I want to talk a bit about peacocking because I think it’s a topic that needs explaining.
There’s a misconception out there that peacocking means wearing the most outrageous and attention grabbing stuff you can get your hands on. I disagree.
Peacocking is about grabbing people’s attention, and being unafraid to stand out. It means being bold, and taking a risk with your clothes. It means dressing in a way that is exciting and edgy.
Most importantly, peacocking should convey WHO YOU ARE.
Screw top-hats, and black nails. Those things work for Mystery, goths and others who fit into that scene. If you’re not a Magician or a goth, you don’t need these things, you need your own style. Me, I wear a blazer with graffiti on it, I have a fleur-de-lys tie for a belt, and I wear flashy designer shirts and jeans. I have an eyebrow ring, and my hair is done in that messy-but-cool kind of way.
My style reflects who I am – a 25 year old musician (amateur, of course), dressed better and more successful than most guys in that scene. A girl in Las Vegas described it perfectly last weekend as “hipster businessman”. I don’t wear black nails, or top-hats or new-rock boots because that doesn’t reflect who I am. I do, however, wear some of the flashiest stuff that DOES reflect who I am.
One of my outfits.
So, before you go out and peacock, you have to think, what am I trying to convey? I did a fashion consultation with a student in Toronto this November, who was a defense analyst. I thought to myself “what does a defense analyst wear?”. So Sinn and I took him out and we found some great clothes that had just a hint of military to them. We didn’t dress him up in Army Surplus gear, but in some nice medium to high-end clothes that had a bit of military influence.
At the end of our fashion consultation, he looked like a cool, downtown, hip guy, with a rugged, military edge, which goes perfect with his profession as a defense analyst, and with his lifestyle as a outdoorsy kind of guy. The military element made him stand out in a crowd, but it was congruent and cool.
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6 responses so far ↓
1 Anonymous // Jan 11, 2007 at 4:45 pm
TenMagnet, thanks for your thoughts. Peacocking can work on so many subtle levels, even a single item that stands out. It’s great. Funny how many people just rip off Mystery’s style. Btw, I read that Mystery is no longer a part of MM, is this true? That’d be kinda weird, given that he invented the method. Don’t have to answer if you’re not allowed.
2 Anonymous // Jan 11, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Great post, Ten. I’m forwarding this on to some buddies who need fashion advice.
3 Anonymous // Jan 19, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Excellent insight into peacocking.
I think you nailed it.
If you’re around a group of girls a lot (not a bar scene but more like work/school) you can actually INNER peacock. (I know…some will think it’s a contradiction in terms.) However, if you have a STRONG/COOL/CHARISMATIC personality then THAT will be your ‘peacock card.’ If you go that route, you can actually wear very ‘blended in’ clothes without losing any edge…
4 Anonymous // Jun 4, 2007 at 4:31 am
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