Image by: Artur Orujaliev
By Phillip K. Issa

Men tend to not spend a lot of time in the dressing room. And I am not talking about getting fitted for a suit, either – we’ll stand for hours for that satisfying ritual. No doubt about it.

What I’m talking about is much more pedestrian, like a chore. You have to do it but you don’t want to. You know, browsing a store, picking out a pile of shirts and pants, and taking it all “behind the scenes” to that mini studio apartment in the back to try everything on.

The one with the mirror, loose hangers and hundreds of pointy pins stuck everywhere. Jeez, guys can we go easy on the pins, please?

For the most part, men just don’t like “wasting” time in the fitting room. We make quick value assessments and roll with the fall-out later. If it fits over our shoulders, isn’t too long or funny-looking, the garment is good to go.

We just kind of go through the motions half-heartedly and our wardrobe suffers as a result.

So what if those sleeves are two inches too long or if that shirt doesn’t tuck in quite right – you bought it, now you are going to wear it.

But guess what? It doesn’t have to be that way.

All of that can be avoided if you just buckle down and take a few extra minutes in the dressing room. I am here to tell you that if you take your time and really get clothes that fit well, you will look that so much better and, consequently, good things will happen to you.

They always do when you’re looking sharp.

You should be really inspecting the garment, giving it a serious critique, looking for any manufacturing imperfections (hey, it happens). What material is it made of? Will it shrink a lot? Is it dry clean only?

Fitting Room For Improvement

When you try on that shirt, if you plan on tucking it in, for crissakes tuck it in. How else are you going to notice that the sides are a little too roomy, making you look fat and frumpy. Gross.

And here’s a little tip – if that fitting room has a little bench or seat, you should try sitting and standing with the potential garments on to see how they fit in both positions (and in-between).

When it comes to pants, the length can be shortened obviously, so buy a bit long in the leg if you must, as opposed to shorter. Shorter is not cool.

And while you look down at your sock-covered feet realizing how many other sock-covered feet have graced that fitting room carpet, please swing around and look at your butt. You’d be surprised at how many women moisten in the presence of a well-packaged male derriere.

It all comes down to fit and finish, gentlemen, and the only way you are going to find success with both is to take extra time trying things on. Just think of how much more successful you’ll be with the ladies when your clothes are an asset … not a liability.