ANDRE BEGIN

Have you ever looked back at old pictures, reviewed your fashion choices and thought to yourself “What was I thinking?”

I believe that most of us have at one point or another and I hope we can laugh about it several years later.

However, in an effort to avoid potential fashion police moments, there have been times I have said I would never wear something, only to turn around a few years later and add the item to my wardrobe.

In some cases, it was for practical reasons. In others, the need for comfort outweighed the need for style. In some cases, I simply changed my mind… it happens.

For example, I purchased my first floral patterned shirt just a few years ago. Throughout my life I have said, “I don’t do florals”. Maybe it’s a throwback to my childhood when florals were everywhere on bedsheets, blankets, sofas, throw pillows and wallpaper. Perhaps my original opinion was also a throwback to a time when I didn’t see many men wearing floral prints.

But in today’s fashion world where men aren’t confined to only solid, striped or checked shirts, the options are limitless. So I do (occasionally) wear florals now and I don’t feel self-conscious when I do.

Once upon a time, I frowned upon the idea of a plain navy blue suit thinking it was plain and boring. Where that idea came from, I couldn’t tell you. Somehow, wearing a plain black suit was so different and became the foundation of my professional wardrobe.

But in checking out men’s fashion magazines over the years, I saw how a sharp dresser could accessorize a classic navy suit with a pop of colour through the tie, the dress socks or the combination of belt and shoes.

Alternatively, against the solid navy suit, a patterned shirt was another opportunity to show some personality. My lesson learned was that with great accessories, a navy suit can be a timeless classic combined with signature style… so I bought one!

Back when big hair was the thing, I swore I’d never shave my head. That is until Mother Nature decided male pattern baldness was my destiny. I tried a few hair restoration products, but upon seeing a few celebrities who totally rocked the clipper cut, I started trimming back gradually to the point that the clippers became my new standard. Today, I’m very happy with the low maintenance, low fuss, and weatherproof style that I sport now.

Also, at that time, I avoided hats at all costs for fear of crushing the towering architecture of my hairstyle supported by industrial strength gel, hairspray and styling mousse. A minor case of skin cancer changed that opinion quickly. Now, whether I am out walking, running, gardening or hanging out with friends on a patio, a hat is my must-have accessory, on top of my SPF 55.

When it came to choosing glasses, I stayed away from black frames thinking that they looked a little too severe on me. I gravitated instead to more neutral frames that paired well with my skin tone and light brown hair. When the hair became a moot point and what little I showed was “platinum”, I decided that it was time for a rematch with black frames. After a few tries, I found a pair that struck the right balance in working well with my facial features while not being the first thing you see when I enter a room.

For years, I wasn’t a fan of sandals, mostly because my feet tend to run on the cold side, especially in air conditioning. That changed one very warm, muggy weekend when we were taking in the sights of Toronto. Even though the running shoes I brought were perfectly breathable, I envied the masses wearing Birkenstocks whose feet weren’t packaged up like Christmas presents. As we passed a shoe store specializing in the brand, curiosity got the best of me. After trying on a few different styles, I found a truly perfect fit and ended up wearing Birkenstocks for the rest of the trip… and on warm muggy days from that day on.

It is funny how seeing a mannequin wearing an item I might not have considered could be enough to give me pause for thought. But to see a random cool-looking guy on the street wearing the item confidently and with flair can take it a step farther in having me suddenly thinking, “I hope they have it in my size.”

Either way, after seeing my perspective change so many times, going from something I would never consider to becoming a part of my regular rotation of outfits, I have come to the conclusion that when it comes to fashion, never say never.

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Sincere thanks for reading!
Have a great day,
André