The term metrosexual has become synonymous with plain old looking groomed, and we think that’s a damned shame. Take a look at old school pictures of men dressed for church or a night out with their ladies and tell us that THEY don’t look manly as hell. Men who fit the metrosexual mold try to look perfectly groomed and stylish all the time. We know you could care less what the newest men’s designer collection looks like. You don’t WANT to look groomed all the time – just when you need to. That’s the difference between being groomed and being metrosexual. So follow these tips and put your best self forward in pictures and in person, without fear of the metrosexual label.

Ignore Labels. Just Get the Fit Right

Getting the fit of your clothes right is key to avoiding the metrosexual look. What you want is to have a little room in them, and not wear them too tight. A good rule of thumb is to imagine yourself packing an extra 10 or 15 pounds. If that would mean you couldn’t fit in that shirt or those pants, you need to go with a different size. With few exceptions, labels really don’t matter when it comes to looking groomed. Focus on picking out clothes that look good on you, don’t clash with other clothes you already own, and are likely to remain looking good for a while. On the other hand if you don’t have a problem with labels and believe in buying “quality”, knock yourself out but avoid clothes with labels stamped all over it. If you don’t want to leave the impression you give more than the average fuck about your clothes, don’t advertise that you paid more than $300 for the shirt you’re wearing.

You Can Wear a Watch. That’s It

Okay, we’re exaggerating a little – you can wear your high school or college ring too. But our point is you need to go easy on the “extras”. In women’s fashion these are called accessories. Don’t call them that. Wallets are one of the few things for which it’s usually worth the splurge to get a well-made one. Get one that stays streamlined in your back pocket even with your cards and cash. And the only kinds of ‘bags’ that are acceptable to carry around are backpacks (the real kind, not the small ones), briefcases, and suitcases or duffle bags when traveling.

Everything Else

No matter how clean your clothes and shoes are, if your hair is greasy and you’re sporting a beard that’s stringier than a kitchen mop, you’ve wasted your time. Get everything trimmed at least now and then. Shower regularly, and find a deodorant and antiperspirant that works. Save the cologne for special occasions like a wedding. A lot of men don’t realize how heavy-handed they are with the spray, and women’s noses tend to be much sharper than ours. Trust us, if you took a shower this morning, she (and everyone else around you) can smell your soap and think you smell just fine.