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Now today's article & video will give you two tactics to being cool.
1. How to LOOK cool (what items to wear that signal cool)
2. How to ACT cool (what behaviours to master)
But why does it matter?
Because men that come off as cool are viewed as more attractive & more powerful.
Who doesn't want that?
1. Stand Up Straight
Looking cool starts with a strong presence. It's how well you carry yourself in front of others. Having a good straight posture when you're standing up (or sitting down on many occasions) is crucial here.
Social psychologist, Amy Cuddy reveals certain body language gestures that can signal weakness or timidness:
- Slouching
- Slumping
- Making yourself look small
Avoid these gestures and always check whether you're doing them subconsciously. Instead, you want to focus on feeling tall and powerful – and letting it reflect your posture. You should believe you look pretty darn good!
1. Stand Up Straight
Looking cool starts with a strong presence. It's how well you carry yourself in front of others. Having a good straight posture when you're standing up (or sitting down on many occasions) is crucial here.
Social psychologist, Amy Cuddy reveals certain body language gestures that can signal weakness or timidness:
- Slouching
- Slumping
- Making yourself look small
Avoid these gestures and always check whether you're doing them subconsciously. Instead, you want to focus on feeling tall and powerful – and letting it reflect your posture. You should believe you look pretty darn good!
2. Don't Try Too Hard
Less is more when it comes to showing who's boss. You're not going to impress people if they feel your words and actions are contrived. The key is to do fewer things… and do them effortlessly.
Think about it – what makes every James Bond we've seen so iconic? Is it the fact that he fights bad guys and saves the world? A lot of cops and secret agents have the same job. But only he can do it like it's no big deal.
Bond never fidgets or twitches anything. He speaks slowly with an even tone. He takes emotion out of the equation. He's always cool, calm and collected. We should all strive to be as poised as he is.
3. Wear Stylish Shades
That's right – sunglasses are cool. They aren't just meant to block out UV light and protect your eyes. To find the ideal shades is like finding the right hairstyle. It complements your face and brings out your personality.
Many styles are throwbacks to past eras such as Aviator sunglasses, which came around in the '30s and allowed pilots to maximize their vision while flying. We also have the Round Frame that was a trademark of composers like John Lennon and Elton John. Meanwhile, Wayfarers were popularized early on for their rock ‘n’ roll charm.
The best sunglasses are made with careful hands and attention to detail. One company known for this is Degree Seven – these guys treat frames and lenses like a work of art. Every product combines perfect shaping and colouring with a modern flare
4. Rock A Leather Jacket
These days we still love the old suit and tie, which makes sense since it always looks classy. But we shouldn't forget its casual counterpart – the leather jacket.
For many centuries leather was a rare commodity that only the wealthy got to wear. And when leather jackets came around they brought a perfect mix of function and style. They offered warmth and protection from colder weather. They were used for those funky wardrobes back in the middle-to-late 20th century. Those wearing them were the original “bad boys” who weren't afraid to rebel.
A leather jacket is edgy. It adds ruggedness to that combo of t-shirt and jeans you'd stroll around in on weekends. Check out this article to learn how to rock a leather jacket.
5. Get Jeans That Fit Well
Everybody has a pair of jeans. We all know how convenient and fashionable they are. But unlike most shirts and shoes – getting well-fitted jeans isn't a straightforward task.
To become the coolest guy in jeans you need to consider the different fitting factors:
- Waistline measurement
- Inseam measurement
- Fit style (thigh and seat proportions)
- Leg cut (change in pant leg size from top to bottom)
You should see how broad your thighs are compared to your calves. You want just enough room in both the front and back areas of your torso. All these things depend on your body structure. Here's a breakdown of the different body types and the jeans that go well with each.
6. Add Some Stubble
You might think clean-shaven is the most “proper” look but every man needs a little facial hair. I'm not saying you should grow a full beard – just stubble from a couple of days without shaving.
There are studies that reveal women find short-length stubble the most attractive type of facial hair. Some traits associated with it are maturity, aggression, and dominance.
In fact, another experiment made use of one face that was pictured with different levels of facial hair – where a fully bearded face was viewed as the most aggressive and intimidating. The clean-shaven version was viewed as the opposite.
Obviously, you don't want any drastic changes to your usual appearance. Or maybe your work discourages full-grown beards. But a bit of stubble is just right. It's the look of a stylish modern-day alpha male.
7. Walk Into A Room & Know People
You're automatically seen as the cool guy in the room when you reach out to familiar people and act like you know them well.
This means you may have to recall or research some names. It's also about exuding the kind of vibe you give off when you meet an old friend. The trick is being effortless.
Amy Cuddy says making good eye contact shows lots of confidence. It shows people you're not intending to be a wallflower at the party. But of course, you've also got to speak! Start the ball rolling: greet whoever you sort of know and introduce yourself to those you haven't met before.
If you can proactively make the whole group of guests feel comfortable – that's a massive number of cool points under your belt.
8. Assume Everyone Likes You
This one involves a “mind over matter” kind of power. You might've heard of the advice when one goes on stage to pretend the audience is in their underwear. In a way, the same principle applies here (but not as visually extreme).
Studies prove that those who expect to be accepted when they interact with a stranger are the most likeable people around. They're social optimists – their way of thinking allows them to act warmly and become more engaging. Meanwhile, social pessimists are vulnerable to a “reign of terror” in which they expect to be rejected from the get-go. They project a cold, defensive personality and reap what they sow.
Believe that you're well-liked. But don't go giving a stranger or acquaintance a big hug! You don't want them taken aback by the sudden gesture of closeness. Assume they like you – but not that they're on the same level as your actual friends. You should still respect their space.
9. Know The Rules & Break Them
Some rules are meant to be broken – or there's a right time and place to disregard them.
Many might feel strange wearing a multi-colored suit. But Daniel Craig's Bond in Skyfall makes the clash between a midnight blue tuxedo and a black shawl collar work. He owns that unorthodox style knowing he'll be looked at the same way. It just makes him even cooler. So figure out which rules you can break and what types of fashion you can pull off.
Or maybe you're going on a first date and hear it's best not to discuss your work life. I disagree – what you do for a living is important. Shouldn't you know each other's day-to-day situation if you want a serious relationship? You've got to let those details out if you really want to impress. Nobody wants to waste time with a facade of someone. Be open about yourself.
10. Know When To Drop The “Cool” Attitude
If you want a long-lasting perception as cool… you should know when to STOP being cool. You need to remind the crowd that you're a human being and not some robot with a pre-programmed agenda. This is how you go from “one of those cool guys” to “an awesome guy.”
Here are some ways you can be down-to-earth and destroy those misconceptions of phoniness:
Smile Naturally
Once you've caught people's attention and start talking – it's no longer about that million-dollar smile. A more natural and sincere smile can influence others to see the positive side of things. The mood of the place can lighten up for which you will get the credit.
Be A Good Listener
You may have some great stories to share at a gathering. But what people really like is a guy who “actively” listens. He engages others in talking more about their interests. He gives honest compliments and asks follow-up questions to keep them going. He tries not to interrupt people and makes them feel important.
Become Vulnerable
You should show vulnerability when the situation warrants it. This will help others trust you and feel that they themselves can open up about things. In the end, you become the guy who's allowed the group to grow even closer.
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