Do you expect compliments when dressing up?

[PTWilliams]

When I wear attention commanding clothes, such as plaid jacket, or unusual colored pants (mustard, pink, aqua, purple), my usual test if it works is whether I receive at least three complements in an evening. I have a crean houndstooth Dior jacket that pulls in about 5 or 6 complements each time I wear it. Its not uncommon for guys or girls to want to take their picture with me. Several times guys have asked to borrow a jacket or a hat so they can be photographed in it. This has affected how I dress, I'm not sure how it plays out on a date for me to receive much more atttention than the girl. Only once did I receive a complement from a gay guy trying to score. Being very well dressed in a more conservative mode doesn't generate the same response, I think because you are doing something well that people expect. My Berlutti shoes have never been complemented, but I have some alligator, whole-cut Edmond Allens, and spectator shoes that have been complemented on. Of course, this is the San Francisco Bay Area and most guys dress like they don't care. Girls do a bit better.

 

[acridsheep]

Moans of pleasure, not compliments.

 

[Calder]

It seems to be shoes that draw comments the most.

That said, not often comments, but just a glance in the street as someone looks at you a bit longer because the outfit just works...

 

[Rolex Luthor]

I not only expect compliments, but I think people should stand and applaud when I enter a room.

 

[archibaldleach]



It seems to be shoes that draw comments the most.

That said, not often comments, but just a glance in the street as someone looks at you a bit longer because the outfit just works...

Or perhaps because the outfit just doesn't work...only kidding.

 

[GBR]

No, not at all.

 

[Calder]

Or perhaps because the outfit just doesn't work...only kidding.

Could be true... but I have friends I know would be more than willing to point out any such flaws

 

[Ivar]

I think, if you've been into classic menswear for a while, and you've learned the ropes, and you've rid your style of its teething troubles, and you've gotten a few thumbs up in the WAYWT thread, and you've rid your style of its extravagances, and you've made it through Acridsheep's N00b Lifecycle, and you've returned to the basics with newfound vim, and you've gotten yourself out there, and you've paid your dues, then compliments will come to you quite naturally.

I get them most every time I'm out and about, and really, if you're a socially well-adjusted man who puts some effort into learning this stuff, that's to be expected.

 

[VinnyMac]

No...and when I get them, they don't mean much to me. Compliments are mainly cheap conversation-fillers; they're statements of the obvious just because you need something to say. People who "expect" them have self-esteem issues (either too little or too much).

 

[Classically]

Not really. Whenever I do get comments, they're usually about my hat, not the clothes I'm wearing.

Robert

 

[JDMills]

I usually get a compliment about my shoes or pocket square ("I really like that thing in your pocket") or if I'm wearing something really loud, a butcher stripe shirt with a white collar and french cuffs and a bright gold tie, but besides that not really. I don't expect them but give them out if I do really see something I like, dressing well really is a personal thing, you do it for you not for compliments, you know you look good is all that matters.

 

[Veremund]

If it were "not uncommon for guys or girls to want to take their picture with me because of my clothes", I would seriously rethink what I'm wearing. But that's just me.

 

[Mr Martini]

If it were "not uncommon for guys or girls to want to take their picture with me because of my clothes", I would seriously rethink what I'm wearing. But that's just me.

ya id have to agree with that one, especially if people were asking me to dress up in my clothes for pictures.


People compliment me but more often than not people ask why im so dressed up. I dont care either way

 

[Simplicio]



If it were "not uncommon for guys or girls to want to take their picture with me because of my clothes", I would seriously rethink what I'm wearing. But that's just me.

Yeah, this makes me think of how people like to pose with cartoon characters at Disneyworld. Not really the effect you want.

My feeling is that if I do not regularly get (good) compliments, then I am doing something wrong and need to re-think my approach. The non-SF competition out there is so bad that it really should not be all that hard to dress better than 99% of men in the world.

 

[Johnboy]

Well, for me when I was younger I did not have the confidence to compliment a guy who in my opinion had made an 'effort' to look good and dress noticeably well. I used to over analyse the situation as in.. what if the thinks I'm gay and coming on to him, or.. what if he is embarrassed by the attention, now.. I don't give a hoot who they sleep with or even if they do double back flips when they think no one is watching.

Now that I am more mature, I always make a special effort to compliment a person that has made an effort to do something well, whether that be wearing a suit and tie and looking good in it, or something else. Hey maybe I drop dead tomorrow, then there would be one less person i could have done something good for. So, in my opinion, make the effort guys, it is always worth it to make even a small positive difference to another person's life.

I am very aware though, of the pleasure it gives the person being complimented. It usually starts with attention and focus as in, what does this stranger want from me, then it soon turns into a huge smile when they realise that they are actually being given something that adds to, or reinforces their impression of their self worth. They then usually / always thank you profusely for what you have said, and they go on their way with a slightly more perceivable spring in their step. I too am pleased at being able to have done something good for another person.