20/03/2013
Men's Summer Fashion Mistakes
Socks And Shoes
Summer calls for no socks at all, especially with the footwear of the season -- namely, men's sandals,. Suffocating your feet in any of these with a bright white pair of socks should also require a camera bag and return ticket to Bratislava. Still insisting on coverage of some sort? Invest in knot socks, the no-show alternative to the tourist-favored tube.
Cargo Shorts
You remember cargo shorts -- the circa '97 type that you could use to store everything from lunch leftovers to a small child. Yeah, well, those are so two decades ago, and this brings us to the next men’s summer fashion mistake.
Strong Fragrances
Summer may be hot and heavy, but that heavy cologne from last winter is just too much musk for summer’s sweat-inducing temps. The combination of a weighty, woodsy scent and your natural eau can be nauseating this time of year. Summer is the signal to switch to something light and lean. Anything with citrus notes or hints of grass like vetiver is exactly what you want when the sun kick-starts the water works.
Flip-Flops
Summer’s official footwear is undoubtedly the between-the-toe flip-flop, which leads us into our next men’s summer fashion mistake. It’s the barely there cover for your feet ideal for a backyard barbecue or a beachside jaunt. And that’s about as far as a flip-flop should go. Any other outing should get the sandal treatment -- not the Kumbayah kind with fabric straps à la Teva or a thin-strapped European mandal. We’re talking about a simple leather criss-cross that hugs the foot while still allowing it to breathe. As the saying goes, X marks the spot.
Tank Tops
The tank is meant to be worn as an undershirt. And unless you’re a bronzed weight lifter or sick spousal abuser bearing this shirt’s nickname, the tank top is one garment that should be left under wraps, or better yet, quarantined on the Jersey Shore. So, what’s a guy to do in the harsh heat of summer? Try a light colored V-neck T-shirt or polo shirt instead. Both of those should provide at least some of the breeze you’re looking for without having to spend a lifetime at the gym.
Board Shorts
Perhaps the season’s most prevalent men’s summer fashion mistake of all comes in the form of a billowy board short. It dips below the knee, and in the worst cases is so shapeless the lines merge into a mono-legged swimming skirt. More grown-up and indeed flattering options exist for even the most body-conscious men among us. Men’s swimwear should look and fit like a great pair of everyday shorts. Slim ones that sit just under the waist (not unlike a lower-rise jean) and finish somewhere between mid-thigh and an inch or two above the knee work best for every beach-going guy.
Wraparound Shades
Blocking the sun’s blinding rays is critical for surviving the season. But that doesn’t mean you have to reach for Terminator-type wraparounds to protect your eyes. Sure, sport-inspired sunglasses are perfect for a round of golf or a game of tennis -- everything in context. But, outside of an athletic activity, everything else requires an aviator, Wayfarer or other such style-savvy shape. And while you may be thinking that fashion-friendly frames don’t look good on you, remember this piece of lifelong advice: Finding the right pair of sunglasses takes time. Try on 100 if necessary. Then, sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
