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i just went round to high st ken in an effort to make my wardrobe slightly more summer-suited and completely failed to buy anything at all. i think this may be because i have NO IDEA what i am looking for. what can/should men wear in the summer???

i have something of a fear of shorts but trousers are too hot obv. what about those 3/4 length affairs that go a bit below the knee?? are they acceptable or are they the height of wankery? what about sandals?? and is wearing trainers with these shorter things laughable?

also are there any alternatives to t-shirts?? i have decided that i hate all my t-shirts anyway so anyone who has ever seen a good t-shirt ever ever pls respond.

and and and urgent and key q: last summer i wore my SARONG around town quite a bit. i love my sarong cos it is v v comfortable BUT am somewhat unsure as to the wiseness of wearing it around town and on the tube etc etc viz i do not mind the occasional "haha that man's wearing a skirt!!!" but i don't really like the idea of whole tube carriages larfing at me. so sarongs on men, c or d?

― toby, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

new "you can see why i have trouble buying clothes when i can't think straight" answers (and please answer or i will have NO CLOTHES this summer!)

― toby, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

white linen suits, panama hats, startched cotton shirts, terry cloth short sleeved shirts,white t shirts,singlets

― anthony, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Then Toby will look like the Mang from Delmonte.

What do meng wear UNDER their sarongs eh? Is it just pants? (Hur hur hur)

― Sarah, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Shorts obviously worrying unless playing sport. Sarongs - wear'em with pride but perhaps not on tubes in case stray ends get stuck in doors? I wouldn't dabble in 3/4 length trousers unless you are VERY sure of the attractiveness of your calves. Can't you get nice thin full-length linen type trousers for men? Blowing around legs in appealing English Patient fashion?

― Archel, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Oh God men in shorts (and in fact all people in shorts) is one of my pet hates, I think they look bloody awful on everyone except professional footballers and Toby is quite right to be afeared of them.

String vests are quite cooling I believe.

― Emma, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

String vest are winter wear Emma. Very, very warm & insulating.

― Pete, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Generally I'm all in favour of oppressing men, but I have to say I am getting a bit fed up of being boiling hot and pasty-legged in summer just cause women object to men in shorts.

― N., Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Having bought that A Certain Ratio album I decree it's time for the shorts + fake tan look to COME BACK.

― Tom, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Surely a string vest on its own would not be warm as it would let a gentle breeze ripple softly across your nipples?

Nick I do not think that women's objections to men in shorts have led to an Act of Parliament yet so feel free to wear shorts if you wish. Just be aware that women are shuddering in thinly veiled horror all the while.

― Emma, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

some women should be thickly veiled

― [ahahahaha], Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Sandals - ugh. I have no desire to see your toes in High St Keng. And as for sandals with socks...

I fear Emma is right about shorts, but on really hot days they may be the only option. In which case - trainers or similar (w/socks) are acceptable.

― Jeff W, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

The only option eh? What about all those people who live in PROPERLY hot places e.g. Riyadh, I bet they don't go round in shorts. Even the men in southern Europe seem to manage in proper trousers in the heat. Stop moaning and cover yourselves up.

― Emma, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Also Nick - shorts plus comedy beard? You will look like a pervy scoutmaster and find yourself in gaol.

― Tom, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

There's nothing wrong with men wearing shorts. Men wearing SHORT shorts is a reason to run for the hills, though.

― Dan Perry, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

very true - john stockton is a TERROR... my summer roommate constantly wore these unfortunately-tight wife-beaters all the time; completely AWFUL. sarongs, on the other hand, are certainly classic. Maybe the solution to the shorts/trousers debate is to resurrect severely ripped jeans, as was the fashion when I was a kid, what with the excellent ventilation and all.

― dave k, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Sigh. I despair for men and their collective sense of style.

― Emma, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Speaking of ripped jeans, the come to the laid back Caribbean advert is surely next in line for Pub Table Advert Theatre treatment.

― Tom, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

How come you are seeing adverts all of a sudden, no-TV boy?

― Emma, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Emma, you've never seen me in shorts. I have impeccable taste in shorts.

― Dan Perry, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Just be aware that women are shuddering in thinly veiled horror all the while.

I am, I am! That holds more power over me than any poxy act of parliament. In many hot countries they wear enormous ballooning MC Hammer style pants. But I fear that may invite further scorn.

― N., Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

And the beard is causing enough scorn to be getting on with presumably?

― Emma, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm glad other people feel the same was as me abt wearing shorts. I have refused to wear them ever since I was v yung on the grounds that they look so bad.
My housemate always puts on his shorts as soon as the first beams of spring shine down and by mid summer is normally decked out in SANDALS too. No amount of derision can stop this, tho the time he wore WHITE SOCKS with them and even grannies were laughing at him he did take notice.
This man has a girlfriend.

― Steve.n., Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Dan is doubtless accurate. And trust me, wearing pants around here in summer = pain. Short shorts, indeed, are of Satan, a sign of inadequacies flaunted to the world.

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Short shorts, indeed, are of Satan, a sign of inadequacies flaunted to the world.

Truer words have never been spoken; a pair of short shorts can't help but flaunt your inadequacies.

― Dan Perry, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

To be fair to Tom, I think the laid back Caribbean advert is a cinema fave.

It is my contention that women secretly respect men for whom all this grooming nagging is like water off a duck's back.

― N., Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Unless it's scalding hot (seldom a possibility here in San Francisco), I wouldn't consider wearing shorts. I've always disliked them. As for sandals... words fail me. Women are permitted to wear open shoes if they have petite, lovely feet.

― Sean, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

oh, N. dear poor deluded misguided N. no, women do not secretly respect poorly dressed men we OPENLY MOCK THEM. also, sandals on men = a big fat

DUD!

― katie, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Pfft. Katie, I scoff at you; if the guy is cute enough, the mocking will stop and the pining will begin.

― Dan Perry, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Suddenly I have this vision of Dan in 1992 wearing something atrocious and thinking, "Yeah, I *know* all these women want me."

I am not ashamed to say I wore Tevas in summers for some time, but had to give this up because they were aggravating some horrible planar warts I got. Stopped wearing Tevas; warts disappeared. A sign from the style heavens, some would argue.

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

heheh Dan it has just occurred to me that if Sarah and I ILE-ise your name ie. put a "g" after where the n is (see poor old Alang for instances of this happening, i'm afraid the process is irreversible) then you become DANG!!! oh i'm afraid i'm happy at your expense now dang :):) and now i am leaving work. but i still disagree with you about the sandals. most men's feet are NOT well-kept and the sight of them in sandals, well frankly they should be kept under wraps.

― katie, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

ps, if you do not like this i shall discontinue it. Alang pretends to hate it but LOVES it really!

― katie, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

The closest man to an alpha male I know is also the only one who wears shorts and sandals on a regular basis. Go figure.

― N., Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Suddenly I have this vision of Dan in 1992 wearing something atrocious and thinking, "Yeah, I *know* all these women want me."

Substitute "stylin'" for "atrocious". Well, except for those turquoise nylon clamdiggers I stole from my brother; those WERE atrocious.

― Dan Perry, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

http://www.pdn-pix.com/news/e_and_p/images/10.jpg

― Chris, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

That's him! The one at the front.

― N., Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Winter and summer wardrobe = identical.

― jel --, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

From the pasty people who gave us wool and pith helmets in the jungle, a no-shorts fatwa. Thanks, really. Looking at flabby pale legs sucks, but round here it's 38 deg/blazing sun for weeks on end. My concession is no shorts at night.

The euro "no shorts policy" made much more sense to me after I spent 3 weeks in N. Europe in early-mid August. Avg daily high temp: 20 deg. Minutes of direct sun/day: 3.5 We visited a beach, it was like Baffin Island, the lovely ice floes in the distance. At least the beer stayed cool.

Yes, I know the shorts ban prevails in S. Europe as well=they are crazy.

On sandals: If by some lamentable twist of fashion fortune you ARE wearing shorts, what shoes look acceptable with them? Not many.

― Hunter, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

loose linen trousers or kurta bottoms with sandals, mat be a linen shirt or just a T. Keep those pasty peeling pins at bay.

― Ed, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

i tend to wear linen shirts and knee length linen shorts with black chuck t's without socks in the summer, but thats just me.

― Chris, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Yes, IF I wear shorts, the black Converse are the only footwear choice.

― Sean, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

If you're hot, wear shorts, and sod the women. If they're of right mind, they'll find you attractive for NOT CARING about your skinny, pasty legs.

― Mark C, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I have no problem with shorts themselves, in fact I'd like to wear them, but I'm prevented from doing so by the rest of my wardrobe. Specifically, I don't have many t-shirts (mostly button-downs w/rolled up sleeves), and I only own black dressy/boot-y shoes and black socks.

It's easier to be hot for a few months out of the year than it is to buy new clothes.

― Jordan, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

shorts on men are fine if the men shave their legs, but skirts are better. And sometimes sandals are the only things that match. Or to avoid exposing your legs you could wear the "shorts" boys do here, which end about three inches above the ankle but start about an inch below the ass and are very very baggy and look STUPID but you all know that i just wanted to rant.

― Maria, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

If you're a hot boy, you probably wouldn't have skinny, pasty legs.

― rosemary, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

It is physically impossible for me to have pasty legs unless someone smears paste on them.

― Dan Perry, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Maria, I think you need to stop watching your copy of "Velvet Goldmine".

― Sean, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Nonsense. That is regular viewing, it is. :-)

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 25 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Was I completely off the money at school for thinking short-ish school shorts on the right guy were totally lustworthy?

― Tim, Friday, 26 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Yes.

― Sarah, Friday, 26 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Skipping 31 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

i wear rubber flipflops and pretend i am the vietcong

― mark s (mark s), Monday, 14 April 2003 19:58 (twenty-two years ago)

no one is fooled

― mark s (mark s), Monday, 14 April 2003 19:58 (twenty-two years ago)

i wonder why?

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 14 April 2003 20:06 (twenty-two years ago)

Flipflops turn even the most refined foot and ankle into a splayed, plodding, slapping commonness.

― Mark C (Mark C), Monday, 14 April 2003 20:07 (twenty-two years ago)

yay flip-flopsSSSSSSS!!!!!

― RJG (RJG), Monday, 14 April 2003 20:08 (twenty-two years ago)

well yes but that's up for me

― mark s (mark s), Monday, 14 April 2003 20:08 (twenty-two years ago)

Flip flops are OK. I try to restrict my wearing of them for short trips between my apartment and the deli around the corner.

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 14 April 2003 20:10 (twenty-two years ago)

My flip-flops have stars and stripes on them, so I doubt I will be mistaken for viet cong.

― rosemary (rosemary), Monday, 14 April 2003 20:19 (twenty-two years ago)

WATCH OUT IT'S CHARLIE!! ohwait she has stars and stripes on her flipflops hold your fire.

― felicity (felicity), Monday, 14 April 2003 20:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Our beloved Flying A featured Paul Frank navy wristbands with red anchors on them. They fulfull my nautical theme quotient, but what do I wear with them??

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 14 April 2003 20:37 (twenty-two years ago)

no but seriously what should boys be wearing this summer?? i'm still considering linen trousers, for example, although i tend to start considering white linen trousers with a white singlet and my girlfriend and flatmate forcefully veto that (and rightly so, obviously).

― toby (tsg20), Monday, 14 April 2003 20:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Maybe the tennis skirt that Felicity gave me? Cause the tennis arm bands with the nautical theme will provide a sort of segue btwn two disparate genres: tennis and sea. But what color and make of shirt should I wear? Rosemary & Felicty hepl.

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 14 April 2003 20:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Seriously, boys should be wearing this this summer:

http://www.ccchronicle.com/back/2002-05-28/images/pics/prior_large2.jpg

note the 3/4 length trousers

― felicity (felicity), Monday, 14 April 2003 20:49 (twenty-two years ago)

I got some canvas cargo shorts that were on sale. I have my Teva shoes (NOT sandals) from winter that are all hikey-leather-rubbery and if worn with the proper sock configs look fine year round. Capri pants for boys (er sorry 3/4 length trousers) sounds like the dumbest shit this side of unprotected sex.

also for summer I've switched back to Camel Lights/Turkish Gold, from the full-flavor variety/occasional menthol action of the winter months.

I don't wear sunglasses. Though perhaps I should. Trouble is finding a pair that don't draw extra attention to my humongous fucking nose.

Linen trousers = it's too early to revive Miami Vice

― Millar (Millar), Monday, 14 April 2003 20:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Linen trousers are fine. Just they get all crinkley and are hard to care for. I recommend wearing them with Converse. I recommend wearing anything with Converse. I think Toby should sport a white tank top Tony Soprano look this summer.

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 14 April 2003 20:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh yes, that would be very good for toby, especially with some man-jewelry like a chunky Vass Luddaker or Chrome Hearts-style goth metal chain or ID bracelet. "Hardware," you know. Summer dressing is more about the armature than the actual clothing, I think.

Mary, I think the wrist bands would be good with a certain So Solid Blue skirt (pleated) and a light blue top?

― felicity (felicity), Monday, 14 April 2003 21:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Ah yes. Better pay a return visit to 99x in that case. I'll give them a few days to recover from the last time though. Maybe Toby should wear faux dog tags. Sort of shock&awe. And the linen pants will add a touch of class.

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 14 April 2003 21:23 (twenty-two years ago)

You can also wear a linen shirt or an army shirt over your white tank top. It can just sort of flap in the wind and when it gets hot you can take it off and get a tan. White is key for summer. And with your complexion I think it will be a winner.

But enought about you. Back to us. I'm really thinking about sun visors this summer.

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 14 April 2003 21:28 (twenty-two years ago)

We have turned into Lynn Yaeger. But they ask for it!

― felicity (felicity), Monday, 14 April 2003 21:46 (twenty-two years ago)

LY has some nice kilts. I wonder what she'll be wearing this summer though...

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 14 April 2003 21:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Mary = OTM (but only because flipflops got in under the wire).

My summer play uniform is linen pants, an untucked cotton button-down shirt (or sometimes polo shirt) and flipflops.

Linen does have serious care issues though. Beyond wrinkling, you're going to get holes faster than you think.

How do we feel about seersucker? I'm probably dorky enough without it, but thinking about going there this summer.

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 04:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Ooooh seersucker fabric is lovely for that crinkly but debonair summer voib. I have a grebt cream cheesecloth shirt that I got from H&M recently that is also v summery, and is from the men's dept, so Toby should have a look around there.

What's with all the sandal hataz from last year eh? Mark C, you hurt me in my heart with yr flipflop rage - I have chunky leather ones on today, and they are comfy and RULE. I try to take care of my feet a bit in summer because I have to wear sandals or I will die, as mes pieds get very warm indeed even in winter. Cue people visibly shivering as I got out the Birkenstocks in early March this year.

Contemplating the 3/4 length trews myself at the moment. Possibly OK when vaguely combatty, but when they get all 'sophisticated' you turn into Marks & Spencer Woman and then ALL IS RUIN. Still not sure whether OK or deeply twatty on men.

― Liz :x (Liz :x), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:45 (twenty-two years ago)

I love my Merrell sandals, they were the most perfect footwear in Thailand, I doubt I'll get as much wear out of them this year.

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:48 (twenty-two years ago)

A google for "summer trousers" unearthed this image which I have decided will be my uniform May-Sept '03

http://www.pastpatterns.com/images/014color.gif

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Ooh those trousers are like the same pattern as my nice cheesecloth shirt! Obv an urgent and key style for this year, Mr theNipper.

― Liz :x (Liz :x), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Charmant, Jerry. I especially like the saloon you'll be walking around with.

Flip flops rule, tech-strap velcro sandals are for fules. So sayeth King Fashion!

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:56 (twenty-two years ago)

i used to have the too wide problem with sunglasses too Toby, when I had my head shaved, it was insurmountable. Now I have longish hair it's a bit less of a problem, I have started wearing this clunky pair or ray-bans I found in my house, I think they belonged to my dad at some point. I've only been daring enough to wear them while driving though.

The thing about 3/4 length trousers is there's the eternal footwear/sock/sandal dilemma, I tend to just wear jeans.

― Ronan (Ronan), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 14:14 (twenty-two years ago)

jeans are OK. for girls.

― RJG (RJG), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 14:28 (twenty-two years ago)

and men with a size 28 waist.

― felicity (felicity), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 14:30 (twenty-two years ago)

who are you calling a girl, girlanders

― Ronan (Ronan), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 14:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Meow!

― felicity (felicity), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 14:30 (twenty-two years ago)

skinny boys can get away with 3/4 length bottoms, better than shorts on boys, and wear them with trainers with socks that don't show (those low-cut trainer socks).

i love flip flops! and i'm slightly horrified that i'm thinking about spending £22 on a pair because they look comfortable, not like they'll cut my feet into ribbons like most. £22 for flip flops! where's target when i need it!

― colette (a2lette), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 14:45 (twenty-two years ago)

i used to have the too wide problem with sunglasses too Toby, when I had my head shaved, it was insurmountable.

:-(

― toby (tsg20), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 14:56 (twenty-two years ago)

2 words: rimless sunglasses

― felicity (felicity), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 15:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Googling "summer pants" also came up with this dude:
http://www.thephilzone.com/philzoneimages/2000summer/photos/jcutler/1pants.jpg

― Mandee, Tuesday, 15 April 2003 15:17 (twenty-two years ago)

who are you calling a girl, girlanders

OK.

― RJG (RJG), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 15:19 (twenty-two years ago)

toby, go the other way and get a huge pair of aviators - they're the way forwards. Having said that some wanker half-inched mine when we had a party the other month so if anyone knows where I can get replacements from please tell me.

― Alex K (Alex K), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 15:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Thoughts on the always tough jeans-and-flip-flops combo? (I don't rock this look, but I'm sometimes tempted to)

― Yanc3y (ystrickler), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 15:29 (twenty-two years ago)

That California Dreamin' "Hang 10" or "Op" look is f-in hottttt, mmm-mmmm. Get some red-white-and-blue framed ovalish mirrored Vuarnets or other mirrored plastic framed shades to do it properly, dawg.

― felicity (felicity), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 15:32 (twenty-two years ago)

What is tough about jeans&flip flops? Though I would like to remind you people: This is New York City (for some) not Virginia Beach. Please dress accordingly.

― Mary (Mary), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 19:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Everything about flip-flops is wrong.

― Alex K (Alex K), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 19:56 (twenty-two years ago)

tough =! tuff

― felicity (felicity), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 19:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Does tuff = rough?

― Alex K (Alex K), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 19:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Why you comin @ me from da Va Beach angle, Mary? TIDEH20 reprezentz everywear!!!

― Yanc3y (ystrickler), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 20:00 (twenty-two years ago)

are you tuff enuff for flipflops?

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 20:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Any progress yet Toby? May I also suggest that you add a white tennis shirt to your repertoire?

― Mary (Mary), Friday, 25 April 2003 16:15 (twenty-two years ago)

ten months pass...

Short shorts for men with 2" inseam like levi cutoffs are hot and sexy. I wear them all the time!!!!!!!!!

― Speeds Man (Speeds Man), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 06:25 (twenty-one years ago)

I think there's a thread out there which is germane to your creepy obsession that you haven't posted to yet. Get on it.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 06:40 (twenty-one years ago)

four years pass...

speeds man be gettin some action

― Surmounter, Monday, 23 June 2008 15:51 (seventeen years ago)

really tho, i love a boy who's like unconcerned. just walks out of the house with a threadbare tee and some sandals. i mean and shorts or something obviously. usually i'm all about the flip flop hate, but sometimes it's cute to see a boy all comfy.

― Surmounter, Monday, 23 June 2008 15:55 (seventeen years ago)

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the boys of summer

DUD!