Q+A: What to wear on a Friday night

So, a good Friday-night-out look. I want to look better than most, like I’m not trying, and nothing like the Marina*. Ideas?

Not all, but most Marina* dudes (at least the ones I’ve seen) violate many style rules and it tends to induce quite the amount of stomach churn. Bad clothing mixed with heavy amounts of douchebaggery is a dangerous combination.

All bias aside, the first outfit that came to mind is something like what you see above. Start off with a pair of dark wash, slim cut (not skinny), unembellished, straight leg jeans. Pair it with a crisp white button-up, navy or dark gray blazer, and brown leather lace-ups. Simple! Accessorize to your liking (nice watch, slim tie, bracelet, if that’s your thing, etc.)

This type of ensemble would be appropriate in 92.68% of situations. It’s a classic, laid-back, yet put-together look. Feel free to experiment with derivatives of each piece (solid dark shirt and khaki-colored linen blazer, for example). If you stick with these basics, however, you can’t really go wrong.

Oh, one more thing… tuck in your shirt. Some guys think the tuck is too stuffy and makes it look like they’re trying too hard, but I think quite the opposite — everyone else will look like they’re not trying hard enough.

Navy cord Ludlow blazer from J.Crew, white button-up from Banana Republic, dark wash 511 from Levi’s, brown Caglio lace oxford from Rockport.

*neighborhood in SF whose inhabitants consist of quite a number of men in their late 20s to mid 30s possessing way too many Ed Hardy tees, flattened, limp-collar dress shirts, bedazzled, over-designed bootcut jean pockets, and square toe shoes.