Men might not think they have a lot of options when it comes to putting on clothes and presenting themselves to the outside world. But they really do! There are countless occasions out there for which you need just the right outfit. I’m not talking about outfits for basic things like job interviews, weddings, funerals, bar mitzvahs, etc. Any guy with a half ounce of sense knows that they have to keep clothes on hand for these occasions…or send their wives/girlfriends out to pick them out!

It’s not even as essential to have a suit anymore. Attire has become so casual over the past 20 years or so that a guy doesn’t really need to wear a “suit” for much of anything these days. Unless you’re interviewing for a CEO job for a Fortune 500 company – but even that depends upon which Fortune 500 company that is! I think if you wore a suit to a Google CEO job interview, you’d be overdressed! Weddings and formal occasions are pretty much it these days for wearing a traditional “suit,” unless you’re required to wear something like this to work. And if you have to wear a suit and tie to work? I really, really pity you! I think a part of a man’s soul dies every time he has to put on a tie.

I’ve worked in the clothing retail biz for about 20 years, so my advice comes from a “semi professional” viewpoint! I worked primarily in the men’s department of a clothing store for 10 years, before being moved to a different position. I still know a thing or two about guys’ fashions!

Here are my suggestions…keep in mind these are all optional, and can be tailored for your individual tastes (or distaste, lol)!

A “Party” Shirt

Here’s what a “party shirt” looks like…don’t like octopuses?  I’m very sorry to hear that! Your alternative options are endless!

What’s a “party shirt?” Well, it’s whatever you want it to be! It can be a favorite T-shirt with a beer logo, an old “co-ed naked….” shirt from college (provided it still fits well and isn’t full of holes), your favorite sports team shirt/jersey, a Hawaiian shirt, or any kind of collared button-down shirt with some kind of funky design. Though solids and plaids are OK, too! These kinds of shirts are particularly essential in the warm summer months, and can be made of materials such as cotton, microfiber, linen, rayon, etc. I’m actually kind of jealous that guys have this option! Women have to (sigh) wear bras, so if it’s hot, we don’t get to fully benefit from the “breeziness” of a nice button-down shirt on a warm day like guys do! Go ahead and ask any woman you know what it’s like to have to wear a bra (even a lightweight bra) on a really, really hot day and chances are they’ll give quite a good description! The words “swampy harness” come to my mind…

The “party shirt”  can worn for multiple occasions – barbecues, tailgates, beer festivals, concerts, going to the beach – anyplace where a “casual” dress code is OK. You may not want to wear a Hawaiian shirt to your grandma’s funeral – unless it’s on a beach in Maui!

A Long-Sleeved “Outer Shirt”

Whether it’s summer…or winter, every guy needs a shirt they just throw on top of a another shirt to beat the chill if it’s cold – or keep the sun off you/keep bugs away when it’s warm. It’s easiest if these are the button/down variety, but fleece pullovers work OK too! My husband has a “sun shirt” he bought for a backpacking trip in 2006 and it’s still an essential piece in his wardrobe in all seasons, but particularly summer. In the winter months, a heavyweight chamois or cotton flannel shirt works great, or something lined with fleece if it’s really, really cold. These can double as light jackets, and are perfect for wearing when taking out the trash, walking the dog, sitting outside drinking beer around a fire, raking leaves, etc. Heavyweight hoodies are also great for all of these things.

Cargo Pants/Shorts

 

Zip-off cargo pants by LL Bean

 

I just want to take a moment to praise the clothing gods for creating these things. Though they were originally used for military purposes, they have definitely seeped into the civilian fashion world, too – and they are here to stay! They may not be the most attractive thing a human being can wear, but in terms of practicality, they simply can’t be beat!  I think these are essential wardrobe pieces for BOTH men and women! I wouldn’t dream of going on a camping trip or to a beer festival (or working an inventory shift at work) without a pair of cargo shorts/pants! You can NEVER have enough pockets! I even have a cargo skirt with pockets big enough to stow my tablet (every woman you ask will rave about any skirt/dress that has pockets…trust me on this one).  The clothing gods even took this essential wardrobe piece a step further and created zip-off cargo pants/shorts. How can you go wrong with these on a camping trip or even a trip abroad? Why pack two separate items of clothing when you can just pack one? You can even get “dressier” varieties of cargo pants (Dockers makes them) that are acceptable in “business casual” dress codes at work.

Novelty Socks

My husband was absolutely over the moon when a friend’s surly teen-age daughter complimented his Deadpool socks and said, “Those are cool.”

Novelty socks are very, very trendy right now. They sell like hotcakes at the store in which I work, and because of the endless varieties of designs you can get, everyone will find something they like! Superheroes, sports themes, food items, video game characters, flowers, animals, argyle patterns…the options are endless! Don’t want any kind of “pattern?” Pick a bright neon color.  And they are acceptable to wear with your “dressy” clothes in a business casual environment or out on the town. My husband is absolutely HOOKED on novelty socks! I don’t think he even wears his regular “white” socks anymore.

And thus ends my lame attempt at a “fashion blog!” 🙂