While I do not profess to be a fashion expert, nor guru; there are a few things that I’ve come to learn over the course of working at a few businesses and going on a few dates. Somehow there are some things that we have to learn the hard way (like being told that what we are wearing should never be worn in public again).
Here is a list of fashion faux pas that you should be aware of.
1. Dockers – as much as it pains me to say this, I still wear them. To work, to church. Never on a date though. Somehow, they blur the line between casual and just plain frugal. While I know almost every department store sells them, slacks are more professional; at least in this day and age. I go back and forth with this particular item on the list because mine have held up so well over the years.
2. Turtlenecks – it depends on who you talk to. I have a beige one that I got awhile back and while the price tag is still on it, I may consider wearing it when it’s somewhere below zero and I’m all alone not trying to spark up a convo or impress someone. They especially don’t work if you’ve got no neck.
3. Pleated pants – apparently, this is a fashion faux pas. Who knew? I have at least 3 pairs of these. They are sitting in my closet collecting dust or whatever happens to clothing in closets where mothballs do not inhabit. Many people say they allow them more room, but a recent lady friend of mine said that us guys use them to cover our beer bellys, and because they tend to be cheaper than flat fronts. Note: I did not go and check out her claim, but I will tell you this….they do sell a lot over there at Macy’s and Sears.
4. Socks with shorts – this one deserves a spot on the list. It just doesn’t work.
5. Bling – in the professional world of business dress, bling just doesn’t cut it. Try wearing a gold chain or grill to your next job interview and hit me up if you get the job. (even flippin burgers at Mickey D’s or serving a grande Cafe Mocha at Starbucks interview requires you to exclude the bling from your attire)
6. Cellphones with clips – that trend went out with pagers back in the 90s. Who wants their iPhone clipped to their belt loops or waist. Keep it in your pocket, bro.
7. Fanny packs & Man Bags – I don’t see this often, and while they are different from briefcases and laptop bags; no man regardless of your dating tastes should ever wear something that looks like you are going on a field trip to your local zoo or competing with a model in a Coach ad.
8. High Water Pants – we all get the picture of Steve Urkel or any other well known nerd when we think of this particular item. I think I had a pair of these in grade school and I think I recently gave them away to Goodwill. I guess someone will put them to good use. It’s a shame we give away stuff we don’t want to the Goodwill and other donation places. If you have a pair of these, I suggest you give your local donation effort a call to take them off of your hands.
9. Skinny Jeans – this is becoming more and more trendy. I ask the question – why? Where on Earth did it become professional to wear skinny jeans or just acceptable in general? Smedium jeans are unacceptable. Period.
10. Crocs – while I know we like to give our foot some breathing room from the tennis and dress shoes, crocs are a fashion faux pas. In any color, in any style. Disagree? Well, they are certainly not the definition of smug.
Well, there you have it. 10 items that need to be deleted from your clothing repertoire. I could probably come up with more, but that’s enough for now. These items certainly don’t add to dressing for success.
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