Is the fashion world for everyone?

This may seem like a silly question, but it's one that I ask myself a lot.  Let me explain why.  I am a 29 year old man that has worked in retail and fashion in one way or another for the better part of the last 12 years.  I like to think that I am somewhat knowledgeable about the goings on in the business, but of course there are things that I miss.

Over the last few years my own personal style has evolved (or devolved depending on how you look at it.)  At one point I was only wearing collared shirts, dress pants and stylish shoes.  Over time, and with a change in the industry I was working in, my style shifted to that of the action sports industry.  Hoodies, slacks and skateboards became my norm, and I am sure you could count the number of times I wore a collared shirt on two hands, including the several weddings I attended last year.

Now I work in the Tennis industry.  It's a fantastic industry to work in, but it is not a stylish one.  My daily wardrobe has devolved to track pants and tee's, and I struggle to find my footing back in the industry I love.  I go to events, or take a walk in Yorkdale Mall, and I don't think I fit in with what is stylish.  Could it have passed me by?  

I feel like I have aged a lot in the last two years.  I get called "sir" a lot... A LOT, and I get funny looks from sales associates when they see me looking at something that I am sure they think I am too old for.  29 years old isn't over the hill is it?  At some point I will need to decide on what I am going to do regarding my plans for the future and my dream of owning my own retail operation.  I hope I won't be completely out of touch by then.

Highsnobiety's "Best Retail Concepts of 2014"

As someone with experience in the retail field, it has been my dream to open up my own retail space.  Highsnobiety recently put together a list of the top retail concepts of 2014, and let me tell you it truly is a unique and accomplished list of retailers.  As I have been working on my own business plan, it is interesting to see the way that these different businesses have worked in order to create unique and interesting ways of presenting their product to the consumer, all while creating atmosphere and aesthetic that is unique, individual, and interactive in many ways.  Take a look at the full list on highsnobiety.com.

A Fresh Start

I started this blog as a first step in my plan to open up my own Men's Wear shop, as well as to develop my own brand in the retail and fashion world.  It's a big world after all, and with the Internet populated with thousands of others trying to do what I want to do, it is hard to stand out.

The start of 2014 brought with it some significant change in my life professionally.  I moved on from my former Retail Management job and into a new career in the Tennis industry.  While still performing retail duties, I moved into the technical side of the industry, working directly with players to help find the right equipment for them, and to maintain that equipment.  It is a rewarding job, and has given me a new perspective on customer service, high end retail, and working as part of a team in a sport based environment.

One drawback has been that my dream I set out towards had been put on the back burner for quite some time.  Those who have looked at my blog in the past would know that I would post frequently, but come March my focus had trailed off.  It was not intentional.  Having so much on my plate that I had to learn on the fly began to take precedence, and my thoughts moved away from my future plans to my current career.

I have made a conscious decision to go for my dream once again.  I feel like there is no better time than now to make a move back into blogging, and to truly start my business plan in order to see my dream move towards reality.  I hope you will come along for this journey, or at least stop by from time to time.  I don't pretend to know everything about the industry, or to be as hip as some of the other blogger's out there, but I will shine a light on the people, places, stores, brands, and icons I respect and love.  I hope you will walk in style with me.

-Mike

The Future of Retail WE-Commerce by: Douglas Brundage, Highsnobiety

I recently came across this informative and interesting article on Highsnobiety regarding a shift in the future to online-only retailing.  As a retailer myself with ambitions to work independently and start my own business, the online only concept is interesting to me.  I've thought for some time that it would be possible to work in an online capacity as a small business retailer, however the idea of not having any type of physical storefront would be the total opposite of why I want my own business.  Check out the full article on Highsnobiety and let me know what you think.  The Future of Retail