A Sartorial Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. For almost seventy years this model of human development has been a pillar of modern psychological thought. Mr. Maslow’s guide breaks personal human advancement down to five stages: physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. With a little hemming and by taking in an inch or two here and there, this insightful schema can be fitted to also act as a barometer for fashion. Specifically it can be made applicable to the growth a man can undergo in his individual style. So, let’s shove men’s fashion through this time-honored template and see what comes out on the other side.
Physiological: This stage is all about covering up at the most fundamental of levels. Whether it be fig leaves, deerskins, singlets, onesie’s, a bed sheet, or diapers (hopefully this is the first and last time the word diapers is mentioned on this blog); as long as there is something between your skin and the world’s eyes then this stage is a check.
Safety: The safety phase of men’s fashion is distinguished by what else but playing it safe? Chiefly this period is characterized by clothes being picked out by the key women in your life. For some this stage ends at 5 when one can’t stomach another mom-selected, sibling-matching, overly-embroidered ensemble. For others it ends when their widow picks out their burial suit. This can be a very dangerous juncture in a guy’s fashion evolution. Many a good man will find themselves stuck here in a condition I call Arrested Department Store Development. They will essentially outsource their style as all fashion responsibility is handed off from mother to sister to girlfriend to fiancé to the cute salesgirl at Sear’s to second fiancé and finally to wife as a man finds himself trapped in the revolving door of blandness at Kohl’s, Marshall’s and JC Penny’s. It’s not pretty. It’s also not that ugly, but it’s really, really, really, boring.
Love/Belonging: If reached, this is another critical period in a man’s style maturity. In this stage a man must pledge allegiance to certain brands. He must decide whether he will be schooled with the Ivies at J. Crew U, attend the local Gap State, take it easy at PacSun Community College, find himself through the clothing of others at the Good Will College of Art and Design, or maybe even enter into the Ed Hardy GED program. This phase is made still more important by the fact that one’s brand selections greatly affect future chances of getting into the graduate and PhD programs of higher developmental planes.
Esteem: The esteem stage is all about the cook finally becoming a chef. Instead of strictly following the recipes of mannequins and catalogues, a man starts putting himself and his own spin into the clothes. He begins experimenting; mashing brands, vibes, and styles to create his own look. Here, he begins seasoning his style with cuff links and tie clips, and sets the table with matching belt/sock combos. He’ll know how to pronounce Yves Saint Laurent and be capable of intelligently discussing variations in dress shirt collars. An appreciation will finally be garnered for that random dapper old man posted up every day on the park bench with his cardigans, canes, and bow ties.
Self-actualization: This is the pantheon. It’s a stage reserved for the Cary Grant’s, Ralph Lauren’s, and for better or worse, the Andre 3000’s of the world. Even a few of those random, old guys on park benches have made it to this level. These men have reached a style so completely classic that it exists outside the bounds of space and time. It can even encompass the fictional as both Indiana Jones and James Bond are enshrined here. Beau Brummell and Solomon are the patron saints of this semi-celestial plane. It’s even more than reaching a singularity of classic style though. It’s about achieving a look so uniquely you, that it’s borderline your very DNA. This style can be achieved at any time and at any age. It might happen when you find the perfect Tortoise Wayfarers to compliment your favorite outfit. Or when a trip to Florence convinces you to finally add a dash of Euro panache to your wardrobe with some choice scarves. It can even be achieved with a simple switch from boxers to briefs. Or by the abdication of both as you find going commando more in line with your fashion feng-shui. Remember though, this echelon can only truly be found by not trying to find it.
So there you have it. The road map to becoming a style icon has been laid before you. The traps and snares of clothing purgatories have been pointed out. The fashion piñata that is Ed Hardy has been sufficiently beaten. It’s up to you now. All that’s left is to go throw on some clothes. So go on. Any old thing will do…or will it?
J.T Hill is a 23 year old political consultant from Colorado. His writing has been featured in The Blendd, New Music Monkey, and the Mountain Weekly News.
