# Is there a male equivalent of the little black dress? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 25, 2012, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075 "2012-12-25T00:20:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/21 "2012-12-25T17:15:38Z")
Black jeans, an [STFU university logo T-shirt](http://printonblack.co.uk/graphic-designs-custom-t-shirts/stfu-shirtpd.jpg) and a Red Sox cap. Well, it works for me. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/22 "2012-12-25T17:32:22Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > The thing about the little black dress is not that all women look good in it, it’s that it’s a basic, versatile clothing item. With the proper accessories, an LBD is appropriate for everything but very casual or very formal occasions. I’d say the closest male equivalent to this is a basic dark suit and white dress shirt. With the top two or three buttons left unbuttoned to show off your gold chain and hairy chest? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/23 "2012-12-25T17:34:07Z")
There’s a reason tuxedos have been in style for a hundred years. It only works if it’s tailored properly, however. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/24 "2012-12-25T17:54:42Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > There’s a reason tuxedos have been in style for a hundred years. It only works if it’s tailored properly, however. I’m going to argue that the tuxedo is sort of the opposite of the little black dress. It’s not very versatile at all. You can wear a tux at a wedding or formal occasion, but you’d look pretentious just wearing one to a night out. And there’re probably esoteric rules about what time of day you can wear one. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/25 "2012-12-26T00:42:36Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > I’m going to argue that the tuxedo is sort of the opposite of the little black dress. It’s not very versatile at all. You can wear a tux at a wedding or formal occasion, but you’d look pretentious just wearing one to a night out. And there’re probably esoteric rules about what time of day you can wear one. I agree with this. The male LBD is the dark suit. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/26 "2012-12-26T01:06:26Z")
> [@sandra\_nz](#): > > Another vote for denim jeans and a fitted white shirt. Although, like the little black dress, it’s not every man/woman that looks good in it. This gets my vote. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/27 "2012-12-26T01:38:43Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > I’m going to argue that the tuxedo is sort of the opposite of the little black dress. It’s not very versatile at all. You can wear a tux at a wedding or formal occasion, but you’d look pretentious just wearing one to a night out. And there’re probably esoteric rules about what time of day you can wear one. Yeah, I remember going out for coffee after a brass quintet performance, walking down Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley at 10 pm on a Saturday night in my tuxedo. I got a few odd looks. ---
**Author:** ![Gus\_Gusterson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85f322/32.png) [@Gus\_Gusterson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gus_Gusterson)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/28 "2012-12-26T14:55:23Z")
Slacks, a button-down shirt, and a sport coat is the male equivalent of the little black dress. Put on a tie if the occasion warrants it. You can now go anywhere. In fact, this is how the men of my father’s generation dress every day and they never look over- or under-dressed. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/29 "2012-12-26T15:15:37Z")
> [@Becky2844](#): > > Black turtleneck with a charcoal jacket. Can be worn with dress pants or jeans, depending. Not at all universal, though. There are a LOT of guys who should never wear turtlenecks. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/30 "2012-12-26T16:05:37Z")
There is no universal item of clothing that all men look good in any more than one that all women look good in. Doesn’t exists. But what would help most men (and women) is to wear age appropriate clothing that fits their body style, lifestyle and given occassion. Most people consistantly make mistakes in at least one of the above criteria. Far too many make mistakes in all of the above all at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/31 "2012-12-26T16:28:42Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > Something that all men supposedly look good in? I look really great in the arms of a hot blonde cheerleader. I’m betting it applies to all men. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/32 "2012-12-26T16:53:17Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > I look really great in the arms of a hot blonde cheerleader. I’m betting it applies to all men. Since you didn’t specify the sex of said hot blonde cheerleader, I’d say your statement is pretty much true. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/33 "2012-12-26T17:34:45Z")
> [@Gus\_Gusterson](#): > > Slacks, a button-down shirt, and a sport coat is the male equivalent of the little black dress. Put on a tie if the occasion warrants it. You can now go anywhere. In fact, this is how the men of my father’s generation dress every day and they never look over- or under-dressed. Now you gone and made me feel all old. This is me dolled up for work, school conferences, nights out, mediations, mafia hits, funerals, weddings, and other such events where denim is generally forbidden on the left or right coast (denim seems to always work in Colorado though). **QuickSilver** : nice to see you again dude–been a while. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/34 "2012-12-27T16:55:53Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > **QuickSilver** : nice to see you again dude–been a while. 🙂 Thanks… you’re the second person to welcome me back… nice to be seen and remembered. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SweetiePotato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@SweetiePotato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SweetiePotato)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/35 "2012-12-27T20:28:53Z")
Honestly, I would say a nice wool coat in navy, dark gray, or black. It can be long or sport-coat cut. But a nice coat/jacket on a man will hide a multitude of other clothing sins. No one will notice if your shirt doesn’t _quite_ fit correctly if it’s under a beautiful jacket. My husband has a couple beautiful jackets, one short, one long, and he wears them over tshirts, sweaters, etc. and they ALWAYS look good. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2012, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/36 "2012-12-28T04:56:18Z")
For some guys, it actually is the little black dress. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2012, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/37 "2012-12-28T14:00:56Z")
A nice, dark fitted suit. I defy you to find a man who does not look good in a fitted suit. [QUOTE=Barney Stinson] Suit up! [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2012, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/38 "2012-12-28T15:50:20Z")
> [@Becky2844](#): > > Black turtleneck with a charcoal jacket. Can be worn with dress pants or jeans, depending. Got a thing for Steve Jobs eh? ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2012, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/39 "2012-12-28T22:45:06Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > A nice, dark fitted suit. I defy you to find a man who does not look good in a fitted suit. Before men’s fashions went all baggy, beginning around 1990, even off-the-rack suits looked good, especially on thin guys like me. I miss being able to buy suits and other dressy clothes that way, and having them fit so well. ---
**Author:** ![Plumpudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Plumpudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plumpudding)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075/40 "2012-12-29T13:40:10Z")
A fitting suit of any colour IMO. Even a salmon red one, if that’s your thing and you seem comfortable. My go to suit for any occasion is a light beige suit with a seventies cut, and a purple or baby blue shirt. Sort of a cocaine dealer-look, but it fits, and I’m comfortable. If I want to look more casual I put on a tweed jacket. Nothing says casual as elbow patches. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-male-equivalent-of-the-little-black-dress/645075.md?page=3)