Reacting to 10 Years of Outfits + Lessons Learned

Thanks to GRAMS(28) for sponsoring this video! Check out the City Sling right here: shop.grams28.com/brockmcgoff (save 20% with the code BROCKM20)
It’s been a little over 10 years since I posted my first fit pic to the internet. I wasn’t trying to be an influencer. In fact, when I first started, Instagram didn’t even exist, let alone TikTok.
I was just documenting my style journey on this thing called a blog, which - trigger warning to any Gen Z viewers - is like a website with words on it that you actually have to read. Eventually, I started teaching other guys what I was learning, not as a fashion expert, but more as a curious beginner.
And over the course of about a decade, I ended up writing hundreds of articles, and posting hundreds of videos and countless photos, creating an unintentional timeline of my personal style journey. In this video, I’m going to look back at some of these fits and give you my honest reaction and critique.
🎬 My Top 10 Favorite Videos
How to Dress Taller → • 10 Ways to Look Taller...
3 Types of Suits → • 3 Types of Suits: Off ...
Skinny Guy Style Tips → • 9 Style Tips for Skinn...
Neutral Colors → • The Best Clothing Colo...
Business Casual Style → • Business Casual for Me...
Shorts Length → • How Long Should Your S...
Subscription Boxes → • Subscription Boxes for...
Best Boot Color → • The BEST Color for Men...
Getting Rid of Clothes → • How to Get Rid of Clot...
How to Cuff Pants → • How to Cuff Your Pants...
🧍🏻My Sizes
I'm 5'6" with shoes on and about 125 lbs after dinner. I have a 35" chest; I usually wear XS tops and 28x28 pants (or 28x30 cuffed).
My best suit jacket size is 34 Short, but even 34S needs alterations (mostly shortening of the sleeves and jacket), so my best-fitting suits are custom.
👉 Find Me On
My Website - brockmcgoff.com/
Instagram - / brockmcgoff
TikTok - / brockmcgoff
Twitter - / mcgoff
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Contains affiliate links // Stay stylish!

[@BrockMcGoff]

👉🏻 You can get 20% off GRAMS(28) orders w/ this link and the code BROCKM20 at checkout: www.grams28.com/products/156-city-sling?ref=brockmcgoff

[@tychepi6576]

"chasing kids around more, my kids not just random kids" 🤣

[@BrockMcGoff]

Gotta be careful what you say on the internet nowadays 😂

[@davidcowan521]

Where is the tan Mac coat at 11min from? I want to find something similar

[@BrockMcGoff]

@@davidcowan521 it's long been discontinued, but I think Bonobos still makes something similar!

[@Noumenon11]

My man, Brock. You single-handedly taught me how to dress better. So much value over the years. I’m glad to have discovered your channel.

[@BrockMcGoff]

I'm glad to hear that, thanks for following along!

[@primermag]

"this one...sucks" SWIPE 😆 Great video!

[@BrockMcGoff]

Thanks duuude!

[@stephenmasciocchi1411]

5 years ago my style was all over the place. Mostly very casual with some prep thrown in for good measure. I then leaned into prep for a bit, but it was never 100% for me. I didn't hit my stride until knit polos had their moment in the sun, and they've become almost a personal uniform - knit polo, chinos, chukkas/Chelsea boots (very casual James Bond). Those polos also work well with shorts and boat shoes in the summer. It's not winter for very long where I live, but for those couple of months I really lean into turtlenecks and a tweed blazer. But it's funny you mention change - lately I've been thinking about more casual outfits, especially for summer. I might try a Madras shirt, or similar short-sleeve button up. And I got into white sneakers as well, and even some Vans. And even though I try and dress well for myself, people really do notice. I've become the "guy who dresses well" at work, and it's a confidence booster. Anyway, thanks for all the great advice and content over the years.

[@BrockMcGoff]

Very cool! It's interesting how one piece (knit polo, in your case) can have such an impact on your style. Keep it up!

[@patrick_jane2164]

I started following you when I started my style journey in 2018 and I still follow you today. Your channel had the biggest influence my style till today, so watching this and knowing you started in 2013 is like watching an old friend who I joined in the middle of their journey. And I felt nostalgic for all those photos. Thank you so much for everything, and please keep up the great work.

[@BrockMcGoff]

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words!

[@eyeheartsushi2212]

“I said ‘fit pic’”’😂😂😂

[@ScottWeissCFP]

Thank you for your help over years. Until I discovered your KZbin channel 2 years ago I had no idea I wasn't wearing proper fitting clothes nor did I know were to go to get them (I rarely used a tailor). I've actually had a lot of success with Peter Manning and some success with Ash and Erie although for me it has been hit or miss. My style leans preppy and sometimes rugged so I actually still like some of the pairings you've moved on from. I do really like the idea of paying attention to the recipes that work for you. Great takeaway!

[@BrockMcGoff]

Glad to hear that and thank you! 🙏

[@EffortlessGentTV]

Great vid and summary of lessons learned! They all ring v true for me too

[@BrockMcGoff]

Thanks B!

[@SunnyS717]

Your videos are quite helpful. Keep it up!!

[@BrockMcGoff]

Thanks, will do!

[@michaelosullivan3529]

Great synopsis of your style journey over the past 10 years or so and I thought a bit harsh on some of your comments Good to have you back on screen and looking forward to seeing what you have in store over the coming months

[@BrockMcGoff]

Thanks for that!

[@naveensabesan]

Thank you for inspiring me to dress better Brock! And I look forward to more! Cheers from India.

[@BrockMcGoff]

Cheers!

[@Theo-ul8qm]

Enjoyed the video Brock! If you don't like knit polos you've probably not tried a linen one. Or one in very light cotton. I love them for the summer and they really keep you cool in my experience.

[@BrockMcGoff]

Noted, thanks for the tip!

[@MultiCHevyCHase]

hello Broc,would you recommend stetson driver cap with pendleton colton coat alto mesa? slim guy. thank you very much

[@jaybutlershoes1702]

Thanks for the shoutout. Nice job humbly reflecting on outfits of year's past. Keep the videos coming Brock.

[@BrockMcGoff]

Thanks, Justin!

[@styloggers]

the one with the camel coat looks outstanding. Love your outfit style👏👏

[@joshuagomez2803.]

Always like the way you combine your clothes for short people and your incredible fashion style over the years🧣😎

[@BrockMcGoff]

Thanks, Josh!

[@rafael-rossi]

Really cool to see your style journey, and the honesty on each look is refreshing, although I do think I are too hard on yourself, my dear sir. Keep it up!

[@BrockMcGoff]

Thank you, Rafael!

[@TomRoot]

You look great! What's that brown top you're wearing?

[@JC-tg5xx]

We all come a long way, im working on my wardrobe too, going for something minimal, small and easy to mix and match, suitable for my needs, getting ths right fit is pretty tough tho

[@BrockMcGoff]

You got this!

[@liudizzle]

So funny hearing you critique yourself over the years, I would never dare go back to look at my cringey style back in the day!

[@rafaelleonmiranda8386]

Hello from Puerto Rico . Blessings .

[@BrockMcGoff]

Same to you!

[@TheGreektrojan]

I agree with your takeaways, particularly 3 and 4. I think a hallmark of the original online menswear movement was the notion of 'timeless style' which turned out to be less timeless than we thought. To be fair, internet culture 1.0 was very into the idea of finding the ideal/perfect/optimal in everything and we've come to find out that life isn't quite that simple. Learning the principles, experimenting and adapting as life circumstance, age, culture etc... change is a good thing.

[@BrockMcGoff]

Yeah well said! I think both things can be true: there are “timeless” (or maybe “enduring” is a better word) styles/garments/fits, but the concept was taken too far, largely for marketing purposes. We seem to be entering into an anything goes era where intention matters just as much as aesthetic. I think it’s pretty cool! I also think it’s fine to wear #menswear fits for the rest of your life. Whatever makes you happy 👍🏻

[@mrmidnight8975]

Your videos are very informative and I do learn a lot . Thanks ☺️…..On a fun side note 3:53 that coat fit is making it seem like three kid stack over and pretending to be their dad😅

[@officepatina]

What jacket are you wearing in the video? It looks great

[@serenityai4777]

"It’s a corduroy overshirt from Proper Cloth."

[@HeritageCast]

Very fun. I will push back on the vest. If its tweed, or a Waistcoat then yes. But the plastic nonsense absolutely not. Its fast fashion that has destroyed all of mens and womens clothing....

[@BrockMcGoff]

I think you can find fast fashion versions of anything these days, but you can also find high quality versions of casual vests (quilted, waxed, etc.). Think brands like Barbour, Patagonia, etc.

[@Christopher-today]

Hey Brock, great time to ask you another colour question. Everything I read says do not match 2 Navy items together and while I totally agree on things like pants and sports jackets or suit separates I actually don't see an issue with say navy chinos and a non matching navy t-shirt or sweater. Isn't it a good mono chromatic look? What am I missing? Thanks as always, Christopher

[@BrockMcGoff]

It can look a little bit off if the blues aren't different enough. Do you have any examples?

[@danielseneca3404]

What jacket are you wearing?

[@BrockMcGoff]

It’s a corduroy overshirt from Proper Cloth.

[@brandonkmetz379]

Where’s that corduroy jacket from?

[@BrockMcGoff]

Proper Cloth

[@SimonChambers]

Thanks for this video- very interesting to hear your thoughts on your style journey and see how you've grown and changed over the years! I have been looking at GRAMS(28) and at Carl Friedrik for a new briefcase- do you have an opinion as to which is a better piece? Thanks for your input! In terms of my own style evolution, in 2018 I got a promotion to director at work, and decided that I should stop dressing like a teenager or youth worker (which was my early career path) and start dressing like a middle aged senior manager. So I began to learn more about classic mens style, which led me to KZbin and channels like yours. Then during the pandemic I lost over 50 pounds and got in much better shape, and had to replace my whole wardrobe. So I have shifted it to be a lot more tailored than before, with suits/sports coats and trousers being a lot of what I wear, or knitwear. I think I'm going to be happy in this style for the rest of my career (15 or so years til retirement), but who knows what the future will bring! I'm just glad I have learned about myself and what looks good on me, and am now dressing as I want in ways that are appropriate for my position but true to myself.

[@BrockMcGoff]

Thanks! Can’t go wrong with either brand but Grams (with the 20% discount) might be more bang for your buck.

[@SimonChambers]

@@BrockMcGoff Thanks! I've been thinking similarly. I really like both, but don't need 2 briefcases :)

[@BrockMcGoff]

Congrats on your weight loss btw, that’s impressive!

[@SimonChambers]

@@BrockMcGoff Thank you! It was 18 months of hard work, but it was worth it! :)

[@user-lp1dv7yo3o]

I love this video for many reasons. It’s a snapshot into a man’s journey of self-discovery. It’s a reminder that the journey matters more than the destination. It’s a reminder that the journey never ends and is not really supposed.

[@jewelbency5072]

You being disappointed in past you is funny af XD

[@BrockMcGoff]

😂

[@philvantol]

Waiting with bated breath for your take on classy jiu jitsu gis.

[@BrockMcGoff]

Ngl I'm mostly no gi these days hah! But I do have a couple of gis in the rotation (nothing new or special though).

[@KL-fb7ty]

I've been watching your vids for a long time. Personally I like your old content better than your newer stuff. I think it was more authentic. The real you. The person came through. It wasnt weird at all. It was charming. You were a likable kid. Shyness also demonstrates human modesty and respect for others. I never went for the updated reimagined guy or gal...the new hair thing, cool shades or pricey shorts ...because the stunning beauty of the human soul, particularly in people that naturally radiate inner beauty - and you do - gets clouded over. I say keep doing your thing but never underestimate the real you. Dont cloud it out. It should be about how good ideas place people on a pedestal not people fitting into the new updated look or fad. Just my two cents.

[@BrockMcGoff]

Thank you! Interesting comment. I actually feel much more "myself" now than I did 5-10 years ago. You can really see it in my early videos. I'm trying to be high-energy like an Aaron Marino (great guy, but much different personality). Now I'm okay with being laid back, calm, unrushed. Probably just what happens as you get older and settle into your personality.

[@ryanhallstrom6680]

Hey KL, hope you're having a good day. For what it's worth, here's my two cents: I know firsthand that Brock's the same off-camera as he is on-camera. The person you see here on KZbin is exactly the same person in "real life" - a genuine guy who does his best to help people.

[@lzoshan]

Hello Brock! Namaste from Nepal 🇳🇵. You’ve been a person I look upto for style inspiration. Most creators and style enthusiasts are on taller than average (6'+) side. You’re still taller than me but it’s nice to see more outfit inspirations from someone with the modest height. P.S. Congratulations on your new journey after selling your business. Looking forward to keep being inspired in my *sartorial* journey.

[@BrockMcGoff]

Wow, thank you!

[@JakeSmith-jy1kx]

Number 1 thing I learned from this video: I hate those green driving mocs! (But love pretty much everything else)

[@aradoran]

Brock does not own one singular belt.

[@carolinefiller3745]

I don't like boatshoes either anymore

[@mjdm1925]

427,000 subscribers and less than 10,000 views. Something is not right here. Maybe the views and subscribers are not organic?

[@BrockMcGoff]

Subscribers don't matter on KZbin anymore. YT only shows your videos to ~5% of your subs. Most views are from non-subs. This video was never going to do well, but I wanted to make it anyway.

[@googleaccount065]

Brock... Just upload cheap 34 mm watch information...