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<p>Yep, all with one thing in common - ugly.</p>
<p>^ Every time my son puts on a pair of khakis I ask him if he has something else to wear.</p>
<p>IMO, khaki is a color, another name for various shades of tan. Most “khakis” can be purchased in other colors. So they are offensive if tan, but fine in black or blue? Tan works well year round - dark colored pants look odd in warm weather. Tan also looks nice with a blue jacket - black or blue pants don’t. If we’re talking about the relaxed cut, dockers style with slash pockets and a narrow hem, I agree that they are often unflattering. But there is a wide variety of styles out there - my son has a couple of dark tan pants by Theory that are very nice. I think some people consider khakis too pedestrian or middle America - not edgy enough.</p>
<p>I love that your mom told you about that “Leave it to Beaver” episode! That is great, because I actually remember that one! If you can find it on you tube, I think you will have a good chuckle. Give your mom a hug from me! I agree with Katliamom and hope you can dress up a NICE pair of jeans…cool shoes would be good if you are wearing jeans.</p>
<p>Marybee333, I’ve seen it many times. I’ve seen all of them. And every other ancient TV Land show. Don’t worry, I know all of the morals from the 60s!</p>
<p>Well, a lot of them stand the test of time.</p>
<p>Well I Love Lucy doesn’t count as one of those family morals shows, but. I really don’t like the Andy Griffith Show though. Ugh. </p>
<p>Anyway, I got lucky. My brother has dark pants that are not slacks or jeans. And I’ll just wear a random button down.</p>
<p>Final question - short sleeve shirt in the dead of winter. Weird? Can I wear a thermal under it or something?</p>
<p>I’m coming into this discussion “late”. </p>
<p>I just read your OP and it seems as if nice dark jeans with a nice sweater and nicer shoes other than sneakers would be my suggestion for my S. He also has two casual sport jackets we bought him from Men’s Wearhouse (buy one, get one free) for just these type of events. </p>
<p>If no sports jacket, then a nice sweater is fine…I personally would not encourage you to wear a short sleeve shirt with thermal underneath…I think a short sleeve shirt with a sweater over it is better.</p>
<p>If not nice jeans, then any other casual pant is fine…do you own black jeans? Because you are asking for our opinion, it means that what you choose is important to you. You’ll be fine. Good luck.</p>
<p>No short sleeve shirt ever, other than sports or T shirt, unless you live at a place like Bermuda.</p>
<p>
[BBC</a> News - Why did men stop wearing high heels?](<a href=“http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21151350]BBC”>Why did men stop wearing high heels? - BBC News)</p>
<p>OP - make sure that your shoes are clean and shined. They do not have to be new! Dirty shoes can ruin any outfit. I’d go with a long sleeve shirt, no thermals under a tee. Or wear a sweater over your short sleeve shirt. Have fun!</p>
<p>Final product:</p>
<p>-I really don’t know what to call them. I guess khaki pants that are dark gray/black.
-White button down shirt with blackish/gray pinstripes.
-Black dress shoes.</p>
<p>Looking good, even though I would go with jeans and brown loafers. Hope you meet someone cute at the party.</p>
<p>I don’t know terminology. Upon Googling, I’m wearing black loafers.</p>
<p>You are going to be fine. Black loafers will look nice with the outfit.</p>
<p>Let us know how it goes, and what everyone else was wearing. :D</p>
<p>And thanks for putting up with us!</p>
<p>When OP comes back and tells us what the other males wore to the reception, we all can critique their outfits (i.e. “stud” or “dud”) like Joan Rivers does on ‘Fashion Police’ ;)</p>
<p>I am weighing in late here now that the outfit has been finalized–and sounds good! </p>
<p>I am intrigued by the hatred of khakis. Both of my boys wear khakis to school every day. My older son wore sweat pants to midterms but otherwise, khakis, a short-sleeved tee shirt and a school sport team hoodie–every single day. The boys at our HS wear jeans, khakis, cords, those polyester athletic pants, sweats and shorts, even in the dead of winter.</p>
<p>The khakis are wrinkled, come from anywhere that sells narrow waists and long legs: Old Navy, Gap, J. Crew, Vineyard Vines. It just depends which brand is selling the correct size each year. Are these the types of khakis that everyone hates so much?</p>
<p>Love you CT1417, but Vineyard Vines got the ugliest khakis.
[Men’s</a> Pants: Club Pants for Men – Vineyard Vines](<a href=“http://www.vineyardvines.com/mens-pants/twill-club-pants/1P1000,default,pd.html?dwvar_1P1000_color=250&start=3&q=khakis]Men’s”>http://www.vineyardvines.com/mens-pants/twill-club-pants/1P1000,default,pd.html?dwvar_1P1000_color=250&start=3&q=khakis)
There is no way anyone could look good in that.<br>
[url=<a href=“http://www.vineyardvines.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Vineyard-Vines-Site/default/Search-Show?q=khakis]vineyardvines.com[/url”>http://www.vineyardvines.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Vineyard-Vines-Site/default/Search-Show?q=khakis]vineyardvines.com[/url</a>]
I can’t take that brand seriously.</p>