“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” — Mark Twain

David Hall, men's fashion columnist for Go!

My name is David, and I sell clothes. But let’s get one thing straight: I am not a fashion guy.

I am as baffled by the runway as I am by a silent film or a French restaurant upon first visit. And while I can be caught watching “Project Runway” with my wife, you would be hard-pressed to get me out of my favorite pair of jeans.

What I have come to understand, however, is that clothes, to a very certain extent, do make the man.

I grew up here in the Midwest; we were in and out of our “Sunday best” before lunch. My mother combed my hair, and my father told me to stand up straight. They both worked their way through college, and my grandparents had lifelong careers in a southern Missouri shoe factory.

So at first glance, I really may have grown up as far from fashion as anyone.

But I really believe that men’s style has survived in spite of fashion, and more as a result of the values we call our own here in the middle of our country. While trends may dictate minor changes in the details, men’s style has always been rooted in its timelessness. Turn on any episode of “Mad Men” and you’ll see right away that men’s style hasn’t really changed over the last 50 years (and even longer, for that matter).

So for us guys, it is really all about finding those quality staples in a wardrobe that are versatile and built to last a lifetime. That great pair of boots, the perfect-fitting jacket, a pair of jeans you can beat up and break in — it really doesn’t take a closet full of options to give a man great style.

And maybe most importantly, you don’t have to break the bank to look good. I am a young guy — heck, I am still paying for college — and I know what it means to really stretch a dollar for all its worth.

I think there are some keys to a wardrobe worth an investment, and there are plenty of other places to save a buck or two.

Every month I will set out to explore practical ways us guys can really bolster our wardrobe, regardless of where we are in life or what we do.

We’ll highlight great local spots to find what you need; we’ll talk about how things should fit, and how to spot great quality whether you are at a thrift store or the local boutique.

We’ve all heard the saying a thousand times: “Never judge a book by its cover.” But the bottom line is we’ve all done it, and our first impressions are undeniably visual ones.

Your appearance tells others who you are before you ever have the chance to open your mouth. Why not take the opportunity to have some fun with it?