Just because everyone else is doing it, doesn’t mean you should too. But just because everyone else is doing it, and you’re doing it too, and then everyone stops doing it… doesn’t mean you should in turn follow suit. Make sense? I know that sounds like the most confusing after school special ever, but, just trust me on that one.
Here’s three trends that deserve a stay of execution, with arguments from both sides of the aisle.
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#1. The Pocket Square – Dockers Cotton Handkerchief 9 pk $12.00
The Prosecution: It’s overplayed. Totally overdone. Esquire has told you to put it away. It’s the suited man’s version of the Von Dutch trucker hat. It’s pointless, completely inspired by the pop culture phenomenon that is Mad Men, and an unnecessary throw back.
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The Defense: Not everyone wears them RIGHT. A slim line of white cotton or linen (see above) is still the way to go. A poofy explosion of silk color has never been a good idea. The former is refined, it’s subtle, and it breaks up the long blocks of symmetrical shade in your suit. The Von Dutch trucker hat was about branding. You can make a pocket square from the corner of a bed sheet (Nobody will notice. Trust me. Except maybe your wife). I’ve never even seen Mad Men. I don’t play dress up, I aim to dress well. And it’s not like I’m wearing a fedora and calling women “dames.” It’s a pocket square. Not spats.
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#2. Stubble – Remington MB200 Beard Trimmer $25.25
The Prosecution: Why wear better clothes if your face looks like you just got back from a weekend in the mountains? Are you trying to look cool? Tough? Like some sort of rebel in a half windsor? Intentional stubble is about as lame as jeans that were ripped at the factory or a sweatshirt that has been pre-splattered with paint. Shave already.
The Defense: Honest to God I had stubble before stubble was considered cool. I’ve always hated the way my face feels when it’s clean shaven. It feels like airborne crap is sticking to it all day. I keep my neck trimmed up, it’s more than presentable at the office, and unlike faux-worn in clothes, stubble does not produce the illusion of labor. It celebrates a small amount of manly laziness. That, and women on average like it better. No… really.
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#3. Wearing a Tie with Jeans – Alfani Red Knit Tie $27.99 | TheTieBar Silk Knit Tie 7.99
The Prosecution: It just looks stupid. Like you got dressed in the dark. Seriously, jeans on the bottom, and an oxford, blazer, and tie on top? Are you indecisive or were you just out of clean clothes?
The Defense: If the jeans are dark and the tie is slim, I guarantee it’ll look better than some microfiber pleated pant Donald Trump wide tie wearing worker bee. You can be casual but still have an elevated level of style. Knit tie, collar buttoned up or loosened, trim blazer and dark wash jeans. It won’t work for every guy, but if you keep everything dark and toned down, it’ll look terrific.
Your turn. Do you have any trends you refuse to give up? Or is it time to put some of these to rest?
Amen, there are definitely “trends” that never really go out fo style, and you just pegged three of them. As an addition to the last one, a tie with dark jeans and a nice v-neck or 1/4 zip sweater (I have versions of both from Express that I got on sale for ~$30 each) works very well too. I have to admit I wasn’t on board with the knit tie when I first saw it, but I’ve grown to like it’s casual dressy-ness.
Outstanding… well done. I agree wholeheartedly. However, I heard the pocket square (one that matches your tie) came into fashion on the East Coast a few years back when Joe Buck wore them during an NFL game he was commentator on. I heard the stores around NYC sold out the next day. But, that is an urban legend.
I can’t NOT shave. My stuble turns red in three days, making me look like a moron.
Nice list, Joe. I agree on all counts.
Kyle, in terms of the stubble, yea I trim mine every other day basically. I use a trimmer like the one Joe pictures next to the stubble picture, and it works wonders. I think do a quick 30 second shave of my lower neck and it looks good as new.. whole process? 5 minutes or less.
Also, for the pocket square, I wore a nice white one with a suit to a wedding in early June, and was the only person there with one. I think it made me stand out, in a good way, so what I like about it is that not a ton of people do it (at least in my area).
I’ll stand by the dark-wash jeans and tie look. For it to work it has to be a slim tie and a shirt that’s not to dressy. I’d do it @ work if I had more guts about it but my office is casual dress.
You have convinced me to go back to my stubbly ways. I started clean shaving again, because I thought it was more business like, but you are right I look damn sexy in stubble. If Formula 1 drivers (except Hamilton), all sport the stubble, it must be in style.
Still not a fan of the tie with pants, but I won’t knock it. I am still waiting for rolling up the arms on my blazer to come back in style. 😉 Blazer and jeans is a good look, just ask Jezza.
Pocket squares are a classic and have never been “out of style”. It shows that you are a bit more sophisticated than the average bear.
Do the pocket square right and it’s so subtle that most people won’t even notice it unless they care about such things. They’ll just unconsciously think you look good without really thinking about why. Wear with confidence.
I wish I could pull off stubble, but my beard is a little too light and a little too thin. So for me, not shaving makes me look less manly, because then I look like a teenager again (minus the acne).
I am sorry… Pocket squares are NOT A TREND! They have nothing to do with making a statement or anything. A pocket square is a completely functional men’s accessory that will never be “out of style”.
A blazer, sport coat or suit jacket should NEVER be worn without a pocket square. The pocket is there for a reason.
Anyone who thinks they ever look bad… you are wrong. An empty pocket is a tragedy.