#ClassicManXL Style Tip #1- Confidence

Selfie on my way to see Black Panther in February 2018

A few weeks ago after a routine trip to the post office I made a random observation- I realized that I had been approached/hit on by nearly half-a-dozen individuals in the course of a few weeks: at the post office, grocery store, gas station, Target, and the like (not even counting the random Facebook/IG DM slides, although these are weighted less than in person interactions- right? lol ).  From time to time with some regularity both women and men shoot their shot with me.  I don't say this to brag, actually I am perplexed whenever I realize the a stranger is physically attracted to me.  Don't get me wrong I do not think that I am unattractive, I actually think that I am pretty average looking- not ugly, but not an Ebony Fashion Fair model either lol.  Even though I am perfectly happy with how I look physically, I am admittedly amazed whenever someone who doesn't know me feels compelled to try to approach me.  I do think that I am somewhat handsome, smart, charming, and cool- but I feel like these are characteristics that reveal themselves overtime; they are not instantly noticeable as I stand in line at the post office.  To that end, I am always confused when someone hits on me in public... I think, "I'm big, I'm fat, I'm bald (usually a day or two past the 'I really need to shave my head' mark), and I'm typically not paying anyone any attention when I'm out and about.  Why and the hell are they trying to talk to me?"  
          I posed this question to some friends and acquaintances whom I knew would be totally honest with me.  I wanted unrelenting and harsh truth.  I wasn't looking for "don't call yourself fat!" or "you ain't that big." or "don't say you're not handsome!"  I talked to my friends who would tell it like it T-I-S!  Of the three people I asked they actually all said pretty much the same thing... First they insulted me (love my friends but that's how we keep each other UMBLE (no H in humble on purpose lol) and then they gave me variations of this basic list: "You ARE handsome, you dress well, you smell good, and you're CONFIDENT."  I offered strong pushback on the idea that I'm confident, because I don't really feel that way, but they all agreed that although I may not feel it I certainly project it.  I don't know if there is any shade in how they articulate the truth of my confidence, but I'm just going to take it as a compliment. 
          Dear fellow big boys, it is okay to be confident!  It is okay to look at yourself in the mirror and be like- "Dayummmmm I look good!"  I think sometimes those of us who are not skinny or seemingly in shape feel the need to bash our looks/bodies because they are not the standards that society deems attractive.  Don't do it!  It is ok to love the body you have!  If you aren't healthy- get healthy!  If you want to lose weight- lose it!  But don't bash yourself in the process.  Moreover, it is okay and admirable to take pride in how you look, dress, and smell.  People talk about me because I iron EVERYTHING- "millennials don't iron," I've been told.  Well, I guess I'm old because that's not how I was raised.  I don't need creases on my shirt sleeves and pants like my granddaddy likes, but I refuse to walk out of the house wrinkled.  I refuse to step out in tennis shoes that are scuffed/battered (I have kicks from college that I STILL wear, I just clean them regularly and don't wear them two days in a row lol).   Furthermore, I will not venture into the world if my beard isn't oiled and combed and presentable,  and my face isn't cleansed, exfoliated, and moisturized.  I guess all of these little things give me that silent assurance that is the foundation of my confidence, and I guess others pick up on it even though I'm not doing it for anyone but myself.  Maybe that's what true confidence is- loving yourself SOOOOO much and treating yourself SOOOOO well that you transcend needing external validation, and those in your presence observe the aura and appreciate your energy.  Whatever it is, I love me and I love how I present myself to to the world- belly and all! lol.  So if you want to up your style game- garner a big old fashioned heap of confidence!  
          P.S.  I also need to say that being a big guy does not mean unattractive.  We all need to remember (including me) that just because there is no six pack doesn't mean that we aren't attractive, and that people won't find us attractive.  There are plenty people in the world (including those whom society would call stereotypically attractive/sexy)

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Célfie... Monogramed cuff! Bracelets. Tie. Sweater. Jacket. They couldn't tell me nothing that day! lol