Dapper dressers of the world show how to stand out in a crowd through elegance and posture

Citizen in  Havana, Cuba, 1933 – Photographer Walker Evans

Some men really stand out in a crowd with a mixture of style and most importantly: posture. I don’t much care for the meaning of the word ‘Dandy’ as defined in the dictionary: “a man who cares too much about his clothing and personal appearance.” It sound quite judgmental! A truly elegant man evokes an air of nonchalance as if his style is a mere casual expression of his inner refinement and something that comes naturally to him…

A “Sapeur” in Brazzaville, Congo – talk about standing out in a crowd…

I much prefer Charles Baudelaire’s definition: “Dandyism in certain respects comes close to spirituality and to stoicism” and “These beings have no other status, but that of cultivating the idea of beauty in their own persons, of satisfying their passions, of feeling and thinking …. Dandyism is a form of Romanticism. Contrary to what many thoughtless people seem to believe, dandyism is not even an excessive delight in clothes and material elegance. For the perfect dandy, these things are no more than the symbol of the aristocratic superiority of mind.” Take that, sloppy dressers!

A trio of young “Sapeurs”

An exceptionally active group of Dandy’s today live in Brazzaville, Congo and are known as “Sapeurs”. They  belong to ‘La SAPE’ (Societe des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elegantes) – one of the world’s most exclusive clubs. Members have their own code of honour, codes of professional conduct and strict notions of morality.

Elegant “Sapeurs”

Dandies are never stiff or contrived, their posture self assured without a whiff of arrogance and mostly good company, who does not want to be seen with such a man? In my world Dandy wins over Hipster every time!

An ever perfect Ralph Lauren suit