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British Men's Biggest Fashion Mistakes: Hawaiian Shirts, High-Waisted Pants, and Sandals With Socks

by Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick (Subscribe to Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick's posts)
Posted Jul 1st 2010 at 8:00PM  
23 Comments
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We don't know where to start with this guy. Photo: Getty Images

Guys, you are officially on notice: Put away the "Jersey Shore" tank tops, conceal the man boobs, and don't you dare show up at our beach party wearing sandals with socks.

If you persist in these and other fashion crimes, we may be forced to behave like our UK sisters and max out your credit card Vienna Girardi-style. (For purely altruistic reasons, of course.)

More than 40 percent of the British Isles women polled for the fashion site very.co.uk say they shop for their men to prevent them from making style gaffes. (And maybe they pick up a few goodies for themselves?)

The fashion faux pas that British females so lovingly strive to thwart when purchasing for their male partners? Hawaiian shirts, high-waisted trousers (as in those favored by fellow Brit Simon Cowell), and sandals paired with socks, the Daily Express reports.

And we American girls thought we were the only ones whose worst nightmare is our favorite guy showing up in white socks, square-toed shoes, and Justin Bieber hair.

Other things that make lady Brits cringe? Men who try to look "too trendy" or "too young" for their age. Did you hear that 43-year-old David Schwimmer? How about you, Tom Brady?

What the British ladies do like, according to the poll, is a classic, suited style on their men. Hear, hear! It's no wonder dapper "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest has been importing his stage look from London's Burberry!

Females aren't the only ones who want to intervene when we see guys having style emergencies. Check out what some top male fashion designers have to say about the worst menswear fashion crimes ever.
Read All Comments
Filed under: Fashion, News, Shopping
Tags: British, British Isles, Fashion Faux Pas, Fashion Mistakes, Hawaiian shirts, high-waisted pants, polls, sandals, Simon Cowell, socks, socks and sandals, socks with sandals, style mistakes, UK
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READER COMMENTS

(23)Add A Comment

Katie, 7-02-2010, 9:34AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Katie

LOVING this post. I can't stand the bad taste in fashion out there - men should just wear normal men's clothing instead of trying too hard. It's not like jeans and polo shirts are a tough find for casualwear. And yes, suits wouldn't go amiss either. :D

Reply »

John, 7-05-2010, 6:34AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
John

This story is all wrong! Yes, some men do dress a bit sadly. However, I see more women that just don't get the dress me up thing at all! Most of them try jumping off a 20 storie building to fit into jeans. Others think it is ok to have shorts so short that the fat of the ass is hanging out. And fat woman realy need a class on how to dress! They take the old saying, "Let it all hang out" right to the streets! Women need to stop and look at how they are dressed before they bash a guy that looks bad in what he has on, but at least he is coverd up. I can't help but think that most women have to be so uncomfortable in those tight jeans. It's not a turn on when you see a 165 and up woman in jeans that are 2 sizes to small and if she coughed the button would become a missile. So to all the women that dress poorly, and you know who you are, stop and take a good look at yourself before you bash me in my T-shirt, shorts and sandles with low cut socks on. At least I have clothes on!

Reply »

Becky, 7-05-2010, 12:19PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
Becky

John, I agree. Some women should not be wearing the clothes that they wear. It is not cool or sexy. It is plain eeeewwwww!!!

»

Tom, 7-05-2010, 8:29AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Tom

As a guy, and a strait guy, I never needed help with my dress. If anything, I was always overdressed. But you are right, some guys dress horrible, as do some women. And lets face it, you can put a $1000 suit on some guys and its still gona look like crap. I think the #1 thing a guy or woman can do, is try IRONING your frigen clothes. Nothing looks worse than a guy walkin down the street with a $50 dress shirt with wrinkles still in it from the box it came in, etc. Bad enough when you cant dress well. But when you wear wrinkled clothes it says, Im also a lazy slob.

Reply »

watdafuk, 7-05-2010, 10:24AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
watdafuk

If you need someone to tell you not to wear socks with sandals you must be retarded.

Reply »

Rip, 7-05-2010, 10:17AM

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Rip

Please ladies, throw away those ridiculous high heels that have the super-pointed toes!!!
I know they are in style but they look horrible!!!!

Reply »

Angiebaby, 7-05-2010, 10:23AM

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Angiebaby

I don't get the hoopla over Hawaiian shirts. Okay, maybe if your on vacation in Alaska or Iceland, but come on... they're fun, colorful, and they scream "vacation"! Besides, there is one thing most people don't think about when it comes to Hawaiian shirts, and that's the fabric they're made of. The fabric is cool and comfy, and the shirt style is loose and casual. I'd wouldn't mind to see my man in a Hawaiian shirt, if I had a man and he wore a Hawaiian shirt and if.... Oh, hell. Forget it.

What I don't get about that style is that ouside of Hawaii, they are rarely seen. But I would like to see something like this developed for men on the Florida beaches, as well as our other coastlines. I believe the shirts would be a financial winner for the same reasons - cool, comfy, loose and casual vacation wear. But if the floral, beachy patterns are too much for "real" men (Ha!) maybe they could use a subdued pattern. As for me? My "real" man would wear funky, bright colors if it was a great shirt! Now, not Dayglo green with half-naked mermaids or anything, but you know what I mean!

Reply »

Rip, 7-05-2010, 10:22AM

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Rip

One more thing.
Fake finger nails are a real turn-off for me.

Reply »

King David, 7-05-2010, 10:24AM

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King David

OK, OK, I "gotta'" get into this: Men: DO NOT WEAR PANTS AND BELTS that you wore when you were a CHILD!!! IF you have a 46" waist then WEAR A 46" PAIR OF PANTS, WITH THE SAME SIZE BELT!!! GOD, I will actually flip out on these idiots when I see them with their guts hanging over their pants, and I am 6'/250lbs., former power weight lifter, and WEAR WHAT MY SIZE ALWAYS IS -- and that includes ALL CLOTHES. When you button a shirt and you can see the STRESS EACH BUTTON is showing then it's time to GET A BIGGER SHIRT!!! As far as sandals, have your feet groomed FIRST, then have at it -- there are a LOT of women who need to do this too but they can HIDE things with nail polish. And guys -- COORDINATE your leather, do NOT wear a black belt with brown shoes, etc. UGH!!! And TO ALL OF YOU -- FLOSS YOUR TEETH. If you only knew how much ODOR you put out from the gases of last night's dinner then you would be embarrassed to Hell and back!!! And yes, I wear Hawaiian shirts -- I have about 10 of them, varied colors and designs, as well as a ton of other SHIRTS THAT FIT!!! WISE UP!!! (Oh, and women, DO NOT show me your hanging fat gut, exhibited from either a "tube type" of top or just the wrong size --- GAG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Reply »

davefishenguy, 7-05-2010, 10:54AM

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davefishenguy

Women are such Hippocrates. If a man tried telling a woman what to wear she would accuse him of being controlling. Yet woman do it all the time and say they are just helping us.

Reply »

danahume, 7-05-2010, 11:13AM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
danahume

WARNING: That link that poster Vigham put on may be bad for your computer! So, if you don't have a good security system on your computer,,,,enter at your own risk! Thanks, Vigham....everyone just loves people like you.

Reply »

Jim Colella, 7-05-2010, 11:51AM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
Jim Colella

Excuse me young lady not all men have bad looking feet sorry your last man,husband, or who ever do not fit that slam, now some of you women are just full of it, you have everything to put on your body to make yourself look better, hot, well built. The nerve push up pads ass pads, fake this fake that, you know what I mean a real grab bag like a box of cracker jacks you open the box to get to your prize and oh shi... you look nothing like you did before you took off your clothes( probably undress in the dark) as well it makes a man think hey lady when you get to the part I want right now just throw it over here and then you run around saying you know sister there just isn't enough real men left anymore so wake up and smell your own parts and your ugly feet from wearing those tight ass shoes and I might add bunions are so hot to look at, so do your self a favor and have a foot inspection problem solved and if he turns off the lights before the big moment maybe you are not what you have been strutting around looking like.
Jim

Reply »

Dan, 7-05-2010, 11:23AM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
Dan

What a load of crap. First, why are these guys letting their women shop for them. Are they to damned lazy to do it themselves? They deserve to wear that kind of crap. Second, women need to get over this fashon garbage. Personally, if a woman does not like the cut of my hair, the color of my hair, my shirt, pants, or shoes, I don't really want the whinning 'ol bat around me. I figure if a woman doesn't like what she sees, and doesn't care to find out what I really am, she should just stay away. I got enough headaches, and living the way some female THINKS I should, just aint gonna happen. If she is so narrow minded, that she thinks I am not a good person, because I don't wear clothes she finds to her tastes, the heck with her.......

Reply »

Raphael, 7-05-2010, 11:48AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Raphael

I cant help but laugh about the comment in this article . They comment on the style of a man when Ryan Seacrest would really rather wear something completely opposite. Once again ladies, say it with me this time . "Ryan Seacrest is Gay"!!
Now that we have said it lets move on & use examples of real Men styles such as Steve Mcqueen, Bill Cosby, Maxwell, Sting,
Will Smith, Henry Louis Gates, Cedric the Entertainer, President Barak Obama, Steve Harvey, former President George Bush, Jet li, Ken Watanabe, these guys have classic
handsome male attire down & dont you ever forget it.

Reply »

Raphael, 7-05-2010, 11:47AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Raphael

Once again I have to dissagree with some of the comments made here . I have seen some of America's worst feet . I can honestly say if you need to wear socks, it's okay. Some people have years of neglect on their feet with bunions, hoofs and all deformed toes of hammer & calluses. They do make sandal socks to be worn by surfers & sandal wearers . This fashion trend is sweeping & greatfully I am to them providing those of us who are footfully challenged. Have you ever seen a woman wearing a sandal with huge bunions? if you wear a shoe because its cute & later in life you have warped feet .
You are super Dumb. You are vain if you continue but, keep it up you will learn why.........those of us who work in steel toe dont really have many choices . Protect the foot or loose a few toes . No Brainer..........love what I do great two hour lunches....

Reply »

robert, 7-05-2010, 11:49AM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
robert

Ladies....worry about dressing YOURSELVES. You have no idea how ridiculous some of you look in those pointy shoes, too-tight jeans (usually with a muffin top) and utterly stupid looking fingernails (did they actually tell you that black looks sexy?).... Guys, dress the way YOU feel comfortable and keep you cujones.

Reply »

arnold, 7-05-2010, 12:28PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
arnold

I wear knee high black sox with all my shorts and usually either wear sandals or dress shoes with them. I think it looks prette good. For a top I usually wear a very large flat collar shirt. Yes, I do get some funny looks, but I think it is what people shoud wear.

Reply »

JJ, 7-05-2010, 1:03PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
JJ

I live in Central Florida and my late husband had about 30 Hawaiian/tropical shirts. He got a lot of compliments when he wore them. They were comfortable and cool. They are worn and sold year round here. They are a little dressier than tee shirts and ten notches up from tank tops!

Reply »

Glen, 7-05-2010, 1:12PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Glen

personally, i like wear sandles with black socks; chicks love it

Reply »

Leslie, 7-05-2010, 2:00PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Leslie

Dear Fashion Queen:
On me high waisted pants look good and are absolutely necessary if I am to sit without falling out
or injury in the short waisted variety. The high waisted
pants barely make it to my waist. I am tall and need what used to be called "long rise" and is now called high waisted by many stores.
Hawaiian shirts are for Hawaiians.
I have severe burn scars on my feet and upper body and I do wear socks even with sandals and a shirt at all times, even in the water at a beach, because if I do not people retch and come over to say "cover that up" "or "you are making me sick",or even "you should leave."
That is even after decades of grafts and treatment.
Look before you speak.

Reply »

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