What about clothing guides for guys like me who are on the lower end of the height scale.

Archie - the suit is nice but not for me, I don't like the peak lapels.

I find the look a little try-hard, although I am a dandy at heart. I think it is my Brit upbringing that had me into clothes at a early age.

I like the dandy style, it seems it has taken over from the hipster look. I was never a fan of the hipster look.

A few years back I bought a DKNY charcoal suit from an outlet in upstate NY, ran me like $250 on sale. I call it my interview suit. I get the most compliments on this suit.

The most important thing about a suit is how it fits you, doesn't matter if it is $1500 or $500. A good suit should fit you without needing any alterations.

I bought a few Austin Reed suits from the UK online, they come with the pants hemmed and are good to go. I simply love these suits.
Last week I was in the mall with a mate, who was looking a suit. We went to J Crew and he tried one of those Ludlow suits on, it fitted him like a charm. They are a bit pricey at $850, considering they are made in China.

(05-04-2016 11:23 AM)Avon Barksdale Wrote:  What about clothing guides for guys like me who are on the lower end of the height scale.

Most of the same tips apply even for us shorter men. However, there are things you should be mindful of. For example, the tailor is your friend when it comes to suits and other styles. Always make sure that your pants are never too long or baggy, as it gives this odd illusion of us looking even shorter than we are. Same goes for shirts and jackets. I always make sure that my shirts are fitted and any shirt that goes un-tucked is hemmed to not be longer than the halfway point of the zipper line. Have a couple pairs of nice boots as they can add about an inch to your height.

This is what I have gone with. Outside of that, not really much difference in style tips.

Archie, your take on relationships has changed very likely because you are in a new quarter of your life. Whether you feel fantastic or spry, the reality is that you are of the age chronologically or from a societal standpoint where a large chunk of cats settle down. Everything at this point is a replay from sociopolitical events to lizard guile so the need to ram out 30 lizards in 13 days is not as urgent as 15 years ago. A relationship post would be good, readers have to be realistic about where they are and not rush into being husbands cos their peers are doing it nor become playas etc.

(05-03-2016 09:57 PM)WestIndianArchie Wrote:  Dude on the left, would you rock that?

WW (Would Wear). I like the other one, too.

I'd rock both.

WIA

Re: Trump

One of the beefs that mainstream Republicans have with Trump is that he won't dissociate himself from the KKK.

Color me surprised, because mainstream conservative always seem to endorse policies that do the most damage to people of color. (Democrats do the same, it's just that they convince folks that the action is good for them). The term is dog whistle, and it has been the strategy of oligarchs to get the votes of poor whites for at least four decades.

As an outsider to the inner workings, it's showing a new side to folks that I've known all my life.

If Bernie doesn't get the nomination, I hope Trump wins.

WIA

This isn't the thread to discuss Trump, there is a huge one going on right now.

Don't make me troll my own thread!

^^^ you had me at SLEW DEM

Lol

My bad. I was just curious.

All good, but I think Trump discussions in this thread will only go one way and may even pull in outsiders who have 0 interest in black man game options.

Let's make black man game options great again.

Off topic but didn't know where else to post this. I'm in tears.

Carlton Bank's game (Fresh Prince of Bellaire)

Where Steve Urkle was considered a nerd, Carlton was considered white. I know a lot of dudes struggle with this. They get tested from their "own" folks and never fully accepted by others. It's a no (wo)man's land when it comes to dating and socializing.

How would you make the game of these black men great again?

WIA

Those men don't need to worry about their own. If the immediate group they are associating with consider their behaviour as white then they need to expand their circle. Carlton's problem wasn't that he was acting white, it's that he was lame.

(05-05-2016 05:37 AM)WestIndianArchie Wrote:  Carlton Bank's game (Fresh Prince of Bellaire)

Where Steve Urkle was considered a nerd, Carlton was considered white. I know a lot of dudes struggle with this. They get tested from their "own" folks and never fully accepted by others. It's a no (wo)man's land when it comes to dating and socializing.

How would you make the game of these black men great again?

WIA

I will admit that I suffered from "Carlton Banks" syndrome of being " too white" when I was younger. I honestly solved it by disassociating myself with the majority of the black community. I only hung out with other nationalities and due to this have never been with a black woman in my life.

I gravitated towards white women and learned how they "ticked" and built myself a new identity. With time and game I got better and better at it until I was able to reach a point where i was good and felt confident.

Along the way ive also met other brothers who came from a similar situation and you guys naturally gravitate toward each other and some of those guys are still my friends today.

Keyword: Reinvention.

Suits should be functional...a statement of your personality.
Not to get to get attention but to highlight the positive energy/vibe
you bring into a room. That's how I feel about them.

Both suits look sharp...even though I don't wear a lot of
those lighter color combinations.

It's funny...relationships are a lot like suits...Are you in the relationship to get something
or give something...and what's your individual style? lol what does your suit say about your relationships...

Much of my wardrobe is tailored or fitted and on top of an athletic build, the appearance part of the game is official. However, within the last 4 years of building my business and aggressively focusing on my career pursuits, I am all business at all times, which bleeds over into game sometimes. The flip side is I use my work as a shield for more spinning plates.

The point is I have to demonstrate a very high value to game well in the States, particularly the East Coast. Ironically with Cali girls, I can be my true self and not have to put on my serious persona....I can even wear sneakers lol....

(05-05-2016 05:37 AM)WestIndianArchie Wrote:  Carlton Bank's game (Fresh Prince of Bellaire)

Where Steve Urkle was considered a nerd, Carlton was considered white. I know a lot of dudes struggle with this. They get tested from their "own" folks and never fully accepted by others. It's a no (wo)man's land when it comes to dating and socializing.

How would you make the game of these black men great again?

WIA

I used to have to deal with this nonsense starting as a kid and up until my mid-twenties. I would get it from everyone. from the black guys to the white guys to the asian guys. The black guys would pull it because they couldn't relate to me, so they'd just pick at me on that level.

White and Asians felt like it was ok because I was sort of an outsider so they figured they could get away with it because I wasn't exactly accepted as a black guy and they wouldn't have to worry about me rallying my boys and kicking ass.

I think that a lot of it boils down to not having any "edge" in you. I think guys like Carlton Banks are intellectually "there" but they're too nice. They're playing in the playpen, but people are attacking from outside. But if they were to introduce some edge (by calling people out on their ignorance) they'd quickly garner respect.

You can't let people put you in the nerd box (unless you want to be there). But people should fear clashing with your intellect. That has always been my take on it. Dudes don't pull that anymore because they know they'll get clowned out of the building if they're going to come at me on the level. The truth is, people don't like confrontation and if you're a nerdy dude who isn't afraid to call people out people walk away.

I remember one episode of "Fresh Prince" where Will couldn't get at this girl and she was a total bitch, but Carlton called her out on it in public at dinner and she quickly fell in line and Will was amazed that Carlton had that rawness in him.

That to me is what nerdy guys need to be able to do. Most nerds are good at arguing but they feel a lot of social pressure to avoid it, but the second they start calling out dudes, dudes get quiet because their only game plan was to clown this nerd and expect him not to come back with something smart.

(05-05-2016 10:01 AM)Fortis Wrote:  

(05-05-2016 05:37 AM)WestIndianArchie Wrote:  Carlton Bank's game (Fresh Prince of Bellaire)

Where Steve Urkle was considered a nerd, Carlton was considered white. I know a lot of dudes struggle with this. They get tested from their "own" folks and never fully accepted by others. It's a no (wo)man's land when it comes to dating and socializing.

How would you make the game of these black men great again?

WIA

I used to have to deal with this nonsense starting as a kid and up until my mid-twenties. I would get it from everyone. from the black guys to the white guys to the asian guys. The black guys would pull it because they couldn't relate to me, so they'd just pick at me on that level.

White and Asians felt like it was ok because I was sort of an outsider so they figured they could get away with it because I wasn't exactly accepted as a black guy and they wouldn't have to worry about me rallying my boys and kicking ass.

I think that a lot of it boils down to not having any "edge" in you. I think guys like Carlton Banks are intellectually "there" but they're too nice. They're playing in the playpen, but people are attacking from outside. But if they were to introduce some edge (by calling people out on their ignorance) they'd quickly garner respect.

You can't let people put you in the nerd box (unless you want to be there). But people should fear clashing with your intellect. That has always been my take on it. Dudes don't pull that anymore because they know they'll get clowned out of the building if they're going to come at me on the level. The truth is, people don't like confrontation and if you're a nerdy dude who isn't afraid to call people out people walk away.

I remember one episode of "Fresh Prince" where Will couldn't get at this girl and she was a total bitch, but Carlton called her out on it in public at dinner and she quickly fell in line and Will was amazed that Carlton had that rawness in him.

That to me is what nerdy guys need to be able to do. Most nerds are good at arguing but they feel a lot of social pressure to avoid it, but the second they start calling out dudes, dudes get quiet because their only game plan was to clown this nerd and expect him not to come back with something smart.

Very similar path I've traveled, often too intellectual for the neighborhood, but then too "Black" for everywhere else, so I had to adopt a very tough skin and demeanor to thrive in game and in life. What I've manged to do was maintain a high-level intellectual acumen while having the outward "edge" (achieved through combat sports) that leave folks puzzled.

I think it boils down to just you being you. Once you get comfortable in your own skin it truly won't matter how other people perceive or think about you. I still hang out with folks who probably consider me "square" but honestly, I could give a fuck less and they know it. If you care about it, then they will, you don't give a fuck, neither will they.

No, it doesn't boil down to just being yourself.
When guys keep doing the same thing, they get the same results.

I'm not suggesting radical changes, but there has to be change.

WIA

(04-29-2016 01:17 AM)Anabasis to Desta Wrote:  I'd argue they're even better than the originals since it's all oil and lasts for 8-20 hours. All for the dirt cheap price of $20 for a 4oz. Roll-on ball format instead of sprays as well. So many compliments on the daily I'm getting tired.

http://www.amazon.com/Impression-Quality...B010647EJO



Over 50 different top popular scents from Creed to Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille to Terre D'Hermes. Perfect for the cash strapped or anybody who's not a true cologne aficionado.

Edit: Not an affiliate link of any sort.

Shot out to Anabasis to Desta for the recommendation. I ordered a couple bottles and have been getting a steady stream of compliments. The fragrance literally last ALL day so only a dab will do.

I went down the non-stereotypical route because I was aware very early in life that my upbringing was one where the environment, community, and elders were fucking failures. I didn't want to have the same struggle those before me went through due to their laziness and victimhood. And in my mind, I decided that disassociating myself from American black culture was the best way to do that. To be honest, I was adverse to game in general due to how in the case of black men, game = being a thug/dopeboy/tricking ass nigga.

All of those adverse experiences have driven me to the point where I intentionally avoid anything that would be associated with American black culture. And I'll admit for a moment, I was in full Carlton mode, but built a masculine edge to myself eventually. But instead of a "superthug/swagged out" image, it was more of a "MMA/surfer/sports jock" image.

IMHO, the ultimate solution for non-stereotypical black men is to leave the United States. Between the mASSES of blacks choosing ghetto and swag culture as their standard, and the majority of non-blacks refusing to differentiate between ghetto and non-ghetto blacks (and in some cases hating the latter more), if you're a black man who doesn't put on a shuck-and-jive act, you have almost no place in America. Of course there are exceptions like the Bay Area, Seattle, and a few other places west of the Mississippi River, but even then you'll still have to deal with issues non-black American men face like female mind games, extreme feminism, used goods, undateable women, divorce rates, etc.

And even though I'm not throwing shade at anyone in particular, I'm still amazed at those even on this forum who critizes black men who simply want better in their lives. In addition, blacks from outside of America telling black American men to essentially "stay in your place" and not see how life is like outside of America also rubs me the wrong way.

The reason why I'm stating all of this is because other non-black minorities don't have to face the conundrum American black men face. Non-black minorities can be nerdy and still pull tail. Non-black minorities have women who back them up and want them to win in life. Non-black minorities don't have to ask how they'll be treated in every country, state, city, and neighboehood they plan to visit. Non-black minorities don't have to act like buffons and dress overly thuggish nor overly sophisticated to get ass. Non-black minorities don't have to play the victimhood and white supremacy game to get sympathy and support. Non-black minorities don't have to get called sellouts and cornballs by women by doing the exact thing that causes most women to be attracted to them (make money). These are the questions that black men need to ask.

Instead of being reactive to cunts who sold out to feminism and having to adapt to their rules, why can't black men be proactive and set the fucking rules so that "gaming" isn't a necessity for sex and companionship with hos who have over 100,000 miles of dick in their odometer.

Man the generalities and typecasting that are casually tossed around in here are worse than what YT folks throw our way. I can only assume many of you are young, If so, I assure you, it WILL get better. I've been through many stages in my life as I grew and matured, and I can assure you, I've gotten the most pussy when I just became myself; a smart, ambitious cat from an upper-middle class background who doesn't think or feel his life is any more valuable than anyone else's.

You don't have to be a coon or a thug to get pussy, just don't be a punk.