5) r/Cocktails – It’s no secret that we here at F24 love our manly cocktails and drinks. The community in r/Cocktails are incredibly knowledgeable and can help everyone from the novice to expert discover some new drinks and ingredients to give a whirl this weekend.

4) r/MaleFashionAdvice – I’ve had hit-and-miss experiences on r/MaleFashionAdvice, but its still the best place I’ve found on reddit for outfit inspiration and keeping track of new trends. Fashion is of course a completely individual affair, so if this sub doesn’t scratch your itch feel free to start your own subreddit that more closely matches your personal style.

3) r/Manprovement – This sub is all about motivation. Largely consisting of simple quotes, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t help. This is your stop for all things inspiration. It’s perilously easy to get lost in a “reddit hole” and waste hours of your time, but r/Manprovement is usually more than enough to get you to get off your ass and moving toward your goals.

2) r/Cooking – Everyman should know how to cook. Full stop. This is a life skill that goes beyond just impressing dates or friends, it speaks directly to how you live your life. Many a man is lost or intimidated by the kitchen, but r/Cooking can bring even the most novice dorm room-living man up to snuff and making quality meals in no time.

1) r/EMSK – Standing for Every Man Should Know, r/emsk is the go-to place for manly skills and knowledge. I just discovered this sub last week but I’m already addicted. From quick videos to explanatory articles, r/emsk is my new #1 favorite subreddit and a must for any fan of FactoryTwoFour.

reddit works best when you customize your account and subscribe to all the best subreddits. For the modern gentlemen browsing through all the mess that the site has to offer, these subs are a great place to start.

The post The Modern Gentleman’s Subreddits appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Knowing how far stores discount is important. Some higher-end, small shops that specialize in certain items may only discount up to 30%, but department stores, such as Barneys, may discount up to 80%. The further the discount, the more regular sizes like Smalls, Mediums, and Larges will be sold out.

Check out the buzz around the item. If people are expecting the item to go on sale, they will wait patiently and attentively. Be careful because these people are vigilant and will pick up the sale item before you.

Use common sense. If the price is right and the item is in stock in your size, buy it. There is nothing worse than getting too greedy, coming back the next day and finding that the item you thought would get discounted even more is sold out. You have to use common sense to know when to give in to the sale. Plus, if you really wanted the item, you would have been saving, right?

If it was sold out before it went on sale, it will sell out once it hits the sales. Normally if items are sold out and then restocked before a sale, the store knows the item will sell. Plan ahead for the sale and make sure you aren’t waiting for nothing.

The post Shopping for Sales appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Experiment. This is by far the most expensive way, but you’ll never learn without trying. Find a good store with a reputable return policy and if you see something that strikes your fancy and fits into your budget, go for it. Its fun to go from business casual to goth ninja to Americana. Don’t immediately put off a certain style without trying it because it may be the coolest thing since sliced bread. There is never a dull moment when experimenting and after all, fashion is supposed to be fun.

Browse. Go into stores and feel the fabrics. It sounds a little weird and you might look ridiculous feeling up clothing, but it will give you a grasp of how the piece of clothing will lay on your body. This will give you a leg up shopping online, instead of questioning what oxford cloth feels like you will know. Fashion forums are an excellent source for exposure to fashion—serving as a guide towards your fashion nirvana. I got my start on Reddit’s /r/malefashionadvice and I highly recommend it for beginners (they also have a section for developing your own personal style). Other such outlets for fashion are styleforum.net, superfuture.com, and askandyaboutclothes.com; however, these sites tend be less accepting of beginners.

Patience. When I first started caring about what I wore I bought so many clothes that I thought were cool, only to realize two months later that I’m never going to wear them again. Start slow and pace yourself. The rise of fast fashion has made finding your style ten times easier. If you have ever been in an H&M, you’d be surprised how inexpensive some of the clothing is. Now, you get what you pay for, but it is easy to buy a piece and decide whether you love it or hate it at a small price.

Confidence. People will notice that you’re changing what you wear. Some might compliment you, some might make homophobic slurs. Be confident in what you are wearing and be proud that you’re learning something about your clothing desires. You owe it to yourself to look good, and no one else.

Perception. This point makes the confidence part sound invalid—but used correctly—I think it plays a major role in finding yourself. Perception is how you want others to view you. So, if you want people to take you seriously at a business meeting, wear a suit. If you want to look like you’re going to the gym, you wear athletic shorts and an old t-shirt. The point is to consider using clothing as an extension of your personality.

The exploration of oneself should be fun; it should be a journey that will take as long as it needs to. Even if you do find what you truly love, never stop growing. Continue to experiment with higher quality goods or maybe even take a chance on a random Kickstarter campaign. At the end of the day though, its just clothes.

The post Five Tips For Finding Your Style appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.