Buy stock in Craftsman...because that man is a tool.

So what about brown belt with black shoes? Can I wear them?

In the name of all things good and holy, No. Wear a black belt with your black shoes. Brown with brown. Periwinkle with... you get the picture.

That rule made me think of a casual wear question. Back when I was in Junior High, it was an absolute rule that your socks match the color of your shirt. If you wore a yellow shirt, your socks better be yellow, red/red, etc. Now that was Junior High back in the 60's. Has this fashion style ever gone out of fashion (no pun intended)?

Reboot, you've overlooked something pretty major here.

People, before you follow any of the otherwise excellent advice given here work out what your skin tone and general colouring is.

This is your starting point and you should understand this before you even begin to thing about style or form.

If you've not got this pegged then you're wasting your time even looking at page one of this thread.

Of course you're right, Pock. Skin coloration is a factor when choosing the colors and fabrics that look best on you.

I've really only addressed very general rules of men's fashion here. I've avoided saying much about coloration, because that's really about personal taste. As long as you don't clash, I'm open to anything. But the same basic rules do still apply, no matter what colors you choose.

Fashion in the UK does differ slightly from American fashion, and I have to say that I've never heard of this rule.

Generally speaking, your socks should compliment your shoes and pants. Put simply, its: brown pants, brown belt, brown socks, brown shoes. Never wear white socks with dress shoes, and don't even think about yellow or red.

It was really MissWinkle's red shirt wearing friend that tipped it over into needing comment, I think.

Whatever else you'd need to have fairly dark colouration to think about putting a strong red on.

I used to work with a guy who had bright red hair and the number of freckles you'd expect to go along with that. At an early age his dad had warned him that he had to be very careful when choosing sporting teams to support.

Chelsea, for example, were right out.

He ended up opting for Newcastle United who play in a safe black & white.

Anyone else find it amusing that our boys are taking dressing advice from a man in a bloody bunnysuit?

Simple, elegant, classic - the bloody bunny suit will never go out of style.

It's the male equivalent of that little black number.

I completely agree. Not having seen her coworker and his complexion, though, the only thing I can really comment on is his inappropriate use of a black tie.

How to tie the "Windsor Knot"

<a href='http://www.plime.com/redir.p?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQQr09Ja1zY' class='plime' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'><b>flash video</b></a>

How to tie a simple tie knot:

<a href='http://www.plime.com/redir.p?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbXzI-IAdSc' class='plime' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'><b>flash video</b></a>

What do you mean, "no cowboy hats"?

I've been told on more than one occasion that mine makes me look rather sexxxay.

Tell me....what's so wrong with wearing Jorts?

They're sooooo comfortable....and they have pockets!!

Which brings up another point of useful information:

A good knot should always have a dimple. The "dimple" is that little indentation right below the knot of your tie. A good dimple is made before you tighten the knot. You start by putting your index finger in the fabric directly under the knot while lightly squeezing the sides of the fabric as you tighten the knot by pulling down on the wide end of the tie. The dimple should be centered in the middle of your knot.

Thusly:

So white socks with the really sharp pointy-toe black shoes where the laces are off-set to the side are out?