Dave Bowden, Author at Irreverent Gent

Quick Hit: An Introduction to Meditation

As someone prone to over-thinking and anxiety, I find meditation particularly helpful for slowing me down and making me feel more calm, cool and collected.

Instant Upgrade:
Uniqlo Merino Wool Sweater Review

Let’s go over what makes for a good v-neck and the (many) factors that make Uniqlo’s merino wool sweater one of the best value vees on the market.

Facing Your Fears & Learning to Leap with Keith Lai, Founder of FitMole.org

In our inaugural Profile in Confidence, Keith Lai of FitMole.org discusses overcoming fears, jumping into your ambitions and the best way guys can build self-confidence.

Look Good, Feel Good: How Dressing Affects Your Attitude and Confidence

The clothes don’t make the man, but they can sure as hell make him feel better about himself. Find out how your style can strengthen your self-confidence.

How to Become More Social: 13 Ways to Power Up Your People Skills

For shy guys, it’s kind of the holy grail – but it doesn’t have to be. Find out how to become more social and break out of your shell.

Quick Hit: Techniques for Talking to Strangers

I’m a big fan of The Atlantic. (Intellectual humble brag!)

I particularly like what they’ve been doing with their video series If Our Bodies Could Talk, in which Dr. James Hamblin explores various issues pertaining to both physical and mental health.

The Atlantic‘s official description calls Hamblin’s perspectives “off-beat,” but I dare say they’re downright irreverent. (No wonder I’m a fan.)

Check out their latest in the clip below, in which Hamblin interviews Kio Stark, author of When Strangers Meet, and learns how to randomly talk to people in a park.

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Dave Bowden

As the founder of Irreverent Gent, Dave shares smart style advice that helps guys look sharp, and smart-ass jokes that make them wish he’d just stick to advice. When not blogging, he loves working out, obsessing over the MCU (#ILoveYou3000) and pretending to know about wine when his wife takes him somewhere fancy.

How to Know if a Self-Help Book is Legit or Full of Shit, in 5 Easy Steps

With more than 500,000 self help titles on Amazon alone, men in search of self improvement need a strategy to sift through the shit.

Negative Thoughts Not Your Fault, Your Brain is Just an Asshole, says Science

According to science, the reason why negative thoughts come in mind so easily has little to do with you. It turns out your brain is just kind of an asshole.

How to Look & Feel Confident Wherever You Go:
Create a Personal Style Profile

What the hell’s a Personal Style Profile, you ask? The best way to make you feel comfortable, authentic and confident in your clothes.

How Superheroes Lie to You About Building Self-Confidence

Few influences affected my conception of personal development and self-confidence as profoundly as a fictional alien who wears his underwear on the outside of his spandex.

Why You (Think You) Want
to be Extroverted

What is the extrovert ideal? Why do introverts often feel insecure? And what does any of this have to do with Van Wilder, Gandhi, and Snooki? Find out!

Book Review:
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking

In “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking” author Susan Cain provides an exceptionally insightful look into the minds and lives of introverts.

Being The Man in the Arena

What a middle-aged mom from Texas taught me about being a man. (It’s not what you think.)

Instant Upgrade:
The Banana Republic Luxe Touch Polo

Find out why Banana Republic’s Luxe Touch Polo delivers the best bang for your buck—and how to snag one at a great price.

How to Get Your Ass out of Bed in 5 Easy Steps

Making the switch from perennial snoozer to morning master is easier than you think. Follow these five steps to bounce out of bed in the morning and start making the most of your day.

Steve Mc(F@&$%ing)Queen:
A (Wee) Bit of Reverence
for a Style Icon

Find out why they called him The King of Cool – and how you can dress like him.

Does Ghosting Someone Make You a Jerk?

The short answer is “not always!” But the long answer is “yep, pretty much.” Read this to discover the difference between the two.

My Origin Story & Mission Statement
(aka Why I Want to Help You Build Self-Confidence)

While it’s not nearly as exciting as Spidey’s origin, I thought I should probably reveal what compelled me to start this blog.

Want to Make Great Small Talk?

Discover exactly what to say.

Want to Make
Great Small Talk?