Charming Man Book

Author: Li Hao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features:
Men's Dress Code Taboos
White-collar men generally pay attention to their attire, but this doesn't mean chasing luxury brands. Stylish dressing can not only perfectly match your personal demeanor, making you sophisticated and outstanding, but also allow for appropriate adjustments based on different occasions, saving closet space. So, the most important thing is knowing how to dress well—it’s more valuable than money. Below are some men's dress code taboos for reference:
- Shorts with words. Generally, white-collar men avoid wearing shorts to the office. Unless the words on the shorts are meaningful, it’s best to skip them.
- Tight jeans. Tight jeans accentuate the hip curve, which is often limited for most men. If you’re already on the leaner side, avoid them altogether.
- Half-covered glasses. Wearing glasses perched on the nose, looking diagonally through the lenses, can seem unfriendly. Unless you’re in your 70s and mending clothes, avoid this.
- Large checkered suits. Unless you’re on vacation in Hawaii or playing a comedic role, avoid such suits.
- Fine underwear. Letting the black, fine-striped undershirt show through a white shirt can be inappropriate.
- Upright collars. While men in movies with upright overcoat collars look stylish, in real life, due to fabric and occasion constraints, raising the collar often backfires, appearing overly theatrical.
Being short is an innate disadvantage. While it doesn’t affect your charisma, it can negatively impact your work, life, and especially social interactions. Many short men struggle with this. However, if short men choose their attire wisely, they can significantly improve their image in the eyes of others.
For short men, clothing should first avoid horizontal lines to prevent making their hands and legs appear lower. Additionally, avoid a series of horizontal layers. Shirts shouldn’t be too loose, and pants should be straight and flat.
Second, for color, there should be a basic tone from top to bottom, with minimal contrast between the top and bottom. Ideally, use the same or similar colors. You can wear contrasting outfits, like a dark suit, white shirt, and dark tie, to achieve a satisfying contrast. This adds depth to the upper body, leaving a strong impression. However, avoid stark contrasts, such as black pants with a white shirt, as this splits the body into two disconnected parts. Don’t wear any clothing that divides the body into segments just because it might be trendy—it only highlights the shortness.
Short and stocky men should generally avoid bright colors like red, yellow, or white, while leaner men should opt for lighter, brighter shades. Simple and crisp styles look fresher, while excessive layering can appear cluttered. Short jackets aren’t ideal either, as they expose the fatal weakness of short, thick legs. The best shirt length should slightly cover the hips, paired with a slightly loose shirt and a slightly tighter pair of pants. When wearing shirts or T-shirts, tuck the top into the pants, tie a belt, and define the waist for a polished look.
Young short men are often mistaken for children. Therefore, they should choose more mature clothing, especially formal, gentleman-style outfits. These require high-quality materials and a refined, elegant appearance, such as a light purple suit with a pale yellow-gray shirt and matching pants, paired with a high-quality tie, to look mature and dignified.
Attention to detail is crucial for short men, and accessories should add value and attract attention. Fine watches, belts, high-end ties, and a pen are examples. If wearing glasses, choose slightly wider frames to add facial strength. If carrying a briefcase, opt for a portable one. Belts and clothing colors should coordinate, with minimal contrast, and belts shouldn’t be too wide. Shoes should be traditional colors or close to (leather-like) pointed styles.
Short men can choose clothes like others, but avoid overly plain or overly flashy outfits. Focus on balanced proportions and well-fitted cuts. Finally, short men should pay enough attention to their grooming—neat hair, clean stubble, and polished shoes. Keeping shirts clean and presentable regularly will boost confidence. This not only fosters good habits but also gives others a neat and tidy impression.
P89-91