No, I haven’t let this blog die. I need to get motivated to write again. So here goes.
Over the years and recently as well, I have received messages from guys who have complimented me on how I appear in boots and leather and comment on their personal concerns about wearing this gear.
No, contrary to fears, most people (at least those who are civil and educated), will not look at someone wearing boots or perhaps leather jeans and say something uncomplimentary.
In my experience dating back more than 40 years, actually…
…the opposite has occurred.
To this day, I hear, “hey, man, cool boots” or “nice leathers” or even some times guys stop and ask me where I got the boots or gear.
There is something that happens when you pull on a pair of boots and/or leather jeans, or both.
It makes you feel more confident. Strong, assured, secure.
It is one’s own insecurities that causes a guy to feel fearful about “what other people will say.”
Trust me, they won’t.
And if you have to worry about what others may say, then you should do two things:
1. Ask yourself, “so what? What does it matter? Will the world end? Will I lose stature in the community?” Honestly, the more self-confident you are, the more you don’t give a shit about what other people’s opinions are. After all, they’re just opinions that can easily be put into the verbal trash can.
2. Wear your gear anyway. Stand tall. Walk confidently and hold your head up and look people in the eye. Fearful people slouch and do not make eye contact. Go about your daily life — shopping, visiting, eating out, whatever you do.
Honestly, you do NOT need a motorcycle (or a horse) to use as an excuse to wear the gear.
Life is short: as the commercial goes, “just do it.” (Or quoting a really old commercial of the ’70s, “Try it! You’ll like it!”)
Yeah most people wouldn’t say anything negative when someone wears something that they like. If there were people that talk negatively about it, it would be the small percentage that have nothing to do in their life. Same applies to the high school that I go to. Most people don’t care about what I wear or want to wear. I have 1 or 2 classmates that care a lot about what people wear and get angry at me when I want to wear tall boots because he thinks boys wearing tall boots will make them look like a soldier which isn’t true unless if someone dressed as a soldier. I ended up ignoring that type of comment from him after I have enough of him screaming at me for wanting to wear tall boots because I know it isn’t true. Things I learned from a peaky blinders post was to speak less, listen more, react less and observe more and with this blog combined which made me let go of my insecurities.
From my personal experience I can agree with BHD. I have been wearing boots and leather jeans to events such as concerts, eating out, etc., since the 1980s. I also wore leather pants at work in the office until retirement, not only when riding my motorcycle. Nobody cares. So if you like it, wear boots and leather. It doesn’t attract a lot of attention from other people.
Exactly. The only people someone would attract when wearing boots or other stuff someone else likes is the people who got nothing to do and care too much about what others are doing. People like this are a small percentage and they need to deal with themselves if they got a problem with what others are doing. I also told my friends that if they like what they are wearing then wear it no need to stress about what others think.
Well put, looks great. Love your site and always check in on the blog every once in a while.
I’m reminded of what an old lady said to me about her… extravagant… hat at a wedding, “If it suits the wearer, bugger the starer”.