25 things every man should take out of his closet and burn

In these cases, less is most definitely more.

Linette Lopez

Business Insider

Tuesday 12 April 2016 15:29 BST

Comments

No, you cannot wear your cutoff shirt to the gym. It still looks ridiculous. (Brenda Chase/Getty)

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If you open your closet and any of the 25 articles of clothing on this list are inside it, the reality is that you need to start throwing things in the garbage.

Perhaps also consider building a dumpster fire.

Each item on this list has no place in an adult male's wardrobe. Some of these pieces have simply outstayed their welcome; others have been and always will be fashion abominations. You probably just didn't know it when you purchased them.

We're not asking for much here. We're not asking you to go out and buy the newest trend or throw money down on a pair of designer shoes.

We're just saying that in these cases, less is most definitely more.

"Going-out" shirts

This is the male equivalent of a girl's "going-out" top. It's the shirt in your wardrobe that you think makes you look like you're ready to party.

Maybe it has some pinstripes. Maybe you think the color is awesome. Maybe it's just black —don't wear that anymore.

Whatever it is, it's probably too much. Your regular shirts should be fine enough to "go out" in. Don't try so hard.

Embroidered jeans

Unless you bedazzled your jeans yourself and want to show off your handiwork, there's really no reason to wear jeans with any kind of detail on the seat.

Plastic flip-flops

If you do own a pair of plastic flip-flops, you should be putting them on when your feet hit the sand at the beach, and then promptly taking them off once you leave.

That's because they are for children.

Adidas flip-flops

While we're on the topic of flip-flops, we should mention that the Adidas single-banded sandals you wore in middle school should be long gone by now.

Yes, we know Mark Zuckerberg wears them, but let's be clear: Mark Zuckerberg cannot dress.

Flame everything

Saturday Night Live nailed Guy Fieri

Dude, you look like Guy Fieri.

Studded belts

This just screams "teen angst."

Do you still have teen angst?

The stand-alone button-down vest

Okay, wear a three-piece suit. Sure.

But the vest look is mostly over. Anything that looks natural when paired with a fedora is over.

Abercrombie and Fitch

Nothing says "I'm an adult" like dressing like you did in 1998.

Tie-dye everything

Tie-dye T-shirts belong at children's birthday parties — where they are hand made — and the far, far recesses of your memory.

A hazy, immature, high-school memory.

I hope I'm being clear.

Wide ties

This one goes out to all the guys who were wearing ties in the 1990s and are still wearing those same ties today.

Stop it.

Tevas

The actual purpose of the Teva as an article of clothing remains unclear.

Are they for running? No.

Lounging on the beach? Surely there are better shoes for that.

Hiking? Wouldn't one want to go with a close-toed shoe for that?

One can only come to the conclusion that these shoes were created to embarrass whoever is wearing them.

And you don't want to embarrass yourself, do you?

Over-sized jackets

Barack Obama, yes. Chris Christie, no, no, no.

Whether the jacket is part of a suit or actual outer wear, please keep in mind that the modern man's look is more tailored.

And by "tailored," we mean it's meant to make you look slim and comfortable, not big and drowning in your own clothes.

Square-toed shoes

We're not sure when these were in style, but they now seem to occupy this vortex where fashion goes into a zombified state and continues to live on after death. Help us make it stop.

Cargo everything

If you don't have important things to put in your pockets — all your pockets — do not wear these. The legs are usually unfashionably wide anyway. This goes for shorts and pants.

Oversized belts

See Jamie Dimon's belt? Do not wear Jamie Dimon's belt.

Dad jeans

If you are a dad, that's really still not an excuse. You can do better.

Board-short swim trunks

Shame parade.

No one should wear trunks this long anymore, guys. And you should absolutely not have pockets that weigh your shorts down and turn them into super low riders.

Get a decent pair of swim trunks that fit around the waist and hit just above the knee.

Trucker hats and beaded necklaces

Since these have been put together so artfully in this picture, we'll address them both at once.

Trucker hats were popular for a dark, thankfully brief, period in American culture. We can all forget that now and move on if we all do it together.

As for beaded necklaces, they're not for grown-ups — period.

Fedoras

It is highly unlikely that you can pull off a fedora. If you really think you can wear one, ask multiple people — some who love you, some who don't — if you're right.

You're going to need multiple OKs.

Cutoff shirts

No, you cannot wear your cutoff shirt to the gym. It still looks ridiculous.

Beanie hats

Beanie hats are for adorable children and inclement weather. They are not a hat that an adult male should wear indoors.

Hemp jewelry

If you absolutely must keep your hemp jewelry, consider it a costume piece only to be worn when you take your little brother to his first Dark Star Orchestra concert.

Graphic tees

First off, whatever it says, it's probably not that funny.

And, unless you belong to a specific subset of hipsters — fine if that's what you're going for — you look like a child.

And while we're on eye wear: Croakies.

Maybe don't throw these out, just only wear them when you're in the woods.

Or fishing.

Or running for your life on a really bright day.

Otherwise, no.

Now that your closet is clear, get some inspiration from these guys:

17 men's fashion experts on Instagram who will inspire you to dress better >>

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