Washignton City Paper Cover Story

[PigIron]

Originally posted by Celeste:
  Why did you ask a 17 year old girl for fashion advice in the first place?       She's gonna tell you what she likes to see on a 17 year old boy.
 
 It sounds like you have a pretty good sense of what works for you and what feels right, anyway.

My initial question (scroll up) was asked half-jokingly (at the expense of the boys in the article, not Betty's).  When she answered (very kindly, honestly, and sincerely) everything took a new twist and topic actually turned to fashion.  
 Although I have a good sense of what feels right for me, I know I'm not the most fashionable guy and I appreciate input.  I think you can ask anyone for fashion pointers.  If I go to the store for clothes, I don't request someone my age, I really just want someone who knows a shitload about clothes.  If I took the advice from 30-ish guys I work with or live around, I would probably end up looking like a retard.

[Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer]

If you'd like to purchase me any of the first three outfits, I'd happily wear them.
 
 

Originally posted by D.:
  As a student studying fashion, i thought i'd add my opinion into the mix. While youbebetty made some good points,  not everyone wants to look like a hybrid of the preppy/scenester �??looks�?�.  I think what is most important in menswear is to have stable pieces. Whether it be a jacket or a nice pair of shoes and work around that piece. A nice sports coat with a pair of dark washed jeans and a nice pair of shoes is comfortable but not too casual. Layering and subtle use of bright colors mixed with darker more monotone pieces also works well.   I think its possible to look really put together without it looking like you tried very hard. I find the most stylish outfits are the ones that look effortless.
 Some looks I find quite nice
   <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v719/MissBlueLovesYou/FASHION/menswear4.jpg" alt=" - " />
 
   <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v719/MissBlueLovesYou/FASHION/menswear6.jpg" alt=" - " />
 
   <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v719/MissBlueLovesYou/FASHION/menswear8.jpg" alt=" - " />
 
   <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v719/MissBlueLovesYou/FASHION/menswear-1.jpg" alt=" - " />

[Celeste]

Originally posted by PigIron:
 If I took the advice from 30-ish guys I work with or live around, I would probably end up looking like a retard.

Ha ha...that's probably true!

[PigIron]

Originally posted by Celeste:
   

Originally posted by PigIron:
 If I took the advice from 30-ish guys I work with or live around, I would probably end up looking like a retard.

Ha ha...that's probably true! [/b]

Its absolutely true.  I'm a 34-years old.  I don't normally care much about fashion, but still I want to avoid looking like a total ass.   I'm a high school teacher.  Its common knowledge that public school teachers are at the bottom of the fashion scale.  Its unfortunate but true.

[Herr Professor Doktor Doom]

Originally posted by you be betty:
   also, if you can rock the plaid shorts, do it.  but be careful...
 

you can take the girl out of Bethesda, but you can't take Bethesda out of the girl  :p

[you be betty]

yeah it was probably a bad time to ask considering i'm at fashion school right now...um.
 
 you guys are taking this all way too literally- there are ways to take those looks posted above and make them more appropriate for older guys.  like said, staple pieces.
 (and by the way, i have only once in my life ever dated someone who was actually the same age as me, so no, this is not what i want a 17 year old boy to look like).
   
 
 if you take some of the dior homme looks i posted earlier and subtract the suspenders, hats, sunglasses and other accessories, you are left with a slim fitting polo and a slim fitting pair of pants.  this look is ageless, timeless, and crisp.  now add your choice of shoes (my personal favorites being of course your oldest pair of chucks), and you have a solid outfit.
 
 polos are not my personal favorite item of menswear, but they can be a very nice wardrobe staple and they can work quite well depending on the context.

[bull930]

You have to be sure of the jeans you pick....you don't want a mammel toe....not cool! Cheap Monday jeans are too tight. You don't need to feel like you can't breathe.

[distance]

there are times where i am glad i don't live in dc and just show up for shows!

[miss pretentious]

Originally posted by distance:
  there are times where i am glad i don't live in dc and just show up for shows!

men's fashion here is pretty bad. ha.
 and i'm the girl at work that critiques what everyone is wearing.

[bull930]

Originally posted by miss pretentious:
   

Originally posted by distance:
  there are times where i am glad i don't live in dc and just show up for shows!

men's fashion here is pretty bad. ha.
 and i'm the girl at work that critiques what everyone is wearing. [/b]

that's easy to say when we can't see you!!!!

[miss pretentious]

Originally posted by bull930:
   

Originally posted by miss pretentious:
   

Originally posted by distance:
  there are times where i am glad i don't live in dc and just show up for shows!

men's fashion here is pretty bad. ha.
 and i'm the girl at work that critiques what everyone is wearing. [/b]

that's easy to say when we can't see you!!!! [/b]

what's easy to say? it's true. dc isn't known for high fashion, which is pretty well known.
 besides, enough people here have seen me - whatever that has to do with anything.

[sweetcell]

Originally posted by miss pretentious:
 it's true. dc isn't known for high fashion, which is pretty well known.

IMO, boston is definitely worse than DC.  in beantown, it is all about sportwear for the man-on-the-street.  even new IT/biotech money doesn't know how to dress itself any other way than through A&F.

[distance]

Originally posted by miss pretentious:
   

Originally posted by distance:
  there are times where i am glad i don't live in dc and just show up for shows!

men's fashion here is pretty bad. ha.
 and i'm the girl at work that critiques what everyone is wearing. [/b]

i'm in the club of not caring about fashion at all.  i mean i don't want to look like i'm homeless or anything, but i'm not willing to throw a lot of money at clothes (i look more for functionality) and i don't chase trends.
 
 at times i hate living down here (Richmond) because i have to drive 2 hours to go to most anything interesting -- and while there is drama here, i avoid most of it by being anti-social -- but i don't have to deal with a lot of the nova/dc stuff.   pros and cons i guess.
 
 overall, though, i should probably get out more.
 ... of course i'd have nothing to do with this cra because i don't go to bars other than for shows.

[ConversationDiva]

Originally posted by you be betty: yeah it was probably a bad time to ask considering i'm at fashion school right now...um.
 

which school?

[bull930]

Originally posted by miss pretentious:
     

Originally posted by bull930:
     

Originally posted by miss pretentious:
       

Originally posted by distance:
  there are times where i am glad i don't live in dc and just show up for shows!

men's fashion here is pretty bad. ha.
 and i'm the girl at work that critiques what everyone is wearing. [/b]

that's easy to say when we can't see you!!!! [/b]

what's easy to say? it's true. dc isn't known for high fashion, which is pretty well known.
 besides, enough people here have seen me - whatever that has to do with anything. [/b]

maybe to some you might not be as fashionable as you think!!!
 
 you have to care about clothes because they make a first impression. It says alot about you. It could say you are lazy or a scumbag. You want it to say you're upbeat and positive and care about something.