Use a platform that curates emerging designers, not just the big-name luxury e-tailers, to find your next favorite brand.
The Art Gallery vs. The Museum
Imagine you love art. You can go to a huge, famous museum and see the Mona Lisa along with a thousand other people. It’s wonderful, but predictable. Or, you could wander into a small, independent gallery in a quiet neighborhood. There, you might discover a brilliant young artist whose work takes your breath away, and you can buy an original piece before they become world-famous. Platforms that curate emerging designers are that small gallery. They are where you go to discover the Monets of tomorrow, today, finding a unique piece that truly speaks to you.
Stop buying the same brands as everyone else. Do explore the world of independent and artisanal luxury instead.
The Chain Restaurant vs. The Secret Local Spot
You can eat at the same global chain restaurant in every city in the world. The food is predictable, consistent, and completely devoid of any local soul. Or, you can ask a local for their favorite hidden gem, a small, family-run place with a secret recipe passed down for generations. Exploring independent and artisanal luxury is like finding that secret spot. You’re not just buying a product; you’re buying a unique flavor, a personal story, and a piece of someone’s passion that no one else you know will have.
Stop thinking that a high price tag is the only indicator of luxury. Do look for quality, craftsmanship, and a unique point of view instead.
The Firework vs. The Diamond
A giant firework can cost a lot of money. It makes a huge, loud bang, gets a lot of attention for a few seconds, and then it’s gone, leaving only smoke. A perfectly cut diamond, however, might be smaller and quieter, but its immense value comes from the incredible skill it took to create its flawless facets and its lasting, brilliant beauty. A high price tag can just be a firework. True luxury is the diamond—it’s found in the quiet, breathtaking quality of the craftsmanship, not the volume of the bang.
The #1 secret for discovering the best new luxury brands is to follow the buyers and editors of the most influential stores and magazines.
The Truffle Hunter’s Secret Weapon
If you wanted to find the rarest, most delicious truffles in the forest, you wouldn’t just wander around randomly. You would follow a master truffle hunter’s pig, an expert animal trained to sniff out the hidden treasures buried underground. Fashion editors and buyers for the best boutiques are those truffle pigs. They spend their entire lives traveling the world, using their trained “noses” to discover the next brilliant, hidden designer. Following their work on social media and in articles is the ultimate shortcut to finding the treasure before anyone else.
I’m just going to say it: Some of the most exciting and innovative luxury accessories are coming from brands you’ve never heard of.
The Indie Film Festival of Fashion
You can go see the big, hundred-million-dollar summer blockbuster movie. It has famous actors and big explosions, and it’s entertaining, but you’ve seen the story a hundred times before. Or, you can go to a small, independent film festival. It’s there that you discover the truly groundbreaking, creative, and unforgettable stories that will change the way you see the world. The world of emerging designers is that film festival. The brands you’ve never heard of are the ones telling the most exciting new stories in fashion.
The reason your style feels uninspired is because you’re not looking beyond the mainstream luxury market.
The Radio Station Playing Only Top 40 Hits
If you only ever listen to the Top 40 radio station, you will hear the same dozen catchy songs over and over again. Your musical world will be very small and predictable. But the moment you start exploring the other stations—the deep-cut classic rock station, the indie-alternative channel, the jazz station—your world explodes with new sounds and rhythms. If your style feels uninspired, it’s because you’re stuck on the Top 40 station of luxury. It’s time to change the channel and discover the amazing music you’ve been missing.
If you’re still only shopping at the big department stores, you’re missing out on a world of independent boutiques and online concept stores.
The Supermarket vs. The Farmer’s Market
A supermarket is convenient. It has everything you need under one roof, but most of the products are from the same few giant corporations. A farmer’s market, on the other hand, is a place of discovery. Each stall has a different local farmer with their own unique, delicious produce and a personal story. Big department stores are the supermarket. Independent boutiques and concept stores are the farmer’s market. They are where you go to find unique flavor, incredible quality, and a real connection to the creator.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about luxury is that it has to be from a European heritage brand.
The World’s Greatest Cuisines
To believe that true luxury only comes from a handful of old European brands is like believing that the only great food in the world comes from France and Italy. It’s a ridiculous and outdated idea that makes you miss out on the incredible, vibrant flavors of Thai, Mexican, Japanese, and a hundred other cuisines. The world is full of brilliant designers from every corner of the globe, each bringing their own unique cultural “flavor” to their work. True luxury is having a passport to the entire world of design, not just one small continent.
I wish I knew about the amazing luxury brands that are coming out of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
The Unexplored Continents on an Old Map
On ancient maps, the parts of the world that were unknown to the mapmaker were often labeled “Here be dragons.” For a long time, the fashion map has been drawn this way, with many people assuming the only “civilized” design came from a few European capitals. But the truth is that these “unexplored” continents are not empty; they are teeming with vibrant, creative cultures and incredibly talented designers. Exploring these brands is like being a modern-day explorer, discovering that the world is far richer and more beautiful than the old maps suggested.
99% of people make this one mistake: judging a brand by its number of Instagram followers.
The Bestseller List vs. The Classic Novel
A book can hit the bestseller list because of a massive marketing budget and a trendy topic. It might have a million sales but be forgotten in a year. A classic novel, on the other hand, might sell more slowly and quietly, but its quality and depth give it the power to endure for a century. Instagram followers are the bestseller list. They are often a measure of marketing hype, not of true quality. The best brands, like the best novels, are often the ones with a smaller, more dedicated following of people who appreciate true substance.
This one small habit of reading the “ones to watch” lists from reputable fashion publications will keep you ahead of the curve.
The Weather Forecast for Your Wardrobe
You wouldn’t plan a beach trip without first checking the weather forecast. It’s a simple habit that helps you prepare for what’s coming. The “ones to watch” and “new talent” lists from respected fashion journalists are the weather forecast for the style world. They are the experts who are paid to scan the horizon and identify the “weather patterns”—the new ideas and the rising stars—that are heading our way. Taking five minutes to read these lists is the easiest way to ensure you’re never caught in a trend downpour unprepared.
Use a trip to a new city as an opportunity to discover local designers and artisans.
A Culinary Souvenir
When you travel to a new city, the best souvenir is not a cheap, mass-produced trinket from a tourist shop. It’s a bottle of local olive oil you bought from the farmer who made it, or a unique spice you discovered at a local market. It’s a taste of the place’s true soul. When you travel, seek out the local designers and artisans. A handmade leather bag from a small workshop in Florence or a unique piece of silver jewelry from a boutique in Mexico City is a far more beautiful and meaningful “souvenir” than anything you could buy at the airport.
Stop being a brand snob. Do be a quality snob.
The Wine Label vs. The Wine in the Bottle
A wine snob will only drink a wine if it has a famous, expensive label, even if the wine itself is not very good. A true wine lover, on the other hand, can recognize a beautiful, well-made wine regardless of whether it’s from a famous vineyard or a small, unknown producer. Their loyalty is to the quality in the bottle, not the name on the label. Stop being the label snob. Be the quality snob. Train your senses to recognize beautiful craftsmanship and design, and you will find it in the most unexpected and wonderful places.
Stop thinking that you need to be able to pronounce a brand’s name to appreciate its products.
A Beautiful Song in a Foreign Language
You can listen to a beautiful piece of music from a foreign country. You may not understand a single word of the lyrics or know how to pronounce the artist’s name. But you can still be moved to tears by the beauty of the melody and the emotion in the singer’s voice. Great design is the same. It is a universal language. Don’t let your unfamiliarity with a name prevent you from appreciating the beauty of the “music.” A well-crafted object speaks for itself, in a language that everyone can understand.
The #1 hack for finding the next “it” bag is to look for a style that is being carried by the most fashionable people you know, not just the most famous.
The Local Surfer and the Next Big Wave
If you want to know where the next big, perfect wave is going to break, you don’t watch the tourists splashing in the shallows. You watch the quiet, seasoned local surfer who has been studying the ocean for years. They can feel the subtle shifts in the current long before anyone else. The truly stylish people—the editors, the buyers, the artists—are those local surfers. What they choose to wear is a sign of the next wave of style, long before it becomes a massive, crowded trend that the celebrity “tourists” are riding.
I’m just going to say it: The future of luxury is not in the hands of the big conglomerates, but in the hands of the independent creators.
The Dinosaurs vs. The Mammals
The giant dinosaurs were the undisputed kings of the world. They were massive, powerful, and everywhere. But they were too big to adapt. The future belonged to the small, clever, adaptable little mammals who were scurrying at their feet. The giant luxury conglomerates are the dinosaurs. They are powerful, but slow to change. The future belongs to the independent designers—the small, agile, creative “mammals” who are bringing new ideas and new energy to the world.
The reason your collection lacks personality is because you’re not taking any risks with the brands you’re buying.
A Garden with Only One Type of Flower
You can plant a garden with nothing but rows and rows of a single, common type of flower, like a red geranium. It will be neat, and it will be pleasant, but it will also be incredibly boring. A truly beautiful and interesting garden is one that has a mix of different flowers—some tall, some short, some common, and some rare and exotic. It’s the unexpected combinations that make it special. If your collection feels boring, it’s because you are only planting geraniums. It’s time to take a risk and plant a weird, beautiful orchid.
If you’re still not supporting emerging designers, you’re not supporting the future of the fashion industry.
The Sapling in the Forest
A healthy forest is not just made up of giant, ancient trees. It is also full of small, young saplings. These saplings are the future of the forest. Without them, when the old trees eventually fall, there will be nothing to take their place. The forest will die. Emerging designers are the saplings of the fashion industry. They are the source of new ideas and the future of the craft. To only buy from the giant, established brands is to admire the old trees while ignoring the future of the entire ecosystem.
The biggest lie you’ve been told is that you need to be a fashion insider to discover new brands.
The Public Library
You do not need to be a famous literary critic or a professional publisher to discover an amazing new author. All you need is a library card and a sense of curiosity. The library is open to everyone. Today, the internet is the public library of fashion. Through blogs, independent e-tailers, and social media, you have free access to a world of new designers that was once hidden away. You just need to have the curiosity to start wandering through the stacks.
I wish I knew about the online platforms that allow you to pre-order from emerging designers.
Investing in a Promising Startup
Imagine if you could have been one of the very first people to invest in a small, unknown startup that you believed in. Not only would you get the product before anyone else, but you would be a crucial part of helping that great idea get off the ground. Pre-ordering platforms are like a Kickstarter for fashion. They allow you to act as an early “investor” in a young designer whose work you love. You get a unique piece, often at a better price, and you become a patron of the arts, helping to launch the career of a future star.
99% of people make this one mistake: waiting for a brand to become popular before they start buying it.
The Concert Ticket
You can wait until a small, cool indie band gets a huge hit song, sells out a giant stadium, and their tickets cost a fortune. Or, you can be the person who saw them playing in a tiny, crowded club a year earlier for ten dollars, when you were one of only fifty people who knew how great they were. Waiting for a brand to get popular is like waiting for the stadium tour. You pay a higher price for a less special experience. The real magic, and the real bragging rights, belong to those who got in on the ground floor.
This one small action of signing up for the newsletters of your favorite independent boutiques will keep you informed about new arrivals and special events.
The Secret Knock for the Speakeasy
During Prohibition, a speakeasy was a secret, hidden bar. To get in, you needed to know the secret knock or the password. A newsletter from a great independent boutique is the modern-day secret knock. It is your insider access. It is the quiet whisper that tells you about the arrival of a new, hard-to-find designer or gives you the password for a private sale, long before the general public finds out. It is your key to getting into the coolest places in town.
Use a service that sends you a curated box of accessories from emerging designers each month.
The Personal Sommelier
A sommelier at a fine restaurant is an expert who gets to know your taste and then surprises you with a perfect, delicious bottle of wine that you would have never discovered on your own. A curated subscription box from emerging designers is like having a personal sommelier for your style. Each month, an expert does the work of exploring the vast “wine cellar” of new talent and selects a beautiful, surprising “bottle” just for you. It’s a delightful way to expand your palate and discover new favorites.
Stop thinking of luxury as a one-size-fits-all concept. Do find the brands that speak to your own unique aesthetic.
The Perfect Pair of Jeans
There is no single “best pair of jeans in the world.” There is only the best pair of jeans for your unique body. A style that is perfect on your friend might be all wrong for you. The goal is to find the perfect fit for your individual shape. Luxury is the same. There is no single “best” brand. A minimalist, architectural brand might be your perfect fit, while your friend might look better in something more romantic and bohemian. Stop looking for the “best” brand and start looking for the brand that feels like it was made just for you.
Stop being afraid to be the first person in your circle to discover a new brand. Do be a trendsetter, not a follower.
The Explorer Who Draws the Map
A follower is someone who walks on a well-paved road that thousands of people have walked on before. They use a map that someone else drew. A trendsetter is the explorer who ventures into the unknown wilderness. There is no path, so they create one. There is no map, so they draw one for others to follow. It takes more courage to be the explorer. But discovering a new brand and introducing it to your friends is like discovering a new land. You are the one who gets to draw the map.
The #1 secret for a truly unique and personal style is to mix high and low, known and unknown brands.
The Master Chef’s Signature Dish
A master chef creates a signature dish by combining different flavors and textures in an unexpected way. They might pair an incredibly luxurious, expensive ingredient, like a rare truffle, with a very simple, humble ingredient, like a perfect farm-fresh egg. The magic is in the mix. Your personal style is your signature dish. The most interesting looks come from mixing a classic, well-known “heritage” piece with an inexpensive vintage find and a bold, exciting piece from an unknown emerging designer. The secret is in the mix.
I’m just going to say it: The most interesting conversations in fashion are happening on the fringes, not in the mainstream.
The Capital City vs. the Bohemian Art Colony
The capital city is where the government and the big corporations are. The conversations there are about power and money. But the most creative, groundbreaking, and interesting conversations about the future of art and culture are often happening in a small, bohemian art colony on the edge of the country. The mainstream luxury brands are the capital city. The independent and emerging designers are the art colony. If you want to hear the most exciting ideas and see the future being born, you have to leave the city and head for the fringes.
The reason your style feels “basic” is because you’re only wearing brands that are advertised everywhere.
A Room Decorated Entirely from a Big Box Store Catalog
You can decorate a room by buying every single item—the sofa, the rug, the lamp, the art—from page 27 of a giant, mass-market furniture catalog. Your room will be perfectly coordinated, inoffensive, and also completely boring. It will look exactly like a million other rooms. Your style will feel “basic” for the same reason. If every piece you wear is from a brand that advertises in every magazine and on every billboard, you are living inside that catalog. To be interesting, you have to find the pieces that aren’t on page 27.
If you’re still not exploring the world of vintage designer resale, you’re missing out on some of the most iconic and well-made pieces in history.
The Library of Classic Films
You could only ever watch the brand-new movies that are released this year. But if you did, you would be missing out on all the brilliant, classic, and iconic films from the past that have shaped the art of cinema. The world of vintage resale is the classic film library for your wardrobe. It is where you can find the iconic, beautifully crafted “masterpieces” from the great designers of the past, often for a fraction of their original price. It is a treasure trove of style history, just waiting to be rediscovered.
The biggest lie you’ve been told is that you need to have a “logo” to show that you’re wearing a luxury item.
The Secret Knock
Imagine a secret club for people with great taste. A person who doesn’t belong might think the only way to prove you’re a member is to wear a giant, flashing sign that says “I’M IN THE CLUB.” But the real members don’t need a sign. They recognize each other through a quiet, shared understanding—a secret knock. An obvious logo is the flashing sign. A beautifully made, unbranded piece is the secret knock. Those who are truly “in the know” will recognize the quality and the design without needing to be told.
I wish I knew about the amazing craftsmanship and attention to detail that you can find in the work of independent artisans.
The Hand-Built Watch vs. the Assembly Line
A watch from a giant factory is made on an assembly line, with each worker adding one small piece. It can be a good watch. But a watch made by a single, master watchmaker in their own small workshop is a different thing entirely. That one person has spent hundreds of hours meticulously crafting and finishing every single tiny gear and spring by hand. The level of care and artistry is on a completely different plane. Many independent designers offer that same watchmaker-level of obsessive, personal craftsmanship.
99% of people make this one mistake: thinking that a brand is “new” just because they’ve never heard of it. Many have been around for years, quietly making beautiful things.
The “Discovery” of a Remote Island
An explorer from one country can “discover” a remote island and announce it to their world as a “new” discovery. But the island has been there for millions of years, and people have been living on it, with their own rich culture, for centuries. Just because it is new to the explorer does not mean it is new. When you discover an independent brand for the first time, it is new to you. But often, that brand is the result of a decade of hard, quiet work by a dedicated artist who has been perfecting their craft all along.
This one small habit of looking at the “people also bought” suggestions on e-commerce sites can lead you to discover new and interesting brands.
The Winding Side Street
Imagine you are walking down a main, busy street in a foreign city. You see an interesting little shop. Then you notice that right next to it is a small, winding side street that you hadn’t seen before. You decide to explore it, and it leads you to a whole, beautiful neighborhood you never knew existed. The “people also bought” or “similar items” feature is that winding side street. You are on the main page of a product you already know, and it is a digital signpost pointing you towards a wonderful, related discovery you might otherwise miss.
Use a platform like Etsy to find handmade and one-of-a-kind luxury accessories.
The World’s Largest Artisan Market
Imagine a magical marketplace that stretches across the entire globe. In it, you can find a stall for every single talented artisan in the world, from a leatherworker in a small Italian village to a silversmith in a remote mountain town. You can talk directly to the maker and ask them to create a one-of-a-kind piece just for you. That magical place is not a fantasy; it exists, and it’s called Etsy. It is a portal that allows you to bypass the mass-produced and discover a world of unique, handmade, and personal luxury.
Stop thinking that you have to travel to a major fashion capital to find great design. Do look for it in your own city and online.
The Local Restaurant with a Michelin Star
Many people think that to eat a truly world-class, Michelin-star meal, you have to fly to Paris or Tokyo. But the truth is that there are brilliant, innovative chefs and incredible restaurants in cities and towns all over the world, maybe even in your own neighborhood. You just have to look for them. The same is true for design. You don’t have to be in a “fashion capital” to find world-class talent. It exists everywhere. The internet and local boutiques are your guide to the Michelin-star designers in your own backyard.
Stop being intimidated by brands that are “too cool” for you. Do be confident in your own taste and style.
The Exclusive Nightclub with a Velvet Rope
An exclusive nightclub tries to create an aura of “cool” by using a velvet rope and a tough-looking bouncer to make you feel like you’re not good enough to get in. It’s a game of intimidation. But true confidence is knowing that you don’t need to be inside that specific club to have a great night. You can have fun anywhere. Some edgy brands can feel like that nightclub. Don’t let their marketing intimidate you. If you genuinely love a piece, your own confidence is the only velvet rope you need to cross.
The #1 hack for a wardrobe that is both timeless and modern is to invest in classic pieces from heritage brands and then mix in more fashion-forward accessories from emerging designers.
The Classic House with Modern Art
The best way to decorate a beautiful, classic, historic house is not to fill it with only antique furniture. That would make it feel like a stuffy museum. The secret is to use the classic architecture as a foundation and then to fill it with bold, exciting, modern art and furniture. This mix of old and new is what feels truly alive and stylish. Your wardrobe is that house. The timeless pieces from heritage brands are your foundation. The exciting accessories from emerging designers are the modern art that gives it personality and life.
I’m just going to say it: The most stylish people are the ones who are not afraid to be a little bit weird.
The Perfect Flower vs. the Interesting One
You can have a rose that has been bred to be perfectly symmetrical, with no flaws. It is beautiful, but it is also a little boring. Then you can have a strange, exotic orchid that is asymmetrical, with weird, unexpected colors and a bizarre shape. This is the flower that captures your attention. It is the one that you can’t stop looking at. The most stylish people are not the perfect, boring roses. They are the beautiful, weird orchids. They are not afraid to be a little different, and that is what makes them so captivating.
The reason your style is not evolving is because you’re stuck in a brand rut.
The River That Stops Flowing
A healthy river is one that is always flowing, always moving, and always bringing in fresh water. The moment a river stops flowing, it becomes a stagnant, swampy pond. The water becomes murky and life begins to die. If you only ever buy from the same two or three brands, year after year, your style is that stagnant pond. To keep it fresh and alive, you must allow a new current to flow in. You have to open yourself up to the new ideas and new energy that come from discovering new brands.
If you’re still not taking the time to read about the stories behind the brands you’re buying, you’re missing out on a deeper connection to your clothes.
The Wine Without the Story
You can drink a glass of wine and say, “That’s nice.” But if the winemaker sits down with you and tells you the story of the land, of the difficult year of drought they overcame, and of their grandfather who planted the first vines, the wine tastes different. It tastes better. It has a soul. A piece of clothing without a story is just an object. But when you know the story of the designer who created it and the values they poured into their work, the garment is transformed. It becomes a friend.
The biggest lie you’ve been told is that you need to have a “uniform” to have a strong personal style.
The Army vs. the Team of Superheroes
An army has a powerful identity, and it is created by putting everyone in the exact same, rigid uniform. Individuality is erased for the sake of the group. A team of superheroes, on the other hand, also has a powerful identity. But it is created by each member having their own unique and distinct “uniform” that expresses their specific powers and personality. A strong personal style is not about being in the army. It is about being a superhero. It is about finding your own unique costume.
I wish I knew that the best way to develop your own taste is to expose yourself to as much art, design, and culture as possible.
Developing Your Palate for Food
You cannot develop a sophisticated palate for food by only ever eating the same three meals. The only way to become a person who truly understands and appreciates food is to be adventurous. You have to try the spicy Thai dish, the complex Indian curry, the subtle Japanese sushi. Your “taste” is a muscle that grows with use. To develop your own unique sense of style, you must feed your eyes and your brain in the same way. Visit art museums, watch old films, look at architecture. Your style will be a reflection of all the beauty you have consumed.
99% of people make this one mistake: buying a piece from an emerging designer that is too trendy and will quickly go out of style.
The One-Hit Wonder
Some new bands come out with one huge, incredibly catchy, trendy song that is everywhere for one summer, and then they disappear forever. Other new bands come out with a first album that is so classic and well-written that people are still listening to it twenty years later. When you are exploring emerging designers, you must have the wisdom to tell the difference. Avoid the one-hit wonder—the piece that is based on a fleeting micro-trend. Instead, look for the designer whose work has the quality and the timeless “musicality” to last.
This one small action of following the hashtags of your favorite style aesthetics on social media can help you discover new brands that fit your vibe.
Tuning Your Radio to the Right Frequency
Imagine the air is filled with a thousand different radio stations, all playing at once. It’s just noise. But when you tune your radio receiver to a very specific frequency, you can suddenly hear a clear, beautiful stream of music that is perfect for you. Hashtags are the frequency settings for style. If you know you love a certain aesthetic, like #darkacademia or #cottagecore, following that hashtag is like tuning your radio. It filters out all the noise and delivers a clear, curated stream of inspiration and new brands that are playing your song.
Use a personal shopper who specializes in emerging designers to help you find the best new pieces for your collection.
The Local Guide in a Foreign City
You can visit a new city with a generic tourist map, and you will see all the famous landmarks. But if you hire a great local guide, they will take you to the hidden courtyard, the secret rooftop bar, and the amazing little shop that only the locals know about. They will give you an experience that is a hundred times richer. A personal shopper who specializes in emerging designers is that local guide for your wardrobe. They will lead you away from the tourist traps and show you the truly special, hidden gems of the fashion world.
Stop thinking of your style as a finished product. Do see it as a constant work in progress.
The Garden Through the Seasons
A garden is never “finished.” In the spring, it is full of new life. In the summer, it is lush and abundant. In the fall, it changes color and fades. And in the winter, it rests. It is a constant, beautiful process of evolution and change. Your personal style should be the same. It is not a static, finished project. It is a garden that will grow, change, and evolve with the seasons of your life. The joy is not in reaching a final state, but in the process of tending to it.
Stop being afraid to experiment with color, texture, and proportion. Do have fun with fashion and express your creativity.
The Child with a Box of Crayons
No child has ever been given a brand-new, 64-color box of crayons and thought to themselves, “I should probably just use the beige and the grey, to be safe.” No. They dive in with joy. They grab the wildest colors, they mix them all together, and they create something bold, expressive, and full of life. They are not afraid to make a “mistake.” As we get older, we lose that fearless creativity. Rediscover your inner child. Your wardrobe is your crayon box. Have fun with it.
The #1 secret for a truly original style is to not be afraid to make a statement.
The Punctuation Mark at the End of a Sentence
Most of the words in a sentence are just a quiet, functional part of the whole. But the punctuation mark at the end—a period, a question mark, or an exclamation point—is what gives the entire sentence its meaning and its attitude. A simple outfit is a string of words. A bold, statement accessory is the exclamation point at the end. It is the piece that takes a simple sentence and turns it into a confident declaration. Don’t be afraid to end your “sentence” with a bang.
I’m just going to say it: The most luxurious thing you can have is a point of view.
The Director of a Film
The director of a film has the ultimate power. They are the one who decides what the story is, how it should look, and what it all means. They have a unique vision, a point of view. A person who just blindly follows trends is an actor who is just reading lines that someone else wrote for them. A person with a true sense of personal style is the director. They are the one making the creative decisions and telling their own unique story. That power is more luxurious than any handbag.
The reason your style feels “safe” is because you’re not challenging yourself to step outside of your comfort zone.
The Goldfish in the Bowl
A goldfish can live its entire life swimming in circles in a small, safe, predictable glass bowl. It will be comfortable, and it will never encounter any danger. But it will also never know the vast, beautiful, and exciting world of the open ocean. Your style comfort zone is that goldfish bowl. It’s safe, but it’s also limiting. The only way to discover the true wonders of your own style is to be brave enough to take a little leap out of the bowl and into the bigger water.
If you’re still not looking at the “About Us” page of a brand’s website, you’re not getting the full picture of who they are and what they stand for.
Reading the Author’s Biography
You can read a novel and enjoy the story. But if you then read the biography of the author and learn about their life, their struggles, and their passions, you will understand the novel on a completely different, deeper level. The “About Us” page is the biography of the brand. It is where you learn the “why” behind the what. It is the story that gives the beautiful objects their context and their soul. To skip it is to read a great book without knowing anything about the person who poured their heart into it.
The biggest lie you’ve been told is that you need to be a certain size or shape to wear certain brands.
The Key and the Lock
Some people believe that fashion is like a single, standard-sized keyhole, and that only the people who have the perfect, “key-shaped” body are allowed to open the door. This is a lie designed to sell you something. The truth is that you are not the key; you are the one holding the key. Your confidence and your creativity are the key. A truly stylish person can open any door they choose, because they are not defined by the shape of the lock. They are the ones who decide what fits.
I wish I knew about the amazing brands that are catering to a more diverse and inclusive range of customers.
The Single-Size Bridge
Imagine a city where every bridge was built to only allow one specific, small type of car to cross it. It would be a terribly designed and exclusive city. For a long time, the fashion industry was that city, building bridges only for a very specific size and type of person. But a new generation of brilliant architects—inclusive designers—are now building wide, strong, beautiful bridges that are designed for everyone to cross, together. Seeking them out is like finding the path to a better, more welcoming city.
99% of people make this one mistake: not considering the “cost per wear” of a piece from an emerging designer. If you love it and will wear it for years, it’s worth the investment.
The Expensive Hiking Boots vs. the Cheap Flip-Flops
You might be hesitant to spend a lot of money on a pair of high-quality hiking boots. But if you are an avid hiker and you will wear them a hundred times over the next ten years, the cost per hike is very small. A pair of cheap flip-flops might seem like a bargain, but if they break after one use, their cost per wear is actually very high. Don’t just look at the price tag. Think of it as an investment. A beautiful, well-made piece you will wear for a decade is the smartest “hike” you can make.
This one small habit of saving the images of the brands and pieces that inspire you will help you create a visual library of your personal style.
The Chef’s Recipe Box
A great chef doesn’t keep all of their ideas in their head. They have a recipe box, a collection of cards with notes, ingredients, and ideas they have gathered over the years. It is their personal library of flavor. Creating a digital folder or a Pinterest board of style images that you love is like building your own recipe box. Over time, you will start to see the patterns and the “flavors” that you are consistently drawn to. This visual library is the single best tool for understanding the ingredients of your own unique style.
Use a platform that allows you to “try before you buy” from emerging designers.
The Test Drive
You would never buy a new car without first taking it for a test drive. You need to know how it feels, how it handles, and if it’s the right fit for you. A “try before you buy” service is the test drive for your wardrobe. It allows you to take a piece from a new or emerging designer out for a spin in your real life. It is a smart, risk-free way to discover if you have real chemistry with a piece before you make the commitment to own it.
Stop thinking of fashion as a set of rules. Do see it as a form of play and self-expression.
The Chessboard vs. the Box of LEGOs
Chess is a game with a strict set of rules. Each piece can only move in a certain way, and the goal is to win. A box of LEGOs, on the other hand, has no rules. The pieces can be combined in an infinite number of ways, and the goal is simply to create something that brings you joy. For too long, we have been taught that fashion is a game of chess, full of “dos” and “don’ts.” The truth is that your wardrobe is a box of LEGOs. The only rule is to have fun and build something that feels like you.
Stop being a passive consumer of trends. Do be an active creator of your own personal style.
The Passenger vs. The Driver
You can be a passenger in a car. You sit back, you look out the window, and you go wherever the driver takes you. Or, you can be the driver. You are the one with your hands on the wheel, making the decisions, and choosing the destination. A person who just passively follows trends is a passenger. Their style is being driven by magazines and social media. A person with a true sense of personal style is the driver. They are the one in control, confidently navigating their own path.
The #1 hack for a truly global and sophisticated style is to incorporate pieces from designers from all over the world.
The Spice Rack of a World Traveler
A cook who has never left their small town might only have salt and pepper on their spice rack. But a chef who has traveled the world will have a magnificent spice rack, filled with saffron from Spain, cardamom from India, and chili from Mexico. They can create dishes with a depth and complexity that the first cook cannot imagine. Building a global wardrobe by seeking out designers from different cultures is how you build that spice rack. Your style will have a richness and a flavor that speaks of a wider world.
I’m just going to say it: The best way to support the future of fashion is to support the next generation of designers.
Planting the Seeds for Next Year’s Harvest
A wise farmer knows that they cannot just harvest this year’s crop. They must also save and plant the best seeds for the future. If they don’t invest in next year’s crop, the farm will eventually fail. The next generation of designers are the seeds of the fashion industry. They are where the new life and the new ideas will come from. To only buy from the established “harvest” of big brands is a short-sighted strategy. To ensure a healthy and vibrant future, we must all be the farmers who invest in planting the seeds.
The reason your style lacks depth is because you’re not looking for the story behind the clothes.
The Aquarium with No Labels
You can walk through an aquarium and look at a beautiful, exotic fish and think, “That’s a pretty fish.” But if there is a small label on the tank that tells you this fish is from the deepest part of the Amazon River and has a unique, symbiotic relationship with another creature, the fish becomes a thousand times more interesting. It now has depth. An outfit without a story is that pretty fish. An outfit made of pieces from interesting, independent designers with a unique point of view is the fish with the fascinating label.
If you’re still not exploring the world of menswear for accessories, you’re missing out on a whole other world of design.
The Other Half of the Library
Imagine you have spent your whole life only reading the books on the left side of a giant library, believing that the books on the right side were not for you. You would be missing out on half of the world’s stories. For a long time, fashion has been segregated in this way. But the truth is that a classic men’s watch, a beautifully made leather belt, or a simple, heavy chain can be a powerful and stylish addition to any wardrobe. Exploring the “men’s” section is like discovering the other half of the library.
The biggest lie you’ve been told is that you need to have a lot of clothes to be stylish.
The Master Chef’s Kitchen
A home cook might have a kitchen overflowing with dozens of single-use gadgets and appliances. A master chef, on the other hand, often has a surprisingly minimalist kitchen. They have a small collection of incredibly high-quality, versatile tools that they know how to use perfectly. The most stylish people are like that master chef. They don’t need a closet overflowing with mediocre “gadgets.” They have a curated collection of a few, beautiful, versatile pieces that they know how to combine with the skill of an artist.
I wish I knew that the best way to find your own style is to stop looking at what everyone else is wearing.
The Compass That Points to Your Own True North
Imagine you are trying to find your own unique destination, your “true north.” If you are constantly looking at the compasses of the people around you and trying to follow them, you will only ever end up at their destination. You will be walking in circles. The only way to find your own path is to put down all the other compasses, to look at your own, and to trust the direction it is pointing you in. Your personal style is your true north. You will only find it when you stop following everyone else’s map.
99% of people make this one mistake: buying a piece from an emerging designer without trying it on or knowing their sizing.
The Beautiful, Foreign-Made Car
You might fall in love with a beautiful, quirky, small-batch car that is made in a foreign country. But you would be wise to remember that its sizes and its parts are not going to be standard. An “extra large” in that country might be a “medium” in yours. You have to do your homework. Emerging designers are like that small-batch car company. They do not have standardized, global sizing. You must read their specific size charts, check the measurements, and ask questions, or you risk buying a beautiful car that you can’t actually fit into.
This one small action of taking a chance on a new brand will open up a world of possibilities for your style.
The Door to a Secret Garden
Imagine you have walked past the same, high brick wall every day of your life. But one day, you notice a small, unlocked door in it that you’ve never seen before. You are a little nervous, but you decide to take a chance and open it. And on the other side, you discover the most beautiful, magical secret garden you have ever seen. Trying a brand you’ve never heard of is like opening that door. It can feel like a small risk, but it is the only way to discover the secret gardens of style that are waiting just beyond the familiar walls.
Use a professional to help you find the perfect vintage piece from a designer that is no longer in business.
The Archaeologist of Style
Imagine you are searching for a rare, beautiful artifact from a lost civilization. You wouldn’t just start digging randomly in a field. You would hire an archaeologist, an expert who knows exactly where to look, how to identify the real thing from a fake, and how to unearth it without damaging it. A great vintage dealer is an archaeologist of style. They are the experts who can help you hunt for that perfect, rare piece from a designer of the past, authenticating it and bringing its beautiful story back to the light.
Stop thinking of your wardrobe as a collection of brands. Do see it as a collection of pieces that you love and that make you feel good.
A Library of Stories, Not Publishers
A great personal library is not a collection of publishing houses. You don’t say, “I have a great Penguin Classics collection.” You say, “I have a collection of amazing stories that have moved me.” The publisher is irrelevant; the content is everything. Your wardrobe should be the same. Stop thinking of it as a collection of brands. A brand is just the publisher. The important thing is to have a collection of beautiful, individual “stories”—pieces that you love, that have meaning, and that make you feel like the main character.
Stop being afraid to be different. Do embrace your own unique and beautiful style.
The Wildflower in a Field of Roses
A field of perfectly cultivated, identical red roses can be beautiful. But a single, strange, brightly colored wildflower that has bravely grown in the middle of that field is often the thing that truly catches your eye. It is beautiful not in spite of its difference, but because of it. It has a strength and a personality that the roses do not. Don’t be afraid to be the wildflower in a world that often encourages us to be roses. Your unique, different beauty is your greatest strength.
The #1 secret for a truly authentic and personal style is to trust your own instincts.
The Inner Compass
Imagine you are navigating a ship. You can look at the maps made by other sailors, and you can listen to their advice. But ultimately, when you are at the helm, you must also trust the compass that is right in front of you. Your own inner sense of what you love, your gut feeling, is that compass. It is your personal true north. Others can give you suggestions, but at the end of the day, the most authentic journey comes from trusting that quiet, steady needle that is pointing you towards what you truly love.
I’m just going to say it: The most luxurious thing you can be is yourself.
The Original Painting vs. the Perfect Copy
You can have a perfect, photorealistic copy of the Mona Lisa. It is technically flawless, but it is ultimately worthless. The original painting, with all its age and its subtle imperfections, is priceless. Why? Because it is the authentic, one-of-a-kind creation of a master. You are an original painting. The world is full of people trying to be perfect copies of someone else. The ultimate act of luxury is to be the authentic, original, and priceless masterpiece that you already are.
The reason your style feels “borrowed” is because you’re not infusing it with your own personality.
A Rented Tuxedo
A rented tuxedo can make anyone look polished and formal. But it never truly feels like your own. It’s generic, it doesn’t quite fit perfectly, and you know you have to give it back. It has no personal story. If your style feels “borrowed,” it’s because you are wearing a “rented” look from a magazine or an influencer. To make it your own, you have to add a piece of yourself to it—a vintage pin that was your grandfather’s, a quirky pair of socks. You have to stop renting the look and start owning it.
If you’re still not taking the time to learn about the different design movements and how they have influenced fashion, you’re missing out on a rich history.
The Architecture Tour of a City
You can walk through a city and see a lot of “nice buildings.” But if you take a tour with an architectural historian, you will suddenly see the city in a whole new way. You will understand why one building has ornate, classical columns and another has clean, modern lines. You will see the story of the city written in its walls. Learning about design history is like taking that tour for your clothes. You begin to understand the “why” behind the shapes and the styles, and you see the rich story of our culture woven into the fabric.
The biggest lie you’ve been told is that you need to have a “perfect” body to look good in clothes.
The Instrument and the Musician
A violin is a beautiful instrument. But by itself, it cannot make music. It needs a musician to bring it to life. The most beautiful sound comes not from the most “perfect” or expensive violin, but from the most passionate and skillful musician. Your body is the instrument. Your clothes are the potential for music. But you are the musician. Your confidence, your creativity, and your spirit are what create the beautiful music of style. It is the skill of the player, not the shape of the instrument, that matters.
I wish I knew that the best way to feel confident in your clothes is to be confident in yourself.
The Armor of a Terrified Knight
A knight can be wearing the strongest, most impenetrable suit of armor in the world. But if, on the inside, they are trembling with fear and self-doubt, they will not be a formidable opponent. Their fear will make them clumsy and hesitant. The armor is useless without the inner strength of the person wearing it. Your clothes, no matter how beautiful or expensive, are that suit of armor. True confidence in your style does not come from the clothes; it comes from the brave, confident knight who is living inside them.
99% of people make this one mistake: not realizing that the most stylish people are the ones who are the most comfortable in their own skin.
The Swan on the Lake
A swan is one of the most elegant and graceful creatures in the world. But it does not achieve this by trying to be a peacock or an eagle. It is graceful because it is completely and utterly a swan. It is moving in a way that is perfectly natural and authentic to its own body. The most stylish people have that same swan-like quality. They are not trying to be anyone else. Their elegance comes from a deep, quiet comfort in their own skin, and their clothes are simply a beautiful extension of that inner grace.
This one small habit of getting dressed with intention every day will change the way you feel about yourself and your style.
Making Your Bed in the Morning
Making your bed is a small, simple act. It takes two minutes. But it is the first act of order and intention in your day. It sends a quiet message to your brain that you are in control and that you care about your environment. Getting dressed with intention—even if you are just working from home—has the same powerful effect. It is a small act of self-respect that sets the tone for your entire day. It is the first “I care about myself” decision you make.
Use your style as a way to communicate who you are to the world without saying a word.
The Cover of a Book
Before you even read the first word of a book, the cover has already told you a story. Is it a serious historical novel, a fun, colorful children’s book, or a dark, mysterious thriller? The colors, the font, and the images all communicate a message. Your outfit is the cover of your book. Before you even say “hello,” your clothes have communicated a chapter of your story to the world. Are you creative? Are you professional? Are you playful? Use your style to design the most authentic and compelling “book cover” for you.
Stop thinking of fashion as something that is frivolous and superficial. Do see it as a powerful tool for self-expression and social change.
The Protest Sign
A protest sign can be a simple piece of cardboard with a few words written on it. But it is not a frivolous object. It is a powerful tool that can communicate a deeply held belief, challenge the status quo, and even change the course of history. The clothes we choose to wear can be just as powerful. From the defiant trousers of the suffragettes to the symbolic colors of a modern movement, fashion has always been a language of protest, of identity, and of change. It is not just what we wear; it is what we say.
Stop being a follower. Do be a leader in your own life and in your own style.
The Head of the Wolf Pack
In a wolf pack, most of the wolves follow in a single line, walking in the footprints of the wolf in front of them. It is the easiest and safest path. But the wolf at the very front is the one who is breaking new ground. They are the one who is navigating the terrain and choosing the direction for the entire pack. To be a follower in fashion is to walk safely in someone else’s footprints. To be a leader is to have the courage to be the one at the front of the pack, creating your own path.
The #1 hack for a truly unforgettable style is to have a signature accessory that is all your own.
The Artist’s Signature
An artist can create a magnificent painting, but it is not complete until they add their small, unique signature in the corner. That signature is their personal mark, the thing that makes the work unmistakably theirs. A signature accessory—a specific style of glasses, a unique vintage pin you wear on every jacket, a certain color you always incorporate—is your stylistic signature. It is the small, consistent detail that makes your “art” uniquely and recognizably your own.
I’m just going to say it: The best-dressed people are the ones who are not afraid to be themselves.
The Perfectly Rehearsed Speech vs. the Heartfelt Conversation
You can listen to a politician give a perfectly polished, focus-grouped, and rehearsed speech. Every word is safe, and it feels completely hollow. Or, you can have a heartfelt, spontaneous conversation with a friend, where they are passionate, funny, and completely themselves. Which is more compelling? The conversation, every time. An outfit that is just a perfect copy of a trend is the rehearsed speech. The outfit that is a true, authentic, and maybe slightly imperfect reflection of a person’s soul is the one that truly captivates us.
The reason your style is not making an impact is because you’re not telling a story with your clothes.
A Jumble of Words vs. a Sentence
You can throw a random jumble of beautiful words onto a page: “sunshine,” “ocean,” “crystal,” “velvet.” They are nice words, but they don’t mean anything. It’s only when you arrange them into a coherent sentence that they can tell a story and make an impact. An outfit of random, trendy items is that jumble of words. A truly impactful outfit is a sentence. Each piece works together to communicate a clear idea, a mood, or a story about the person wearing it.
If you’re still not using your accessories to add a pop of color, a touch of texture, or a bit of sparkle to your outfits, you’re missing out on their transformative power.
The Spices in a bland Dish
You can cook a perfectly fine but boring dish of plain, steamed chicken and rice. It is nutritious, but it is not exciting. But with a few simple additions from your spice rack—a sprinkle of bright red paprika, a dash of aromatic cumin, a pinch of sparkling sea salt—you can transform that bland dish into something vibrant and delicious. Accessories are the spice rack for your wardrobe. They are the small but powerful tools you use to transform a simple, “boring” outfit into a masterpiece of flavor and personality.
The biggest lie you’ve been told is that you need to be a “fashion person” to have great style.
The Natural-Born Cook
You do not need to have gone to a fancy culinary school to be an amazing cook. Some of the best food in the world is made by grandmothers who cook from the heart, with instinct and with love. They are not “culinary people”; they are just people who are authentic and passionate about what they are creating. The same is true for style. You don’t need to know all the jargon or the names of the hot new designers. You just need to have a genuine connection to what you love and the confidence to express it.
I wish I knew that the best way to find your own style is to have fun with it and not take it too seriously.
The Sandcastle on the Beach
A child building a sandcastle is the perfect model of a creative genius. They are not worried about creating a permanent, perfect monument. They are just playing, experimenting, and having fun in the moment, knowing that the tide will eventually come and wash it all away. They are not attached to the outcome. We should approach our daily outfits with the same joyful, sandcastle mentality. It’s not a permanent decision. It’s a chance to play, to experiment, and to create something beautiful, just for today.
99% of people make this one mistake: thinking that they need to have a new outfit for every picture they post on social media.
The Actor with Only One Great Role
Imagine a brilliant actor who, after winning an Oscar for an iconic role, decides that they can never play that character again. It would be a huge waste of their talent. The pressure to wear a new outfit for every single social media post is like that. It turns your wardrobe into a collection of single-use items. A truly stylish person knows that a great “role”—a fantastic outfit—can be played again and again. The art is in how you subtly change the performance each time.
This one small action of creating a “style uniform” for yourself will make getting dressed every day so much easier and more enjoyable.
The Chef’s Mise en Place
Before a professional chef starts cooking, they first prepare their “mise en place.” They chop all their vegetables, measure all their spices, and arrange everything perfectly. This preparation makes the actual act of cooking smooth, effortless, and joyful. A “style uniform”—a simple, go-to combination of pieces that you know you look and feel great in—is your sartorial mise en place. It is the prepared foundation that takes all the stress and decision-making out of getting dressed, allowing you to feel composed and creative every single morning.
Use your accessories to express your mood, your personality, and your creativity.
The Emojis in a Text Message
You can write a simple text message that says, “Okay, see you later.” The message is clear, but it has no emotion. But by adding a simple emoji—a smiley face, a heart, a winking eye—you can completely change the tone and the meaning of the message. Accessories are the emojis for your outfit. A simple dress can be transformed by the “emoji” you choose to add. A playful pair of earrings says something very different than a powerful, architectural necklace. They are how you add your mood and your personality to the message.
Stop thinking of your style as something that is separate from the rest of your life. Do see it as an integral part of who you are.
The Shell of a Turtle
A turtle’s shell is not just something it carries around. It is a part of its body. It is fused to its spine. It is an expression of its very being, providing it with both protection and identity. Your style should be the same. It is not just a collection of detached objects that you put on in the morning. At its best, it is an authentic, integrated expression of who you are on the inside. It is your personal, beautiful shell.
Stop being afraid to stand out from the crowd. Do be the one who sets the trends, not the one who follows them.
The First Penguin to Dive In
On the edge of an icy cliff, a huge colony of penguins will stand, hesitating, afraid to be the first one to dive into the water. They all wait for a leader. Then, one brave penguin takes the leap. And a moment later, the entire colony joyfully dives in after it. To be a trend follower is to be one of the penguins waiting safely on the ice. To be a trendsetter is to have the courage to be that first penguin. You are the one who shows everyone else that the water is fine.
The #1 secret for a truly magnetic and captivating style is to have a sense of mystery and intrigue.
The Book with a Locked Clasp
A book that is lying wide open on a table can be interesting. But a beautiful, old book that is bound in leather and held shut with a mysterious, locked clasp is infinitely more captivating. It makes you wonder, “What secrets are inside?” A style that is too obvious, too trendy, and that reveals everything at first glance is the open book. A style that is built on unique, unexpected pieces and personal stories is the locked book. It has a sense of mystery that makes people want to know more about the story inside.
I’m just going to say it: The most stylish people are the ones who are the most interesting.
The House with Nothing Inside
You can have a house with a perfectly painted, beautiful, and fashionable exterior. But if you walk inside and discover that it is completely empty—no books, no art, no music, no signs of life—then the beautiful exterior is meaningless. It is just a hollow shell. The same is true for a person. A person with a perfectly “stylish” but generic exterior is that empty house. True, magnetic style comes from a rich inner world. The most stylish people are the ones who have a fascinating “house” on the inside.
The reason your style is not getting you noticed is because you’re not taking any chances.
The Wallflower at the Dance
At a dance, the person who stands against the wall, perfectly still, trying not to be noticed, will achieve their goal. No one will notice them. The person who gets on the dance floor and tries a bold, energetic, and maybe even slightly clumsy new move is the one who is taking a chance. They are the one who is having fun, and they are the one that people are drawn to. If your style is the wallflower, you will blend in. You have to have the courage to try a new “dance move” to get noticed.
If you’re still not using your style to empower yourself and to inspire others, you’re not using it to its full potential.
The Lighthouse on a Stormy Night
A lighthouse is a beautiful and powerful structure. But its purpose is not just to be beautiful. Its purpose is to shine a powerful light into the darkness, to guide ships safely to shore, and to be a beacon of hope in a storm. Your personal style can be that lighthouse. It can be a source of your own inner strength and power. And when you shine your authentic light brightly, you can also be a beacon of inspiration for the people around you, giving them the courage to shine their own light, too.
The biggest lie you’ve been told is that you need to have a lot of money to have great style. The most stylish people are often the most resourceful and creative.
The Master Chef in a Home Kitchen
You can give a person with no cooking skills the most expensive, state-of-the-art professional kitchen in the world, and they will still probably burn the toast. But a true master chef can walk into a simple home kitchen with just a few basic pots and pans and create a magnificent, unforgettable meal. Style is the same. It is not about the budget you have; it is about the skill and the creativity you bring to the “kitchen” of your closet. The best cooks don’t have the most expensive stoves.
I wish I knew that the best way to find your own style is to be a student of the world and to draw inspiration from everything around you.
The Bee and the Flower
A honeybee creates its beautiful, complex honey by traveling far and wide, collecting tiny drops of nectar from a thousand different flowers. The honey is a blend of all the beautiful and diverse places it has been. To develop a rich and interesting personal style, you must be that bee. You must collect “nectar” from everywhere: from the colors in a sunset, from the texture of a building, from the plot of a movie. Your style will become the delicious, unique “honey” that you have created from your own life’s journey.
99% of people make this one mistake: thinking that they need to have it all figured out. The best styles are the ones that are always evolving.
The River, Not the Pond
A pond is a static body of water. It stays in one place. A river, on the other hand, is a dynamic and constantly evolving force. It changes course, it flows faster or slower with the seasons, and it is always moving. Some people treat their personal style like a pond, trying to create one single, unchanging look forever. But the most interesting and alive styles are like a river. They are allowed to grow, to change direction, and to evolve as the person themselves moves through the landscape of their life.
This one small habit of paying attention to the details will elevate your style from good to great.
The Final Polish on a Sculpture
A sculptor can carve a magnificent statue out of a block of marble. When they are done with the main shape, it is a “good” sculpture. But what makes it a “great” sculpture is the final hundred hours they spend meticulously polishing the surface until it is perfectly smooth, and carving the tiny, intricate details of the fingernails and the eyelashes. It is the obsessive attention to the small details that transforms a work from good to great. The same is true for style. The perfect cuff on a sleeve or the shine on your shoes is the final polish.