Men’s Fashion Tip for June

First, I realize that many, many men do not like to think about fashion.  I don’t know how many times I’ve heard them say “I just wear what is comfortable,” or “I don’t want to expend the energy thinking about my clothing.”  These statements seem to stem from the mistaken belief that something like “fashion neutrality” exists.  Well, men, it doesn’t.  Everything we wear is a statement.  You may not be thinking about that statement, or you may not want to, or you may not be capable of thinking about it.  I don’t know.  But if you refuse to put forth the effort to think about what you’re wearing (something that really takes almost no effort), you’re probably broadcasting to the world that you refuse to do other, more important things.  And while no one wants to look terrible all the time, mistakenly aiming for “fashion neutrality” is the surest way to achieve a disastrous image that will be prejudicial in just about any setting.  Also, remember that comfort is relative; it has to do more with being accustomed to an article of clothing than any objective cut or style.  (If you don’t believe me, switch styles for a month.  For the sake of experimentation, try wearing skinny jeans or something else radically different.  When the month is up I bet you’ll be more comfortable in the new style than the old one.) 

 

So, think about what you wear.  One way to start doing that, now that it’s late spring, is to not dress like an old man in 1995.  One of the most common articles of clothing I see on men at this time of year is the pleated pant.  Worse, I often see pleated khaki pants.  If you wear this type of pant, please STOP NOW.  It is hideous, and no matter how good you think you look, you’re wrong.  I understand that the dotcom boom of the late 90s made casual wear acceptable all over the place.  What I don’t understand is why that casual wear had to make everyone look fat and ugly.

 

Luckily, that was ten years ago.  Today it’s permissible to wear light, spring colors in relaxed cuts, without looking like you’ve got two hot air balloons around your legs.  So avoid pleats, as a pleat-less pant is slimming, professional, and athletic looking.  Also, be creative with colors.  Khaki is ugly.  It was designed, if my memory serves, for the British Army to wear in 19^th century India.  So if you’re in the British Military and stationed in India, go for it.  Otherwise, try something else.  I recently got a modern looking pair of brown pants that has a light pinstripe.  Those stripes make a huge difference.

 

Just remember, for a little bit of money at infrequent intervals you can look a lot better.  This translates into success in every field of life.  And remember, your clothes really are a statement.  There is no fashion neutrality.