What to Wear for a Night Out

Kenneth Cole Video Style Guide – What to Wear for a Night on the Town

It happens to everyone.  There’s some occasion for a nice dinner out, then cocktails or a bar crawl afterward, and 90% of the guys out there won’t know what to put on.  They’re stuck in a blue jeans/untucked dress shirt/square toe shoe rut, and they can’t get out.  For the latest installment of Kenneth Cole’s Style guide, Brian from Kenneth Cole Productions design services tries to put a 30ish something fellow (who looks awfully weird in his suit by the way… doesn’t he?)  in a “bouncer-proof” outfit for a night out in the city.  What they got right, and what they got wrong, after the video.

What they got RIGHT:

The Jeans – Kenneth Cole New York 5-Pocket Denim $59.00

$60.00 is getting up there for a pair of jeans, especially since Levi’s 501s do the job just as well.  But the tonal stitching on the back pocket is a nice touch, and the Kenneth Cole Logo is there but not overly visible.  Nice choice for a night out.

The Watch – Kenneth Cole Touch Screen Black Watch $175.00

It’s fairly obvious that they’re pushing this new touch screen watch, and they’re pushing it hard.  That plug at the end is not real subtle.  But I’ll give Kenneth Cole this, it’s a nice looking outside of the lines casual watch.  Digital can never work in a more formal environment, but on a pub/club crawl this’ll stand out while fitting in.

What they got WRONG:

The Jacket – NO: Kenneth Cole Suit Jacket – $198 | YES: INC Slim Augusti Blazer – $69.98

That’s a suit jacket.  Notice how it seems too structured on the already stiff looking Brian, and thus, he looks completely unbalanced.  Suit jackets should be worn with matching pants.  Never jeans.  What you SHOULD wear with your jeans, is a lightly structured casual blazer.  Like this one from the Macy’s House brand INC.  It’s slim and cotton, but still dressed up enough for higher end establishments.  Slightly peak lapels give it extra character.  Plus, it’s a steal at less than half the price of the suit jacket.  How can you tell the difference between a suit jacket and a more casual blazer?  If it comes in chest sizes (like 38, 40, 42) it won’t go with jeans.  Stick with the S, M, L sized jackets and you’ll be good.  And one last critical point.  Never, ever… pop your jacket collar.  Ever.  Period.

The Shoes – NO:  K.C. City Vision Sneakers – $108 | YES: Aldo Mitchen Loafer – $69.98

For starters, looks like Brian from Kenneth Cole Design services picked out a shoe that’s available in one of their stores, but not on their website.  That’s just fine though, because if you want to “bouncer proof” your look, show up looking like you’ve got money to spend.  And that means no sneaks.  Grown ups with grown up money get treated well.  Grown ups also wear leather shoes, like these Mitchen Loafers from Aldo.  For only $70 these will help you pass the grade with the bouncer, and more importantly any women inside.

Shirt & Accessories – NO: Necklace/Bracelet, V-neck – $88.00 |  Yes: Fitted Oxford – $49.50

The Term “Douche Bag” is overused.  But sometimes there’s just not another word to describe a look.  There just isn’t a more appropriate way to describe an over accessorized, too-cool-for the room, embellished to the point of bedazzled young man wearing all that… junk.  Dog tags are for the military.  If you haven’t served and you’re wearing tags, you’re a poser.  Plain and simple.  Bracelets are for women and Johnny Depp.  Graphic V-Necks are for guys with low self esteem or overblown egos.  Just put on a fitted striped oxford and you’ll look great.  Want to get nuts?  Go for a micro-floral pattern.

One Final Very Big Question

For this one, I ask you to watch not just one video, but both videos.  They always do these in pairs, one style guide for the men, and the other for women.  Here’s the women’s version.  Give it a look.

She… looks amazing.  Now Ask yourself this:  Is the male subject from the Kenneth Cole Men’s style guide, wearing that, going to get that woman’s number?

No.  Not a chance.