American Apparel - $8

2010 has been the year of the bold striped sock.  It’s one of the easiest ways for a guy who’s not flashy… to flash a little bit.  But just a little.

People don’t see your socks all the time.  But when they do?  Instant character.  Wear them with chinos.  Wear them with jeans.  And yes, wear them with your suits.

Even if you shy away from the brighter reds, yellows, or greens, you can still drop some horizontal block stripes into your sock rotation with more muted colors.  (See B.R. and American Apparel)

When it comes to pattern, think of these the same way you think of ties… keep it simple.  Make sure your stripes are all the same thickness and not a smattering of razor thin and bigger block stripes.  The bar-code ankle look will never be a good idea.

From Left:
Gap Rugby Socks – $7.50
Tommy Hilfiger 2pk Rugby Stripe – $11.79
Banana Republic Bold Stripe – $10.50
Polo Ralph Lauren Rugby Stripe – $16.85

Not Shown:  Merona Bold Stripe Sock – $2.50 (not available online)

The easiest way to breathe new life into a tired old timepiece is to throw a new strap on it.  And the easiest way to breathe warm weather style into anything, is to add brightly colored stripes.

J. Crew has made a mint off of selling their Timex Military Watch and the seemingly endless options of watch straps that’ll go with it.  But you don’t need that Timex to utilize the sport inspired straps.

Just about any mall watch kiosk can quickly change out the straps for you.  Or better (and cheaper) yet, do it yourself.  The tools are cheap (click here), and this video is a perfect step by step on how to get it done.

Also available in solids.

So you’re headed somewhere in a blazer or cotton jacket, and you just don’t want to put your wallet in your back pocket.  You want to utilize a card case and a money clip, but your metal money clip is just a little too flashy.

Leather is the answer.

Leather and a sweet retro-stripe to be exact.  There are plenty of casual leather money clips out there, but these retro-stripe clips from the normally frumpy Eddie Bauer are a notch above the rest.  That stripe is a great touch.  Wearing the Dappered.com suggested ultra-cheap summer suit to a laid back party?  Why not pull this out when you’re tipping the bartender?

Of course you could always just shove your cash in your pocket, sans clip.  But what’s the fun in that.

Face it.  Guys and their clothes can be pretty boring.  Women can get away with wearing lots of color, but unless you’re an Italian playboy, that pair of red pants probably isn’t a good idea.

But adding a jolt of bright color with one (small) piece of an outfit can be a pretty cool looking way to mix it up.  Brightly colored socks, a striped tie with some volume, and what you see below.  Striped belts.

With Chinos – Ralph Lauren $31.99

Perfect for the upcoming warmer seasons.  When paired with traditional khaki or light gray, you get a sporty feel that won’t weigh you down like your normal thick leather belt.

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With Jeans – Rugby – $19.99

Your jeans are cotton, so is the belt.  Good for a casual Friday at work especially if you want to go extremely laid back and wear your Jack Purcel Converse.  Wear it with a “didn’t even iron it” button up and an unstructured blazer.

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With Shorts - AE Striped Belt – $19.50

Spending a summer weekend in the yard?  Your old shorts (even if they’re big floppy cargos) will look a bit more updated if you thrown on a belt with some character.

And all are great for keeping your pants up.

Heading out for a game of Touch Football?  Working the BBQ one last time even though it’s starting to snow?  Looking to put on something that’s super comfortable once you get home from work?  Here’s your sweater.

Big block stripes, a good selection of colors to choose from, and readily available at Macy’s.

I’m not totally sold on the contrasting stitching, and the collar might be awkwardly thin… BUT… worth a look for the price.

One of the great mysteries of the men’s style world is: Why the hell are simple ties more expensive than their busier brethren?

How hard is it for a mass retailer to make a tie that has a solid background, with ONE offsetting color of neatly placed stripes on it?

The navy blue tie with white stripes you see above is a prime example of a perfect necktie.  Simple, but not boring.  Classic, but not stuffy.  It’s also on sale for $69.00.  Regular Price?  An abhorrent $115.00.  Even on sale, almost seventy-bucks for a necktie is ridiculous.  But look at your other cheaper options, which can all be found at Macy’s:

………Alfani – $23.70…………. Donald Trump – $34.99 ………Kenneth Cole – $32.99………

The Donald Trump tie is getting there, but why are the thickness of the stripes different?  And somehow the usually dependable slick and clean Kenneth Cole label manages to screw the neck ware pooch.  Apologies for being an uppity snot, but when it comes to the tie from Alfani, I’d rather not have something around my neck that looks like I just puked fruity-pebbles all over it.

Simple is better.  But it’s also expensive.  Finding a simple tie for under $40 can be a challenge.  But if you do stumble across one you might want to consider snapping it up.  Because if you don’t, who knows when you’ll get that opportunity again.