Before Stepping Out: “The Intriguing Journey of Brian’s Style Evolution”

I am about to take you on a personal journey of my humble beginnings. So here’s your cue to click elsewhere, or stick around for the story. I hope you stick around (smilin).

In the world of fashion, a personal style journey is more than just a sequence of clothing choices; it’s a reflection of one’s growth, influences, and identity.

Hi, I’m Brian, the lead fashion curator here at B4 Stepping out. I’m originally from Detroit, MI, and I’m going to attempt to take you through my fascinating historical timeline of style.

I unveil the pivotal moments that shaped my unique fashion perspective.

Let me start by stating that the historical timeline of my style in fashion is not to impress, but to impress upon the fact that anything you truly focus on in life is possible.

When I was hired here by Products Choice, LLC., to exude my skillset in assisting the team to curate a plethora of outfits for our users, I jumped with no hesitation at the opportunity.

I want to structure this post in such a way that it first points out the time-age element in which these events occurred.

Secondly, the individual events that took place and inspired me, along with the lessons learned, will definitely describe my journey.

Chapter 1: Junior High Chronicles

“The First Brush with Fashion Realization”

My story kicks off in Junior High in Detroit, where I first encountered the vibrant and diverse world of fashion.

Fueled by the desire to fit in, I navigated the challenges of dressing to impress, learning early on that fashion is more than just clothes; it’s a language.

Instantly I realized this new educational journey was going to be worlds different from grades 1-6th in the catholic school I had just left.

The whole culture was night and day, obviously. Especially when we were tasked at wearing uniforms, instead of everyday school clothes.

The one thing that stood out was the way these Junior High kids were dressing.

They took it seriously as if it was a religion or something.

Me?  I was just trying to fit in, and that alone is key in attempting to give you this timeline.

Keeping things in context, I was 12 years old, and Detroit has always been known as a fashion mecca.

Clearly, I didn’t know this until I began to really observe how the girls viewed the guys.

For obvious reasons, this didn’t happen when we were all wearing uniforms for catholic school.

It was so new, and I felt really intimidated because I dressed inferior to the other guys, but deep down inside I had a plan. At least I thought I did.

Chapter 2: Mom’s Influence

“Designer Jeans and Motherly Wisdom”

Amidst the intimidating fashion scene, my mother mysteriously became a crucial ally.

As an English teacher at my school, she introduced me to the world of designer jeans and style without being conscious of it.

Bless her heart, she didn’t know that by enrolling me in this school, she created a fashion “aficionado.”

Along the way, she imparted valuable lessons on balancing style with academics.

She was quite a well-dressed woman herself. Always on point with her different ensembles.

So with her being kinda familiar with little boys’ apparel, I felt it was time for me to stake my claim.

I came up during the historical time of designer jeans.  Yes, I’m dating myself, but it is what it is.

Mannn, the girls used to wear their Calvin Klein, Jordache, Bon Jour, and Sasson jeans every day.

I was in awe at how neatly dressed they were.

They would wear those jeans with preppy sweaters, very nice oxford shirts, and either penny loafers or Adidas Top Ten sneakers.

This really intimidated me, because I knew I wasn’t dressing up to the level I needed to be.

With me being the sponge that I am, I quickly found what stores in the local mall I needed to concentrate my efforts towards.

My mom obviously cared less about that stuff, because she only wanted me to focus on my studies.

Sooo, I began attempting to negotiate with her to the best of my ability by jokingly saying “I would swap good grades for trendy outfits.”

Of course, that didn’t work, but hey I was 12-13 yrs old, so I had to try.

In other words, the pressure to excel was steady, consistent, and unforgiving at various times.

Nevertheless, the negotiation for trendy outfits in exchange for good grades unfolds, setting the stage for my fashion journey.

Things are starting to look up…

In other words, the pressure to excel was steady, consistent, and unforgiving at various times.

I absolutely had to make the honor roll to fulfill my little dream of being the best, if not one of the best-dressed kids in school.

The negotiation for trendy outfits in exchange for good grades unfolds, setting the stage for my fashion journey.

I ended up excelling academically in ways that really surprised me and my mother.

I never got the type of grades in the catholic school that I received in this new school.

One day she took me to the mall, and she asked me to pick out a few outfits.

My “Dapper Dan” history began. The next thing I knew I became “him.” 

Needless to say, Junior High was famous for me, but now it was time to move on to High School.

Chapter 3: High School Dilemmas

“Navigating Contrasting Styles”

Transitioning to Cass Technical High presented me with a challenge – integrating my junior high style with the preppy Cass Tech looks, took some careful wardrobe planning.

Cass Technical High School was a very highly successful academic city in not only Detroit but Michigan as a whole.

The fashion aspect of the kids was something I just was not aware of.

They dressed “preppy.”

My neighbor{hood} didn’t dress like that, so I had no idea what that meant.

Unfazed, I forged my own path, creating a unique blend that sets me apart.

The clash of styles became the breeding ground for my fashion experimentation.

My mom had a subscription to Spiegel magazine, and my dad had one for GQ magazine.

There may be some of you that are too young to have a general knowledge of those 2 magazines.

So let me help.

These were two prominent fashion magazines back in the day that helped pave the way for some of the top fashion designers and brands of that time.

I used to constantly look for men’s outfits and articles of clothing to stay on top of my game.

Then I would cut out those pages, and tape them to the inside of this special closet I had in the upstairs hallway of the home I grew up in.

These pictures would range from Polo Ralph Lauren, Izod Lacoste, and Calvin Klein all the way to Guess jeans and men’s suits.

I mean when I say I was addicted, that was an understatement.

There was something about how they posed and modeled their gear that just intrigued me to the highest degree.

My unique closet in my historical timeline…

This closet was very unique too.  Strangely it was the only closet in the entire house that had a dark, shiny wood lacquered interior finish.

It was ordinary on the outside of the closet, but the inside looked extravagant.

So I not only decorated the inside with pictures, I started hanging up the few designer clothes that I had in that closet.

I think I kept that closet cleaner and more organized than I did my own room.

A contrast of styles…

My neighbor{hood} exploited more on casual leathers, thick puffer jackets, Starter jackets, silk shirts, suede boots, and of course Nike and Adidas sneakers.

We, being boys and girls prided ourselves on looking as dapper, clean, and gangsta as we could imagine.

I was faced with my first fashion challenge.  I had to come up with a game plan to integrate the two types of styles which were my junior high style and my newfound high school style.

In other words, I had to create my own.

I did just that.  I would start to accumulate lots of Polo Ralph Lauren oxfords, and iconic short-sleeve shirts and pair them with leather jackets, slim-fit jeans, and Adidas sneakers.

One thing I wasn’t prepared for was the penny loafer shoes.

I tried, but I didn’t stay a fan of those for long.

Even though they were cool, I couldn’t abandon the style that raised me.

Eventually, I left that school after just one year and returned to public schools to finish out my high school years.

That’s a story for another day. 😂

Moving on from a fashion perspective, I felt more comfortable and relaxed in my own lane.

As a result of that experience, I was able to learn about a combination of outfits and styles, which broadened my versatile knowledge to this day.

Chapter 4: College Unleashed

“Freedom of Expression and Shining Bright”

College became the canvas for my fashion artistry.

Liberated from the need to emulate a particular style, I embraced my individuality.

With a flair for the unconventional, my standout outfits made me a fashion icon on campus, showcasing Detroit’s distinct style to a broader audience.

When I first arrived at college, I quickly noticed the different styles that everyone was wearing.

This was the 1st time I didn’t have to emulate a particular style.  I could just take my own versatile style and run with it.

I always longed to be as different from the crowd as I could.

Even those guys that were from my hometown Detroit, I felt couldn’t compete with me.

I will never forget, that I showed up with a white Sergio Tacchini tracksuit and white-on-white Diadora sneakers.

I was shining beyond all comprehension.

Shining so much that I remember two girls coming up to me on the plaza where everyone hung out, to ask me a question.

They asked where I was from, which was a common question, but I also asked them why they asked me that.

They simply answered me “We just knew.”

Again, Detroit has always had a unique style from a fashion perspective.

Everyone kinda did their own thing.

I’m not saying that I agree with all the styles that the guys wear there, because I don’t.

I do know that when we pick our own style, we ride in that lane regardless of how it’s perceived, and it’s always different from the next person.

I didn’t expect to get that much attention from my tracksuit, but I think I became a rock star that day.

One thing I knew from that point going forward, I had to keep my foot on the pedal.

Chapter 5: The Modeling Epiphany

“From Campus Runway to Professional Runway”

My fashion journey took an unexpected turn when there were tryouts for a campus modeling squad.

A girl and close friend at that time named Daphne told me about it and really convinced me to try it out.

I did, performed, and made the squad.

I learned fashion from a whole new perspective, although I probably got on the nerves of our assigned clothing buyer.

This person was obviously assigned to pick out the clothes and theme of the show, renting the outfits for us to wear.

Now you know by now, that I’m extremely meticulous when it comes to my clothes.

I was the only one giving this (buyer guy) the most resistance.

Before my 1st show, I just was not feeling what he picked out for me.

So I had a meeting with the main lady over the modeling squad and we came to a compromise.

It was shaky but we worked it out.

I was able to go with him to pick out my outfits.

My very 1st show was at a local high school, and when the show started, the stage was all dark.

The main lady wanted me to kick the show off by leaning on a prop, and when the lights came on, the crowd went berzerk.  OMG!

It really took me by surprise.

Order in the court…

It got so loud with those High School girls, that the principal of the school stopped the show and disciplined the kids in the auditorium.

Threatening them that whoever was out of line like that again, would be removed from the auditorium. 

I remember this like it was yesterday.

So we went on to do the show and my modeling career started.

A Star was born…

After a number of shows under my belt, I remember doing a show where a gentleman who worked at a clothing store was in attendance.

He had a clothing store in one of the local malls and asked me if I wanted to do some part-time modeling with actual men.

I didn’t hesitate, and the next thing I knew, I was being trained by professional local models who did it for a living.

Sometimes I would be late coming back to the campus and have to find time to squeeze in my homework.

That’s when I really became infatuated with learning how to actually pick out my outfits, suits, etc., and what colors coordinated.

I really must say that stuck with me until this day.

Chapter 6: Beyond the Campus – Real-World Challenges

“Coordinating Men’s Clothing in the Concrete Jungle”

As I stepped into adulthood, my passion for fashion remained unwavering.

Navigating the challenges of the corporate world, I continued to dazzle with meticulously coordinated outfits.

The workplace became my new runway, where I effortlessly matched style with responsibility.

Of course, I won’t bore you with the details of my fashion journey through the jobs that I had, but I killed it y’all.

I really killed it.  Outsiders, from friends to coworkers would always comment on how I always matched.

From early on in school as aforementioned, this proved to really be a historical timeline of my style.

As meticulous as I was about outfits, I started noticing that I had a real gift for coordinating men’s clothing.

I would get home from work, work out, eat, and spend the final hours of the evening putting together an outfit for the next day.

I would even lay out the outfit on the bed or hang it up to face forward on the closet door, take a picture, and send it to a friend for laughs.

It would be coordinated all the way from the clothes, to the necklace, bracelet, watch, and ring.  I really enjoy that challenge.

Sometimes I would have to make a quick trip to the mall to secure a piece before the next day.

Now how crazy and obsessed is that?  Yes, this is me, Brian.

Raw and uncut, and I promise if you allow me, I will keep giving you outfits for both men and women, from here until Christ returns.

Conclusion

First of all, this blog was just entirely too long. So, I begged the owners to let me write it, if they deemed it necessary for the site.

They gave me the ok (yay). It’s something I’ve been burning inside to share.

My fashion journey, chronicled in this blog, is more than a narration of outfits; it’s a testament to the power of personal style.

From the hallways of junior high to the boardrooms of adulthood, my story is a testament to the transformative nature of fashion.

As I promise to keep providing fashion inspiration with “Before Stepping Out,” I eagerly anticipate the next chapter in my ever-evolving style saga here at the company.

If you lasted this long, I sincerely thank you for doing so.  It means a lot to me, and I hope I didn’t bore you that much. Our team here, is awesome.

We strive every day to bring you our world of fashion from a different angle online. 

I thought I would write this one long blog about me, and where it all started.

Maybe it explains to you the fashion mindset that me and my team practice every day “Before Stepping Out.” 

~ciao for now