Antonio Centeno
Antonio Centeno is a former US Marine and a menswear and style educator. He studied clothing design internationally and is the President of A Tailored Suit. He also founded the Real Men Real Style YouTube channel, where he teaches style, grooming, communication skills, and related life skills.
This conversation was recorded as part of Life’s Secret Sauce’s original Expert’s Academy interview series.
About the Conversation
The discussion focuses on how style influences first impressions and why appearance can create immediate credibility. Centeno explains how clothing, grooming, and presentation affect perception, and how confidence often follows from being intentional about how you show up.
The interview moves through practical topics like how to build a wardrobe the right way, what to prioritize when buying shoes, and how to think about accessories. It also draws a useful distinction between manners and etiquette, framing first impressions as something created through both appearance and how you make others feel.
The tone is practical and direct. This is not about chasing trends. It is about building a reliable baseline: knowing what fits, understanding where quality matters, and creating a consistent “uniform” that supports the life you are trying to lead.
Key Themes
- First impressions and credibility
- The HALO effect and perception
- Wardrobe building and fundamentals
- Manners, etiquette, and social awareness
Highlighted Quote
“Etiquette are the rules in how we should interact with others. Manners are the way you make others feel. Always think about the other person to nail the first impression.”
Selected Notes
- How Centeno used the HALO effect to strengthen early impressions.
- The difference between dressing sharp and dressing expensive.
- What to look for when buying shoes and where quality shows up.
- Small talk basics and letting people talk about themselves.
- Manners as impact, etiquette as rules.
Recording
Why It’s Included
This conversation is preserved for its practical approach to style, confidence, and first impressions. Centeno’s perspective connects appearance to credibility without turning it into performance, and the discussion stays grounded in repeatable habits and fundamentals.
