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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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.
Great post, Ten. I’m forwarding this on to some buddies who need fashion advice.
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…
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I always thought peacocking was a bit extreme.
I like the idea of standing out but not overdoing it for the occasion.
ie wearing glowsticks at a concert.