The 7 style mistakes all guys make

celeb_2006 · October 4th, 2009, 07:09 PM

The 7 Style Mistakes All Guys Make - Yahoo! Shopping

Can you really blame a guy for wearing his jeans a bit too high on his waist? For grabbing a dress belt that’s not quite a dress belt? For not knowing what the heck collar stays are? Well, no. But we can offer advice that that will prevent him from suffering these flubs again, while guaranteeing better style for life.
Mistake 1: The Schlumpy Leather Jacket

Problem: There's nothing modern-or even retro-cool-about a leather jacket that fits like a rain poncho.

Solution: When trying on a new leather jacket, keep going down a size until you can't get it on, then buy the next size up. It should feel snug as a wetsuit but will take your body's shape over time. The coolest style right now? The bomber you see here.
Jacket, $1,695, by Dolce & Gabbana. Shirt, $375, by Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiére. Khakis, $48, by Dockers. Shoes, $488, by Brooks Brothers Peal & Co.
Mistake 2: The Barack Obama Jeans

Problem: Whitewashed high-waisted jeans aren’t just dorky—they also emphasize all the wrong parts of your body.

Solution: Medium-rise raw denim jeans sit at the most flatter place (on your hips), follow your legs (instead of saddlebagging out from your waist), and form-fit to you as you break them in. Oh, and while you’re at it, replace the Seinfeld-esque running shoes with some lace-ups or classic sneaks.
Jeans, $90, by Martin + Osa. Sweater, $100, by Uniqlo. Shirt, $40, by H&M. Shoes, $560, by Alden. Watch by IWC.
Mistake 3: The Cheap Printed Tie

Problem: Let’s pretend this tie isn’t a little ugly. And tied too long. It still isn’t working. Why? A cheap thin silk tie gets you an unacceptably tiny knot.

Solution: Go for a sturdier silk tie, which’ll make for a solid knot. Plus, keep any patterns understated. Also, a quick note on length: The tip of your tie should not hang below the waistline of your pants.
Tie, $135, by Ralph Lauren Black Label. Shirt, $360, by Etro. Pants, $280, by Acne. Tie bar by Kenneth Cole.
Mistake 4: Sagging Suit Pants

Problem: Just bought a cool skinny suit? It ain’t cool if it stacks up at your ankles like baggy jeans.

Solution: Take your suit to a tailor and tell him you don’t want a break. Those are the words you should use: “I want this suit hemmed with little or no break.” Period. Remember: Tailors are used to working with guys who don’t know what they want. Be assertive so he understands that you’re after a specific look and don’t just want “the usual.”
Suit, $1,095, by D&G. Shoes, $395, by Calvin Klein Collection.
Mistake 5: The Pancake Collar

Problem: When you're not wearing a tie, the collar on your dress shirt flattens out and sinks beneath the lapels of your jacket. The look? Sloppy.

Solution: First, look for dress shirts with firm collars that stand up on their own., framing your face. Second, use collar stays. You know, those little plastic things. Every proper dress shirt has slots for them.
Shirt, $150, by Thomas Pink. Suit, $1,195, by Emporio Armani.
Mistake 6: Right Suit, Wrong Belt

Problem: You want Tiger Woods's swing, not his style, especially when wearing a suit. A silver-tipped faux cowboy belt is not a dress belt. If you've got one, retire it.

Solution: Invest in a high-quality leather belt that's an inch to an inch and a half wide. If it smells and feels buttery, that means it'll age beautifully. And the buckle should be subtle.
Belt, $69, by Club Monaco. Shirt, $370, by Marc Jacobs. Pants, $195, by Boss Black.
Mistake 7: The Oversize Suit

Problem: You invested in a dark handsome suit, but you look a little...eh in it. Know why? It's a size too big, and all that extra material is boxing (shoulders), sagging (waist), and flopping (ankles).

Solution: Repeat the leather-jacket method from the opening page. When trying on a suit, keep going down a size in the jacket until it gets uncomfortable. Then go one size up and buy that. And unless you’re over six feet two, buy a regular length, not a long.
Suit, $1,395, and shoes, $395, by Calvin Klein Collection. Shirt, $360, by Etro. Tie, $150, by Black Fleece by Brooks Brothers.

witchcurlgirl · October 4th, 2009, 07:13 PM

This is pretty good advice. I hate baggy suits, and pants that are too long and bunch up. The collar stay tip is good too.

But don't start calling them 'Barack Obama Jeans' just yet. The poor guy made a mistake, as long as he doesn't keep doing it, we'll still call them mom jeans.

kingcap72 · October 4th, 2009, 07:36 PM

I've never run into any of these problems. I hate leather, so I never wear it. I don't wear high-waisted jeans, cheap ties, saggy suits, etc.

@ the Barack Obama jeans.

angelais · October 4th, 2009, 08:53 PM

I hate fat dudes that wear pleated dress pants.

Grimmlok · October 4th, 2009, 09:37 PM

uhhuh... fat guys in "just barely fits" shit is not a good look. I love how the article assumes guys are all 150 lb twinks from planet NEVER EATS

A*O · October 4th, 2009, 09:37 PM

There's a "fashion" trend here for guys to wear nasty white or pale grey/cream shoes with dark suits. The Spring Racing Carnival is coming up and they will be out there in force looking like idiots.

Grimmlok · October 4th, 2009, 09:40 PM

i'm sorry, but none of these men look comfortable. If they reached for something in a cupboard, their shirt would rip.

There's a good git, and then there's skintight.

A*O · October 4th, 2009, 09:45 PM

All the "after" outfits are designed for maximum crotch enhancement. What's wrong with a good old fashioned rolled up sock in the jocks?

DolceVita · October 4th, 2009, 09:45 PM

These rules are too rigid. If I had a boyfriend he could wear what he wanted except leather or UGGS - men don't suit them.
A man I talk to at the moment is quite slim and tall so would probably suit most outfits.