5 men’s style trends we thoroughly disapprove of…
Words: Rose Macdonald-Buchanan
There are always those specific items we notice on passers-by that make us feel sick to our stomach and send unstylish shivers up our spines. I sincerely hope that the ones I am about to shed light on have been recognised by you all, and yes, you have every right to turn your gentlemanly nose up at them. Whether they are old trends, new, have ‘some potential’ or don’t, the bottom line is, a true gent wouldn’t even try them. Heinous style sins, don’t be that man. I beg you.
V necks
This is quite possibly the most naff style choice a man can make. The thought that a man would cruise into Hugo Boss and choose a V neck over the crew neck is incomprehensible. The V neck is quite frankly, unattractive, and demonstrates zero style sense. Much too feminine for you alpha males, this is not ok. At all. Ever. For more on t-shirts, click here.
Square toed or extremely pointed shoes
The word ‘creep’ has not yet been used in The Gentleman’s Journal’s editorial vocabulary. Well, with a pair of these, you would transform into exactly that. They are also nothing that Jermyn Street’s shoemakers have ever dreamed of talking about, let alone selling, from their distinguished shops. A cardinal sin for any gentleman. For more on shoe styles, click here.
Men’s flares
Fears of it creeping back into a man’s wardrobe are not unfounded. Making a debut on sailors in the late 1800s, they are the dandelions of British fashion, returning every time you think they’ve died. A man wearing flares screams ‘aging hippy’ rather than ‘sophisticated gent,’ and they are equally unflattering. Skin tight at the top and bell bottomed, these were only half-acceptable in the 70s, when men paired them with love bead necklaces and anecdotes about mind-inflating drugs. Beware, they will no doubt be reincarnated, sadly. Read more on jeans.
Layering polo tops
Polo tops can look smart and tidy on any gentleman. As with any shirt, or t shirt, you only need to wear one. It is for this preppy-douchebaggery-sin that we have jumpers and coats and jackets and every other wonderful item of clothing. Those are your layers, not another of the same, that is the beauty of dressing. A gentleman is adventurous with style, and a pile of identical collars is only an eye-sore, causing the mind to waver too. No, thank you very much.
Grey shiny suits
This is a generalisation. I am just watching my back incase one of you gents owns the most glorious grey suit ever made. But I am not talking about the elegant, tailor made grey suits, in Prince of Wales check, that only the most refined gent can get his hands on. Oh no. I am talking about the polyester, grey shiny suits, that are an easy mistake but one you can prevent. Suits nowadays can be bought in a wide variety of colours, made of good cloths, and all at affordable prices. There is no excuse for a polyester one. Here is Isaac Ferry getting it noticeably wrong. For more on suits, click here.
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