Great Email From a Style Girlfriend Reader
(An Ongoing Series)

 

Today’s reader email comes from Gary, who wrote in with a question, which I answered offline. He then followed up with such a great response (to my response), highlighting some of SG’s greatest hits, that I just had to share.

If you’ve been here for awhile, feel free to walk down memory lane with me and Gary. If you’re new, consider it a primer on some of SG’s latest and greatest posts.

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Hey Megan.

Thanks for responding!  I thought for sure my question would be lost in the thousands you probably receive each day {editor’s note: more like millions! pshhhhhh}.

After reading some of your articles (which are strangely addicting), I began to realize how dated I have become.  I still feel young…but time has a way of creeping up on you.

So far, the things I’ve noticed…

1)  Dad Jeans

Holy cow.  I had no idea stone washed denim was out of style. As you said:

‘Dad Jeans are often seen in the wild worn in conjunction with mock turtlenecks, windbreakers, New Balance “walking” shoes (you know the kind – uber-white, with a sole so big it looks like a platform shoe), and a generally dismissive attitude towards fashion.’

You just described me to a T (Dad Jeans, windbreaker, NB’s).  You’ll be happy to know I am switching to straight dark 501′s.

2)  Pleated Pants

I guess these went out of style with stonewashed?  Last week at work, I was sitting at my desk and noticed the bottom of my 10-year-old dress pants had a bunch of string hanging from the cuffs (yes pleated and cuffed).

So I cut them off.

While admiring the multiple strands of material I had just gathered and even contemplating getting another five years out of these pants, upon closer inspection, noticed the cuffs were completely frayed.  All my other pants were the same!  Suddenly I thought of your blog and figured…SG UN-approved!

So, I ordered some new Dockers.  They’re probably old man Dockers, but at least I’m moving in the right direction.  Straight, flat, and cuffless!  Baby steps, right?  You’ll like this even more…bought from Kohls (with the Retailmot 10% discount) instead of Dockers direct.

Also, replaced my ratty, never-polished Rockports, with the Florsheim Thackers you recommended along with a pair of Allen Edmonds (never heard of until your blog) wingtips.

However, my cheapness started creeping in so I bought the $175 pair, you know, the ones being discontinued probably because they’re out of style.   And, I bought some new polos from my go to store…Lands’ End!  You should be compensated for recommending stores in your blogs.  You could call it the ‘SG Effect’, kind of like the Kramer Effect on Mad Money.

3)  Gym Clothes 

I’m 5’4″ 130lbs…far from a meat-head, but I do like showing off the guns (ok roll your eyes) {ed. note: nope, never–who doesn’t like a gun show?}.  I never knew wearing a sleeveless shirt would be a turn off to women.

And then the sneakers…you said: “There’s no need for laces that require humongous bunny ear loops.”  The bunny ear loops on my NB’s remind me of my childhood pet rabbit!

I’ll try to go back to sleeved shirts in the gym, but for sure will give up shorts in the winter.  BTW, that’s a nice pic of you in the shorts blog, the one where you’re leaning against a pole.  When I saw it, I wondered what you were thinking at that moment…probably something like…’Someone, anyone…help Gary, as he has the style sense of a 2yr old.’

Well, I didn’t realize I was rambling so much.  Clothing advice from women is always helpful, but advice from a pretty lady is that much better.

Take care and keep up the good work!

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What a great email, ri-i-i-i–g-h-t?! Gary did a much better job than I ever could of recapping recent SG highlights.

Tell me:

Have you taken any cues from a Style Girlfriend story recently, pulling the trigger on a purchase? Let me know what you’ve recently bought and why!