Style Sins Of The Father

Most men had an older man, a biological dad, uncle or older brother, who served as an idol while they were growing up. These father figures served as a template for everything from interests to style. But not everything that gets handed down is necessarily a good thing. Here are some of the more common paternal fashion missteps that you should keep from turning into serious intergenerational sin.

Daddy Jeans
They go by different names, but they all appear one way: ugly. You know how they look like, these light wash denims worn high on the waist, often secured with a leather belt. Should you have inherited the style or, worse, the jeans themselves, from your father figure, it's time you let go and moved on fashion-wise.

High-riding jeans almost never complement the figure of any man. Insisting on wearing these sky-high jeans will make you seem permanently stuck in fashion-oblivious 1992. Opt for pants that sit just a bit below the waistline, and with a fit that follows your legs. If the fabric balloons out at the hips or bags anywhere along its length, don't wear the pair.

Darker denims are your best friend, especially with the current market that's just flooded with premium and high-end jeans. Make the most of them, especially since dark shades have a slimming effect and look much more refined than their lighter cousins.

Oversized Suits
It's practically a male right of passage for an older male relative to choose your prom suit for you. This scenario usually ends up with you wearing a suit one or two sizes too large, the rationale being that you'll have to grow into your suit. Of course, this isn't acceptable if you're planning to look every inch the modern fashion-conscious man.

Nowadays, fit is everything. The critical question for any article of clothing you buy is if it fits you well right now instead of five years down the road. Besides, it's highly unlikely that you'll do any more growing at this point. And since you probably have your own means by now, it's also a good idea to abandon the store-bought style ritual and go to a tailor who'll give you threads that you can really rock.

Too-Big Leather Jackets
Few guys can resist the allure of a tough-looking, masculine leather jacket. But your dad (or other father figure) probably didn't get the right fit for him. One thing you should know is that an ill-fitting leather jacket, regardless of the brand or quality of the leather, is an ugly-looking leather jacket.

Get one that hugs your shoulders and fits your torso, not the one that wraps around the bod you wish you had. Don't fret if it seems just a wee bit too tight at first. As a material, leather is very versatile because it'll eventually adjust to the size of the wearer, eventually making for a very snug fit. Leather shoes are the same way, which is why shoe salesmen tell you to get the snuggest possible pair in the store.

For this season, the most popular jackets draw inspiration from the bomber jacket trend that Hollywood celebrities began sporting several months ago. Swap out the old-style leather biker jacket for a cleaner, more Americana bomber and you'll look very now.

Countless men out there cop the style of their dads or father figures. Heck, even fashion plate Justin Timberlake cites his stepdad as an inspiration. But that doesn't mean you should do everything exactly the same way. Pick up the idea but give it a more modern, edgier twist according to the modern rules of style. That way, you'll make both yourself look good and the old man happy.