What Does it Take to Be a Man of Style? (And Why it Matters)
- Kimberly Parry | Your Real Life Fairy Godmother™
- Nov 13, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 18
Summary: Style is one of the most important concepts in building a powerful personal brand, and a successful life. Yet, most people don’t know how to own the power of style or how to leverage it. That’s the conversation Kimberly Parry (Your Real Life Fairy Godmother™ and Certified Personal Stylist) and Robert Donnovan had on a recent episode of the Being RAD podcast. In this Episode, Kimberly and Robert unpack the difference between fashion, image, and style, and why that distinction makes all the difference in building personal and professional success.
There’s a common misconception people make when it comes to style.They think it’s all about the clothes.
It’s not.
Fashion is about the artistry, design, and construction of clothing.
Your style is about how you communicate that to the world: and clothes are just one way to do that.
When you own your style, when you let it show up in how you dress, how you lead, and how you live, it becomes one of the most powerful tools you have for personal and professional success.
That's true for women. And it's true for men. Which is exactly what I talked about with Robert Donavan in a recent episode of his Being RAD podcast.
Fashion vs. Image vs. Style The Difference Matters
In the fashion world, the terms fashion, image and style are often used interchangeably. They shouldn't. And this is why:
Fashion is external: It’s about clothing, how it’s constructed, how it looks, and how it’s worn. The art and craft of fashion is like any other art form: it’s cultivated, it’s creative, and it’s to be appreciated, respected, and admired.
Image is about perception: Image matters. Enormously. When you only have a few seconds to make a first impression, your presence and your image can be deal breakers. But here's the problem: image without substance is fleeting. And if you try to create an image that’s not authentic, it’s performance. And it’s exhausting. And that’s one of the fastest roads to burnout.
But style is something else entirely. Style is how you communicate who you are to the world. It’s the expression of your values, your presence, and your character.And that’s the key to all success in life.
It’s why style is the foundation of my Succeed with Style™ philosophy. True style starts with your identity, your internal compass. Everything else (how you relate to others, how you perform, what motivates you, how you're perceived) builds from there. When those layers are aligned, you don't just look good. You show up powerfully. Authentically. Memorably. Magentically, in all areas of your life.
Why the World Needs Men of Style
That’s what Robert and I discussed, in detail. Throughout the ages, men have known either consciously or instinctively that image and fashion are related to power and influence.But it’s about more than how you look:
A Man of Style knows who he is. He doesn’t dress to impress or to fit in, but because it’s a natural extension of his values and his character. He doesn't follow trends because he’s a trendsetter.
And here's what's interesting: a lot of people think men care less about fashion than women. But that’s not the case. They just care differently. (Speaking collectively, of course.) When men find out what I do, they often get really curious about it. Why?
Because true style is a source of power and influence. It's been true throughout history: the people who shaped the world understood that their style, both in fashion and in presence, communicated something before they ever spoke.
Men of fashion get attention. Men of style build legacies.
Your IT Factor
It’s what Robert and I explored as our conversation progressed.
Every person with true style has what I define as your IT factor: your Internal Truth.
It's not something you buy. It's something you're born with. It's something you cultivate through personal awareness and personal development: it’s the intersection of authenticity, confidence, clarity, and intentionality.
Your IT Factor is what allows you to command a room, just by walking into it. It's what people remember long after the meeting ends, the event wraps, the conversation closes.
When you unlock your IT Factor, you stop trying to be a version of yourself you think the world wants to see and you start showing up authentically and showing people who you actually are.
That shift isn’t superficial. It's transformational. And for high-performing individuals running on empty, it's often the first step out of burnout and into their next level.
Style Isn’t Superficial. It's Strategic.
Whether you're leading a team, building a brand, or just trying to show up more powerfully in your own life, owning your style should be part of your strategy.
It’s what allows you to Succeed with Style™ in business, and in the business of life.
It’s how you live life 100% as a man (or woman) of style and influence.
And at the end of the day, that’s the only thing that really matters.
About the Author
Kimberly Parry is a TEDx speaker, Certified Personal Stylist, and ICF-trained Certified Master Professional Coach known as Your Real Life Fairy Godmother™. She helps high-performing individuals and organizations transform burnout and Succeed with Style™.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Man of Style?
A Man of Style is someone whose shows up consistently and authentically for life. He doesn't dress to follow trends or impress others. He dresses to communicate who he is with clarity and confidence because it’s a natural extension of who he is.
What is the difference between fashion, image, and style?
Fashion is the artistry, design, and construction of clothing. Image is how you present yourself visually and affects how others perceive you. Style is the expression of your authentic identity. Clothing is one way that you do that.
What is your IT factor?
The IT Factor is the magnetic quality that comes from aligning who you are, authentically, how you present yourself to the world. It’s your internal truth that drives how you show up consistently for life.
What is the Succeed with Style™ framework?
Kimberly Parry created The Succeed with Style™ Framework as a diagnostic framework for identify the root cause of burnout and also as a tool for creating blueprints for style-driven success. It uncovers the five levels of your authentic style that you can use to design your signature life . . . without the burnout.
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