Why It’s Hard To Learn About Style (And How To Fix It)

I try to limit my social media usage, especially when it comes to scrolling through "style" content from influencers. But recently, I found myself sucked into the black hole of Instagram style advice. By the time I put my phone down—I realized just how much of a mess it all was.

Takes were flying left and right, often based on nothing but personal opinion. Incorrect terms were thrown around casually, and the vague sense lingered that most of the people talking had zero clue what they were actually saying.

I remember one influencer specifically, who declared: "You should always wear black shoes because they give a man gravitas." I nearly threw my phone across the room.

This, in a nutshell, is the problem with trying to learn style today. Seemingly, no one can give you advice that’s rooted in anything concrete. It’s all buzzwords, opinions, and vague proclamations—none of which help you actually look better.

Why Is Learning Style So Hard?

1. Low Barrier To Entry

To become a stylist or a style influencer, all you have to do is state so in your Instagram bio. That’s it.

These self-proclaimed "experts" use broad, generic statements to position themselves as gatekeepers to style, making it seem mysterious and inaccessible. The truth is, they often know next to nothing about the actual principles of good style. Push past their buzzwords, and the substance isn’t there.

2. Everyone Has an Opinion

Ask any guy who’s tried to dress better, and he’ll tell you: everyone suddenly has advice. Your mom, your wife, your buddy who wears the same sneakers to every occasion—they all think they know men’s style.

Here’s the thing: they might have opinions, but those opinions are rarely backed by anything concrete. Style isn’t about arbitrary preferences. It’s about applying universal principles that make you look better, no matter your taste.

3. Buzzwords Instead of Actionable Advice

Influencers love using words like polished, effortless, sophisticated, or gravitas. They sound nice, but what do they actually mean? Most of the time, nothing.

If someone can’t give you clear, actionable steps to improve your style—or explain why something works without falling back on buzzwords—it’s a sign they don’t really understand what they’re talking about.

4. Philosophy Over Practicality

The more philosophical the advice gets, the less practical it becomes. If their advice doesn’t include tangible steps—like "this is why this fits your body" or "these colors will complement your skin tone"—you’re left with nothing to apply in the real world.

The Solution: Style Isn’t Esoteric. It’s Scientific.

Style might feel confusing, but here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be. At its core, style is just like any other discipline—it’s built on fundamental principles. When you learn those principles, the rest starts to click.

Here’s how to approach it:

1. Demand Practicality

Good style advice is grounded in reality. It should answer questions like:

• Why does this color work for me?

• What proportions are best for my body shape?

• How do I choose fabrics that suit my lifestyle?
  
  

If the advice you’re getting isn’t practical or actionable, it’s a waste of your time.

2. Learn the Fundamentals

Style isn’t magic—it’s design. And just like in interior design, architecture, or graphic design, there are universal principles that guide what works and what doesn’t.

Good design in anything follows the same universal laws. It's is about balance, harmony, and function. It’s no different with clothing. The elements that make an outfit visually pleasing—things like proportion, texture, contrast, colors, and cohesion—are the same principles you'd find in art, interior design, etc. The goal is to adopt those to your wardrobe and your outfits.

When you approach style with this mindset and actually learn what looks best, it stops feeling arbitrary. Instead of focusing on fleeting trends or rules a teenage influencer made up, you can start building a wardrobe that feels intentional and tailored to you.

3. Look for Trusted Sources

Find people who can explain why something works and show you how to apply it. Avoid those who lean on opinion or inaccessible language that makes style seem harder than it really is.

The Bottom Line

Learning style is hard because most advice out there is bad. It’s vague, unhelpful, and often flat-out wrong. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Style isn’t about arbitrary rules or buzzwords. It’s about principles—color, proportion, fabric, fit—that anyone can learn and use.

The next time you find yourself swimming through an influencer's pool of sartorial word soup, demand practicality. Ask why. And most importantly, look for advice that leaves you informed, not confused. When style is done right, it isn’t hard. It’s science.

Hope that helps.

x Patrick