Couple months ago, the hubby and I got into a fight. We were running late and I was quite annoyed as you can imagine, although I couldn’t blame anyone but myself. While on the freeway, I noticed something peeking through his shoes, shining brightly. ’No, this can’t be,’ I thought, turning my head away from him. I tried to calm myself down by thinking, ‘He’s not that kind of person. No way.’ When I looked at his ankle again to confirm, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The attack of white socks! OMG. The rest is history- I asked what was going on, only to be appalled by his answer, “I wanted it to match my shirt.” What? Are you serious?
Just so you know, he is known as the “Stylish” type among friends and families. When he goes out, he always gets asked on the stuff he wears and carries, which is WHY I could not believe what I was seeing. Alright, if he had said that he was in a rush and couldn’t find black socks to match the shoes, perhaps it wouldn’t have been so terrifying. He was wearing black dress shoes and dark Seven Jeans with some type of light colored shirt. If you are going to go dark on the bottom, wearing black/dark colored socks is a given. He eventually confessed that he just happened to grab the wrong ones which to this day I can’t fully succumb to. He’s a creative person and likes experimenting so I believe there is a 50% chance that it was rather intentional. BUT I forgive him, because that’s what love is. <3
Aside from the heartache, this experience was an inspiration for my blog. You can agree or disagree but below you will find my list of major Men’s Fashion Pet Peeves. It is my hope that this not only gives men ideas, but that it assists in preventing disastrous fashion moments… furthermore, arguments, fights, break-ups, etc.
1. White Athletic Socks on Black Dress Pants and Black Shoes (especially the ones with gray toes)- There is a reason why they are called Athletic Socks. Save them for the gym. When in doubt, go with darker colors when wearinig a dressy outfit, but in general, socks should match the color of your pants (i.e. Gray pants with gray socks, black pants with black socks, etc). This not only elongates your legs but completes the look.
2. Short-Sleeved Button Down Shirts- These are not as popular in the states as they are in Korea (due to an overwhelming number of office workers working overtime in scorching heat & humidity) but when I do see them, I just want to scream. A great example demonstrating that practicality is sometimes the enemy of fashion.
3. T-shirts with Holes- My cousin wears these ALL THE TIME and he LOVES them. Unfortunately for us girls, he’s accompanied by many others. My hubby has them, you have them, he has them, they exist EVERYWHERE!!! Please, don’t tell me that you can’t afford a new t-shirt for $5… Actually, you can grab five cotton fitted V-neck shirts for $10 (that’s like $2/shirt?!) at a nearby Target or Walmart (love them! I wear them all the time too).
4. Stars and Stripes- If you are not Marc Jacobs, would you be kind enough to pass up on mixing patterns? I understand we are all an artist in our own right but there are things in life that are designated for experts, pattern mixing being one. If you are feeling Hawaiian today on the top, let the bottom part of the outfit calm it down. If you MUST wear patterns all over, please do study the color wheel beforehand.
5. Butt Crack Attack- There was a time when “sagging” was a cool thing to do… ok, some are still stuck in this wanna-be-trend and probably will never get out of it. I honestly can forgive it when there is another garment underneath the pants, but when there isn’t, Lord help me… I just want to gag, especially if you got hair or fat sticking out. I hate seeing thongs peeking through on girls’ rear-ends, though I must sadly admit that I do unintentionally commit the same crime sometimes. BUT when you got hair, fat, pimples on top of displaying your ass to an unprotected, innocent audience, that’s considered a crime. Even if you are David Beckham, I won’t forgi… well that might be an exception… but you get the point. If the pants are too big, wear a belt! OR why not consider buying a pair that actually fits you? Yeah.. something to think about.
Please don’t get me wrong, you have all the freedom in the world to do whatever you want with your wardrobe. While I’m a strong advocate of creative freedom, there are boundaries that should not be crossed in fashion just as there are in other aspects of life… because or else, the world would be in chaos.
What is your men’s fashion pet peeve?
Image: 2009 Gucci Men’s Collection
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white socks? come on, Justin! I agree with the general sock rule. For the more eccentric, there are the colorful (non-white) or pattern socks, like from Happy Socks or Paul Smith, that go well with a toned down suit.
I’m not into short sleeved button downs either. It reminds me of the corporate, cubicle farm life they portray on TV.
Though a little bit more pricey, I think Gap T’s are the best. Soft cotton and fits well. I have 5 of every color. Get some for Justin, he’ll fit a size Small.
My men’s fashion pet peeves are
1) Sport jackets/Suit jackets with sleeves that are too long.
2) Ill-fitting button down shirts.
3) Sneakers with suits. I’m probably in the minority here, but I just find it so…not elegant and juvenile? Should probably have prefaced that I don’t wear sneakers unless I go to the gym.
4) Seeing another guy’s undershirt peekaboo when he’s wearing a button down.
5) Baseball cap with a suit. Unless you’re about to be drafted to a major league baseball team, it’s just tacky.
Definitely a great list. It’s always refreshing to see things from a male’s perspective. How about suits with Chucks?
“In your face style” brand name printed t shirt – we all know what you are wearing. you do not need to advertise NO MORE~
Super tight Abercrombie fitted shirt on near 40′s and up – we know you are young at heart, but please dress accordingly to your age.
Super tight Abercrombie fitted shirt with belly sticking out instead of chest
over sized shorts that goes way below your knees..
dress socks on running shoes…and shorts.
slipper with socks on.
LOL love it! Hahaha
Oh one more… True Religion in Korean period.
Now I need to burn mine. -_-
Oh i have couple more…
Any leisure suits…especially with one of those ugly earth shoes.
Croc shoes.
Btw, it is called “the famous Michael Jackson look” (white socks on black dress pants).
I gravitate to shoes with leather soles (brogues, oxfords, loafers, and monk-straps) moreso than to rubber.
With that said, chucks don’t fit my style or taste. I can appreciate their icon status; you can see its influence in the sneakers of many of the high-fashion labels (Marc Jacobs, Lanvin, Rick Owens, Kris Van Assche, etc). I do like the Missoni x Converse collaboration if only for the pattern.
Wearing chucks with a suit is popular among the trendy 20-somethings, but it’s not my thing, especially considering that I won’t be 20-something for much longer – LOL. I have younger guy friends who rock them with suits and they look ok… with the right attitude and in the appropriate setting.
This leads me to another fashion pet peeve… actually, it kind of pisses me off…
when I see photos of people wearing casual crap (t-shirt, jeans, sneakers, baseball caps, sports jerseys, etc) to traditioanlly formal events, or on the red carpet. It just seems rude, and at the very least, tacky.
by the way, your updated site looks great. it’s clean.
I agree with PT with chucks. Like I said, wear accordingly to your age and accordingly for the situation or event.
It is always good to dress up than to dress down.
My fiance and I were arguing about this! Now I know that I was right. lol! Thanks for making me positive!
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I’m a suit snob from when I managed a Mens Dept.
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