual item. For example, I bought a cool faux-tuxedo blazer from H&M for $29 and then spent $35 on the length of the arm (at the waist and letting half an inch of my shirt’s cuff showing) and $35 to fit around the waist for a snug fit. I was now wearing a $100 blazer that looked like it belonged on a $500 tuxedo and it was completely worth it.

3. Don’t Buy Pieces. Buy Outfits.

Just because you “”like”” a shirt, does not mean that it will work in your wardrobe and, much like buying an expensive shirt that doesn’t fit, there’s no sense in getting a nice item if it’s going to clash with the rest of your clothing (unless that’s what you’re going for!).

At the beginning of your fashion journey, find a picture of an outfit that you like online or in a magazine and search for each item to build that look. Once you have your go-to outfit and suit, you can swap out individual elements (whether it be a different shirt or different accessory) for different looks.

4. Subtlety Is Key.

In 2005, fashion was all about rhinestoned Ed Hardy patterns and big, abrasive outfits that would get noticed. Five years later, the Audigier hangover has worn off and fashion has evolved (more on this later) to embrace subtlety and the small elements of fashion.

In a high-end club in Los Angeles, you’re more likely to find a guy wearing a suit than you are an Affliction eyesore. However, that suit is most likely custom-tailored with a skinny tie and $150 cufflinks. Not just any, old suit.

Women are incredibly adept at spotting subtleties (the cut of the collar, the ribbing on the shirt, the polish of your boots) and those subtleties directly translate into effort and confidence.

5. Evolve Your Fashion.

“That which does not evolve, dies” is one of my favorite phrases and it directly applies to fashion. Looking good is ALMOST (and is, in a lot of cases) a full time job.

In order to be on top of fashion trends, you’ve got to keep evolving your look. Yes, that snap bracelet and those LA Lights sneakers has a great 3-year run, but they are making you look dated and out-of-touch. Follow men’s magazines (like Esquire and GQ) for current trends and ways to update your wardrobe appropriately.

6. You’re Missing the Point of Peacocking.

Remember that “”Peacocking”” was originally the act of wearing ONE item that would give a woman a reason (and thereby, the opportunity) to approach you.

Of course, the founding members of that theory took it to it’s extreme (as the fathers of a theory are wont to do – see: Socrates), but that does not mean we need to. Nowadays, a feather boa and a cowboy hat go overboard and elicit negative impressions from women. Something subtle, like a well-chosen ring or a fancy tie-bar will set you apart from the rest, while proving that you have both style AND class.

For more information on the topic of peacocking, read Gareth Jones, a PUA coach for the ABCs of Attraction, article on “Peacocking: You’re Doing it Wrong!”

7. Sexxorize!

Having said that about peacocking, ALWAYS ACCESSORIZE!

The simple act of having a non-practical, non-functional piece of accessory, whether it’s the ridiculous and much lampooned PUA feather boa or the classy Sinatra fedora, means that you have the time and resources to sport such a luxury. In other words, ACCESSORIES = SEXUAL VALUE.

These can be anything from leather cuffs, bracelets, dog tags, necklaces, rings, scarves, earrings, fedora, tie clip, tie bar, the tie itself, etc. Always throw in something that says you are a SENSUAL AND SEXUAL ASIAN MAN. This is INCREDIBLY important as an Asian Man as the negative media stereotypes paint us as emasculated or asexual. You absolutely have to SHOW SEXUAL VALUE if you want to succeed at interracial dating. If you dress like a stereotype, you’ll be treated like a stereotype.

Having said that, however, do remember points #5 and #6.

8. Color Coordinate and Complement

Avoid bland colors while having an overall color coordinated look. Color is very important, especially in a dark, night club where the dark colors like grey and black blend into the background.

You want to have to primary colors and then one “accessory” color. The human eye needs and wants to be drawn to one centerpiece item that you’re wearing. Make sure all the other articles of clothing support that piece and that they’re not all clashing at the same time. By adding color, you’ll stand out from the crowd.

NOTE: The female eye structure has more “P cells” that analyze texture and color and are naturally drawn to the color red (green and beige being the other two) than most other colors. Throw in the fact that people assume that other people who wear red are outgoing, confident, and sexual, you have a winning combination.

This could be as simple as a red tie and handkerchief. So a good color combination for a suit, for the most basic newbies, is a black blazer, black pants, white cuffed shirt, red tie, and red handkerchief with some sort of metallic accessories.

9. It’s About Fancy Footwork.

Contrary to popular belief, WOMEN DO NOT NOTICE YOUR SHOES.

They don’t. They don’t know what brand you’re wearing or how much you spent on it. That is, if you’re wearing good shoes to begin with.

If you’re NOT wearing a nice set of shoes to match your stylish clothes and suit, THEN THEY NOTICE YOUR SHOES.

It’s basically a game of “Which one of these does not belong with the other?” If you have cool clothes, but are still wearing scuffed sneakers, it’ll completely blow your cover and show them what a cad you are. In other words,  shoes are only noticed when they’re BAD.

So stop wearing your college sneakers. Your most basic going out shoes are black leather, laceless slipons with a HARD sole. You can do boots (whether motorcycle or ankle) for that extra inch of height if you’re a short Asian man like me (I’m 5 foot 5 inches for the curious). You don’t have to break the bank like with Mark Nason boots, you can do Red Wings to any boot outlet.For those that want another inch or tie, you can do Magic Insoles (just buy your boots 1 to 2 sizes larger).

10. It Works If You WORK It.

Above all, whatever style and fashion you choose as an Asian Man, remember to rock the shit out of it. If you’re wearing sunglasses indoors like Jay-Z but are still stumbling over shit-tests or if you’ve got tall, Russell Brand heels that you can barely stand up in, you’re missing the point and are likely to get no action.

Like every aspect of Pickup, you must first develop a strong sense of self and then capitalize on your confidence. This translates directly into your personal sense of style, so find a style that, rather than lamely attempting to hide your insecurities, highlights your impressive qualities and your results will skyrocket!

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