VERITAS | Men's Style Blog

Modern Madras

I'm going to start where I left off yesterday: With madras, a little goes a long way.

The best - and goof-proof way - to wear madras is to wear one instance of it, with everything else toned down and grounded in basic styles and neutral colors. The most low-key madras garments to wear are short-sleeved shirts and shorts because, well... there's just less fabric to wear than long sleeves, pants, or jackets. Also, if you're not fond of the preppy look and afraid the madras will instantly transform you to Mr. Nantucket, this formula is your insurance. The key to current madras dressing is to look for garments that are slim fit, with subdued, sun-baked vegetable colors that aren't too flashy.

Pair a subtle madras pattern with crisp dark pants or jeans, and finish with dark shoes - this will provide the gravitas that counterbalances the casualness of the shirt. Tuck in the shirt and add a dark blazer for the evening, and you'll be the handsomest man in at least a 10-block radius.

To dress up shorts a touch, wear a white button-down shirt with a lightweight solid neutral cardigan, paired with white-soled luxe suede slip-ons. A cardigan feels more contemporary than a classic pullover, and it's easy to slip on and off depending on the temperature and time of day without messing up your 'do - just don't tie it around your shoulders if you don't want the prep association.

For an even more modern look, opt for a slim fitting black-and-white graphic patchwork. All the components still reference the madras, but without the telltale colors. Besides the stylish trim fit and minimalist color combo, the shirt above has another element of newness - the button-flap chest pocket.

And if you really can't get yourself to get inside a madras (or madras-like) shirt or short, ease into it with accessories or shoes. Everything comes in madras - as ties, belts, and even watch straps. Here's a pair of canvas shoes that you can casually slip on for a taste of this centuries-old summer fabric. Wear it for fun with a pair of jeans (or shorts) and t-shirt to energize a lazy summer afternoon.

Hey, if you're a style pro who likes to taking things to the edge and absolutely knows how to make a proper style statement without crossing into douchebag territory, by all means pile the madras on. If you're a master prep who's so confident not to be mistaken for a master perp, then go do your thing. But for most regular guys such as my readers, stick to the time-honored mantra of "Less Is More." You can't argue with simply looking great.

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Think Pink

After all that talk about the pink shirt on the previous post, it's now time for some practical applications. Whether solid or patterned, don't just think pink, wear pink! Here are some simple suggestions....

Summer Friday: One of the few still left with a job? Instead of merely feeling grateful enough to have a job, why not use this opportunity to get ahead? The competition is stiffer than ever in retaining cubicle turf, and now is certainly not the time to schmuck around in standard-issue work attire - especially on those dubious days dubbed "Casual Friday." Make your presence at the office count with optimistic pink stripes, dark jeans, and an unlined cotton/linen blend blazer that keeps you well-ventilated and looking sharp, not stiff. If you need to wear a tie, go for a knit or cotton woven tie in a solid or pattern. Lose the tie when heading out to cocktail hour and you might end up hooking up with something more than a couple of gin and tonics.

Of course, if you want to wear this shirt with a suit, just throw on a navy, khaki, or light-to-medium grey suit and you'll emit grace and charm at the office, summer weddings, job interviews, and wherever else you go.

Weekend Warrior: It's time to drop off the spread collar dress shirt at the cleaners for the weekend and revel in a sporty, playful shirt. Button-down collar optional, but recommended. Wear it with white jeans (or any pair of jeans, really, but white is the summer jean), and classic kicks such as Converse Chuck Taylors or Adidas Stan Smiths. White jeans + white sneakers = white hot. A softly structured nylon messenger bag is uncomplicated and laid-back, while holding all your essentials for weekend errands or just hanging out. It's also roomy enough to pack a lightweight navy cardigan with accent trimming in case your weekend excursion runs well into the brisk night.

Lazy Sunday: This is your time to chill out, maybe even to recuperate from last night's debauchery. To reflect this state of mind, your shirt shouldn't be perfectly pressed nor (gasp!) starched (bad boy!). Save that for Monday, and instead grab a sport shirt that looks like you fished it straight from the dryer, with its subtle puckers and soft crinkles intact. Unless it's way too wrinkly - you want to look effortless and unaffected, not sloppy - steam it out a bit just enough to create a carefree, undone, artfully disheveled aesthetic. In order for you to get to your local brunch joint for some eggs, and more importantly, Bloody Marys (hair of the dog, you say?), you'll need to wear clothes and shoes anyway. So why not make it a fresh, rosy shirt to add some color back to your face, simple chino shorts (or pants), and some easy-on-easy-off slip-ons? Add on a tri-color webbed belt for a tasteful jolt of color, and good luck trying to keep a low profile with those handsome movie star shades.

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Drop the Shorts, for Now

The spring equinox in March may have technically marked the beginning of spring, but April is the month when real spring action starts, when you can actually feel the change in the air. But the key word here is starts, especially for cooler locations such as here in NYC where you'll still need to hang on to your winter coat for a little while longer. So if you're somewhere up in the northern latitudes, read up:

A few times between now and Memorial Day, you'll come across these days - days so perfectly warm, balmy, vibrantly aglow with sunshine that you mistaken it for the dead of summer. When those days beckon, especially on weekends, please, I beg you, resist the urge to break out in the finery of your shorts, tank top and flip-flops (and for that matter, "mandals"). Here in the city, there's nothing more unsightly than prematurely exposed upper arms, legs, and (gasp!) feet - especially if your skin tone borders on the radioactive, or your skin's gone dry and scaly from baking in heating units all winter long.

Just as he would engage his lover, a man of true style dresses appropriately for each season, and knows how to relate properly to its changes, its temperament. He responds - not reacts - to the natural world with sensibility, intelligence and respect, and practices civilized restraint over instant gratification of his brute senses.

Fellas, I know it's hard to contain the excitement of a chance to break out of your heavy winter duds that you've been buried in for months, but trust me, in 5 months' time, you'll be dreaming of piling back on layers upon layers of wool, fleece, and hopefully some cashmere. So don't jump the gun. Maintain your composure. Be kind to others and stay covered up. Patience, they say, is a virtue.

And of course I won't leave you hanging at that. Check in next time for my tips on how to ease into the warmer days - and nights - ahead.