Basic Fashion Do's and Don'ts

[jsinnola]

I have been searching online and have been hoping to find a basic fashion do and don't list for men. Things like what patterns can be mixed with suits, shirts, ties, etc...

How colors work together and the like.

Any suggestions?

 

[Britalian]

Originally Posted by jsinnola

I have been searching online and have been hoping to find a basic fashion do and don't list for men. Things like what patterns can be mixed with suits, shirts, ties, etc...

How colors work together and the like.

Any suggestions?

AAAC

 

[Etienne]

We could always compile our own.

I'll start: no black suits in a business setting.

 

[trogdor]

Fashion Dos and Don'ts: Do whatever GQ tells you. Style Dos and Don'ts: Do hang around here for a bit.

 

[AlanC]

Originally Posted by Étienne

We could always compile our own.

I'll start: no black suits in a business setting.

 

[Artisan Fan]

Do whatever GQ tells you.

Rule #1: Ignore GQ and Esquire and their trendy ideas. Instead go out and buy a book by Flusser and Boyer and get the real scoop.

Rule #2: Build a wardrobe of classic styles that will last many seasons. It's a better return on investment and you will look better for a longer span of time.

Rule #3: Buy dark brown shoes instead of black. They are more versatile.

 

[FLMountainMan]

No button down collars with suits
Never ever button the bottom button
No french cuffs without jacket
Match watch metal with belt buckle and cufflinksMatch watchband, belt, and shoes
Generally speaking, two solids and one pattern per outfit
Never ever ever button the top button of any shirt without a tie.
Don't match shirt to tie or shirt to suit
Never pay retail
Converselt, in clothing, you generally get what you pay for - quality shows

 

[Lucky Strike]

Absolutely no visible logos.

 

[cpac]

fit is far more important than any other detail (i.e. better a $299 suit that fits, than a $2000 one that doesn't).

 

[Artisan Fan]

Absolutely no visible logos.

Good one.

 

[pejsek]

As long as we define logo narrowly. The cut of a particular tailor, the stripe on a T&A shirt, Borrelli buttons, the hand-rolled hem of a Kiton shirt. The list could go on for a long time. All of these things are status symbols and to those with the proper knowledge give things away as well as any Burberry check.

 

[maverick]

...and monograms, too.

 

[Film Noir Buff]

Originally Posted by maverick

...and monograms, too.

 

[willi]

I see, the basics are mostly covered... Let me add some:
Mind matching colors.
No white Socks.
No Loafers or sneakers to a suit.
No short raincoats on top of a longer jacket.
No tank top shining through a shirt.
No silly ties unless you are in marketing or it is carnival.

And, most important of them all:
No imperatives with regard to fashion

Willi

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by FLMountainMan

No button down collars with suits
I like a BD with a suit from time to time.

Never ever button the bottom button

True of many things, but not all. 6x1 DBs? Formal vests?

No french cuffs without jacket

I would agree with this.

Match watch metal with belt buckle and cufflinksMatch watchband, belt, and shoes

Impractical. Are guys supposed to have two wedding rings?

Generally speaking, two solids and one pattern per outfit

Ah, the Mortimer Levitt rule: "Two plains and a fancy." Don't like it myself. I often mix two patterns, and sometimes even three.

Never ever ever button the top button of any shirt without a tie.

This nearly always, but not always always, looks bad. John Mark Carr may be the freshest icon for this style, but JFK did it well, as have a few others. Polos and knits only, I think. I certainly can't imagine it looking good with dress shirtings.

Don't match shirt to tie or shirt to suit

Match? Heavens no!

Never pay retail

Impossible to follow for those who like custom clothes.