Attack of the Epaulets

Attack of the Epaulets – Jacket $178 | Sweater $68 | Cardigan $88

I think we’ve all fallen victim to a trend or a fad.  It’s easy to do, and costly in the long run.  The key is spotting them in advance.  That way you won’t mindlessly end up with a closet full of polo shirts that have collars that are oh-so-perfect for “popping.”

The latest fad to be aware of is military design inspired men’s clothes.  More specifically, the tacking of epaulets on the shoulders of everything.

Gap, Kenneth Cole, Express.  They’re all doing it.  And the speed in which epaulet adorned clothes have proliferated is stunning.  Now epaulets can absolutely look great in their classic form.  On trench coats, other outwear, and some work shirts.  But they’re now on everything, everywhere.  It looks forced.

It seems every designer on the planet decided to refresh their men’s line with epaulets.  Remember last year’s new shirt?  Put some epaulets on it.  Got a new cardigan to sell?  Put epaulets on it.  And now blazers?

My epaulet epiphany was generated by the above “tuxedo jacket.”  When I saw it in a local Express Store I was genuinely surprised at how ugly it was.  It’s this bizarre Frankenstein-ish hybrid of two things that didn’t belong together.  Shiny going-out blazer with epaulets, double button breast pockets, and large lower buttoned pockets.

It’s the Liger of the blazer world. Just because it’s possible, doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.

Where are they going to stop?  Who knows.  But guaranteed it won’t be before some guy wearing an epaulet adorned shirt, under an epaulet adorned sweater, puts on his epaulet adorned blazer and heads out on a date.