You might be wondering what a lady could possibly have to say about men’s fashion, but let me reassure you that I spent two years working at Banana Republic, and in that time I sold a lot of men’s casual, professional, and semi-formal clothing. (Even if I currently spend most of my time in jeans and a hoodie haha.) I humbly offer some suggestions on dressing well in the work place.

Do not want:

• Pleats of any kind. It’s not the 80s. Pleats were originally to add comfort and ease of movement to pants when golfing, so if you’re off the golf course lose them.
• Blue pants (jeans excluded) with a black shirt. No no no no no. This makes you look like you got dressed in the dark or are color blind.
• Braided belts.
• Your phone on your belt. I know you’re important, but this is unnecessary and (along with the short sleeve dress shirt) screams middle management.
• The free polo you scored from some conference. The little logo in the corner just looks tacky, like you only wear shirts people give away. The exception to this would be the occasional use of a shirt with your own company logo when meeting with a client or at the office. (The company you work for now, not the one five years ago.)
• Short sleeve button down dress shirts. The exception to this is if you’re wearing a vintage or plain button down over a tshirt with jeans, and most definitely not tucked in.
• “Dress” sketchers. In addition to looking like the poor man’s doc martens these remind me of the teenager trying to shove cell phone plans down my throat at the mall. Lose the Steve Madden (and its derivatives) faux-sneakers too.
• Your chest. There’s nothing wrong with it, but in the work place I never need to see it. Wear an undershirt. If you’re out in a club then you can ditch the undershirt. Also, it makes you look kind of sweaty.
• An earring. It’s not the 90s. Plugs are fine if the rest of your look matches, but the hoop just makes you look like the office pirate.
• Shorts. Sometimes okay if you’re not at work. (This also covers man-pris)
• Slim pants, big shirt. Again makes you look like a pirate.
• Anything tucked into jeans.

Do Want:

• Tucked in dress shirts. If it’s long sleeved and buttons, tuck it in. The exception to this would be a night out on the town, or with jeans, though really the jeans and unbuttoned shirt look screams NJ Guido.
• Your pants at your real waist. Trust me, this is the most flattering place for them to lie.
• Shoes that match your belt.
• Socks that match your shoes.
• A stiff collar.
• The bottom button of your suit unbuttoned.

Bonus round:

• Do keep your facial hair well groomed.
• Avoid the chin only goatee, the chinstrap beard, and the soul patch.
• If your facial hair is very light, it’s probably a good idea to shave. If it’s so light I can’t tell you have hair on your face from 5 feet away, then you’re going to look really silly when I get up close.
• Do not completely shave off your sideburns.

There are of course exceptions to the rule I highly recommend The Sartorialist. There you can see pictures of the fashion forward (who frequently break the rules well) and every day folks who happen to dress nicely.

Also don’t forget, pants come in many different fits for a reason. There are different fits for different occasions and body types. In any decent store the sales person will be able to help you find what’s flattering for your body. And even though I don’t work there any more, I’ll throw out that Banana Republic offers free alterations on non-sale clothing. (Or at least they did at the time of my employment.) If you want to get some ideas on looking sleek, check out the latest ads from high end mens wear retailers, or pick up an issue of GQ, Esquire, etc. (Banana Republic again, Express though I wouldn’t really call them high-end, Brooks Brothers, Michael Kors) Also, get a manicure. You’ll enjoy it.

Friday, August 31st, 2007 at 10:29 am | Leave A Comment | Comments Feed
Filed under: Culture