Macks come in all styles, races and colors. They come from all cities and backgrounds, from the cornfields of Nebraska to the urban jungles of New York. And just as there are countless types of Macks, there are countless types of Mack fashion—hip-hop, preppy, older professional, surfer and punk rocker are just a few. A guy with a Mohawk who plays drums in a rock band can be as smooth with women as the buttoned-up corporate professional. It would look silly if either of these guys tried to adopt the other guy’s style of dress, yet each can be a Mack is his own right.

Developing and enhancing your style is a learning process. Much of your learning will come from visiting stores, browsing, trying things on and asking questions. We’re not going to suggest too many specific brands, because they might not be right for you as an individual. Besides, new brands are always coming out, and we want to encourage you to constantly explore new options. The fundamental message is this: your style should be the best possible reflection of you.

Every day, do you choose your clothes carefully and feel good when you’re dressed right or do you simply put on whatever clothes are comfortable or clean? If you fall into the latter category, it’s time for you to start putting more care into your choices. This might mean taking some risks and experimenting, which a Mack is never afraid to do. The Mack pack may include,

No tight jeans. (Rule of thumb: if they show your “bulge” even remotely, get rid of them.) Ditto for acid-wash jeans, unless you’re macking on chicks who still listen to Poison and Whitesnake. Restrictive clothing usually means restricted attitude. As a Mack, you should feel loose, comfortable, and ready for anything.

Holster your “guns.” If you hit the gym hard and have bulging muscles, we respect the effort. But don’t show off your biceps with cut-off sleeves or shirts that are two sizes too small. We can already tell you work out; walking around with flexed shoulders like you’re “carrying luggage” only makes you look like a goon. Gratuitous displays of muscle are going to turn off more women than they’re going to turn on. Better to save your physique as surprise, once you get intimate with her.

Ditch the Double Denim. Don’t try to match denim shirts or jackets with jeans. It looks like a missed putt every time.

No Cheap Shoes. When we say “cheap,” we’re not referring to the amount you paid. There are plenty of moderately priced brands, for both sneakers and dress shoes, that will look good with your outfit.

Many hammers have told us that the first two items they notice on a man are his shoes and his wristwatch. If these two items are on point, they know they’re dealing with a man who understands style. And don’t forget the comfort factor; you spend more than half of your life on your feet, and if you wear cheap shoes you will pay the consequences.

Cool it with the jewelry. If you hang with the bad boy rock n’ roll crowd, you can pull off an assortment of rings, chains, earrings, etc. But for most guys here are the maximums: two rings, one on each hand. One necklace. One bracelet on the right wrist and a wristwatch on the left. No more than two earrings. Even if it’s good jewelry, when a guy wears too much it cheapens the effect. It’s better to wear one nice item (a chain, bracelet or watch) than several items that are imitation gold or diamond. Women know when they see the real thing. And if you wear a chain around your neck, tuck it in. Unless you’re a rapper, guys with money don’t need to advertise it with excessive “bling bling.”

Rethink the baseball caps. There are, of course, exceptions to this rule. If ”hip hop” is your style of dress, then a ball cap can definitely work with your outfit. But if you’re a regular dude, don’t wear baseball caps when you go out at night. 99% of women really don’t care what your favorite team is. If you wear caps because you’re going bald, think about shaving your head altogether.

Re-assess your facial hair and hair style. A lot of guys have worn goatees or scruffy facial hair for years, and are attached to this “look.” Other guys believe a pony tail or long hair is part of their look. If you’ve had facial hair for as long as you can remember, we advise you to shave it and make a clean start.

In closing, any guy can look good in thousand-dollar suit. The Mack is the one who can dress down and still look good—whether he’s at the gym, chilling on the weekend, or at his job. That’s having true fashion skills.