Do's and Don'ts For Men From Guest Blogger, Ryan

DO wear critter ties. Critter ties have small objects (usually animals or other icons) repeated a number of times to create a uniform pattern. These ties give those who wear them a classic, preppy look. Both Hermes and Ferragamo are known for their critter ties (priced at $170 and $160 respectively); however, there are cheaper alternatives available from Vineyard Vines and J. Crew (priced at $75 and $60 respectively). Since it is oftentimes difficult to distinguish among brands, pairing a critter tie with a moderately priced (albeit properly fitting) suit can add $100s to the appearance of your outfit. Also, critter ties can make great conversation pieces. Many critter ties feature various types of marine life. Your boss may notice your tie and remark, “The bluefish on your tie looks exactly like one that I caught this weekend.” If you are good at pretending to care about your boss’s fishing escapades, a promotion may be in your future!
DO NOT wear crew neck undershirts. Nothing makes homicide more tempting than when an office mate wears a crew neck undershirt underneath an open-collared dress shirt on a casual Friday. What is even more appalling is if that crew neck undershirt is a color other than white. Men, do not be afraid of the v-neck. While v-necks with nipple-level plunges may be reserved for gays and Staten Island natives/Jersey Shore frequenters, normal v-neck undershirts are appropriate for all! You can pick up a 3-pack of Hanes v-neck undershirts from your local drugstore for approximately $10 (as anyone who has gone on birthright is aware), or, if you prefer a higher quality undershirt, American Apparel has recently reduced its 3-pack of white v-necks from $57 to $45. Reminder: if you are preparing to make the recommended transition from the crew neck to the v-neck, some upper-chest hair maintenance may be necessary.


(In response to a comment on my previous blog entry, I am going for an urban lumberjack look this fall...rugged man wandering out of the forest and into the [east] village).


photo courtesy of store.cstv.com