Ah the Playboy lifestyle. The envy of both men and women around the world. After all, who wouldn’t want to live the life of Hugh Hefner or James Bond?
Although the playboy lifestyle seems like an unattainable dream for many, it is one that most of us can achieve. So how can you live an enviable lifestyle, even if you’re not as rich as Hugh Hefner, or without a shady government agency backing you like James Bond?
To answer that, first we’ll need to ask….
What is the playboy lifestyle?
The image of a playboy is that of a gentleman who is typically rich, or financially comfortable, and who enjoys the finer things in life. This includes dining in gourmet restaurants, enjoying a perfectly mixed classic cocktail in a high end establishment, the company of beautiful women and regular international travel.
Often, those who live the playboy lifestyle will be presented as men who are typically ‘Alpha’ male. These men might be extremely charming and charismatic, and are likely dominant in social situations.
Playboys are also often pictured in a suit, usually with a sports car, helicopter or luxury yacht in the background.
But is this a realistic expectation for most men? And do you really need to be an Alpha male to enjoy the playboy lifestyle?
The tricks to being a playboy
You don’t necessarily need to tick all the boxes mentioned above. In fact, you don’t need to be anything other than the best version of yourself – although it helps to understand how to do that.
Wanna be a playboy? This is how…
1. Confidence
The single most important factor for a playboy is being confident. This is why ‘Alpha’ males seem to be so dominant – because they ooze confidence and even have a controlling charisma that can be overpowering. Don’t mistake this confidence for an unattainable personal skill.
How to get more confident?
- Take care of your appearance, no matter what your body type. This means you will need to work out to get your body in the best shape possible. Oh and get some new clothes too.
- Understand how to behave and talk in social situations. This is a special skill that few people truly master, but is one that can be huge for your personal confidence. Being calm and relaxed is the best way to explain this skill.
- Avoid people or situations that bring you down or damage your personal self-esteem. Not a party person? Well, don’t feel you have to do them – insead focus on small social gatherings. Friends are always mocking you? Drop them and get some new ones… It’s easier than you think.
2. Be a minimalist
A mistake that many make is thinking that the playboy lifestyle needs lots of brand names and exclusive logos. The truth is, most millionaires and billionaires don’t wear their wealth openly. In fact, some of the best known playboys of our age are quite simple in their tastes.
Just look at Roman Abramovich, Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos. Do you ever see them wearing a Dolce and Gabbana logo sweater, or rocking a pair of gold shades? Nope. These guys tend to wear simple muted colours that are simply stylish.
Don’t buy the most expensive sneakers or shoes, just because you think they’ll make you look rich.
And if you can’t afford a Rolex, why on earth would you buy one? A watch is a watch, and most people don’t give a shit about watches anyway.
Get a stylish second hand watch, or just get a smartwatch (they’re all the rage and way cooler than a Patek Phillipe – if you ask me anyway). Better still don’t wear a watch, cos playboys don’t care what time it is.
The basic style rule: keep it simple.
Check out our guide to being a minimalist here.
3. Be in the right places
Rappers head to St Tropez or Miami to hang out on their billion dollar yachts. Lifestyle influencers pop up in Dubai or Singapore, rocking their flash lifestyles all over Insta.
Ignore that shit. Trust me.
There are way better parties that you’ll be able to actually enjoy for a fraction of the budget in some of the coolest places on the planet.
We’ve got a list of some of the best places to enjoy the Playboy Lifestyle on a budget. But don’t assume that means cheap. We just mean you’ll get a lot more fun for your money in Bangkok, Medellin, Bali or Montenegro, than you will in Las Vegas, Monaco, Shanghai or Abu Dhabi.
Put simply, if you want to live the playboy lifestyle and travel to glamourous places, pick the places with party that don’t cost the earth. And hey, Mr Playboy… That might be right there in your back yard.
4. You don’t need to show off
OK, look, we get it. We live in the era of social media, so you want enviable images of you being a playboy on your social feeds.
But here’s the thing.
If you want to be a playboy, you don’t do it for other people. You don’t live that lifestyle for the Instagram likes.
You do it because you want to enjoy life.
You want to explore, enjoy and make the most of your time.
So there is no need to splash the cash because you think you need to (ever see James Bond pay for a round of drinks in a casino?). And there is no need to worry about what your social feed looks like.
Just have fun. The rest will follow.
5. Get the girls?
If you’re looking at how to live like the original playboy, Hugh Hefner, well yes… He did have a lot of gorgeous girls by his side constantly. And in fact, any Hollywood Star, Football players like Cristiano Ronaldo or men of success do tend to attract beautiful women.
I’ll admit, their fame, good looks and riches do make it easier. But for you?
- Be fun.
- Be genuine.
- Don’t be a weirdo or a creep.
- Smell good (this means wash regularly, not take a bath in Creed cologne)
- Look stylish without looking like a billboard for a designer brand (like a rockstar, bro!)
- Understand how to make a move without scaring her off, and don’t worry if you do scare her off (plenty of other fish).
- Don’t mistake confidence for arrogance.
- Avoid excessive drink or drugs.
I can’t stress how important those first two are. If I had to offer any advice to a man about how to be a playboy – it is just go out and have fun. Find your good time. The rest will follow.
6. Cars, jetskis etc
It’s true that a key part of the playboy image is enjoying fast cars, bikes, helicopters and jetskis.
Not all of us can afford a Lambo, so don’t assume that this makes you a fail on the playboy front. Not at all. You can always hire a supercar when you’re travelling, as a fun way to splash the cash.
Or, charter a yacht with friends for a day or more. There are lots of great ways to hire a luxury yacht, such as Sailo.com.
You can even hire a private island! (yes really)
Just get out there…
So now you know what is a playboy, and what is the playboy lifestyle. Brush up on your man skills and you’re good to go…
It also helps to have money, of course. So check out our guides for getting started with your own business or freelance job or investments.
