This was it. My big style consultation as part of Mission 5 where I enlisted the help from Maria The Date Coach. It was appropriately painful and painless at the same time.

Wardrobe review
It all started by going through my current wardrobe and getting rid of things that I don’t wear, don’t like, Maria REALLY doesn’t like (or doesn’t understand why I own it) and/or don’t fit. Apparently some people cry during this process. I withheld my tears. Here’s the pile being sold/donated.

Shopping list
Next, Maria presented a list of 15 “basics” and other things the modern man needs. Upon initial glance, I thought I had many already. But after the above wardrobe review, I felt lucky to have 3 checked off. (Note: Maria insists I only had one checked off. As shopping progressed, she was right.)

Facial
“If you can’t pamper yourself, how can you pamper a woman?” That’s the justification Maria gave me for needing a facial. That and a deep cleansing I suppose. And like many guys, I imagined a barber chair, facemask, and cucumbers on my eyes. Not the case. I arrived at the Gene Juarez Spa and was led into a locker room, of sorts. They instructed me to change into a robe and shorts. Then in another room a big bowl of warm soapy water was placed before me to soak my feet in. After that, they took me to another room where they did all sorts of things. I was trying to keep track of both the reasons for dipping my hands in hot wax (Maria says this is called paraffin.) along with the seven different substances they used on me that all had names like, Hydroximultienzymatic Thermium Exfoliation Hadron Accelerator Toner. But I couldn’t. Instead, I just went with it and relaxed. I actually liked it. Shhh…don’t tell anyone.

Manicure/Pedicure
This was also on the to-do list but it was a busy weekend. It’s my homework to go have a mani-pedi somewhere. I intend to try it.

Hair styling
This was one of the most pleasant and positive portions of the style change. I was ready to alter my hair color. But two beautiful women (a stylist and color consultant) took turns combing their fingers through my hair telling my how nice and thick it is and how the color shouldn’t be changed because it brings out my eyes and is naturally perfect. I could have sat there ALL DAY. Gene Juarez earned my business from that interaction. Instead of just doing a coloration and/or styling, and then charging me money, they told me NOT to color it and come back later for a cut and style. They didn’t charge me anything for this. They were thinking solely about the style, not the business. I have to respect that.

Shopping
This was a job. After giving my credit card a quick pep talk, “I need you on your game today, I’m relying on you!”, we hit the shops; we had a loooong list. Maria has great taste, and got me out of my comfort zone by making me try on things I never would have otherwise (I looked bad ass in a certain leather jacket, wow). We next had a very productive stop at Banana Republic where we crossed several things off the list (shirts, blazer, etc…too many things to list here, some basics along with cool things). And the following day, we checked off the rest of the list after getting a nice, fitted DKNY shirt, Bvlgari cologne, moisturizer, etc. But Saturday’s shopping trip would yield the outfit I’d wear out on the town to the clubs. Take away from this: Get things that fit…and if they don’t fit, get them tailored. Maria convinced me that all of my pants need to be tailored, and after she showed me what I look like with tailored pants, I agree with her. Wow. She also scolded me for dressing like a college kid. Another take away: Invest in the basics.

Now I was stylin’! The only thing I felt bad not buying was an awesome licorice cardigan pictured below. It’s just tough to wear in Seattle due to the rain.

Shopping was work, but fun too. Specifically, the shoe store shop. The absolutely adorable Vietnamese sales girl was fun and funny. She looked to genuinely enjoy talking with us. A bit young at 21 though. But I was crushing on her. And I got some awesome shoes too! Actually, all the stuff I got is awesome. I like wearing clothes that fit. It wasn’t cheap though. I almost spent enough at Banana Republic to reach a level worthy of getting free “altercations” (Maria’s Fruedian slip…ha ha! I was about to get ready to throw down with the clerk.)

But beyond just shopping, facials, etc, Maria taught me to do these things myself to improve my style. You know…the whole “teach a man to fish” saying? I can fish. I know how to look good.