MAN DAY: What to Wear to the Club

Sorry guys, I am on my way to NYC--no original content here. I do have a most suitable substitute: Be Better Guys!

For some great advice on what to wear to the club, check out this article by Brian Joyner:

What to Wear When: Club Hopping

Written by Brian Joyner

It’s Friday night, things are popping all over town. You’re heading out with the fellas/ your crew/ your posse (does anyone actually use that expression anymore?), or maybe it’s you and your girlfriend/wife/someone you want to be your girlfriend or wife. You want to look right and you want to be comfortable. Your clothes make a statement about you and it'll be obvious to everybody if you aren’t comfortable in you gear. Wear what's considered "club-appropriate." The last thing you want is the bouncer stopping you because you're dressed like K Fed while letting your boys or you lady head inside for a slammin' night. Before you head out, a few quick points of order: Dress for the environment. Don’t wear a suit to a hip-hop club, unless you’re Sean Carter. Even then, I’d still argue against it. That means you get a reprieve from wearing a tie, too. If you’re over the age of 35, you shouldn’t wear a hoodie, sneakers, or any sort of athletic wear to a club, no matter how much you paid for the gear. In fact, regardless of what age you are, hoodies, sneakers and athletic wear are usually banned from any serious clubs with, like, actual pretty people, so keep the Adidas at home or you may be left on the outside of things. Stay away from just wearing a printed t-shirt by itself. Just because Tyrese wore a Beatles t-shirt to the Smirnoff Ice Opening Party for “The Fast and the Furious 6: El Segundo Slide,” doesn’t mean that you should. He’s a singer/actor, under the age of 30, and he's in better shape than you. He can get away with just a t-shirt at a club. Layers are you friends. Back to the printed t-shirt, we recommend wearing one under a sport jacket with a good looking pair of trim pants might work for you. If you’re going dancing, you can remove the jacket when it gets hot on the floor. You can pare down, stay cool and not become a sweaty, smelly mess that just pisses the rest of us off. Remember, you’re going out. This isn’t an office gig. Wear clothes that say “I’m having a good time,” not that say “I’m refinancing my car loan.” So, what to wear? Well, we have a few suggestions. . . . Sport jacket. Look for one that's more flavorful than the usual blue blazer. Something with interesting details, like patch pockets or contrast stitching for button holes, of light construction (little or no shoulder padding, a minimal lining), and a unique fabric or texture (sharkskin, corduroy, suede, etc.). In other words, a one-off piece that doesn’t look like it’s the top part of a suit. It dresses up a pair jeans or slim pants and now you have a place for your phone, wallet, and shades. Plus, you can always take it off when you want to lighten your look. Just keep it within sight; if you think the jacket's hot, so will somebody else who wants to make off with it. Zip- or button- front cardigan. The sweater creates a long line that’s slimming for some guys. It can add a bit of bulk for the thinner ones. A sharp, sporty look. Think light wools, cotton, or blends to keep you cool. Trim-cut (or athletic cut) dress shirts. Don’t wear the same white or blue Oxford shirt you’d wear to the office or the same polo you wear on the golf course. Wear a trim-fitting button-front dress shirt with strong colors, bold checks, thicker stripes, or other interesting patterns. If you want to wear shirts untucked, look for those with a straight hem on the tail of the shirt, not the curved one most dress shirts have (it looks sloppy untucked). Regardless of the shirt tail, we recommend you tuck it in because it’s just a cleaner look. Jeans and flat-front pants (not chinos). No pleats at the club, Hammer. Flat-front pants with a trim fit give you a modern, stylish look. Mid- to low-rise on pants are popular, but not too low because it's not 1992 and we don't want to see your underwear. There are literally hundreds of jeans out there for every body type, color choice (although we strongly advocate blue, the darker the better), and budget. Also, everyone from Theory to French Connection to The Gap has trim flat fronts for every body type, plus a number of them have colors beyond the basic khaki or black - orange, blue, red. Don't be afraid to stand out. Boots or casual loafers. Chelsea boots or other slip-on or lace-up ankle boots in smooth leather or suede, or suede slip-ons with an elongated toe box are sharp. Either are great options and will lend some style and cool to your look. Finally, you have to make sure the accessories are tight. A good-looking belt, sharp tank watch, and cuff links if the shirt calls for it. These are the finishing details people notice. Remember, going club hopping is not the same as lazing on your couch, watching Monday Night Football and eating Hot Pockets. This is the time to step up, step out, and let the people of the world know you've arrived. You’re going out to have a good time, so dress like it and bring your "A" game to the table. Keep it strictly stylish!