I went shopping for clothes tonight. Every so often I find that a shirt is worn out or that a pair of pants is starting to rip. So I go on an expedition for clothes. I’ll set out with a noble goal: to get a few new, modern things to update my wardrobe. But the usual result? I’ll end up just replacing the worn out clothing with essentially the same thing. I wander around aimlessly looking at stuff and having no idea what I should buy or what would look good on me.
All my shopping trips for clothes go that way unless I have something very specific in mind. It’s not that I don’t want to buy new, good-looking clothes for myself. It’s that I have no idea how. And I’m betting I’m not the only one.
So what should be done about this? I think stores that sell men’s clothing should have a special section called “Guys who don’t have a clue.” It would be like the one full-service island at the gas station. You could do all the same things as in the rest of the store, but you get a lot of help doing it.
Any man who finds himself as I so often do in clothing stores could wander over to the “Guys who don’t have a clue” section and get the help he needs. They would get guidance on different styles. They would have someone there to keep them from making a stupid purchase. They would have someone instruct them in important subjects like color matching.
And not only will the people who work in the “Guys who don’t have a clue” section be able to answer any clothing-related question a guy like me might have, they will also be able to answer the questions we are afraid to ask. We can’t ask a normal sales clerk things like, “Will this help me look good for my date tonight?” or “What should I wear to get noticed by good-looking women?” or “What should I wear to get noticed by good-looking men?” And the staff of the “Guys who don’t have a clue section” will be able to answer those questions.
Store managers need to understand that a lot of guys are clueless when it comes to shopping for clothes. And I think a lot of them would benefit and enjoy the “Guys who don’t have a clue” section. I know I would.
