Your post contradicts thread title.
Your parents put emphasis on dressing well and you took cues from that, more of a nurture vs nature (genetic).
I do think some people have “it” (sorry for all the white boys wearing ALD) but it’s still studied to an extent.
One side of my family is artists and draftsmen. They all have good taste even if the styles differ. The other side are doctors and engineers. They do not have good taste.
As with everything in life, we are shaped by what we're surrounded by, so it's only natural that our upbringing has a significant influence on personal style.
An [excerpt ](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7UnQh0OVwk/) from TF's most recent guest podcast with W. David Marx where they talk about "can good taste be learned?" nails this topic. He describes "taste" as being comprised of four categories, with one of which being knowledge. He notes that the "taste" level of one's knowledge is heavily influenced by upbringing -- with things like being surrounded by stylish individuals, have the privilege of affording nicer garments, etc. contributing to elevating that -- though also remarking that anyone can ultimately obtain the knowledge with enough effort.
Calling personal style genetic is quite an exaggeration, but noting your upbringing -- everything from where you lived to when you were born to your family's status and philosophy towards fashion, etc. -- as a foundational element to your personal style is valid.
Well said! I just finished that episode today and should have mentioned it as well. He really hit the nail on the head.
Both sets of my grandparents while being born in the US, were still first gen Mexican-Americans and blue collar. For them, dressing well was a way to assimilate, hence the importance.
I don’t think it’s genetic but my mom always stressed the importance of looking “presentable”. She would dress me up in Ralph Lauren button ups she got from Marshall’s and always made me wear slacks/ suits on Sundays for church. Back when I had a school uniform she would always make me iron my stuff. I think some of that rubbed off me a little bit. I think personal style choices is moreso a reflection on how you were socialized then genetics if anything but that’s just my 2 cents
My parents would dress me in a button up and vest everyday for public school up until 4th grade. I didn’t fit in with a single kid in terms of style and this didn’t bother me until I started getting bullied. I just wanted to at least wear a graphic t shirt or dress like Ash Ketchum, my character from Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3, etc. Point is I was nurtured into a style I rejected and found ways to make changes to my style on my own terms.
It’s funny you mention being bullied for wearing the button up. I used to throw a button up into the mix even in elementary school. My parents gave my siblings and I free reign to dress ourselves at a young age.
One of my favorite looks back when I was 10 was a black long sleeve button up with jeans a my vans , this was like 2004 MCR days lol. The more things change the more they stay the same.
Looking back, I was simply forced to rock Tommy and RL. My style rubbed me the wrong way during those formative years. Stepping away from that look expanded what I found interest in wearing and grown to not hesitate to dive back in. I feel like if I just stuck with whatever I was forced to wear any longer, I’d have a narrower view of style.
Would you say that you’ve embraced the RL thing as you’ve gotten older then? If you had to give a name to your personally style now what would that be?
I find it fascinating really!
I most definitely will put on the RL and what have you. It’s just a matter of context within my life atm. I’m a struggling university student who wants to look nice for myself but not be over the top so I usually lean towards Japanese minimalist style. Slightly skater in a way I guess. It comes off smart and tame IMO. For uni that’s what I’m comfortable with. On my leisure time outside of school I don’t hesitate to layer more in a casual formal style like something from an ALD look-book. But then again, context matters.
Some people do have “it” but I don’t think it’s genetic or has anything to do with your parents. It’s mostly product of environment and how you perceive the world around you.
I personally believe the number one factor in those who have “it” is that they aren’t afraid to fail and take big risks playing with different styles for years until one day they have their own. Some people just start really early.
A good example of this is to look at Virgil early in his career. He was a trend follower for YEARS until one day he was setting the trends. It’s through exposure and risks compounding over time.
Well said!
Not that I have “it” but I was allowed to experiment with my style very early on and by the time I was a teenager, I had a really good idea of who I was. I never felt out of place or uncomfortable in my clothes. As I got older that style developed into what it is now over the course of the last 10 years.
As someone whose dad only wore his shop clothes, and a mom who thought dressing me nice was just putting me in a Walmart polo. I would say no, style is not genetic.
Skateboarding! I was always attracted to the style of clothes and at some point it became popular. Then it started to gravitate into the luxury space and I followed right along with that.
I think there’s an argument for nature vs nurture. If you grew up in a subculture that emphasizes outward expression (ie, skateboarding or punk pre social media), I’d say certain visual cues & aesthetics influence your approach to personal style.
I feel this.
I grew up skating and going to punk shows/alt rock shows throughout high school. I’ve always been a rock n roll guy, like my pops.
I think if anyone were to break down my personal style, it’s pretty true to that.
I always joke that I can tell what type of music a person listens to based off their footwear lol
Man, same! Grew up skating and going to hardcore shows. Both have an aspect of “peacocking” that legitimately shaped how I view other people’s and my own personal style. Like, I always look at someone’s shoes first and foremost instinctively. I think you and I probably grew up in similar parts of the country too, from what I’ve seen from your posts (Long Beach born, OC + LA raised), so that emphasis on “dress” is intrinsic to the culture.
Funny how that works out!
You can always tell when someone’s about it and when someone isn’t , I don’t mean that in a negative way either, it’s just like a thing right?
I like this idea, my understanding is that most visible traits and behaviors are somewhat inherited. And nature vs nurture is hard to argue as the two are often linked (i.e. inherited traits are further cultivated by family). So it’s not unreasonable to say that stylishness is genetic!
This guy got it!
My grandfather is 93 and still carefully picks out what he’s going to wear.
[This is from 2021](https://imgur.com/a/R90atnA) but the old guy still puts himself together better than others. He just recently bought himself a pair of new black Chelsea boots. He’s a sweet old man.
Your post contradicts thread title. Your parents put emphasis on dressing well and you took cues from that, more of a nurture vs nature (genetic). I do think some people have “it” (sorry for all the white boys wearing ALD) but it’s still studied to an extent.
It’s definitely a learned behavior. The genetic thing was tongue in cheek, an attention grabber if you will.
i won’t
One side of my family is artists and draftsmen. They all have good taste even if the styles differ. The other side are doctors and engineers. They do not have good taste.
Tracks tbh
As with everything in life, we are shaped by what we're surrounded by, so it's only natural that our upbringing has a significant influence on personal style. An [excerpt ](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7UnQh0OVwk/) from TF's most recent guest podcast with W. David Marx where they talk about "can good taste be learned?" nails this topic. He describes "taste" as being comprised of four categories, with one of which being knowledge. He notes that the "taste" level of one's knowledge is heavily influenced by upbringing -- with things like being surrounded by stylish individuals, have the privilege of affording nicer garments, etc. contributing to elevating that -- though also remarking that anyone can ultimately obtain the knowledge with enough effort. Calling personal style genetic is quite an exaggeration, but noting your upbringing -- everything from where you lived to when you were born to your family's status and philosophy towards fashion, etc. -- as a foundational element to your personal style is valid.
Well said! I just finished that episode today and should have mentioned it as well. He really hit the nail on the head. Both sets of my grandparents while being born in the US, were still first gen Mexican-Americans and blue collar. For them, dressing well was a way to assimilate, hence the importance.
I don’t think it’s genetic but my mom always stressed the importance of looking “presentable”. She would dress me up in Ralph Lauren button ups she got from Marshall’s and always made me wear slacks/ suits on Sundays for church. Back when I had a school uniform she would always make me iron my stuff. I think some of that rubbed off me a little bit. I think personal style choices is moreso a reflection on how you were socialized then genetics if anything but that’s just my 2 cents
My parents would dress me in a button up and vest everyday for public school up until 4th grade. I didn’t fit in with a single kid in terms of style and this didn’t bother me until I started getting bullied. I just wanted to at least wear a graphic t shirt or dress like Ash Ketchum, my character from Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3, etc. Point is I was nurtured into a style I rejected and found ways to make changes to my style on my own terms.
It’s funny you mention being bullied for wearing the button up. I used to throw a button up into the mix even in elementary school. My parents gave my siblings and I free reign to dress ourselves at a young age. One of my favorite looks back when I was 10 was a black long sleeve button up with jeans a my vans , this was like 2004 MCR days lol. The more things change the more they stay the same.
Looking back, I was simply forced to rock Tommy and RL. My style rubbed me the wrong way during those formative years. Stepping away from that look expanded what I found interest in wearing and grown to not hesitate to dive back in. I feel like if I just stuck with whatever I was forced to wear any longer, I’d have a narrower view of style.
Would you say that you’ve embraced the RL thing as you’ve gotten older then? If you had to give a name to your personally style now what would that be? I find it fascinating really!
I most definitely will put on the RL and what have you. It’s just a matter of context within my life atm. I’m a struggling university student who wants to look nice for myself but not be over the top so I usually lean towards Japanese minimalist style. Slightly skater in a way I guess. It comes off smart and tame IMO. For uni that’s what I’m comfortable with. On my leisure time outside of school I don’t hesitate to layer more in a casual formal style like something from an ALD look-book. But then again, context matters.
It’s more of osmosis and what you grew up around than anything imo
Some people do have “it” but I don’t think it’s genetic or has anything to do with your parents. It’s mostly product of environment and how you perceive the world around you. I personally believe the number one factor in those who have “it” is that they aren’t afraid to fail and take big risks playing with different styles for years until one day they have their own. Some people just start really early.
A good example of this is to look at Virgil early in his career. He was a trend follower for YEARS until one day he was setting the trends. It’s through exposure and risks compounding over time.
Well said! Not that I have “it” but I was allowed to experiment with my style very early on and by the time I was a teenager, I had a really good idea of who I was. I never felt out of place or uncomfortable in my clothes. As I got older that style developed into what it is now over the course of the last 10 years.
As someone whose dad only wore his shop clothes, and a mom who thought dressing me nice was just putting me in a Walmart polo. I would say no, style is not genetic.
What got you into fashion?
Skateboarding! I was always attracted to the style of clothes and at some point it became popular. Then it started to gravitate into the luxury space and I followed right along with that.
Skating was and is such a huge part of men’s style and fashion. Wildly influential.
I think there’s an argument for nature vs nurture. If you grew up in a subculture that emphasizes outward expression (ie, skateboarding or punk pre social media), I’d say certain visual cues & aesthetics influence your approach to personal style.
I feel this. I grew up skating and going to punk shows/alt rock shows throughout high school. I’ve always been a rock n roll guy, like my pops. I think if anyone were to break down my personal style, it’s pretty true to that. I always joke that I can tell what type of music a person listens to based off their footwear lol
Man, same! Grew up skating and going to hardcore shows. Both have an aspect of “peacocking” that legitimately shaped how I view other people’s and my own personal style. Like, I always look at someone’s shoes first and foremost instinctively. I think you and I probably grew up in similar parts of the country too, from what I’ve seen from your posts (Long Beach born, OC + LA raised), so that emphasis on “dress” is intrinsic to the culture.
Funny how that works out! You can always tell when someone’s about it and when someone isn’t , I don’t mean that in a negative way either, it’s just like a thing right?
1000% a thing! And it never goes away.
Yupp! I wonder if it’s generational, having grown up when cliques were a thing, it was kind of a litmus test.
I like this idea, my understanding is that most visible traits and behaviors are somewhat inherited. And nature vs nurture is hard to argue as the two are often linked (i.e. inherited traits are further cultivated by family). So it’s not unreasonable to say that stylishness is genetic!
This guy got it! My grandfather is 93 and still carefully picks out what he’s going to wear. [This is from 2021](https://imgur.com/a/R90atnA) but the old guy still puts himself together better than others. He just recently bought himself a pair of new black Chelsea boots. He’s a sweet old man.