How do you dress when you go to bars?

I really have no idea. I'm not a fashion guy, but I'm told it's fairly important if you're looking to meet someone. I went the Barney Stinson route the other day (only because I was already wearing a suit for something else), but I felt like a pretentious douche.

I've seen some of the clothing discussions here, so I figured someone might be able to help a fashion-challenged moron like me.

 

If you're prospecting?

RULE ONE: NO shorts.

 

How old are you? What kind of bar? What kind of shape are you in?

A lot of blanks to fill in.

In general:

(1) Button-up shirt, probably untucked, but make sure it's designed to be left untucked. Don't wear a dress shirt untucked. It's too long. Don't wear a shirt three sizes too big untucked. It'll look like a tent. Plaid is in right now, scheme-wise, but you can't go wrong with a traditional solid like blue or gray. Don't get some ugly solid, though, like they sell at mall stores like Express. Stay away from logos if you can if you are over 25. Except LaCoste. That's the exception.

(2) Jeans are OK. Dark blue preferably. But khakis are OK, too. But no pleats. For God's sake, no pleats. Or cargo pockets.

(3) V-neck sweater over the shirt if it's chilly outside. Probably some shade of gray or navy, but brown or maroon or green can work.

(4) For God's sake, don't wear gym socks. Christ, don't wear gym socks. Get yourself some argylls or striped socks.

(5) For God's sake, don't wear gym shoes. Wear some loafers or bucks or fashionable sneakers. For God's sake, don't wear gym shoes.

 

Wear your finest Marcus Dupree jersey.

 

Get a subscription to GQ and Esquire. They are cheap and usually have some really good tips about stuff like this, including fit and so forth. GQ has an occasional feature where they pull some schlub off the street and make him look 100 times nicer.

 

A lot more than that for the outfits in there.

But the ideas carry over to cheaper fare.

I bought a pair of jeans I love the other day at American Eagle at the mall for $32, including tax.

 

You can be comfortable and look nice. They aren't mutually exclusive.

And my advice was definitely for the microbrew/classy bar scene, not the boom-boom room.

 

Sorry, everybody, for posting an honest thread about family pictures.

A moderator, "doesn't even know what to say" about the fact that it was serious.

I thought it was fine.

What the fuck ever.

 

WRONG!

I prefer the cargo shorts/sleeveless shirt combo, but I'll wear argyle socks to class it up. Drives the ladies wild.