Although often thought of as a form of self-expression, fashion can often leave people feeling confused, especially with old ‘adages’ restricting what is acceptable to wear and what isn’t.
Experts at GQ have stepped up to dispel some myths around mens fashion and reveal the five bits of once popular advice that are now outdated.
Long gone are the days when men were only allowed to wear white socks for sport and shoes had to match their belt buckle.
Never wear shorts to the office
Not as taboo as before but check first – is your boss wearing shorts? No, then maybe don’t be the first to bare your legs in the office
During a British summer it is not uncommon to see men walking around in shorts, and sometimes with their tops off too.
While it is advisable to cover your top half while at work, the belief that men should not wear shorts in the office seems old fashioned.
Matched with a smart shirt and a pair of great shoes men can feel confident wearing shorts and baring their legs in the office.
The fashion gurus at GQ say: ‘We would have wholeheartedly upheld this rule but the truth is that the planet’s warming up and men are getting better at self-care – which means you’re unlikely to offend others with your primate-like legs if you get them out.’
‘That said, if your boss doesn’t succumb, neither should you.’
Never mix gold and silver jewellery
Kiss goodbye to the old adage ‘you can’t mix gold and silver jewellery’. GQ’s only recommendation is people buy good quality pieces
When it comes to jewellery, options for men can sometimes be limited and plain so to find pieces that suit individual style can often be difficult to achieve.
Team the difficult quest for decent jewellery with the outdated belief it all has to match, it makes for a difficult shopping experience.
If popstar Harry Styles has taught us anything, its that jewellery can be whatever colour whatever you want it to be.
And the GQ experts agree: ‘Rubbish. The only important thing to remember when wearing jewellery is that you must invest in pieces made from quality metals.’
White Socks are for sport
Only wearing white socks while doing sport is a thing of the past as the GQ experts question why not?
In recent years the white sock has been transformed from the pariah only considered worthy of gracing people’s feet for a bit of sport, to the popular choice for under footwear.
Say goodbye to only wearing white socks when they won’t be visible. Why not commit what some may consider a mortal sin?
Dig out your shorts and pair them with some white socks and trainers.
Rules? There are no rules.
GQ says: ‘Why? You do you.’
No brown in town
A report revealed people had been turned away from jobs in the city because they wore a blue suit with brown shoes – but now it’s acceptable
For years men in the city have avoided the cardinal sin of pairing a blue suit with brown shoes.
As recent as four years ago, a report found some candidates who arrived for an interview wearing clothes which broke the long-standing fashion rule were unsuccessful with their job applications, The Oxford Student reported.
But the GQ experts say its time to rid the industry of its outdated belief.
They say: ‘The idea that brown shoes should not be worn with blue suits in the city still pervades in some industries and is, generally speaking, a load of tosh.
‘OK, an electric-blue suit worn with fudge-hued loafers will make you look like you canvass for Nigel Farage but a midnight-blue suit worn with chocolate-hued Oxfords can look equally as elegant as any combination of greys and blacks.’
Read the full feature in the September issue of British GQ, available via digital download and on newsstands now
Your shoes shall match your belt
Although belts help stop our trousers from dropping down to our ankles, they do not always help avoid fashion faux pas.
Now, a man’s choice of belt is where GQ’s advice gets a little more advanced.
The experts say: ‘Sure, a tan belt worn with black shoes will look the pits, but team a woven brown leather belt with a pair of jute espadrilles and you will be summer insouciance incarnate.
‘Likewise, a chestnut leather belt worn with some sandy suede monk straps will look nothing but slick.’
Read the full feature in the September issue of British GQ, available via digital download and on newsstands now.