Style Foul: Cam’s Contrast Cuffs on Modern Family

I have a tendency to experience premature grief when it comes to loss. When I go on vacation, I start feeling wistful for the trip on Friday, even if I don’t leave till Sunday. Reading a great book, I begin slowing down in the middle because I know I won’t be ready for it to end.

It’s the same with TV shows. Now that we’re in May, I’m developing separation anxiety from my faves, like Modern Family, that will soon be wrapping up for their own summer vacations.

While I’m more of a Phil Dunphy gal myself, I do have a soft spot for Cam; stay-at-home dad and partner to high-strung Mitchell (probably because type-A Mitchell reminds me so much of myself, I empathize with someone who’d put up with that kind of perfectionist personality).

One thing about Cam I can’t get on board with, though? His wardrobe. And I’m not talking about those clown costumes (though those are pretty unfortunate too). Rather, his dual-print dress shirts with the turnback contrast cuffs he loves so much. No. No no no no no.

I’ve already discussed my distaste for contrast collars; before Cam came along, I hadn’t even considered the contrast cuff.

What these shirts tell me is: your shirt sleeves are too long, sure, but also that you are a peacocker. I don’t care what Mystery says – women do not need you to don a crazy hat or do magic to grab our attention. Sure, we love a guy with a sense of personal style, but cuffs like Cam’s suggest that guy is trying to suck up all the sartorial oxygen in the room.

I understand the desire to throw on something that makes you stand out, but sporting a shirt with not one but two patterns on it seems like a bit of a lazy shortcut to style. You couldn’t match a shirt and tie with complementary patterns? Put in a little more work for a look with visual interest – not visual noise.

Of course, the style choice works perfectly for the character – a repressed actor who just wants a little extra attention. The man sleep clowns, for goodness sake.

But you! You are confident in what you wear, and know that a tasteful, well-put together outfit wins out over the dress shirt equivalent of a TGIF waiter’s “flair” any day of the week. So leave the contrast cuff shirt for Cam. He’ll need it for his summer vacation.

(Images: Google+)