When I was 17 years old and starting chronicling my style on Lookbook.nu and my blog, I had no intentions of reaching out to mass’s or appealing to anyone for that matter. I was simply putting my voice out there, and if others listened then great! It wasn’t until I received my first few emails back in early 2010 from a few boys in high school who were thanking me for “marching to the beat of my own drum”. These boys went on to tell me that they too wanted to dress stylishly at school but didn’t due to bullying and hatred. One even admitted to almost getting “bashed” for his styling choices. It was right then in my life I decided to never stop showcasing my styles, and fashion inspirations. No man, young or old should feel subjected to prejudice or bullying because of the clothes he puts on his back, so it got me thinking.
56 Comments
amazing story!!
http://terners.blogspot.com/
This is honestly the best article I’ve ever read on any fashion blog. You are the best!
thank you for sharing this story with us! There are always people who are jealous or can’t understand what fashion can mean to someone and what we want to express with it. So they are bullying those ones and are writing bad comments. But actually those people make us strong and confident because we know there are enough people who are getting inspired by our style and get the hope through our self-confidence. It’s a great idea to start this series and I’m going to read any post!
so amazing. I was touched by your story and I think it’s great that you are giving others an outlet to share their originality through!
incredible story…
I really love your style! Don’t never change!
xx
Well, let me tell you something, before commenting I looked at your previous posts, and I don’t see anything wrong with your style, in fact, you’re one of the men that has got a great style and who’s so inspiring for others, so I don’t know what they used to call you like that, you dress properly as it should be, you’re not even wearing something that makes you look like a “carnival” wearing strange things in different colours or something. So, don’t care about “what they will say”, to all of the men out of there, feel confidence about what you wear and if you wear it, it’s because you love it and feel comfortable. Kind of comments like this will always exist so, just ignore them and keep going on.
Xx
Fantastic article!! If you ever want to interview me, give me a shout! Would love to be involved! I have a youtube channel as well
i wholeheartedly agree with everything you’ve said. life is too short to live it for the haters! thanks so much for the read, adam! and keep on truckin! 🙂
Agreed. I don’t understand that either, but I think this is a problem who didn’t grow up yet in their mind or are just not confident enough.
eifitcon.blogspot.com
this is amazing Adam! I really enjoyed reading every bit of your idea! more power to you and you’re so inspiring!
Great srory… My life is a little bit the same. im in school (16) and my style is similar to yours 🙂 but not so perfect 😀 And they also call me fag, gay and other things and most of them don’t like me.. But i don’t care I love my style and i have my bffs who like me the way i am.. And i hope for you that you never change you’re a wonderfull person and since i found your blog I cant leave it 😀 You inspire me.. you’re my fashion idol 🙂
I am so shocked. I already was shocked when you once made that post about the scarves and you said some people called you homo or fag or whatever. I am just shocked that something like this goes on. I feel lucky now apparently having taking it for granted not having been bullied or called names in the past or now for that matter. I’m still on high school and my style is quite different from what “the crowd” is wearing and of course there have been a few nasty words sent my way but I’ve always had either my friends, or a witty comment to defend me and they shut up right there.
Anyways I really love your idea, putting a little twist on the normally repetitive streetstyle thing. You already have one very curious reader right here!
http://www.toughplus.blogspot.com
this is quite moving. And i agree, no man should ever be mocked for what he wears. I love using clothes to express myself, however recently i too have been subject to a one or two unpleasent encouters (no where near as bad as you though adam, inspired that you not only put up with it but also amplified your feelings during that period) and so i like how i can relate to this a little. thank you for posting this man. looking forward to “handsome”.
That is an amazing idea! I seriously can’t believe how many people are still prejudiced towards fashionable men, but I think that it’s because they are jealous. Yours is one of my favorite fashion blogs, you truly have an exceptional style 🙂
I think this is the most amazing thing you can do ever… I really believe you grew into an amazing stylish man and it´s great to try to inspire some ohers. your idea is great and now more than ever I consider myself a big fan of you and your targets. I wish you the best! this is totally great and you have already inspired me.
http://sayalex.blogspot.com
I’m actually quite grateful that there are people like you who are willing to be themselves. I mean if it weren’t for you, menswear wouldn’t be really recognized properly through a younger crowd. I went through the same issue because I was expressing myself through art ever since I was a little kid. I was drawing all the time and I was never blessed with “sporty genetics) So, Everyone labelled me “gay” before I even knew who they were because of how I looked or how I talked to people. It’s been 2 years since I dropped out of high school to pursue my dream being doing a Graphic Design course in College.
What you’re doing (and you may not fully realize this just yet.) but you are slowly shaping this generation to be more confident and expressive; making people brave enough to dress up with style. There are people out there Adam, who want to show their true colors and they get inspired by your creativity. Dude. just keep doing what you’re doing–I’m really praying and hoping you get to work with GQ or Details Magazine.
good to know that you dont mind those bullies and continue in what you believe in. i admire your confidence and respect you more. we’re here always for you. love you. *hugs*
Bravo! Women like me get the same treatment. Different terms but also bullied for our fashion sense. 🙂 However, we all – both men & women in fashion stand up and continue to be confident with our styles. 🙂 Great post!
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It is very important what you write in your article. Many people (men and women) living every day this same problem. People still have the taboo that fashion is only for women, and that men just wear jeans and a shirt should feel good because it is the prototype of dress very often find everyday in the streets, when see something out of the ordinary or outside the range that are used to seeing simpre hear criticism from all and may even be ofencivos. Let us ignore these comments if we feel good about the outfit with which enfretamos every morning to the world, nothing else matters.
I’m so happy that you wrote this article- I can absolutely relate 100%. It’s comforting to know that men like us aren’t alone in this “big world”. I can’t wait for more information on the new project!
Good words sir. Establishment of confidence is the foundation. http://s-gents.com/blog/2013/01/25/project-handsome
I know someone you should interview
This made me feel that I’m not alone. Thanks!
best article ive ever read really. i hope this goes out to everyone! aight im going to post this everywhere now :p
youre actually the best person in the world for doing this. youre actually one of my favourite people, and this seriously hit a cord with me because of what ive been through.. I currently go through what you went through, and I just stick to myself and stay confident with who I am. This is honestly one of the best ideas and I thank you, I cant wait to see it evolve. 🙂
Wow! This is such an inspiring post and i’m very excited to read about what happens next with your project. Good luck! Keep on inspiring your readers 🙂
we have to fight intolerance with our blogs, great article and great initiative =)
Héctor
Great article! You are so right.
I guess jealousy also plays a role very often. They are all jealous for not being as stylish and brave to wear something different.
Keep it up and you can interview me as well 😉
Oliver
http://www.lips2lagerfeld.com
very well-said! kudos!
i adore men who strive to look best and who are not afraid to express themselves fashionably. nothing is gay about that. keep it up!
That was shocking, best article I have ever read, I was inspired to try to wear what I like. Now I like your blog more. Good luck with project 🙂
Wow, this is really cool idea. It will be best if you also published the result of your interview in a book form. So, it’s like a magazine or fashion book, but the content is deeper than just a fashion. Good luck! You have a really cool style for a man!
I know how that feels too, unfortunately. I have never been attacked physically, but I´ve lived the situations when are people making fun of me because of my clothes, call me “homo, gay or pretty boy”. Now I have feeling that I meet more prejudices than offences because of my look. But its not only at me or other guys who care about their dress, but I hear bad thing also about people who dress badly. I guess its just what people are, judging people by their look. I learn how to deal with, I learn that the reaction who will close their mouths is just saying ok, sure and making a little bit fun of yourself, sometimes followed by some funny notes on them. Also my friends (especially the female ones 🙂 are helping me sometimes. I guess the bullying in my country (Czech rep. Europe) is not that frequently and hard as it is in the United States (at least by what I heard), but it’s still here. I really wish You and Your project success! Good luck, I think that this is a really needful thing. 🙂 (And if there will be a possibility to join or help – I would love to participate)
ahaa wow, that is deep and just wanted to tell you know that I’m 110% supporting you in all this! all the best!
My sympathy to those who were bullied because of their pleasantly fashion sensitivity. Luckily I’ve never experienced being bullied yet anywhere I go although sometimes I get some weird stares…others smile, others just plainly look. I guess the secret there is plain confidence and a little arrogance (don’t take it the wrong way). Because when people see you with those characters, based on my observation, they see you as someone who has authority and that hinders them from bad-mouthing. I don’t know if this applies to your context but here in the Philippines, it’s effective.
you are great :))
http://chicchoolee.blogspot.co.at/
http://chicchoolee.blogspot.co.at/
http://chicchoolee.blogspot.co.at/
I Follow your blog, you are amazing continue that, stay strong you got my support for spread this message.
Portugal
Wow, you leave me without words. I always say that the worst time in live is high school. It seems like this that appears in some movies is just like that, movies. I can’t even imagine that people are so cruel. But here’s the prove. and yes, I’ve seen some bullying, not for clothes, but for other things. And is terribly wrond. Why the “cools” have to influence the others? Why people who is differents is weird and receive bullying? Is people loyal to their style and who is not afraid of showing it’s personality. I really admire them, and I really admire you. It’s beautiful and handsome, what you’re doing here. Great idea. Wit love, Mireia.
What I like about your fashion-blog is, that you actually have some content, beside nice pictures to look at like all other blogs! Thanks
This article was the best!!!! I rarely re-read something more than once, but this caught my attention. I have always felt the same as you. I live in a region where everything is more conservative (the south). I don’t even know how I got here (to the south)? People judge you about what you wear – if you wear pink, too much patterns going on, pants to slim (skinny, even worse), etc. This is why I decided to create my blog and write about what mostly inspires me – fashion. I blog about the latest runways and trends in both men’s and women’s fashion. If I felt a great connection to your style, now I also have a greater connection to you as a person. This has inspired me to begin posting pictures about my looks, and forget about what the whole world will say. In life, you can’t content everyone. Some will hate you; some will find you likeable. That’s just how life is. What you’re about the begin doing is incredible – inspiring more men to come out of their comfort zone, and feel true to themselves. I don’t know if you read comments, but way to go Galla!
Peace,
Miguel L.
From Run-Way to Style w/ Mr.Lazaro
http://runwaytostyle.blogspot.com
Way awesome. Good for you Adam.
Surely, those jealous ppl have no idea what style and decency is. Seriousely, lots of ppl love you and your blog, so don’t care about those comments. The best things in life are the small but meanful ones, so even if you think you only have one person in life, who loves you for who you are, this is gonna be the most important person in your life and makes it worth living! Ppl talk shit all the time and don’t even thing about what words can do to someone until they get throw them in their face! So just feel sorry for them and walk away with a smile.
xx
I experienced the same thing back in high school for my personal style..
I’ve been called “English man” and “Weird” for what I wear. This is awesome, Adam.
This is a great project! Sadly we live in a culture of violence and intolerance. I like that this project is about building community, inner confidence, and appreciation for people. So, ultimately I see this as a project of peace. We may not be able to change culture, but we can create and strengthen a new one.
Wow, this makes me sad. Had no idea that this was even going on…your style, blog, creativity are so gorgeous and inspiring. There will always be haters, that’s life, but kudos for standing your ground. I’m sending your blog link to my husband so he can get some style tips!
Where I’m from, there’s a saying: “Handsome is as handsome does.” There’s little more ugly in the world than intolerance and pointless cruelty. Best of luck to you and your project.
http://www.performanceandcocktails.com
Love this idea! I’ve been following your blog because I don’t know anything about men’s fashion and I want to open my horizons.
fantastic idea, inspiring and heartfelt. if people can relate, they can find their own confidence. fashion is about how you see yourself, and how you feel in yourself, and this is the same for women and men, it’s not one rule for one gender and another for the other. 🙂 x
Hi
i flicked through you archives and found this. I love this post.
I’m not a guy, but I did get bullied by guys at school for the way I dressed. Tripping me for wearing heels that made me taller then them. Calling me some crazy names for knowing what I liked and wanted to wear. I still wear dungarees even when told that I was a lesbian for wearing them.
Although I am a girl this post has had made a huge difference to my life. I feel empowered.
thank you
Amelia
I’ve read this and I can say that I wasn’t a guy with style, even today, I don’t feel that I have “what you have to” to be a dapper guy, I can say that I found your blog by instagram and then, I feel really identify with the words you were saying in this article, it is good for a girl feeling pretty, but, why for a guy feeling handsome is bad?, I hope to reach the level that you have one day, you are a person that inspire me, being sharp and try to look good is not a sin… it is other way to express what you have inside to the outside… Best regards, I hope you can keep up the good job… and I hope you can read this, I feel really good about this and knowing that other people out there can speak out this way.
Same past we had and as always the haters gonna hate, keep your great job up and i indeed love your style buddy!! 🙂
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This inspired me 🙂
You are an inspiration to many men! I love your style and your elegance! I hope I find a man like you, Adam!
good