Introduction

The purpose of this blog is to set forth a series of rules on matters sartorial (and related subjects) for men. I have compiled these rules after long observation of the often degraded state of male dress and demeanor one sees in our great cities of late.

These rules are not intended as mere suggestions, rather they should be adhered to strictly. Deviate at your peril.


Sincerely,

Mr. Wooster

24 July 2008

Rules 31 through 40

31. Unless you are a girl, you should never wear a tank top.

32. Unless you are: (i) at the beach; (ii) swimming; or (iii) playing a sport, lost the coin toss and are on the “skins” side, put a damn shirt on.

33. If your fingernails extend past the tip of your fingers, you are disgusting.

34. No. Ponytails. Ever.

35. If your dress trousers have belt loops, you must wear a belt. No exceptions.

36. If you get a stain on a tie and Tiecrafters (www.tiecrafters.com) can’t get it out, throw it away.

37. Yes, your suit jacket has two lower exterior pockets; that does not mean you should put things in those pockets.

38. If you tan in any way other than by ordinary sunlight outdoors, you are an asshat.

39. If you tan using “self-tanner” you are worse than an asshat, you are a douchebag of the first water.

40. Lapel pins are for idiots.

08 July 2008

Rules 26 through 30

26. You are not a man until you can tie a bowtie.

27. It is never acceptable to wear a baseball cap with a suit.

28. Logo umbrellas are to be avoided unless absolutely necessary to avoid being drenched.

29. Trim your damn nose hair.

30. Unless required by your religion or you are disfigured, beards are rarely a good idea.

03 July 2008

Rules 19 through 25

19. The “fauxhawk” is the new mullet. That means if you have one, you are, ipso facto, a douche.

20. Approach hats with caution—some men can pull them off, but most of us look ridiculous.

21. If you wear Crocs, you deserve to be ridiculed.

22. When wearing a suit coat or sport coat, the sleeve of your shirt should extend at least ¼ inch past your jacket sleeve.

23. Unless they are of reverse-calf (suede), your dress shoes should be polished. Always.

24. Unless you are a jazz musician, shave that “soul patch,” you look like an idiot.

25. When wearing a suit, it is never acceptable to wear sneakers and then change into dress shoes when you arrive at your destination. If your dress shoes are that uncomfortable, buy new ones that fit correctly, you pillock.

02 July 2008

Rules 16 through 18

16. Unless you (i) work in the IT department; (ii) are a doctor who is on-call; (iii) are an on-duty law enforcement officer; or (iv) want to look like a ass, it is never a good idea to wear electronic devices on your belt.

17. The only occasion during which it is acceptable to use a Bluetooth earpiece with a mobile phone is whilst driving. If you wear one at any other time, know that you look like a twat and people are making fun of you.

18. Pleated cotton trousers are rarely a good idea.

30 June 2008

Rules 11 through 15

11. Boxers or nothing, unless you are playing a sport.

12. If your tie extends below your belt, it is too long.

13. Wearing a hat indoors is never acceptable, unless you are an actor in a play and the scene is supposed to take place outdoors.

14. If you can fit more than three fingers side-by-side (like the Boy Scout salute) between your stomach and your buttoned suit or sport jacket, it is too loose. See Rule 1.

15. Unless you are blind, disfigured or recently had a medical procedure on your eyes, the following is the only circumstance during which it is acceptable to wear sunglasses: (a) you are outside; and (b) the sun is shining. Wearing sunglasses at any other time (esp. indoors, at night) marks you as a poseur douche.

29 June 2008

Rules 1 through 10

1. Get your tailored clothing (e.g., suits, sport coats, trousers) professionally altered by a trained tailor. This rules out most dry cleaners.

2. And yes, men wear “trousers,” not “pants,” and certainly not “slacks.” The only exceptions to this nomeclature are the names of certain species of trousers that have specific traditional fabrications or uses (e.g., chinos, khakis, plus-fours, jodhpurs, jeans, dungarees, etc.).

3. You know that little label (or labels) sewn to the left sleeve of a suit or sport coat (and sometimes overcoats), the one that has the maker’s name on it or says something like “100% Cashmere”? You do? Good, now listen up: that label is meant to be removed when the garment is altered—it is only placed on the coat to make it easier to see which company made it, or what the fabric is, while the coat is hanging in the store. That’s why it is lightly tacked and not sewn down. Leaving it on the jacket, or even worse, having it sewn on more securely, is the indelible mark of a complete twat.

4. Pocket squares should never extend more than one inch above the breast pocket (and if square-folded white linen, preferably half an inch).

5. Wearing an expensive pen in the outside breast pocket of your suit or sport coat marks you out as an ass.

6. Pleated trousers should always be cuffed. No exceptions.

7. Forward pleated trousers are more flattering than reverse pleated trousers. Just make sure they fit correctly.

8. Pleated trousers should be worn at the waist, not the hips. If worn at the hips, the pleats will gap and you will look like a clown.

9. Buttoning jackets: Single-breasted two-button: button only the top button. Single-breasted three-button: if the jacket rolls to the middle, only button the middle button; if the jacket rolls to the top button, throw the jacket away and buy one that rolls to the middle. Single-breasted one-button: it had better be a dinner suit, else you’re a twit. Double-breasted: if six-button, two-to-button, only button the top button; if it’s anything else, throw it away and buy a six-to-two.

10. Skinny jeans: if you are not in a band and under the age of 25, don’t.