Elegance & Manners for Men: A Contemporary Academic Analysis

Abstract

This article examines the sociocultural construct of masculine elegance and etiquette in contemporary society. Through analysis of established sartorial principles and behavioral codes, this research explores how traditional notions of men's elegance persist within modern contexts. The study considers both material elements (clothing, accessories) and behavioral components (deportment, interpersonal conduct) that constitute masculine elegance, positioning these elements within broader frameworks of cultural capital, social stratification, and masculinity studies.

Introduction

The concept of elegance in masculine presentation has evolved significantly throughout history, yet remains anchored in certain enduring principles. This article seeks to analyze the contemporary understanding of men's elegance through both its material manifestations in dress and accessories and its behavioral expressions in etiquette and social conduct. While fashion trends fluctuate rapidly in contemporary consumer culture, the fundamental aspects of elegance maintain remarkable consistency across decades, suggesting deeper sociocultural significance beyond mere aesthetic preference.

As Bourdieu (1984) established in his seminal work on distinction, taste functions as a marker of social position and cultural capital. Within this theoretical framework, masculine elegance can be understood as both an expression of and investment in particular forms of cultural capital. This research examines how men navigate these systems of distinction through their engagement with established codes of elegance.

Theoretical Framework

Cultural Capital and Masculine Presentation

Bourdieu's (1984) concept of cultural capital provides a useful framework for understanding how masculine elegance functions as a system of social distinction. The knowledge of appropriate dress codes, recognition of quality materials, and understanding of proper etiquette constitute forms of embodied cultural capital that signal social position (Entwistle, 2000). The acquisition of these competencies often requires significant temporal investment and access to particular social environments where such knowledge is transmitted and validated.

Edwards (2006) argues that contemporary masculine elegance represents a form of "aesthetic labor" that men increasingly perform as part of professional and social identity construction. This labor involves not merely the purchase of appropriate garments but the development of taste cultures and bodily hexis that align with recognized codes of refinement.

Material Elements of Masculine Elegance

Foundation Principles of Elegant Attire

Research indicates that certain foundational principles consistently underpin conceptions of masculine elegance across various contexts. These include:

1. Proper fit and proportion - The significance of tailoring has been documented in fashion studies literature as fundamental to masculine elegance (Breward, 2016).

2. Quality over quantity - Sustainable consumption practices involving fewer, higher-quality garments align with traditional notions of elegance (Fletcher, 2008).

3. Simplicity and restraint - Minimalism and restraint function as distinguishing characteristics that separate elegant dress from conspicuous consumption (Veblen, 1899/1994).

4. Consistency in presentation - Woodward's (2007) ethnographic research demonstrates how personal style consistency reinforces identity narratives and social positioning.

Essential Wardrobe Elements

The contemporary elegant wardrobe maintains remarkable consistency with historical precedents established in the post-industrial era (Breward, 2016). Key elements include:

• Well-tailored suits in neutral colors (particularly navy and charcoal gray)
• Quality dress shirts in white, light blue, and subtle patterns
• Neckwear featuring modest patterns and appropriate proportions
• Classic outerwear such as peacoats and topcoats
• Oxford shoes and other traditional leather footwear
• Understated yet quality accessories

The Significance of Accessories

Accessories function as particularly potent signifiers within masculine elegance systems. Research by Craik (1994) demonstrates how accessories serve as identity markers that communicate specific aspects of social position and personal narrative. Within contemporary masculine elegance, particular significance is attached to:

• Timepieces, particularly mechanical watches with leather straps
• Leather goods including wallets, belts, and briefcases
• Writing implements from established manufacturers
• Discreet jewelry such as cufflinks and signet rings

Steele (2010) observes that the restricted palette of acceptable masculine accessories paradoxically increases their semiotic importance within elegant presentation, noting that when options are limited, each choice carries heightened significance.

Behavioral Dimensions of Masculine Elegance

Etiquette and Interpersonal Conduct

Elegant presentation extends beyond material elements to encompass behavioral aspects including speech patterns, posture, and interpersonal conduct. These embodied practices constitute what Mauss (1973) termed "techniques of the body" that are culturally acquired rather than naturally occurring.

Research by Thompson and Hirschman (1995) demonstrates how contemporary masculine elegance requires mastery of specific conversational competencies and social rituals. These include:

• Command of appropriate register and vocabulary
• Knowledge of situational etiquette
• Confidence tempered by courtesy
• Appropriate non-verbal communication

Self-Presentation and Grooming

Grooming practices form an essential component of elegant masculine presentation (Barber, 2008). Ongoing research identifies how contemporary masculine grooming norms have evolved to incorporate greater attention to detail while maintaining distinctions from feminine beauty practices. Key aspects include:

• Hair maintenance and styling appropriate to professional contexts
• Facial hair that appears deliberately maintained rather than neglected
• Attention to hygiene and scent
• Regular maintenance of clothing and accessories

Conclusion

This analysis demonstrates that masculine elegance continues to function as a complex system of social signification despite shifts in broader fashion contexts. The enduring principles that underpin elegant presentation suggest its continued relevance as a form of cultural capital and social distinction. Further research might productively explore how digital media environments are transforming the transmission of elegance codes and how emerging masculinities navigate these established systems.

The persistence of certain core principles across time suggests that elegance serves functions beyond mere aesthetic preference, operating as a system for communicating identity, values, and social position. As contemporary masculine identities continue to evolve, the codes of elegance adapt while maintaining connection to historical precedent, demonstrating the dynamic yet anchored nature of this cultural construct.

Alex von Kliszewicz

References

Barber, K. (2008). The well-coiffed man: Class, race, and heterosexual masculinity in the hair salon. Gender & Society, 22(4), 455-476.

Bourdieu, P. (1984). Distinction: A social critique of the judgement of taste. Harvard University Press.

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Craik, J. (1994). The face of fashion: Cultural studies in fashion. Routledge.

Edwards, T. (2006). Cultures of masculinity. Routledge.

Entwistle, J. (2000). The fashioned body: Fashion, dress and modern social theory. Polity Press.

Fletcher, K. (2008). Sustainable fashion and textiles: Design journeys. Earthscan.

Mauss, M. (1973). Techniques of the body. Economy and Society, 2(1), 70-88.

Steele, V. (2010). The Berg companion to fashion. Berg Publishers.

Thompson, C. J., & Hirschman, E. C. (1995). Understanding the socialized body: A poststructuralist analysis of consumers' self-conceptions, body images, and self-care practices. Journal of Consumer Research, 22(2), 139-153.

Veblen, T. (1994). The theory of the leisure class. Penguin Books. (Original work published 1899)

Woodward, S. (2007). Why women wear what they wear. Berg Publishers.