# Is there a nice way to tell my husband that his sport jacket is hideous and out of date? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 29, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106 "2013-11-29T23:38:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/1 "2013-11-29T23:38:02Z")
Because we have a “nicer than business casual but not nice enough for a suit” dinner coming up in a couple of weeks and he is considering wearing the sport coat that he had when we started dating in 1999. I thought it was ugly back then and it hasn’t aged well. We bought him two suits in 2005 (total waste of money - he wore each one once) and I think he should just wear the one of the jackets with other slacks for a better look. But is there a nice way of saying that the sport coat needs to go? I’m not very tactful on my best of days. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/2 "2013-11-30T00:00:27Z")
Wear that jacket, high heels and nothing else and rip it in half during a strip routine. It’s the only ethical way to get rid of hideous articles of male clothing. ---
**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:** [November 30, 2013, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/3 "2013-11-30T00:02:50Z")
I was going to recommend some kind of well-intentioned ironing board accident, but I’m inclined to support \*\*Lurker’s \*\*suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/4 "2013-11-30T00:04:25Z")
“Sweetheart? Darling? Do you trust my judgement? Because I think you should let that coat go.” If that doesn’t work, drop it. Don’t be a nag. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/5 "2013-11-30T00:24:00Z")
" See this jacket? Just remember, I married you _despite_ your taste in clothes." 😃 ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/6 "2013-11-30T00:29:25Z")
Take it for dry cleaning. They’ll lose it for you. My first husband bought a brown corduroy suit from the Sears bargain basement in the 70’s. Thank heaven he never had occasion to wear it. He was so pleased at his purchase, I didn’t have the heart to disillusion him. Were corduroy suits ever in style? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/7 "2013-11-30T00:32:06Z")
“Where’d you get that jacket? Did you shoot a couch?” ---
**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:** [November 30, 2013, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/8 "2013-11-30T00:32:24Z")
Tell him that his fashion choices make [Don Cherry](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://lilyincanada.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/doncherrypinkred1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://lilyincanada.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/don-cherry/&h=599&w=415&sz=208&tbnid=r9HK6Knndeu4NM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=62&zoom=1&usg=__QhJ2YxOiA_Xjyo4FJA4pooW6Xgg=&docid=qWDCR3jDN3QlkM&sa=X&ei=uDGZUofbEJHioATgs4HwCw&ved=0CDUQ9QEwBA) look conservative. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SerafinaPekala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SerafinaPekala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SerafinaPekala)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/9 "2013-11-30T00:33:22Z")
IMHO, no. Corduroy is for children. Here’s my strategy: Tell him your father had a coat JUST LIKE THAT, and seeing him wearing it would just make you feel like you are on a date with your dad. This strategy has been tested and proven. My DH used to wear Old Spice in spite of being in his 30’s at the time. (Isnt that like the Super Old Farts Cologne of Choice?) Anyway, I told him my dad used to wear that and it made me feel like I was kissing my dad. :eek: He quit that. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/10 "2013-11-30T00:48:49Z")
> [@Avarie537](#): > > But is there a nice way of saying that the sport coat needs to go? I’m not very tactful on my best of days. You don’t have to be tactful when you’re a **wife**. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/11 "2013-11-30T01:17:28Z")
> [@Avarie537](#): > > Because we have a “nicer than business casual but not nice enough for a suit” dinner coming up in a couple of weeks and he is considering wearing the sport coat that he had when we started dating in 1999. I thought it was ugly back then and it hasn’t aged well. We bought him two suits in 2005 (total waste of money - he wore each one once) and I think he should just wear the one of the jackets with other slacks for a better look. But is there a nice way of saying that the sport coat needs to go? I’m not very tactful on my best of days. Thanks! Wearing a suit jacket with slacks never looks right. Just tell him his sportcoat is not suitable. Others have rejected corduroy sportscoats, but a decent one will last for years. Get a basic two-button, either in light or dark brown. It won’t go out of style, they don’t cost much, and they look fine, if you don’t mind a slightly professorial look (if you really want to look professorial, get leather patches on the elbows). ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/12 "2013-11-30T01:24:48Z")
There is no “nice” way so just be blunt. “I married you in spite of that sports coat, and it’s time to be donated to Goodwill.” ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/13 "2013-11-30T01:32:47Z")
I’m not intending to be snarky but what kind snowflake husband can’t handle being told his jacket is out of date. Just tell him. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/14 "2013-11-30T01:47:29Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Tell him that his fashion choices make [Don Cherry](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://lilyincanada.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/doncherrypinkred1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://lilyincanada.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/don-cherry/&h=599&w=415&sz=208&tbnid=r9HK6Knndeu4NM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=62&zoom=1&usg=__QhJ2YxOiA_Xjyo4FJA4pooW6Xgg=&docid=qWDCR3jDN3QlkM&sa=X&ei=uDGZUofbEJHioATgs4HwCw&ved=0CDUQ9QEwBA) look conservative. 😃 Hey, don’t denigrate our national treasures. 😉 > [@White SIFL](#): > > I’m not intending to be snarky but what kind snowflake husband can’t handle being told his jacket is out of date. Just tell him. Exactly. “That jacket is dated. Please wear one of your suit jackets instead.” ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/15 "2013-11-30T01:58:01Z")
Sew in a tag with an expiration date on it. Do not wear after 12/31/2002. But that may be more of a funny way then a nice way. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/16 "2013-11-30T01:58:45Z")
“I need you to wear a different sport jacket. We can go to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and get one that fits that is suitable. I’m asking you politely, if you refuse, all, and I mean all, my future desires will be brought about by passive aggressive methods you will not notice. It’s up to you.” ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/17 "2013-11-30T02:03:51Z")
> [@Saintly\_Loser](#): > > Others have rejected corduroy sportscoats, but a decent one will last for years. Get a basic two-button, either in light or dark brown. It won’t go out of style, they don’t cost much, and they look fine, if you don’t mind a slightly professorial look (if you really want to look professorial, get leather patches on the elbows). I thought that was suede elbow patches on tweed. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/18 "2013-11-30T02:04:59Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I thought that was suede elbow patches on tweed. Yep. Suede is leather. Although smooth brown leather would work too. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/19 "2013-11-30T02:16:18Z")
> [@Saintly\_Loser](#): > > Yep. Suede is leather. Although smooth brown leather would work too. Well, yeah, I know suede is a subset of leather, but I thought the elbow patches were always specifically suede. I don’t think I’ve ever seen smooth leather on a elbow like that. I stand corrected; here’s [one](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WyXw32IZ56Y/TjAOTfknnmI/AAAAAAAAHj8/Bp8EL0P9bYw/s1600/Jacket+back.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106/20 "2013-11-30T02:18:23Z")
> [@Saintly\_Loser](#): > > Wearing a suit jacket with slacks never looks right. Just tell him his sportcoat is not suitable. > > Others have rejected corduroy sportscoats, but a decent one will last for years. Get a basic two-button, either in light or dark brown. It won’t go out of style, they don’t cost much, and they look fine, if you don’t mind a slightly professorial look (if you really want to look professorial, get leather patches on the elbows). Jim Rockford called. He wants his jackets back. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nice-way-to-tell-my-husband-that-his-sport-jacket-is-hideous-and-out-of-date/675106.md?page=2)