Modesty is not a virtue.

I'm a pretty modest person. 

I realize that by saying that 

I'm likely negating the efficacy of the statement itself  -- alas...

I do believe that, thanks to my Wisconsin roots, I have an inordinate amount of pseudo-humility that manifests in the form of public self-depreciation. 

This does not fly in New York. 

Attend one "friendly" brunch / one casual "happy" hour, and it'll become clear very quickly that modesty is not your friend. In fact, self-importance is, in effect, "success", so far as I'm concerned. 

Because it's all relative, isn't it? "Success" itself is usually something we attribute to the work of others. And if it's in regard to ourselves, it's typically only in hindsight, when referring to a past accomplishment.

I don't believe that many of us, at least many of the folks in this city, truly consider ourselves ultimately successful, and I don't think many of us have reached (or will ever really reach) a single life goal. 

There's always something else- always something more. But to get there, you almost have to act as if you already have it. Drop enough names, cite enough accomplishments, state enough stats, and wear enough blazers, 

and you'll have the whole of New York believing rather quickly that you're somebody. 

dress: H&M, blazer: Zara, shoes: UO, bracelet: Ambrosio Jewelry

Which is strange. Because for a city so full of self-generated "significance", 

its residents still seem pretty receptive to that very strategy. 

So here's to throwing a blazer over whatever you're wearing, donning men's shoes, concealing your emotions via sunglasses, 

and telling people you're the founder & CEO of an inter-state blog based on sartorial psychology and trend analysis.

Cheers. 

DIY

dress 1: Addison, dress 2: Milly, blazer: Theory, blazer 2: Rebecca Taylor, loafers 1: Vince, loafers 2: Jeffrey Campbell, loafers 3: Sam Edelman

Photos by Victor Le