Kenneth Cole Style Guide: Meeting the Parents

Kenneth Cole Video Style Guide – What to Wear when Meeting the Parents

Some people are extremely close with their family.  Others aren’t.  No matter which category your significant other falls into, it’s never a bad thing for their parents to like you.  And even if Mom & Dad and Child don’t get along the best, the parents will still be ready to judge every last inch of you the new guy, thanks to their offspring protection instincts.

Should meeting the parents be a nerve wracking experience?  No.  But it probably will be anyway.  KennethCole.com offers up their suggestions on how to look and more importantly feel relaxed and put-together for that all important first face-to-face with your betrothed’s parental units.

What the guys at Kenneth Cole got right, and what they got wrong, after the video.

I could give Brian at Kenneth Cole design services a hug right now.  Thank goodness he didn’t suggest sneakers.  Because wearing sneakers to meet the potential future Mom and Dad in-law would have sent the wrong message.  The entire video, from beginning to end, just felt better this time.  Didn’t it?  Let’s get started.

What they got RIGHT

The Shoes – Kenneth Cole New York Bottle Nose Suede Oxford – $168.00

Hip, hip… hoooooooray.  They didn’t go with sneakers this time.  But instead, an almost perfect suede cap-toe oxford.  And what’s truly unique about this subdued casual, is the toe.  It doesn’t look to be all blunt and clunky the way a lot of oxfords can be.  It’s summer, so skip socks.  Even with the parents there.  The woven rope (yes… rope) laces are a little much, but that’s a quick and cheap fix.  Unfortunately, at $170 there’s not much else about the shoe that’s cheap.

The Jeans – Kenneth Cole New York 5 Pocket Jean – $41.70 (reg. $69.50)

“The Dark Denim.  Works anytime day or night… no tears, no whiskering, just clean lines.”
There’s just a few whisker lines, but… Brian has this point dead on right.  You can wear jeans to meet her folks.  Of course you can.  They just better be medium dark (like these) or dark.  And no pre-rips or anything like that.

The Belt – Kenneth Cole New York Web Belt – $24.00 (reg. $45.00)

Here’s why this belt works so well.  It’s a casual web belt but the grey color and black accents are far from nautical inspired super-casual.  It can be dressed up a touch.  That and unlike a lot of other web belts, this one has rivets and a traditional buckle.  Meaning you won’t have to keep cinching it down during the meet and greet.

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What they got WRONG

The watch – NO: Touch Screen Digital Watch –  $125.00 | YES: Lacoste Advantage – $150.00

The touch screen might be a nifty feature, but digital is just too trendy.  Too trendy to wear while meeting the Mom and Dad.  Your watch can still have plenty of sport influence and still be classic.  Like this perforated and branded Lacoste watch for $150.

The Shirt – NO: Ombre Plaid $41.70 (reg. $69.50) – YES J. Crew Slim Jersey Polo – $30.00

Although the slim shape, pocket placement, and contrast interior on the cuffs looks great, the plaid just doesn’t seem right.  Kind of high-schoolish.  It’s a little too much.  A white polo is both respectfully dressed up and relaxed all at the same time.  There’s no debating on whether to tuck it in or not (don’t) and  J. Crew’s slim Jersey polo has a little more stiffness in the collar.  On sale now for $30 a piece.

Agreements? Disagreements?  Do you remember what you wore the first time you met your significant other’s parents?  You know the drill, leave it all in the comments section below…