On the one hand you don’t want to look like a murderous, unapproachable jackass, yet on the other hand you don’t want to look like you’re terrified of someone taking your lunch money. Balance is key. But many a new trend that catches fire can often leave a guy looking a little… flaccid? New for the sake of new can often get dangerous. Leave any additions, agreements, or disagreements in the comments. As always, there will be exceptions.
#1. Tank Tops
They’re about as unkind to the average torso as it gets. And say you do have an above-average torso, wearing a tank top makes you look like a preening dweeb. The tank top trend is proof that trends are cyclical, and despite some having wider orbits than others, everything comes back around. Everything.
Flimsy torso koozies. All by ASOS.
#2. Sneakers with a suit
This look seems to be getting some mention lately. Canvas sneakers with a summer suit can be a great, relaxed look, but it’s not going to command respect. Friendly and laid back? Yes. Absolutely. Meanwhile, sneakers with a darker wool suit looks awfully MTV Movie Awards. And even if you are going to the MTV Movie Awards, it might be worthwhile to look like you’re headed somewhere other than the MTV movie awards.
Hard to make this look better than a pair of good dress shoes.
#3. Cardigans
Blame Mr. Rogers? Cardigans can look great, but they often lean in a “why don’t you sit down on the far end of the couch and we can enjoy some hot co-co while we watch Anne of Green Gables” kind of way. If you’ve got a little extra weight around the middle, you’ll look dumpy. If you’re skinny, you’ll look wispy. There’s something about how low the placket dips on most cardigans that just isn’t real flattering. It can be done, but it’s not easy.
Maybe the secret is to just knock like this.
#4. Statement Hair
Long flowing locks might work on the cover of a romance novel, but it’s not so easy in real life. The risk with a head of hair that walks into the room before you do, is that you look like you spend way too much time on it (aka, Uncle Jesse Syndrome). And it doesn’t have to be cleanly styled either. The same thing can be said of purposely disheveled hair. Much of men’s style is based on projecting a feeling of power. Much of men’s clothing is based on military uniforms past and present. Not a lot of guys in the military running around with Eddie Vedder hairdos. IT CAN BE DONE. But, it’s not easy.
Great hair for Seventeen Magazine. Great Shirt for Grandmother’s curtains.
#5. Bow Ties
This one has more exceptions than most, but still should be mentioned. From the Bloomberg article Bowties are making a comeback: “You are being noticed because you went the extra mile to wear that… That makes me feel good.” …Now, is there a difference between dressing well so you feel your best, and feeling good because people notice how you’re dressed? Lots of us would argue that not only is there a difference, but it’s a massive one. Often, but certainly not always, the bow tie is a signal of subscribing to the latter philosophy. Bow ties look dynamite with a tuxedo,and a casual chambray or wool bow tie can be a great way to mix it up. But it leans pretty “nerd chic”. Tread carefully unless you’re a doctor or a bartender who needs to keep your work clean and free of contamination.
What else? Any other otherwise stylish items that might make a guy look a little too milk toast? Disagree with one of these items? Leave it all below. Top Photo Credit: Tim Pokorny, Sneakers + Suit: E. Rinaldi Pattinson: Gage Skidmore
Can I add highwater pants to this list?
Tank tops are acceptable in high school, college, and at the beach. Who doesn’t want to show off their guns and ripped chest? That is of course, you even lift.
Bow ties are very similar to things like suspenders or pocket watches. If you’re under retirement age, chances are you’ll look like an idiot wearing them. Once you’re past that point though, you’re golden.
100% wrong on suspenders. If you can pull them off, they’re pure sex. I’ve had lady friends describe suspenders and a well-tailored suit as lingerie for men.
Hipster suspenders annoying, sure. But suspenders can really frame a body properly.
As I said…’chances are.’
Cardigans and bow ties are two of my staples, so I guess just call me Gentle Ben.
I was confused when I first started reading style blogs and forums because suspenders seem to be hated, by and large. I personally had really liked the look and in person saw almost anyone who sported them being complimented many times over (especially by women).
Disagree. You may not like them, but bow ties are very much in style. They can be worn formally or informally..
You an ‘if’.
I know fashion is cyclical but I have been anxiously awaiting the end of the high vis clothing fad from the 80’s.
I know some guys that can absolutely pull off a bow tie with a suit and look like a million bucks. I know more guys that try to pull off a bow tie with a suit and look…… not exactly natural. Personally, I’m sticking to neckties.
Here is a list of when you should wear tank tops:
Bracelets, especially if you’re not holding a guitar or a surfboard.
Lol that’s black tie. It’s pretty much required for black tie. I think the post regarding bow ties is talking about the colorful trend we see making a resurgence. Tucker Carlson took a lot of flack for it in the early 2000s, but maybe he was just a decade too soon.
I’d argue that they’re in fashion, not in style. It’s obviously a technicality, but the point I’m trying to make is that they will fall right back out of fashion in the near future if I had to guess (excluding highly formal occasions). I personally think they can look pretty neat if done right. I’d recommend staying away from anything but subtle patterns and colors if you want to avoid looking like a hipster, #menswear advocate or some equally peacock-ish, over-the-top type.
#6: Thick rimmed glasses.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303734204577466822076280462.html#slide/7
Amen. I’m thoroughly fed up with that trend. I can’t for the life of me understand why people want to make themselves less attractive, but this is a surefire way to accomplish it. To each his own I guess…
Brightly colored pants.
Rolling your chinos up to mid-calf length.
Come on, wearing a proper tuxedo (which it appears these gentlemen are almost doing) at a black tie event is not the same as wearing a colourful bowtie and trying to be unique.
I quite enjoy brightly-coloured pants. There’s definitely a line somewhere, but something like the flagship Bonobos pants work well.
So this is a nice list and all, but that lamb in the bowtie is so adorable that I can’t focus on anything else.
Oh I’m not knocking their style merits at all. I just don’t feel very tough when I wear my bright blue flagships.
Okay that’s fair. But try telling that to these guys:
http://lookatmyfuckingredtrousers.blogspot.com/
Suit + sneakers = the definition of can’t be taken seriously.
Also, cardigans just project a kind of feminine image to me. Soft, take it easy and delicate kind of men… if that even makes sense.
I dunno, Chuck Bass looks pretty menacing in his bright bow ties.
“Bow ties look dynamite with a tuxedo”
I’ll tell him for you. His name is Reginald, and yes, he’s a cutie-pie.
I wear, and have worn for years, even before they became trendy, thick-rimmed frames because I shave my head—as in shaving cream and Mach 3 every other day—and the more prominent frames bring contrast and visual texture to my face. This, in combination with a constantly kept and neatly trimmed two-day stubble, shape and define my face, which makes me more attractive (in the opinion of my current wife and past girlfriends anyway) rather than less.
I think this comments thread, more so than the original list—which was about trends that make one look less physically imposing—really underscores why it’s imperative in these matters to dress and accessorize in ways that best suit your body and facial types rather than worry about being “on trend.” So definitely true about to each his own, but also true to not generally dismiss a particular style.
Then perhaps more accurately: If it works for you, then work it.
Amen. I like dressing nicely but I’m just not the suit up every day kind of guy, nor the shiny suit type. Cardigans are a nice way to pull off a tie and nice shirt without going all out.
Gonna disagree with you on that one. Thick rims can add structure to a face with softer features. I made the switch three years ago and trendy or not, I’m not going back.
I’ve been wearing glasses for my entire life, but these days I actually enjoy putting them on.
Cardigan hate is not okay.
While all do make you look “harmless”, the only ones I can advocate for, if done correctly, are cardigans and bowties. The others are just… eh. In my general opinion of course.
EDIT: Also, nothing wrong with rocking the Mr. Rogers look.
I agree that suspenders are great and that hipster suspenders are annoying. I wear suspenders (or “braces” as #menswear dudes call them) not for the style or fashion statement they make but for the simple reason that they are far superior to a belt at keeping your pants up and keeping you comfy. Furthermore, no one should really ever see your suspenders because, ideally, if you’re wearing them then you’d also be wearing a jacket. But not everyone adheres to tradition this way.
This is pretty astute, and an interesting example (sorry to reduce your noggin to ‘interesting’) of when thick rims work really well.
Of course a shorter way for me to have said the same thing is:
Minimizes the Uncle Festerization of certain faces.
I’d sign that petition
Flip flops or as we call it in Australia, thongs. These ugly horrible things are worn everywhere here.
I tend to dress pretty masculine (in a certain way; leather, denim, etc)
and even I wouldn’t even start to argue that dressing in a way that
reminds we of a certain age of Fred Rogers (RIP) is a bad thing.
That said the other half of the cardigan bit is dead on. I feel like a lot of young men add one to an outfit because that’s the approved layering item regardless of whether it flatters (and it does seem like in general cardigans are super unkind to your silhouette)
I’m not sure if harmless is quite the right descriptor, but “not to be taken seriously” for sure.
I don’t understand the point of this article at all. I rarely disagree with things posted on this site but this seems odd to me. Maybe “understand” is the wrong word. More, I guess I don’t understand its place here. I think “masculinity” is a word that has been given far too much importance as of late and it is a highly subjective word. Maybe this is just one of those “guinea pig” posts to get more activity in the comments section or test the waters. Who knows. Ok, I’m done taking everything so seriously now 😉 (emoticons can be masculine right? RIGHT??)
This blog needs more Reginald.
whoa, whoa, whoa! Cardigans are out now? No way. If you’re fit and you have a well fitting cardigan it still looks great!
Also have a friend who’s statement piece is a bow tie. He wears one everyday. It stands out for sure, but he pulls it off and does it well.
A nicely fitting T-shirt or polo?
Not sure if I’m liking this article purely because this is dipping into the realm of slide shows that Four Pins and Complex are always doing and I don’t want Dappered to become Art of Manliness, which is grossly overrated. Also, I don’t think Joe is a homophobe at all however this is veiled attempt to be PC to not say “gay” by replacing it with “harmless”.
This is one of the articles I won’t agree with. Cardigans and tanks are very appropriate, given that they are worn in the correct season. Bow ties can also serve as a great piece in a well-put-together outfit.
The problem with non-tux bow ties these days is they usually fall into two categories: try-hard frat bros or guys who think bow tie=style.
You’re right, champ. The only shirt worthy of your physique is a tank top.
I live in Las Vegas, tank tops are almost mandatory when you’re dressed casual during the summer.
Spot on with the cardigan. If you are over 30 and think it is safe to wear go to an office with over 50s who wear them. That will scare you back to jackets in no time.
If this is a lamb that you know, and his name is in fact Reginald, then I want to see more of him. I also want to know him. Mostly because his name is Reginald.
Get em’ tiger.
Um.. I’m gonna guess no. Joe has been openly welcoming many many times on this site. Note the several past times he has attempted to make his language not as heteronormative, as well as deleting offensive comments and banning folks. I know this is a staunchly held belief among all of the moderator team.
I’m right there with you. I’ve worn thick rimmed glasses for years. anything too thin has always been extremely feminine on my facial type and made me look overweight. Now I do have to agree to that some people look absolutely ridiculous in this style of frames, but it also works the best for some.
Now, I’d love to see this particular style go away:
But bow ties are cool.
It does seem a little bro-dacious, especially when it (probably unintentionally) implies strong masculinity equals an ability to cause harm. Perhaps “harmless” was the wrong diction, or maybe this is just one of those views with a rhetorical perspective that can’t help but rub some the wrong way.
Hoodies used to be my go-to; now, cardigans are my go-to.
I would add Fedoras to this list.
I wear cardigans and skate shoes at the same time and look good. Beat that.
Well phooey. David Tennant and Matt Smith are no-gos then. I wonder what Dappered thinks of Eccleston.
Ah, but you did mention “Unless you’re a Doctor.” So it’s good!
Thank goodness for high school uniforms where I lived. I still think that tank tops look like glorified underwear and aren’t very flattering regardless of your physique. It doesn’t help that when I see people wearing tank tops, the rest of their outfits are generally deplorable and give off an “I couldn’t care less” aura.
suspenders = lingerie in that you can’t see them!
I find it interesting that black bow ties are acceptable when worn as part of evening dress, and many think that they look great with a tuxedo, yet take them out of that situation, and the same people find it contrived.
So…does the bow tie actually look good as part of evening dress? Why do we treat it as an exception? If “black-tie” didn’t exist, would we find the black bow tie with tuxedo just as contrived?
I guess you could develop a menacing demeanor for the purpose of wearing bright bow ties.
Sounds like a body builder’s dream.
Granted, I’m not Bond or McQueen, but if cardigans are good enough for them, they’re good enough for me.
Anybody interested in getting into raping or the rapist arts should read this article. Great post! That sexy little lamb will never guess your intentions.
I’d say even if you’re holding a guitar or surfboard.
To me it seems more like the cuteness post from a ways back. As in someone in a tank top tends to look a bit immature, someone in a bowtie without a tux tends to look ‘cute’ rather than sexy, someone in a Cardigan looks harmless like Mr Rogers. Sure maybe some folks can pull these off differently (aka Daniel Craig) but on the whole it doesn’t usually work. In my mind harmless may not be the right word for all of them, but I see the point. I don’t think any of the above listed looks command respect.
There’s a difference between looking [choose one] harmless/innocent/gentle/wimpy and looking like you have no style. Don’t think Joe is saying these things can’t be stylish, just that if you’re trying to look masculine or dominant [read: attractive to the opposite and in some instances the same sex] these things have a high degree of difficulty.
On the other hand, if you’re jacked and have mastered the pouty aviator look, a cardigan won’t be able to wimpify you.
I have worn thick rimmed glasses for about 15 years. Most thin-framed glasses just don’t look that good on me. Although I do think frame-less glasses also look decent on me.
disagree on the bowtie thing. I wear vineyard vines and southern proper bowties all the time, girls love it.
I agree with you regarding the suit + sneakers. I see it on the train everyday and just wonder why do this when there are so many options besides white running shoes.
For 14-20 year olds….signed, fellow texan
Wrong.
Thanks southy, You nailed it.
This is what I was leaning towards.
Which is how old you sound like right now.
It’s pretty reasonable to wear one when heading out to the lake or beach, or even ACL or other music festival when it’s hot out… and Adam did say casual outdoor stuff. That being said, I rarely wear them and would definitely not wear any of those featured above.
I don’t think it’s hate. Just like with any item of clothing, if the cut isn’t right, it isn’t flattering. I love cardigans, but good ones can be hard to find.
That blog was actually one of my first toe-dips into men’s style blogs. SO. GOOD.
pool maybe, but thats where the line should be drawn imo
I agree that they shouldn’t be worn as normal attire, which happens way too often up here in NYC and apparently has happened in the last few years since I left ATX.
I have a soft spot for bow ties. Cardigans are tricky, like you mentioned, so I use them sparingly since I don’t find myself in situations often that call for them.
Yea, despite the “oh that’s a frat boy” backlash you might encounter, I too enjoy those brands for bow ties. Pulling off a bow tie like it’s natural isn’t easy, but it can be done.
haha well I am a former frat boy. and also a lawyer. so maybe I’m just fulfilling some stereotypes.
When I read Uncle Jesse syndrome, The Dukes of Hazzard came to mind. The linked clip makes a lot more sense.
I’m a “frat boy,” too, (who works in non-profit) but my fraternity was far from the caricature that many today default to when they think of such an organization.
The thing about dressing for the opposite sex is that women’s (and men’s) taste varies greatly. Not everyone likes the same things as you. Just off of this list, I have noticed bowties and “statement hair” seem to be popular with many women, but as I said it just depends on the individual. I’ve also seen a lot of hate for prep/business casual, but from the comments here I must assume there are also many that appreciate it. Bottom line, develop your own personal style that reflects who you are, because you are the only person whose taste you can control.
First off, let me say I AGREE with everything on this list and have had similar conversations regarding this topic in private. This article is not directly a stab at gay people and Joe is not a homophobe. However, I think it’s a slippery editorial slope when you start defining certain clothes and styles as the garb of men who you may percieve as weak or effeminate or to the point of the article might be considered as such. I mean, just five years ago any of us straight dudes who took an interest in fashion/style could be accused of being light in the loafers. Glen O’Brien’s style advice column in GQ started as “Ask a Gay Guy” just a few years ago. Concluding this essay…. I’ve always enjoyed Dappered, Joe’s writing and the classy mature tone; merely expressing an opinion that this article seems to be a departure from the normal topics and tone and touches on meathead mentality that Joe was railing against last week in his article about not putting chicks on a pedestal. IMHO.
I agree with your editorial critique here. I absolutely view the negative connotations as unintentional, but it nudges up to a line that many lesser sites cross, ones that make claims like “If you dress in this way I don’t approve of, then you’re a pussy, bro.”
This site is at its best (as it very often is) when it’s not framing its content as explicitly judgmental. This article isn’t one of those examples, which is why some are bothered by it I think.
I think that’s exactly why Bond is capable of pulling it off. Besides the “Daniel Craig in perfectly tailored clothes” factor, it’s an interesting, hefty piece of clothing. There’s nothing Mr. Rogers about that shawl collar, and I would go as far as to consider it a completely separate piece of clothing from a cardigan.
Fair enough. That was a more elaborated point. I can see where you are coming from. Knowing Joe, though (as far as one “knows” someone via the interwebz), I think the tone is really just “Hey these are 5 goofy items that are kinda popular in menswear right now!” more so than “Hey these clothes make you look effeminate, and that’s a bad thing!”
mesh gothwear, obviously
It should be ok to wear to a musical festival. I’ve never been to one, but from watching news reports, it looks like for the majority who attend (in Australia anyway), their appearance is not particularly high on their priority list.
I agree with everything you said save for the last line. I don’t think you can control your taste. It is a reflection of what you have been exposed to and what you have been influenced by.
That is, unless you brainwash yourself into believing you don’t like bowties or cardigans. In that case, I guess you can control your taste.
I had to google Chuck Bass to find out who he is. A character on Gossip Girl? You sir, need to turn in your man card.
Ummm… I live in L.A. and go out to Vegas probably 6-8 times a year. I don’t feel the need to wear tank tops everywhere I go unless I’m at the pool. Wear a linen shirt or some other thin fabric shirt. It’s hardly mandatory. Even dudes with huge arms look like tools wearing tank tops anywhere other than a pool. Is a bedazzled hat and dragon shorts also mandatory?
At one time I agreed about tank tops, then I moved to 108-degree Austin weather and found tank tops to be an absolute necessity. Sometimes you just don’t want to combust when you step outside.
The girlfriend got me into it. It’s surprisingly addictive.
Maybe “control” wasn’t the right word. I just meant you can be sure of your taste as opposed to hoping to please others. As you say, you probably can’t force yourself to hate something you like.
Dunno about Vegas but I have no problem wearing a tank top if it hits 90 and I’m spending the day outside.
To me, tank tops never even made sense as underwear. I mean, the purpose of underwear is to protect your nice shirt from sweat. Your armpits are the region most likely to sweat. So, why wear a t-shirt that doesn’t cover your armpits? They’re useless, even as underwear.
I don’t mind brightly colored pants, but I find the whole rolling the cuff up – when the pants hit the shoelace knot just fine – a bit pretentious.
Do you even lift, bro?
I have a big, chunky one with a shawl collar and wood buttons I got from LEC or one of those a couple years ago – I think it strikes a good balance on that front, especially during the bearded seasons.
Exception:
This man.