Contrary to the belief that men have it easy; there are dos and don'ts of club wear for men as well. Unlike for women, the list of don'ts for men is longer and much more detailed. However, the dos are very simple and suitable for any man.
Wearing a hoodie to a club is a definite don't. Since when is a night club a gym, store, or your home? It doesn't matter who you are, how handsome you may be, or how long you're going to stay, this is a huge don't. Hoodie's include zip-ups, button-ups, or pull-overs with a hood attached to it. If it is removable, REMOVE IT. It is not going to rain or snow in the club, you don't need to protect your hair.
Many don't incidents include men wearing button up long sleeve shirts, with bedazzles on the back. This means rhinestones or sparkles of any shape, size, or form. Even if you paid a gazillion dollars for your sparkly shirt, you shouldn't have worn it. This isn't the 70s and others should not be able to see your shirt in the dark. Ed Hardy is usually faulted for this mistake. If the tag says "Ed Hardy," that should be your first clue to stay away. Christian Audigier's designs fit somewhere in New Jersey, somewhere between the Gottis and the tasteless. They definitely don't belong in Glendale and surrounding Southern California clubs.
Ed Hardy does have nice prints on the back of the shirts, but they are very flashy and dramatic. If you do own anything from this line, you can always wear it to house parties and in private, but please keep it away from the clubs.
Another club wear don't for men is being too dressed up. You don't want to look like you're going to a wedding or a very fancy event. A tie is unnecessary most of the time, unless you know how to wear it.
Very thin ties are trendy right now and if kept simple, for example a thin black tie on a crisp white button down, you may be able to pull it off. If you are questioning the tie, take it off. There is nothing wrong with wearing a simple white button down with a nice pair of jeans.
Speaking of jeans, men should always, always wear jeans. Slacks are too fancy and age men by a hundred years. Shorts are always a don't, regardless who the designer is. However, there are rules and guidelines to wearing jeans. The jeans should never be a light wash; dark wash is a must. Some people can get away with whiskers on jeans, but they cannot be over exposed. If the whiskers stand out before the actual jeans do when looking at them, then that pair of jeans is a don't.
Unless you are a punk-rock star, colorful and white jeans are never a do. If you are trying to decide whether or not you fit the category of punk-rock star, think to yourself, do you in any way resemble Adam Levine of Maroon 5 or Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy? If your answer is no, go with the simple dark wash.
Other than the shade of the jeans, the fit is also very important. No one, I repeat, no one, should wear a wide-leg jean. A straight-leg is the perfect fit for everyone. If you wear the correct size in both waist and length, a straight-leg should work with any case. Skinny jeans for men is always a don't in my book, but if you must attempt to pull off this look, ask yourself the punk-rock star question again... you should have your answer.
Moving down to the shoes. Almost all clubs will not allow a man in if he is not wearing the appropriate shoes. A huge don't in shoes are sandals. Sandals are a don't in all cases, not just clubs. Unless you are going to the beach, leave the sandals at home. Sneakers are also a don't. You are not fooling anyone when wearing the Diesel or Sketchers black sneakers. Those are not appropriate in a club setting. It may work in many settings, such as parties, outings, etc, but definitely not in a club. Dress shoes and loafers are usually a do, but don't go picking them out from your dad's closet. Designers understand your needs, and design shoes for every age. Steve Madden, Alfani and Timberland are the best choices for men's club wear shoes.
A simple button down shirt, sleeves rolled up to right below the elbow, dark wash straight-leg jeans, and a pair of nice shoes is what every man needs.
If you want to change it up from the button-ups, you may opt for a blazer with a simple T-shirt underneath, or a simple Tee with an unbuttoned vest over it. These two looks are very trendy and can look great if worn correctly. The perfect line to find a great blazer and/or vest is Arsenal43.
The vest and blazer can have a design on the back, but make sure the embroidery is in the same color as the vest/blazer. This way, you stand out for having good taste, not for blinding others. Velvet blazers also can look very chic without being over-done. You can find tailored, casual blazers at Express.
As you have noticed, there are many don'ts for men, maybe even more than for women. However, the do for men is very simple and chic. If you love to stand out, do it with the button down. Keep the style, change the design, but remember, no sparkles!
If you have any questions about any other dos and don'ts of club wear, feel free to email me, or leave a comment below.
Comments
I now know how to properly dress. I think this should probably be a required read for all men prior to leaving their homes for clubs.
I agree with the DON'Ts for hoodies, sandals, shorts, etc.. But light wash jeans and black Sketchers?! I love my light wash jeans and black sketchers! Haven't failed me yet.. I say we take a survey :)
lol at the hoodie, so damn true.. and sneakers? oh my.. come on Vee!! that's my thing!! but i do agree in jeans, DARK WASH FTW
thanks for the tips. my son is going to a club for the first time and either i let him make a fool of himself and go looking like all the "donts" you posted... or i read this to him like i just did and hopefully he changes the outfit.
Thanks! This helped a lot!
Violet obviously has her head up her ass if she thinks that all men should dress this way. Her most obvious fault is that she fails to relate a man's wardrobe as being an outward expression of his identity. Further, a man should dress congruently to his social circle and type of women he wants to attract. (Assuming he's clubbing to meet women.) While I'll concur that Ed Hardy is a DON'T (mostly because it lacks originality) the shoes that Violet suggests make me want to gag. I had a women tell me she followed a guy off the subway just because he wore art on his feet. I challenge any guy to get a SINGLE unsolicited complement from the shoes that Violet suggests.
Has Violet ever been to a trendy club in Tokyo or Milan? There are many more options available to men rather than homogenizing elements and cloning the "American Chode" look that Violet seems to be crusading for.
THANK YOU! Geez.
Clearly Daniel has been watching some "E Entertainment Fashion Faux Pas" programs lately, and might I add, your irrelevant stance on the article written by Violet is humorous to say the least. Let me repeat myself, Hu-mo-rous. That's 3 syllables, which equates to more braincells then you have in that tiny noggin' of yours, oh it's true. Reading comprehension is your friend, and since you failed to understand the premise of the article or the foundation in which it was written, you should seldom expect anyone to agree with your judgment, or your opinion for that matter. But hey, public opinion is the thermometer of stupidity, maybe you should check the temperature.
*re-reads paragraph* Notice how there's not a single real 'point' here. You have yet to truly defend your position in any manner other then 'Daniel is stupid.' Even this isn't properly evidenced. There's no logic. No reasoning behind this.
In short, you've found a really fancy, insulting way, of saying absolutely nothing.
That's some great advice Violet. Apparently "Daniel" has his own head so far up his own ass that he thinks he actually looks good when he steps out of the house. He is just the guy this thing was written for haha. My gf is nodding her head.
its really brillent,
its gonna help me with my next club wit my gal.....
thanks Violet
Isn't it ironic that "B" postulates lack of relevancy and reading comprehension when s/he fails to address a single point in my post? Enough said about "B". My points remain:
1. A man's wardrobe should be an outward expression of his identity.
2. He should dress congruently with his social circle and type of woman he wants to attract.
I agree with many of Violets DON'Ts, especially shorts and sandals. (Most clubs won't even let you in with those.)
BONUS: I still challenge any guy to receive a single unsolicited compliment from the shoes that Violet suggests!
great list i think i maily stick to the DO'S but what ya think of white plimsole shoes that arent sneakers
Agreed with Daniel. Express yourself, be comfortable and be confident with whatever you are wearing.
Three Thumbs UP....I now know xcactly~
i agree with some of these statements like no to sandals and blinding sparkle..etc to all the gaudy trends..but there has to be more options or else every man in the club is going to look the same....
Also keep in mind that there are many different types of clubs; the type of clubs being referred to in this article bore me stiff. When I think of club-wear, trashy-fabulous clothes come to mind. I personally do not want to go to a club to stand around and mingle; I want to get on the dancefloor and sweat. Therefore, button-up shirts and vests seem out of the question to me. This is just my personal opinion, though.
Alfani and Steve Madden shoes.. lool.. most disgusting looking shoes.. go with aldo casual.. much better
So now we have the clothes down, what about the accessories? Isn't that what makes the outfit? And what about hair...or hat? Scent?
Frankly, I think that you just add on to the laziness that men have developed over the last 25 years, which has really gotten men to fall into bad habits. To go to a club, it has always been about "flashing peacock feathers" to attract the opposite sex. And although you may add on to the argument that we are not in the 70s, what was good in the 70s should definitely apply today. It should not just be about her looking good; the man should look good as well besides the point is to have fun but also have fun with what you wear. If men's fashion went back to 70s style just as qomen's men would have a better time choosing an outfit and we need to stop denigrating a time period that was creative and free for men. I wear the 70s fashion every day, to work and to play, because I am not going to fall as a modern-day casualty. Imagine the disservice we do to men to have his woman looking good and him looking like a dope out of place. That is NOT what I want for myself. I need to look good WITH her. Peace out and feel free to criticize or even agree with me. It's best if you reflect on my commentary for some enlightenment.
Men need to wear platform shoes, tight-fitting shirts with wide collars, polyester suits with bellbottomed legs, etc. Your fashion suggestions add on to the male insecurity that exists.
I repeat, DON'T listen to this woman who is so selfish she wants all the attention. LISTEN UP MEN!! We need bellbottom pants, polyester suits, floral nylon poly dress shirts, stacked heel platforms, we need to strut peacock feathers again! Enough of male sexual repression! Men need to stand out and look good with their date, NOT take a backseat you all dig it?!
I don't know where you go clubbing, but jeans are just as bad as a hoodie.
I totally agree with this article. I haven't gone to the clubs the last 3 months and I am worried if this article written in 2009 is still applicable today?
It gave me some good ideas, but i disagree with the colored pants. I think it looks good when I wear my purple chinos with a black V-neck T-shirt and a black blazer. And I have scored girls wearing it
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