Hat Epidemic

I like hats on people ... it means that they're trying to step it up, which is nice to see once in awhile. Just please don't simply throw it on and think you're set for the day. The hat has to go with the rest of the outfit. There has to be a purpose in its being there.

There is currently an influx of hats. Just walk around soho or chelsea, and you'll find 1 in 8 guys wearing a small-brimmed fedora, probably made of straw. Where were the fedoras in the winter? You could have a nice felted wool hat with a suit. You'd look so sharp. But instead we get guys dressed too-cool-for-school with a hat plopped on top. Dude, the hat says you care, so where's the care with the rest of your outfit? I need some consistency, please. Maybe a cardigan. Or some seersucker. I'd even take an ascot.

Bad example of hat-wearing.

Entry No. 1 or The Boat Shoe Dilemma

I was recently asked which shoes I preferred for a guy: black top-siders with red stitching, or the more classic navy with white accents. The concern was that the black pair, even though they had fabulously unusual contrast stitching, would be too obvious. Trying too hard. Possibly douchebag territory. I say it depends on the rest of the outfit. Wearing top-siders in general already says something. Day-to-day, if you aren't going to put forth the effort and want something to throw on without thinking, I'm going navy with white, especially once they're broken in. I see the black ones on someone who already looks like he kind of tries, so this extra step isn't much. You're already a little self-conscious, which is fine, because you look good with your tight black jeans and straw fedora. You could also go super-preppy for the rest of the outfit, then bust out with these. (sidenote: I like the slouchiness of the black pebbled leather. Why don't the navy come in pebbled?)