An Intervention You Won't see on A&E

Today I tried to stage an intervention with the bf.  It wasn't pretty and it wasn't exactly what one would call a "GREAT SUCCESS!"  He left the house looking like Forest Gump during the leg brace days wearing old as sin khakis that were too short and showed his sock/boat shoe combo and his old man jacket, that he himself refers to as his "old man jacket."  I mean he does dress really well for a guy (homeboy wouldn't even wear cargo shorts in 'Nam) but when do old college habits die? When I graduated college I wanted to throw out all my rancid collegiate apparel and then take a scalding hot shower, cleaning myself with a fresh bar of soap a la Howard Hughes. Dirty, dirty, dirty, dirty girl, must get clean.  When will he, and all the rest, get that just because you wore it when you were younger doesn't mean it works now.  Guys and fashion is a slippery slope, those who are too into it are labeled as gay or metro and those who aren't are labeled (and actually are) slobs. Many don't get that the way a guy dresses can be a major turn on and... turn off.

Some guys operate under the assumption that to dress well they need to dress like Chuck Bass, but Chuck Bass doesn't even dress like Chuck Bass {Unless the chuck bass we are referring too is FAAABULOUUSS!}

                      

Dressing overly preppy, dressing like skater boy from 1994, wearing camo or your favorite sports team's logo when your not at the park are all big No no's.  Here are some guys who exude natural style.

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 There really are no words for the cast of The Buried Life.  Not only do they have an inspiring message and actually help people (the site of which leaves Caroline and I in tears and casually stalking... casually) they are undeniably adorable AND well dressed!

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 The thing that works for them is that their style is all their own and even though they live out of an RV most of the time, and god knows that vehicle probably smells to all hell, their ironic shirts, jeans and bright sneakers work with their "Indie-Prep" vibe.

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Robert Pattinson is like a steak sandwich, double fried french fries and then an ice-cream sundae without any calories.  When he's on the red carpet he is perfection, but during the day he sometimes looks like a cross between a homeless hipster and a brawny man, but look at that face! Who even cares?

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He's just really cool, that's all.

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When he wears this for the day that's fine, but not on the red carpet!

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AHH, yes please!

I've tried to pick guys around the 21-24 age group but I've had to dip down to the teens to find one of my top picks for best dressed man, and hold the shrieking team Jacob... It's Taylor Lautner.

He uses the three C's: Classic, crisp and clean.  I like that his daytime style isn't too far off from his red carpet style- it makes him more well rounded and consistent so you can tell he isn't man-handled by a stylist- and if he is, he does a good job pulling it off.

Another man with style who I love is Nicolas Hoult, formerly the queer little kid from About A Boy and now known as the queer bigger boy in Tom Ford's A Single Man.  I mean he's the new face of the Tom Ford Line so he better be well dressed.

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Is he gay? Do I care? He's adorable.

So clearly these boys are all showered with clothing, money, stylists and poonon. Also 25% of them have accents and have been on TV, making them infinitely more attractive.  So, sorry guys? No but seriously there are some items I think every post guy should have to make them less fratified.

1. A good suit.  I had to defer to the man I formally referred to as grandpa tush before for this one.  Hopefully, most of you men will be defying the odds and actually become employed in the near future.  Wow, I mean I thought we had it rough having to shell out bones to look appealing to the opposite sex, but suits are expensive.  He says a simple navy suit like this one from Brooks Brothers is the best way to go. 

Navy or gray is a good place to start because you can switch up the shirt and tie options without getting too crazy for the workplace.

2. I assume you are all keeping your boat shoes and rainbows, which is totally fine (you may want to refresh your skanky shoes) but a new pair to add in your repertoire isn't the worst thing.  I love a guy in these desert boots (these from Clark's are the least expensive and are still well made)

2. A non fleece, non puffy coat.  This Barbour is a classic you will have forever.  When it looses its waxy shine just send it back and they do it for you.  You guys like when people do stuff for you right?

3. A good pair of jeans.  All you need is a classic pair from Levis.  And don't let your other male friends fool you, there is nothing "poor," "common," or "farmer" about a good pair of denim.  It's hot, all girls love a guy in jeans so get over it!

And lastly, there is nothing wrong about khakis (as long as they fit well).  You should never change who you are, but how you dress is the first thing girls (and employers, and teachers, and  ya mathaa) notice about you.  So it may be time for to switch things up and ladies, don't be afraid to stage an intervention.  I wish you better luck than I had!

{Read The Trad and Restless Transplant for more mantastic fashion advice.}