Appearance is not everything in life, but neither is it a small enough factor to be ignored.

Psychological research on first impressions reports that even a 0.1 second glance at an unknown person’s face is highly correlated with judgments about trustworthiness, competence, and likability, as well as with evaluations of the person over time. In other words, for better or worse, from business to romance, the other person already has some hypothesis about how to treat you before the conversation begins. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that disregarding appearance is not a strength that says, “I am what I am on the inside,” but a weakness that leaves the entrance unprotected before your content is delivered.

In the end, there is more than a facial perspective...The perspective that appearance is not a talent but a sign of information organization skills

When we talk about appearance, we tend to be biased toward perspectives such as ” whether he is good-looking or not ” or ” whether he looks young or not “. However, the author believes that what should be considered important is the preliminary stage. That is, the other person is unconsciously trying to read your attitude toward life, your attitude toward work, your awareness of hygiene, your tension, your composure, and your understanding of TPO from your appearance.

As the postings of Ohmachi Shitenno, a social networking service provider who draws portraits of imaginary people based on prejudice, have attracted attention, people categorize others based on information obtained from their appearance, even though they do not put it into words. Based on this, it is good to have the ability to grasp one’s position, facial features, and frame objectively, and to strategically create one’s appearance according to TPO while calculating backwards how it would be advantageous or disadvantageous if others see one’s appearance.

GENTLEMAN PROJECTS

I have continuously interviewed people who have been described as “manly” by those around them. After analyzing their words and habits, I have found that they all follow three common steps to improve the level of information organization in their appearance.

Manly appearance information organization level 1Understand that it is enough just to eliminate the reduction in appearance

Many people associate “appearance polish” with actions to stand out or excel over someone else. Just look around you, your nails are long. Your shoes are dirty. Your shirt doesn’t fit right. Hair looks heavy. Their skin looks dry and tired. There are quite a few men who are completely free of these small discomforts. On the contrary, their hair is well-groomed. Their skin is clean. Clothes are the right size. Shoes are well cared for. Their posture is naturally straight. This alone will make it easier for the other person to hypothesize that the person is “neat and tidy. In other words, it is surprisingly easy to make a good impression just by figuring out ” not to receive extra points for appearance.

Manly appearance information organization level 2Shiny skin and hair to establish a good impression of vitality

Next to avoiding point deductions, what you want to aim for is not just cleanliness, but the addition of a ” sense of life. Cut your nails, polish your shoes, size up your clothes. These are basic manners to eliminate unnecessary negatives. On the other hand, skin is firm. Shiny hair. The contours of the body are tight. The posture is natural and upright. These elements give a positive impression to others that the person “looks healthy,” “looks energetic,” and “looks like he/she has self-control.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, UNDATED : Archival image of Arnold Schwarzenegger *** Local Caption *** Arnold Schwarzenegger

Not to be overlooked first in this area is strength training: a study published in Scientific Reports in 2023 reported that both aerobic and strength training improved skin elasticity and supradermal structure after a 16-week exercise intervention in women in their 40s and 50s. In addition, strength training improved dermal thickness, which was not seen with aerobic exercise. The dermis is an important layer of the skin that contains collagen, hyaluronic acid, proteoglycans, etc., and is also associated with a youthful appearance. In other words, muscle training is not just an act to make the body look bigger. It is an investment in appearance that can also play a role in skin elasticity while changing the shoulder, chest, back, and abdominal areas that support the silhouette of clothing.

Jul 06, 1979; Venice Beach, CA, USA; Professional bodybuilder ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER works out at the famous Muscle Beach. Born in a small village in Austria,

The same goes for hair. A grown man’s appearance depends more on the density, luster, manageability, and scalp condition of his hair than on his facial features. Hair is dry and spread out. Oily scalp. The top of the head is squished. The split ends are noticeable. These changes are more likely to lead to fatigue and a sense of aging than the individual may think. That is why improving hair quality should not be thought of as ” the finishing touch to a fashionable look,” but rather as a basic investment to improve the impression around the face.

Daily management that does not put a burden on the hair and scalp is a prerequisite. In addition, if you are concerned about thinning hair or loss of hair volume, you should consider medical treatment options as soon as possible. In the treatment of male pattern baldness, meta-analyses have shown the effectiveness of minoxidil, finasteride, and low-power laser therapy, and in recent years, low-dose oral minoxidil, PRP, and hair transplants have been organized as options. However, since oral medications and treatments have side effects and indications, it is a prerequisite to consult a doctor familiar with dermatology and AGA treatment, rather than starting on one’s own judgment.

Skin, too, can be an option for cosmetic medicine if you feel limited by home care alone. Botulinum toxin treatment has been introduced by the American Academy of Dermatology as a treatment option for expression lines between the eyebrows and at the corners of the eyes, and hyaluronic acid fillers for age-related volume loss and wrinkles. For the adult male, cosmetic medicine can be thought of not as a way to make him look younger like a different person, but as a means to medically reduce the noise that causes him to look tired, old, and unclean.

The important thing at this stage is not to lose sight of the goal. Muscle training to add tone to the body, hair improvement to create luster around the face, and, if necessary, cosmetic medicine to adjust the noise of fatigue and aging. These are all elements to be viewed as adjustments to better convey one’s original impression, not to make a flashy change to one’s appearance. What a grown man needs is not to look young, but to have healthy-looking skin, clean hair, a body that naturally supports his clothes, and a sense of self-discipline without overdoing it.

Information organization level 3 for a manly appearanceMixing elements of self-direction with TPO

Once you reach this realm, you should have a clear idea of your task: how to direct yourself in accordance with TPO. Self-direction here does not mean to stand out with flashy clothes. It is the art of adjusting ” how you should present yourself ” according to the person you are meeting, the place, the time of day, and the purpose of the meeting. It is about intentionally having elements that will be remembered as “just like that person” through hair, glasses, watch, scarf, jacket shape, coloring, scent, shoes, accessories, etc.

Steve Jobs even visualized his philosophy by wearing black turtlenecks, denim, and sneakers. Giorgio Armani embodies his own aesthetic with a relaxed elegance based on navy and glazes. Karl Lagerfeld’s combination of white hair, sunglasses, high collars, and gloves was a brand unto itself.

Portrait of the Italian stylist Giorgio Armani. 1985

The key is consistency, not eccentricity. Rather than surprising you with a different outfit each time, repeat elements that suit you according to TPO, and your appearance will be more memorable. A navy jacket always looks good on you. The white shirt gives a clean look. His black-rimmed glasses create an intellectual impression. Loafers are chosen with elegance. The fragrance is understated and leaves a lasting impression. Such repetition becomes a person’s style.

However, there is no need to rush into characterization. Adding a strong hook without a solid foundation will result in a sense of discomfort rather than individuality. Hair is disheveled. The skin looks tired. Clothes don’t fit. Shoes are dirty. Adding flashy glasses or a scarf will not make a good impression. First, you need to make sure your clothes are clean and healthy, and then add something unique to your own style. This order is important.

What an adult man needs is to design his own personal appearance information that will remain in the memories of the other person, without excess or deficiency. Think of your appearance as an introduction that reaches the other person faster than a business card. Avoid points deduction with cleanliness, create points addition with healthiness, and lastly, present yourself. The accumulation of these elements will elevate mere personal appearance to a “style.