After much observation, it has come to my attention that Average Joe has absolutely no idea how to dress himself. I understand that some aspects of dressing well can be somewhat delicate, but that does not exempt you from at least putting some effort into the way you look. Therefore, for the benefit of the fashion-challenged, I submit the following basic guide.


The Extreme Do Not's:

• DO NOT wear anything associated with the "gangsta" or "ghetto" image. This includes flat-billed hats, oversized shirts, "bling", entire outfits in one color, and baggy pants worn at the knees. Unless, of course, your sole aspiration in life is to emulate a talent-less, drug-addicted womanizer. In which case, please dress like this so that your clothing can serve as a blazing signpost and warn the rest of us away from you.
  
  
• DO NOT wear a cowboy hat or boots, unless you actually live and/or work on a livestock ranch. In any other circumstance, you look horribly tacky. This also includes western-cut shirts. Think of these clothes as work clothes only.
  
  
• Sweat pants are the least flattering article of clothing you could put on your body. DO NOT wear them outside of the gym. And no, tucking in a nice tee and putting on nice shoes does not make your ratty old sweat pants acceptable. Take them off and burn them.
  
  
  Don't:
  
  
• Don't wear wildly colored and patterned shirts and pants, unless you enjoy looking like a clown.
  
  
• Don't wear a black belt with brown shoes. Contrary to popular belief, a man's belt, shoes, and pants all must be of complementary hue. Black belt, gray to black pants, black socks, black shoes. Brown belt, olive, navy, tan pants, brown socks, brown shoes. I can't stress this enough.
  
  
• Don't wear a tie with jeans. Denim is appropriate only in a leisure setting. And no, I don't care how much you paid for them. If you think you should wear a tie, you should at minimum be wearing khakis. Dress slacks are even better.
  
  
• Don't wear sneakers with dress clothing. This also includes crocks and sandals. I don't care what brand they are, they do not qualify as dress shoes. Do not wear them as if they were. Sneakers and the like are only acceptable footwear with jeans.
  
  
• Please Don't wear socks with sandals. The sandal was meant to cover the sole of your foot only. Wearing socks with them is just ignorant. I was hoping I wouldn't have to touch on this, but of late I've noticed it happening an alarming amount. Shame on society.
  
  
• Don't wear a cap with a tie. Hats and caps should be worn with jeans only, with few exceptions. Baseball caps do not qualify. Never wear a cap with dress clothing. In fact, it's technically considered impolite to wear a hat indoors or while eating, and you look better without one. So strongly consider ditching it altogether.
  
  
• Don't wear work boots unless you're working. Same goes for hiking boots.
  
  
• Don't buy it just because you think it will make you look like a celebrity. Remember, celebrities tend to be people with a lot more money than taste.
  
  
  Do:
  
  
• Do size your clothing correctly. You will look and feel your best if your clothes fit properly. If you need help, most clothing stores will take your measurements.
  
  
• Do put some thought into dressing. Again, you will look and feel your best when you've put some care into your appearance.
  
  
• Do dress appropriately for the occasion. If you're unsure, overdress. You can always shed the coat and tie.
  
  
• Do color-coordinate your clothing. It's not that difficult. (Note, this does not include wearing all one color. Please see the first entry in the "Extreme DO NOT" list) Also, I know this may be a shock to some of you, but black isn't the only color. Try a few on, you'll be surprised.
  
  
• Do iron or have your clothes pressed. You'll be amazed at the difference.
  
  
• Do take care of your clothes. Hang them up or fold them carefully. Get rid of them as soon as they begin to look warn and frayed.
  

Bonus tip: Don't always dress for comfort. After all, when was the last time a gorgeous woman (or your boss) walked up to you and said, "My, but you look comfortable today!" Oh, that's right, IT DOESN'T HAPPEN. Dress for success first, comfort second.


*Also*: I like these ties.

You list of "do's" and "don'ts" are pretty much right on the mark,

the only thing I'd add is that its the shoes that make the man. I can look at a guys shoes and tell so much about them. The shoes guys, I've honestly not hired a guy cause of his shoes.

All Hail Reboot, Fashion guide to all men!

*bookmarks page*

One of your extreme don'ts is perfectly acceptable where I live. Cowboy boots can be and are worn with suits here in Texas. Obviously the boots have to be a solid color matching the suit and must be well cared for and polished, but it is widely accepted no matter the location or occasion.

Reboot...Will you marry me?

I question any shoes that has a pointed toe! Just me, but to each their own.

Not all cowboy boots have pointed toes. Choose the correct style.

I bet J.R. Ewing would have to disagree with that...

I'm sure he would.
And all the rest of us would have to agree that J.R. looks like a complete idiot.

The same applies in Alberta. The real Calgary oilmen wear cowboy boots with suits.

I don't think it's a fashion faux pas.

Black is the only color.

"Dressed up" is interpreted differently in a variety of places. In Wyoming, I recall seeing guys going in for job interviews wearing a button down shirt, a tie, their best (cleanest, least ripped, least stained, in that order) blue jeans, white socks and work boots.

I'd love to make a similar list for women.

The top of the Ultra Extreme Do Not Ever's for women would have to be wearing crocs and yoga pants (not necessarily together) out in public places such as work.

Yoga pants - great for exercising. Not for moseying around town on a lazy Friday afternoon. Dressing them up with heels doesn't mean you can wear them to the office!!

Crocs - Great for the garden, not for anywhere else!

You didn't address wearing casual clothing with a sport coat. Such as jeans/sneaker/t-shirt and a matching blazer.

I love my crocs...But I don't claim to be fashionable. :D

Um....you can dress a homeless man in an Armani suit, but he's still a homeless man.....

I think a safe rule of thumb is to think of it precisely as it is: a casual blazer. Wear it only where appropriate. Never wear a casual blazer and jeans and pretend you're dressed up, because you're not. And never mix-and-match a casual blazer with dress slacks, because you'll just end up looking silly.

Also, the same color-coordination rules apply. Don't wear a black casual blazer with blue jeans and brown shoes; it gives you a very miss-matched appearance.

But said homeless man will turn heads and probably draw some job offers, be better perceived, etc...

Everything in better looking 'packaging' will have better perceived value... noone needs to know the man is homeless. If he has what it takes personality wise and all is missing is the 'packaging' then that homeless man will go far.

Clothes do make the man, not the other way around.

I never did find out who the hell shot J.R.!

Dressing well is not about pretending to be something your not. It's about valuing yourself enough to put some care and thought into the way you present. You don't have to be a fop, but you can still strive to look your best.

Just making a point. Things aren't always as they appear to be.