So, you’re looking for style help and have no idea who I am…
Hi, I’m Peter Nguyen
According to Esquire magazine, I’m a “personal stylist and founder of The Essential Man.”
But if you ask me, I’d tell you that I help men look really fucking good. (Really! It’s even on my business card.)
My motto here at The Essential Man?
When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, good things happen.
There’s a billion men’s magazines, style blogs, Youtube “experts,” and Instagram influencers out there.
I bet you’re thinking, “Why should I listen to this Asian guy with the really cool haircut?”
20 years in the men’s fashion industry
Before The Essential Man, I spent over a decade helping guys look good in a different way — as a menswear designer.
After studying Fashion Design at the prestigious Parsons School of Design, I found myself working for CFDA/GQ Award (think “Oscars of fashion”) winning companies. I even ran my own clothing line specializing in leather jackets.
You might have seen some of my designs on guys like Ryan Gosling, Drake, and Kevin Hart.
In 2015, I left the fashion design world to start styling high-end private clients in the tech world.
Since then, I’ve been featured by places like GQ, Esquire, Wall St. Journal, and Vice as a style expert.
I demystify real style for regular guys
I started The Essential Man because I was annoyed with all the bad style advice men were getting from magazines, blogs, and random “influencers.”
Do you care what Justin Beiber wears when he gets a green smoothie?
No? Me neither. (Also, green drinks are such a scam!)
My goal is to help guys who just want to look good without spending hours shopping.
Guys who are sick of wasting money on the wrong clothes.
Guys who feel frustrated trying to figure out how things should fit them.
Guys like you.
“Peter is a consummate professional in what he does…he brings humor and a personal touch to men’s styling.”
Image via Esquire
My Style Philosophy
Everyone can look good.
You don’t need to be a 6’1” European model with 8% body fat to look good in clothes. Some of my clients have included a 5’1” powerlifter, a 65-year-old retired tech CEO, and a former college basketball athlete. Hell, I’m a 5’7” Asian guy with thick rugby legs. Tall. Short. Lanky. Big. White. Black. Trans. Everyone can improve their style. (See some of my client transformations here.)
You don’t need a lot of clothes to do it.
I’ve helped digital nomads create capsule wardrobes that fit in their carry-on bags. Just like how most songs are made up of the same 4 chords, you don’t need as many clothes as you think! (Disclaimer: despite my magic, you’ll need more than 4 pieces of clothes.)
You don’t need to buy all designer clothes.
I shop for my clients the way I shop for myself. I invest more on things I love — like bad-ass leather jackets, ridiculously soft cashmere, and cool sneakers. For everything I don’t care too much about, like t-shirts and socks, I go entry-level. (If that were true, celebs would dress better.) Great style isn’t about spending the most money.
Great style is simple.
You don’t need to keep up with trends to look good. Most of my clients have never picked up an issue of GQ. There’s a reason why a white tee, jeans, and a leather jacket looks just as cool now as it did in the 1950s. Great style is simple and timeless.
It’s ok to want to look good.
Why does a margarita taste extra delicious on a beach in Tulum? Because of the beautiful view! We want our hotel room to be amazing, our car to look slick, our food to look delicious, because we know it changes our experience. So why not ourselves? I believe that when you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, good things happen to you.
Here’s what I mean…
Check out some of my client transformations
Ok Peter, I’m ready. I want to look good
Here’s what you can do next.
I help guys like you in a few ways.
1-on-1 Private Personal Styling I offer a fully personalized, 1-on-1 styling service for select clients. You’ll be working directly with me as I help you discover and develop your unique personal style. I offer both virtual and in-person packages. You can learn more about them here.
Online courses Love doing things at your own pace? I now offer self-guided style courses. (800+ students and counting!)
My free weekly newsletter I write an extremely popular newsletter where I share seasonal style tips, weekly shopping recs and deals, and the occasional cocktail recipe. If you sign-up, I’ll send you 3 of my best style guides for beginners, absolutely free. Click here to get the 3 freestyle guides.
Welcome to The Essential Man!
Peter Nguyen, Founder & Stylist at The Essential Man