Absolute NO’s I See ALL the Time

Before I delve into this topic, I want to make it clear that although this might come across rather harshly, I do not want to hurt any feelings. No information that I will be giving should make anyone alter their style or sense of fashion. However, if you are guilty of any of these style sins, then you might want to take a second look in the mirror before stepping out of the house.

Twill Joggers with Dress Shoes

The first absolute no that I want to discuss is the infamous twill joggers and dress shoes combination. I see this far, far too often and it makes me cringe to say the least. Dress shoes are meant to be worn with chinos, slacks, jeans, or any other type of dress pants. But they should NEVER be worn with a twill jogger. The twill looks highly unprofessional and ruins the look. I frequently see khaki twill joggers paired with low top brown dress shoes, a nauseating combination. I have spotted this around my campus as well as in professional settings. This type of pant is NOT a substitute for khakis. AND most of these joggers have a twill waistband and lace ties. How do you think you’re going to wear a belt with that?? To be very clear, joggers are for casual dress settings, while chinos and khakis are for professionalism. So please, please do not wear the two interchangeably. Those who do, make people who see this look think it is acceptable to wear casual clothes in the workforce. Unacceptable.

“Dress shoes…should NEVER be worn with a twill jogger.”

Aggressive Cuffs

Cuffed pants date back to the late 1800’s when King Edward VII designed them to be worn for British weather. They were designed to raise the pant leg and avoid trouser bottoms from getting dirty. Since then, the cuff has become a look that has cemented itself in men’s style and allowed us to wear our pants in more than one way. However, pants cuffing has been overdone by some to the point of awkwardness. The aggressive cuff is when a man cuffs his pants far too high up and past the point of stylishness. Although there is not a limitation on how high is acceptable to cuff your pants, there is a threshold that most should stay within. Further than a certain point looks straight up bad. Below are three different outfits with cuffed pants. Can you guess which ones are the absolute no?

If you answered the first one with the wrinkled and oddly cuffed pink pants, then you’re right on the money. AND you understand what is past the acceptable threshold. If you are guilty of this, it’s ok. Just simply take it down a notch…literally.

“…there is a definitely a threshold that most should stay within”

Incorrect Pattern Mixing

Although I do not see many people dare to mix patterns, the times I have those people stick out like a sore thumb. While I advocate for frivolous fashion there are still style basics that should be abided by. One of these basics is sticking to one pattern. When attempting to cross patterns you run into a lot of difficulty making your outfit cohesive. So, before you step out of the house wearing polka dots on top of stripes, look in the mirror and ask yourself if you can execute a better outfit. I typically like to go with a solid color and one pattern. Doing so allows my pattern to pop the way I intend. Patterns should not be overpowered by each other because they typically clash. Therefore, in order to maintain simplicity, stick to one pattern. There is a plethora of outfits that can be made with the use of a single pattern. Do not over do it. It will look weird. See below for one of the most awkward pattern combinations I have ever seen attempted.

“Patterns should not be overpowered by other patterns”

Improper Sock Etiquette

Socks are an underappreciated article of clothing. Many people don’t even pay attention to their sock choice. These are the ones that usually do not practice proper sock etiquette. Sock etiquette is simply knowing which type of socks are best for every scenario. Most socks can be worn in any situation, but there are times and places where sock choice is important. The absolute no I see the most is wearing white or ankle socks with dress shoes. Not only does this look bad, but it is quite noticeable. The contrast between a black or brown shoe combined with white socks makes the socks stand out more. Low cut socks worn with dress shoes attract the wrong kind of attention in their exposure of the lower leg and ankle. While some of you might not think this is too big of a deal, it is. Simply because proper socks are easily accessible and there is a great variety of them. Good sock choice can be a statement and show your sense of style. Do not undermine your sock’s power. They matter more than you think.

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