AFT – Personal Style Rules
While I’ve never put pen to paper with it, I do have a mental list of rules I go through when deciding what to purchase or wear. I have to remind myself regularly that the things that grace AFT are all personal style choices and each of you has your own take. With that said, I thought it might be useful to try and pen a few of my rules in case it helps anyone else in their endeavor to put their best foot forward.
I’ve mentioned one or two before – like matching your leathers – but there are plenty more that are worth sharing in this space. I’m hoping I’m not the only one that has rules to my wear, I’d love to hear yours as well.
- The tip of your tie should touch the top of your belt buckle. Wearing a tie down past your belt has a tendency to make you look shorter. Inversely, wearing a tie that’s too short has a tendency to make you look like a clown.
- Speaking of belt level, your dress pants should be worn on your waist. It’s taken me a while to learn this one. Your waist isn’t around your hips, nor is it at your belly-button. It’s somewhere in between. Find it.
- Wear an undershirt. And I don’t consider a “wife-beater” an undershirt. I’m extreme on this one, but it’s one I wholeheartedly believe in. I wear one with everything from t-shirts to formal dress. Also, no bacon neck allowed.
- Learn how to tie a decent knot. I’m a Half-Windsor guy, but you should find one that works for your body type. And for the sake of all humanity, don’t do the Merril Hodge. Ridiculous.
- I don’t do short-sleeve button down shirts. I’ve tried. There’s a fine line between computer nerd and Hawaiian shirt guy on this one and I don’t want to come off as either. If you are one of the few who can pull this on off, do yourself a favor and never incorporate a tie with it. You’ll thank me later.
Five should be enough to get us started, I’ll probably add more down the road. Hit me up with your personal rules either below or on Twitter, it might be something I’m missing out on.
I *always* wear an undershirt. Why? Because my mother told me to. Where I grew up, in Australia, we call them singlets. Here in UK they are vests. Please can you email my wife and tell her about Rule Three as she thinks they should not be worn when it’s warmer than room temperature outside. The fact that it is a Style Rule should up my cred considerably. Or make the shit less deep for a day or so.
Good to hear, Pedro. Whether it was woman’s intuition or just plain sartorial savvy, you’ve done well to heed your mother’s good advice.
I’ve hardly ever been in a situation where I’ve thought a single-layer was sufficient. Of the two times I can remember, I kept the “singlet” on and used the outer shirt as my rope to pull those people to safety. They really shouldn’t have been walking so close to that cliff.