Just say no.

I don’t care what the NYTimes says. This is wrong wrong wrong! You will wear your long pants at work and deal with it, like the rest of us do. Too hot for you? Then get looser pants, or pants of breathable material. Hell, for a really relaxed environment, normal shorts might even work. Just, please, don’t wear short shorts.

Men: your knees are not attractive and never will be, so please don’t show them.

To Tie a Tie

Back in March, a friend of mine turned me on to this article in the New York Times, about the resurgence of the bow tie as a respectable, and somewhat hipsterish, piece of male fashion. I couldn’t have been more pleased. What has long languished as appropriate for only nerds, über-nerds, and this guy is ripe for the taking back. The bow tie can add a bit of formality to a costume without adding the weight and awkward flopping of a neck tie, and the likelihood that someone else is wearing one is slim enough that you’re bound to be distinguished. Also, an untied bow tie looks manly, cool, and relaxed, while an untied or too-loose neck tie just looks sloppy.

Of course, the flip side of being noticed is that if one doesn’t do it well, one faces all the more embarrassment. A bow tie can easily come off as bookish (as the first image in the Times article makes us all too aware), gaudy, or, well, like Pee-Wee Herman. Don’t let this happen. There are many styles, fabrics, patters, and colours of bow ties, and choosing one for an outfit should involve as much thought as choosing a neck tie, if not more. For a night out and about, a solid tie on the skinny side (such as the third and fourth in the Times article) will serve you well. With a suit, a silk striped tie, such as those from the Andover Shop or J. Press. For a spring morning of sailing and being a douche, this one. And for that special outfit that just must be over the top, might I suggest an over-sized or paisley tie? You’ll be sure to turn some heads.

Just please, whatever you do, learn to tie one yourself.

P.S., dudez: Charles Tyrwhitt is having a summer sale. Their shirts are going for as low as $35. I’d suggest checking it out before the sale ends, as even their most low-quality shirts are far above what you’d normally find for under $70. Other fine clothiers are having their sales now, as well. Just in time to get ready for the fall’s formal activities.