“Style is very personal. It has nothing to do with fashion. Fashion is over quickly. Style is forever.” – Ralph Lauren
The art of being yourself sounds simple, yet many people fall into the trap of trying to keep up with trends – wearing specific brands simply because they are popular. I have never cared much for fads; I have embraced the same personal style since I was a teenager.
In my previous columns, I wrote about the importance of handwritten notes and the simple art of saying “Howdy” to the folks we cross paths with daily around Boerne. Life is short, and the people we meet along the way are truly among life’s greatest blessings.
This column is about staying true to yourself and feeling comfortable in what you wear, regardless of the occasion. My goal is to encourage you to discover what you genuinely want to wear each day and to inspire you to create your own original style.
When I was in high school and college, nobody else wore cowboy hats to class, but I did. I wore boots, jeans, a polo or a well-starched button-down shirt, and a western buckle every day. I even wore the bibbed western shirts made famous by John Wayne, and had posters of John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and Ronald Reagan on my walls. My roommates even dubbed my room “the ranch.”
Over the years, people have occasionally commented on my wardrobe. Some remarks were kind, others less so, but it never mattered to me. I bought my own clothes and wore what I liked, refusing to change to meet someone else’s expectations.
The cowboy hat has been my signature since I was four years old. Today, I simply wear higher-quality hats, most of which are custom-made by Shorty – an iconic artisan and the country’s first female hat maker based in Oklahoma City. I also wear exceptional hats crafted by Spradley and Butch Dorer.
My sports coats typically come from M.L. Leddy’s in Fort Worth, which is a local legend and truly the pinnacle of western wear. In fact, if you watch Taylor Sheridan’s show Landman, most of the characters in the Cattleman’s Club look like they stepped right out of the M.L. Leddy’s showroom. For daily western wear like jeans, shirts, and boots, I also try to shop locally at Billy’s Western Wear and Y-Bell Ranch Supply.
I share these details in case you appreciate western style, but the true point of this article is to encourage you to wear whatever reflects who you are and who you aspire to be. Whether your style leans toward Tommy Bahama, Hey Dudes, or a more modern look, embrace it completely.
These days, casual attire has become the norm. When I first started flying, men routinely wore a suit or a sport coat on a plane instead of sweatpants or shorts. Because the norm has shifted, you will easily stand out if you choose to dress up – and honestly, that is part of the fun. It’s not about the cost or designer; it’s about you and your expression via your wardrobe.
I’ve always admired Ralph Lauren because he marches to the beat of his own drum. He understands that inside every man is a little boy who once aspired to be a cowboy, a pilot, or an aristocrat. In my case, I guess I never outgrew wanting to be a cowboy.
Find your style and embrace it, from your wristwatch to your hat. God only made one of you, and we are all anxious to see the choices that will become your signature style. March to the beat of your own drum and always be you!
Frank Addington Jr. has written for The Kendall Gentleman before in The Art of Saying HOWDY and The Art of the Note, both referenced in this column. For more BetterMENt this issue, read Addison Schuepbach’s Ask That Girl To Dance from last month’s issue.
