After working with so many men, I've concluded that the majority of issues boil down to confusion with so many choices. Choosing the right colors is a big part of that confusion. The secret? Go back to basics.

Well gents, it's that time again. Another round of Ask Pat, or "Questions and Cocktails" as we call it. 

This time around we're talking about: How to pair your socks correctly with your outfit, suspenders vs. belts vs. side adjusters, what a "military hem" is and tips for thinning hair.

A lot of the problems men have with style comes from too many choices. When you’re able to pick anything, what do you choose?

A little secret is that you can actually be more stylish by taking out items instead of adding them in. The fewer choices you have, the more likely you are to make a good one.

Here are a few of those items you can lose to ease the headache of structuring an outfit - at the same time, making you more stylish.

Outfit congruency. Heard of it? Neither have I. 

I’m fairly certain I invented the term.

Outfit congruency is the way all the pieces you're wearing should work in harmony to create an ideal outfit. These items could work together in terms of fit, color, texture, or just their general “vibe”. Ideally, they'll work together in more ways than one. 

We're coming up on the third anniversary of Pivot. It’s been such a blessing to do what I do for the men I work with.

In this time, I’ve learned a few things while working with my all-male client base. Particularly, I've learned a lot about their approach to shopping and buying clothing.

Sometimes, you just need to get out of your own way…

The Beard.

The ultimate mark of manliness. It’s something a lot of men have thought about growing or attempted in their life. In 2014, 13,956 men had hair transplants to enhance their beards, and that number is growing. There has to be a reason for this right?

I want to dive into why you should (or shouldn't) grow a beard, the science behind facial hair, how to grow it out, and how to style it.

This is the second installment of our Q&A series where you guys ask some questions and I give you some answers, with a drink in hand. I try to answer common questions that seem to come up a lot in my one-on-one work or ones that you all ask directly. 

So let's dive into this April edition, shall we?

I've always been fascinated by the role music plays in style. There is always overlap between the two, usually, one influencing the other.

The tunes heard in men's retail stores, modern barber shops, and swanky cocktail bars have always created a certain experience for me. Designed for the contemporary gentleman, this curation exemplifies the PIVOT brand and that experience. 

Am I really writing a post about men’s deodorant?

Yes.

And no, this isn't a sponsored post.

Another sartorially savvy friend of mine recently proclaimed over drinks (this is what I talk about at bars) that he found the best deodorant there is for men.

“Bullshit.” I said...

Once men reach their 40's and 50's, they tend to become stagnant in their style. Being comfortable in your clothing is important, but it shouldn't take precedent.

In middle-age, you're finished experimenting with your style, but you're not finished refining. What you should focus on now is timeless clothing that looks age-appropriate. Ditch the stuff you accumulated throughout your 20's and 30's that gets pushed to the back of your closet. Let's get that space working better for you, right now.

Going bald can be a rough time for any man. I'm not going to say I know your pain right now. Yet, I'm well aware that based on my current trajectory, there's a good chance I'll be joining the smooth-headed ranks at some point.

Going bald can actually be a blessing for your image. It's not only liberating, but people perceive bald men as more intelligent and dominant than men who have a full head of hair. 

Here are 5 steps to transform you into that masculine icon...

Tom Ford is the modern day king of cool.

Both Tom Ford the brand, and the person, exude confidence and sophistication without going over the top, or maybe just slightly so but you're not even mad at it. 

I came across these videos from GQ's Project Upgrade. Watch the man work. You'll pick up a few tips and see into the mind of an iconic menswear designer...

I really enjoy answering questions and working one on one with guys. I like to think that is the reason I’m not a huge Youtube sensation, lining the insides of my bespoke suit with advertising benjamins.

 However, there are some common questions that come up and the answers are pretty universal. So today, I put together a little FAQ cheat sheet for you gents.

I recently worked on a piece with Runner's World Magazine to showcase my style when I'm working out and burning off my beloved carbs. 

If you want some tips on keeping things stylish while exercising, have a look at the article...

Recently as I've been working with clients, I've noticed there have been plenty of guys who have struggled with more than just their external image. 

It seems that more and more, guys are struggling with their own negative self-image as well as their external image. I've gone through this as well from time to time. I'm sure most men have...

This is the third and final installment of the "Style Mistakes" series. Last time, I posted 8 intermediate style mistakes you might be making. This was for the guy that has a decent grasp on his clothing, but still has room for improvement. 

This post is for you GQ gentlemen who already know how to dress well but might just need a few tweaks to really stand out. 

Let's get going...

So last week I wrote about some common beginner style mistakes I see a lot and what you can do to fix them. This list is not exhaustive and there is much more to be covered.

This week, I wanted to go a little more in-depth and cover some more style mistakes, particularly for the man that already has a handle on the basics.

Once you've got the fundamentals covered, it's time to really dial in your style. Read on to see more men's style mistakes you should avoid.

Getting started with anything is tough. Trying anything new is hard. There are so many style "rules" now, and it can be hard to decipher which ones you should focus on. This post is for the gentleman just beginning his journey.

For some of you, this might seem a little elementary. This is just the first part of a 3-part series, covering intermediate and advanced style tips at a later date. But read this if you feel like brushing up on the basics.

If you're ready to make sure you're covering the basics, let's dive in...

As men, organization isn't always our strong suit.

The little nuances of clothing can be to detailed for our taste and our closets usually reflect this. We throw clothes about wherever and don't pay attention to how things should be ordered.

Sound familiar?

It wasn't until later on in life that I realized actually getting my closet in order made my life a heck of a lot easier. Getting dressed in the morning was no longer a chore. Finding a great outfit was easy.

So I run into this question from time to time. "What is it you do?" and it's kind of hard to fully define. I tell people I'm an image consultant and I get responses like
 

"Oh so you're in PR"... Sort of. 

or...

“You’re basically a personal stylist”… Sort of.

"So you're like Hitch?"... Sort of. 

To help clear up some confusion, here is my attempt at telling you what it is I actually do and my consultation process.