In search of style
Posted by Sterling Carter on December 31st, 2008 filed in Style
I have been increasingly aware, lately, that my habits could use a little polishing. I tend to argue with my alarm clock every morning and stumble out of bed with barely enough time to throw on some clothes and get to work more-or-less on time. I don’t cook most of my meals – all too easy in New York City – and spend far too much money on food that doesn’t nourish me as it should. It’s time to pull myself together and live a little better!
There are several points I most want to improve:
Health
Let’s face it: most of us look our best in our teens and early twenties, and try not to watch as our bellies, thighs, and rears gradually expand over the next several decades*. More frightening, though, is the damage that accumulates in our organs: The few who don’t succumb to this seem either to remain thin without effort, or to spend huge portions of their lives in exercise. I have no control over the former (I am somewhat fortunate here, but still need some effort to remain healthy) and am unwilling to shape my life around activity meant to stave off death: it seems a little grim. In the interests of efficiency, I’ve set the following goals:
- Cook at least six dinners a week, and pack leftovers for lunches. This will save a lot of money and will go a long way to making me healthier. It has been fairly well documented that most fast food and take out food is high in fat and sodium (it tastes better, so you want more), and low in the things we actually need.
- Eat at least 75% plants, by weight. I love meat, and disagree that an omnivorous species should avoid killing*. Still, it’s a very energy-dense food for most first world lifestyles, and we benefit a lot more from the nutrition found in plants. Fortunately, there are quite a lot of them about, and you can almost always find something to taste. The food that’s hardest to suppress cravings for is cheese. My family has cholesterol problems, though, and I can’t be too careful.
- Drink sweetened drinks and alcohol only on special occasions. One 20 oz. bottle of Cokeref and two cans of Guinessref account for more than 1/4 of the calories a healthy adult is supposed to consume in a dayref, and without much other nutritional content.
- Travel under my own power, whenever possible. I live about four miles from work. If I ride a bike there on days when it isn’t raining, snowing, or freezing I’ll keep my fat down, my heart and lungs healthy, and my legs strong. One can also benefit from taking the stairs instead of an escalator, or walking briskly instead of meandering.
- Exercise for an hour every morning. My sister recently gave me Wii Fit, and I really enjoy the game. The above will keep me thin and keep my cardiovascular system healthy, but I need to work on specific muscle groups to stay flexible and strong.
If I stick to all of these things, I expect I’ll have a lot more energy and feel a lot more confident and cheerful. We’ll see how it goes!
Habits
I’m fairly forgetful, and sometimes I’m oddly stubborn about daily maintenance. If I remember to tidy up before going to bed, I may decide not to do it anyway out of some sort of odd resentment at my socks. Why should I take it out on them? Well, they did have the gall to get dirty again today, and to sit brazenly where I left them instead of marching themselves to the hamper. It’s irrational, but I reserve the right to my little quirks. All my quirks together, though, add up to my life being a little fuzzy around the edges. I’d like to figure out a way around the entire issue.
I think the answer is twofold. First, I should take care of every routine task the moment I think of it. Every time I notice that something needs to be done, I’m experiencing one of my few moments that day when I’m actually aware of the problem. These moments shouldn’t be squandered just because I’m tired from a long day at work. If it means brushing my teeth before dinner, then so be it. Second, I should arrange my habits to reduce the number of tasks I need to carry out. The socks should go into the hamper immediately when I take them off, which means I should take them off in my bedroom, which means I should wear them around the house until I’m going to bed. I should picture the dishes as part of the task of cooking a meal, and part of eating a meal, so I simply don’t think of myself as being finished with the meal until the dishes are all clean. Washing one plate and one fork is trivial; it’s just a sink full of dishes that takes some effort.
Style
I plan to speak much more on this subject in future posts: it’s meant to be a major theme of the blog. For now, then, a summary. I’m required to wear a shirt “that can support a tie” at work, and a pair of slacks. I’ve been dressing minimally to fit that standard. I’m used to wearing jeans and a t-shirt, so I’ve been wearing dockers and cheap dress shirts from Target. I’m trying to get on top of my life, though, in every facet. I’m trying to do nothing minimally, and that includes my clothes.
I’m going to start dressing up quite a bit more for work. I started reading books on mens’ style (I’d recommend this one and am about to read this one), and am really enjoying the subject. I’d look out of place in a suit, but I think I could get away with a vest and tie, or suspenders instead of a belt. Cuff links can be surprisingly inexpensive, and look great. I’m planning to treat myself to a bespoke three piece suit, if I can find a quality one I can actually afford, and go from there.
If any of this interests you, dear readers, please let me know. We can talk at length about any of these subjects. Whatever you’re doing for New Year’s Eve tonight*, be safe and enjoy yourselves!
December 31st, 2008 at 1:36 pm
The subject of style is a fascinating one indeed. My recent change in employment moved me from a “business casual” environment to a “must wear at least a jacket or a tie, preferably both”.
It’s definitely forced me to think about dressing in a way that sets me apart without alienating others. Dress and grooming is certainly communication, and the subtleties can be difficult to divine.
December 31st, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Definitely: there are many little rules to follow which one would never guess without being told. (Really? A cummerbund is meant to be worn with the pleats pointing upward? I’d no idea that it mattered.)
Few of my coworkers wear ties, and I’m a little concerned that the extra formality I’d like to add will make me seem stiff. A couple of folks around here pull it off, though, and the top managers almost always wear ties – and often jackets. I suspect that as long as I’m comfortable and not outdressing the boss I’ll be fine.
It’s taken me a while to start realizing the meaning that dress conveys. I suspect most men are this way, at least in America: some of us couldn’t care less, and many of the rest of us expect to be judged on the quality of our output (or friendship, in social situations). And yet, people take appearance and body language into account automatically. Brains work mainly by pattern matching and association, and careless clothes or posture make people think your work is also careless.
January 14th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Variety of interesting topics here: I’m definitely guilty of procrastinating several of the menial tasks you mentioned. I have also found the best approach is to simply complete the task at first thought.
Cooking is something I’ve been particularly lousy about: I spent quite a bit of effort learning to cook proper foods, and yet since it’s only been myself to cook for I seem to lean on restaurants and fast food most of the time. Even when I do cook, I rarely put a proper meal together.
Style around the office is one thing; and there’s a lively debate about the promotion of quality work over quality dress, but I’d be interested in the value of other situations. Lets face it, I work with engineers, if it has buttons it’s accepted. Being in Florida where it’s 90+ most of the time: long sleave is out, nevermind coats.
On the other hand what should one wear to a respectable food, alcohol, or tobacco establishment? Does it even matter in the modern world?
January 14th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Personally, I prefer solid color french cuffs for around and about. It can be dressed up or down based on how it’s worn – with cufflinks, tie and vest makes it dressier but not necessarily super-formal, or with the sleeves rolled up nicely and the top button undone make it casual (and as cool as a short-sleeved shirt!).
As to if dress still matters in the modern world, I’d say a resounding “yes!” Most places won’t turn you away if you’re dressed sloppily, but people do react more positively in such environments if you dress snazzier, even if you’re wearing it in a casual manner.