A:  Lots of guys call the T-shirt and jeans combo their off-hours uniform.  Pro: super easy.  Con: B-O-R-I-N-G.  Luckily, simple doesn’t have to be bland.  Since you currently favor the plain grey T-shirt, replace it with a version that has some interesting design detail.  This printed T-shirt from French menswear maker Sixpack is available online and a great example of a unique print that’s completely casual and unpretentious.  Just remember that Hawaiian prints, team logo jerseys or overplayed Ed Hardy roses and thorns, do not constitute ‘interesting design detail’.  

A guy who wears a bow-tie could never hit a girl, right? Photo by PETER STONE/CNN  

Dressing for a public apology is different from dressing for any other public appearance because you want to portray respect, humility, and remorse rather than power and authority.  But it is equally distasteful to go overboard trying to appear gentile and dapper because it is easy to cross the line to mockery.

This is particularly true if you’re apologizing for the merciless beating a petite, defenseless woman who is a passenger in your rented Lamborghini.

Let’s hope you never find yourself having to make a public show of remorse, especially for such a heinous and distasteful act, but just in case the media does catch on to your Brazilian mistress, performance enhancing drug usage, or acceptance of bribes, here’s what to wear. 

Unlike your actions your attire should be straightforward and understated.  It should not scream any message to your viewing public.  Your best choice is a dark grey wool suit; not black – you don’t want to appear to be dressing for your own funeral.  Pair it with a white shirt and a grey silk tie with a simple, subdued pattern.  

Avoid bright colors.  A tone on tone color scheme is unobtrusive and dignified, and provides just the backdrop you want while ingratiating yourself to the public again.  Lastly, wearing anything with even a hint of flashiness will not help your case, like too much bling or say, a big Robbin’s egg blue bow-tie. 

A:  I was recently hunting for a summer ’mandal’ alternative for just such a request and selected this pair of Sperry top-siders available at DWS online or in store for $65.  They’re the perfect level of casual to wear with shorts and designed to let air circulate while exposing no toe!  It’s no wonder they’ve since become my client’s favorite warm weather kicks.

A: Yes, this:

When it comes to swim trunks, avoid wearing anything too tight, flashy, or revealing.

A:  Good news, while your belt and shoes must match for business wear, when it comes to your casual threads, they need only to coordinate.  That’s why fabric belts, like the neutral-toned example below, can be perfect for just such occasions.  

When “change” came to America, was it only from the waist up?

I must admit that, as major news networks, politico bloggers, and late show hosts all got themselves worked into a lather because of a single pair of jeans, I felt a little giddy.  Not only because, in part, I’ve dedicated my life to preventing getup gaffes for my clients, but also because our President perfectly illustrated a core belief of mine about men and clothing:  where most men get into sartorial trouble is in their casual clothes.

Suiting up is to dressing down like paint by numbers is to abstract art.  One is relatively straightforward while the other requires a significantly higher degree of proficiency to look good.

When Obama was asked about his denim dilemma, the most powerful man in the free world suddenly sounded like every client I’ve ever worked with, “I hate to shop and those jeans are comfortable.”  Oh I know that swan song all too well – my clients say that so often I refer to it as background music that accompanies me as I clear their closet of pleated pants,  sweaters from grandma, and of course,  frump jeans.

Many men, the Commander-in-Chief included, naturally defend what they’re comfortable in and mistakenly think they can’t update to what’s modern because it’s going to be extreme (hence President Obama’s follow-up comment about him not being 20 and unable to fit into tight jeans).  I want to tell him what I tell countless other men:  it doesn’t have to be one extreme or the other, painfully hip or frumpville.  Comfort and good aesthetics are no longer mutually exclusive and there’s a whole world of casual clothing available to him that both feels and looks great.

Now the closest I’ve gotten to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington is when I dressed one of my clients for his meeting with the President, but suddenly I have incentive to attempt access at the presidential closet directly.  So… I’m coming Mr. President, and I promise that once I’m done no one will ever tease your casual attire again!

Cyclops is angry.  Who could blame him?  His entire life he’s been subjugated to wearing two eye sunglasses.  But no more!  Designer Martin Margiela’s keen ‘futuristic’ design finally allows Cyclops the dignity he deserves.  Now he just needs some size 62 Addidas kicks to complete the look.

This ad is just too good to leave back in the 70s.  For those of you who had forgotten that America went through a period when an adult onesie signified “sex machine,” I present to you:  The Big Zip.  This Bee Gees meets Scarface meets gas station attendant getup has a spot on marketing message too, promising to transform you into a “walking turn on” because it “fits so tight it shows all you’ve got.”  Or perhaps one also has to carry around a giant wooden staff for maximum effect.

The Oxford shirt is aptly named for the fabric that its made from, oxford cloth, which has a distinct basket weave texture and subtle sheen.

Tucked into chinos or jeans, untucked with shorts, or worn underneath a blazer, this versatile button down is a comfy summer staple.  A classic blue, crisp white, and subtle print oxford will get you through an entire summer of long weekends, in the city or on Nantucket.

When selecting an oxford for yourself watch out for the following:

Fit -  For many shirt makers the traditional boxy cut is the default so unless you are on the huskier side, look for a slim cut (also called tailored) version.

Logos – Prominent logos are not the smartest choice, not only do they rarely add benefit visually, the wearer has paid for the privilege of becoming a walking billboard.

Collar – Button down or classic collar is a matter of personal preference.  I tend to favor the classic collar for my clients, unless they’ll want to wear a tie with it on occasion, in which case we’ll pick up one of each.

The choices are endless for where to buy your oxford shirt,  after doing field research and asking my clients for feedback,  here are the Emmi Award winners:

Best under $100 – Pink Slim Fit Oxford

This is a very sharp looking oxford, perfect for any day in the office and straight through into guy's night out. Best of all, after it's too worn to look appropriate at the office you can retire it to your casual cool shirt collection.

Best under $40 – Gap Stripe Tailored Oxford

Layer over a brightly colored T shirt and pair with shorts, perfect for casual outdoor parties.

The Runner Up – Banana Republic Oxford

Retailing for $60, the construction and quality are great for the money, but some have complained that the cut of the sleeves is rather loose and bulky. However that won't matter if you wear the sleeves rolled up.

A: Optional – It depends on your personal preference and the fabric of the dress shirt.  Some dress shirts have a tighter thread weave than others and provide more coverage, but if the fabric is very thin and you are not wearing a t-shirt underneath you can end up showing a bit more of yourself than you intended when you take off your jacket.  The T-shirt also serves to absorb sweat which helps curtail underarm yellowing on the dress shirt.

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You can submit your men’s style question to AskEmmi@amansworldco.com or @AskEmmi on Twitter.