It’s okay. You don’t have to be into fashion. Not everyone wants to be a Brooks Brothers stiff or a GQ model. That is entirely acceptable. That does not mean, however, that your clothing choices do not reflect who you are. All choices you make (especially with your clothing) have a strong impact on the people you meet, the business you do and the people you attract. Therefore, it is important to know the basics and how your clothing choices impact the way you are being perceived.
Luckily, a little effort goes a long way. Finding the right cut and color for your body type can be exhausting, and it might not be a priority for you. However, the key is to put in enough effort – no more, no less.
So, for all the gentlemen out there with little to no interest in fashion, these guidelines are for you. While some fashion experts might pull off occasional exceptions to all of these guidelines, these rules can help guide the most fashion inept gentleman into a successful outfit.
(Note to all you fashionable family members out there: Feel free to sneak a copy of these rules on to Dad’s desk, or post on your cousin’s Facebook wall. They might not tell you, but they will appreciate the awareness!)
COMMANDMENT 1: Thou shalt not wear white tube socks with shorts, sandals, dress shoes or with any shoes other than light colored sneakers.
Guys, you gotta cool with the socks. While white athletic tube socks can be comfy, they are too thick to be worn with anything other than sneakers. And never with shorts. Here’s the rules: Tube socks with pants, ankle socks for shorts. Black (athletic) socks with black sneakers, White with light sneaker. Non-athletic socks for all other shoes. IMPORTANT: If you are wearing sandals, no socks at all.
COMMANDMENT 2: Thou shalt not wear denim shorts, cut-off shorts, or cut-off denim shorts.
Straightforward and easy: Even if you buy them at the store, never wear denim shorts. They are the devil’s shorts. They do not look good on anyone. Also, never cut a pair of pants into a pair of shorts. They were born to be pants, let them die that way too.
COMMANDMENT 3: Thou shalt not wear underwear as outerwear.
When you by a pack of white tees, they are usually packaged next to briefs, boxers and boxer-briefs. This should be a strong indication that the tee is also an article of underwear. Would you wear your boxer-briefs in public? (The correct answer is no.) Therefore, you should never wear an undershirt as a normal tee. It’s underwear, dude.
COMMANDMENT 4: Thou shalt not wear a denim jacket with jeans.
There are exceptions to this rule, but only the savviest dressers know how to pull off the double denim look. Avoid the Canadian tuxedo by simply never wearing a denim jacket with a pair of jeans. Too much denim becomes a costume, not an outfit.
COMMANDMENT 5: Thou shalt not wear sweatpants outdoors.
Sweatpants are designed to be gym clothing – the most informal of clothing. Unless you are going to the gym, coming from the gym or MAYBE walking a dog, there is no reason to be wearing sweatpants out of doors. This includes sweatpants cut to look like other pants. Keep the sweatpants to the gym. Or maybe use them as pajamas.
COMMANDMENT 6: Thou shalt wear clothes (especially suits) that fit.
The most obvious commandment is probably the most broken. Suits are expensive, so many men do not want to spend extra money getting them tailored. However, our bodies change, and you should want your expensive suit to look good. Take your measurements. Pants should not squeeze you at the waist, you should not fear anything splitting when you bend over, and you should not rely on a belt to keep them up. Loose-fitting clothes are bulky and frumpy. Tight-fitting clothes usually make you look larger (and lumpier) than you are. Avoid the frumpy and the lumpy by putting in a little extra effort. Spend a few extra minutes and buy the pants that fit, get your suit tailored, and buy the button-up that is made for your body type.
COMMANDMENT 7: Thou shalt wear pants at the correct place.
No matter the size or style, wear your pants correctly. Do not wear them high above your waist above your naval. (The grandpa look) Do not wear them down around your hips. (The sag.) If you need a belt, get a belt. Wear your clothes correctly.
COMMANDMENT 8: Thou shalt only wear novelty and promotional tees as pajamas.
That Budweiser tee-shirt? Not appropriate for a party. That Hard Rock Café shirt you got in Borneo. Still not appropriate. No matter how much it cost you, or how proud you are of the service, a promotional tee-shirt makes you a walking billboard. Be yourself. Additionally, if you are no longer a teenager, avoid any tee-shirt with a sly slogan or joke on it. You should be old enough to make your own jokes.
COMMANDMENT 9: Thou shalt prepare clothes before wearing them.
Wash your clothes. Iron them. Take care of them. Cut the vents in your new suit. Wear collar stays to keep you collar straight. If they smell bad, do not wear them. They will only smell worse when you wear them. The care and effort we put into our clothes – just like the care we put into our bodies – is visible to everyone we meet.
COMMANDMENT 10: Thou shalt coordinate. (aka Thou shalt not clash.)
Perhaps the hardest commandment to master, coordination is key to any outfit. Do not mix patterns, and if you are unsure if something matches, assume that it does not match. Darker, solid color pants (navy, black, brown) are always a safer bet than lighter colors (including white) and patterns. Always match your shoes with your belt. For a safe bet, pair solid ties with patterned shirts and patterned ties with solid shirts. Lastly, never wear an outfit of only one color.
So with that, gentlemen, go forth, be yourself and look great doing it!
