Golden Rules - Items to Avoid - Standard Suggestions - Advanced Options

Golden Rules:

expand 1. No glasses - get contact lenses

plus 2. No velcro wallets, no wallet chains

plus 3. No Star Wars backpacks

plus 4. Get a nice analog watch - one without a built-in calculator

Rule methodology found here. Click each plus to expand details.

Items to Avoid:

Fanny pack / hip pack

Velcro or canvas wallet


Large or fancy belt buckles

Calculator or complex digital watches

Standard "Can't-Go-Wrong" Suggestions:

Please note: the items listed below are girl-approved examples. Although each item is linked to a vendor that sells the item, we're not advocating any exact make, model, or vendor.

Contact Lenses

Yes, glasses can be stylish, but the fact that you're reading this site indicates that yours probably aren't. The safe ticket out of nerd-hood is to avoid glasses entirely. Contact lenses are a no brainer - pop them in and you're good to go. If you've tried contact lenses before and found them uncomfortable, you may want to give them another shot. The technology keeps getting better (the Focus on the left you can wear for 30 days straight!) Avoid artificially colored lenses.

Contact lenses are usually a safe bet to purchase online - shipping is free and the products are exactly same sold by your Optometrist. Make sure you have your prescription handy - if not call your Optometrist - they're required to give it to you if asked. The above examples are from the following vendors:

Save up to 70% on Contact Lenses 1-800 CONTACTS LOGO 88x31 Save up to 70% on Contact Lenses - Shop Online

Men's Analog Watch


A pretty standard way to add sophistication to your outfit, and it doesn't need to be a Rolex to impress. Metal or leather wristbands are fine - but say no to velcro.

Most Internet watch vendors offer free ground shipping. However, you may want to check out particular models in person at the local mall, then purchase online. ;) The above watch samples are from the following vendors:

Buy Name Brand Watches up to 60% off

Men's Messenger / Saddle Bag


If you spend time on campus, or have to truck around a laptop, these bags are definitely more stylish with than a backpack. Go with neutral colors, and leather or canvas.

The above bags are from the following vendors:

Link to eBags.com Home Page ShoppersChoice.com Buy Shoes at Zappos.com. Altrec Logo: Free Shipping

Men's Non-White Socks

Are you wearing white pants with white shoes? If not, then what are you doing wearing white socks?!?!? Plain and simple - you DO NOT want your socks to stand out against your pants or shoes - so choose colors accordingly.

When you wear shorts and shoes, go with ankle-socks - the less you can see the better. The above examples are from the following vendors:

Men's Black or Brown Belt

About half of the women we interviewed were adamant men should wear belts. For anything dressy the answer is a definite yes. Just to be safe, get a belt. If you want to maximize efficiency or if you're cheap, get a reversible black and brown belt.

Brooks Brothers - 88x31

Men's Boxer-Briefs or Plain Boxers

No one likes tightey-whities. No one. Just don't go there. Believe it or not, most women prefer boxer-briefs. If you can't fit into those, then for most women well-fitting boxers are also OK (well-fitting means not too big, i.e. you don't want to look like you're wearing a diaper, but not too skinny either - no one wants to see your upper thigh.)

Advanced Options:

  • Glasses, go with tiny granny-sized specs or thick-rimmed, dark indie-rocker style
  • Avoid lumpy pockets (if you have a lot of stuff, put in a man-bag)
  • Funny boxer shorts are OK
  • Underwear - no tightey-whities - women prefer boxer-briefs, sometimes boxers
  • Boxers should fit well - too big and you look like you're wearing a diaper
  • Belt color matches shoes

 

 

 

 

 

"Definitely no wallets on chains"

Laura, 26, Assistant Manager

 

 

 

 

 

"No big nerd glasses!"

Susan, 27, Environmental Planner