search for something...

search for something you might like...

Ps & Qs: A Style Guide For The Modern Guy Free advice on corkage fees and those cheap rubber sandals you're seeing everywhere.

Ps & Qs: A Style Guide For The Modern Guy

Free advice on corkage fees and those cheap rubber sandals you're seeing everywhere.

by Spanish Pantalones, Editor-at-Large
first published: May, 2020

approximate reading time: minutes

Are rubber sandals fashionable... Old Navy would like you to think so

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSOxGdTOuUw

OUTSIDELEFT's own in-house self-appointed style expert answers all your nagging questions on fads, fashion, vanity, style, and the gentleman's code of conduct.

I just graduated law school this spring and whenever I bring it up at social events such as parties or get-togethers, everyone always hits me up for free legal advice. What are the best ways to handle these situations?

-- Eric Z, Huntington Beach, CA

Fancylad gets this all the time. There's nothing more annoying then going for another handful of crepes D'endive a L'espagnole at the buffet table and getting some cad asking you if it's acceptable to wear white sweat socks with his suit. It's unacceptable, not to mention a buzz killer.

What you could do is give them your card or work number and tell them you'd love to help them and if they could give you a call at the office the following day. If they're not completely uncivilized, they should get the message that business is conducted during business hours and business conducted at the office gets billed.

Or you can always give them an abbreviated answer, then ask them their name and address so you know where to send their bill for your counsel. Either way, they'll get the idea.


I've been to quite a few restaurants lately that mention the term "corkage fee" on their menus and stuff. What the hell?

-- Sarah, Boston

A corkage fee is the amount that a restaurant is going to charge you when you bring in your own bottle of wine. You bring it in, they'll open it for you, give you glassware, and let you drink it there.

It's as pretentious as it sounds, but if you're an oenophile -- a snobby wino with expensive taste -- this can be a blessing in disguise. See, most restaurants are going to charge you at least a 100 percent markup over retail on their wines and champagnes. Ten bucks at Jimbo's Liquor and Deli, twenty at the restaurant.

So if a restaurant charges‚ let's say $10 for their corkage fee‚ you're going to save the extra amount of cash on any bottle you spent more than $10 on at Jimbo's. The only problem is that you can't send it back if it stinks.

 

What's the deal with those cheap rubbers sandals making a comeback? My boyfriend owns three pairs. He even wears them to work and when we go out at night. Is this trend fashionable or even acceptable?

-- Ann H, Corona del Mar, California

 

Like it or not, those cheap (and cheaply made) sandals one once found in the 99-cent bin at grocery stores and swap meets have made a comeback of proportions I haven't seen since the great Capri pant resurgence of '98.

Are they fashionable? The Gap and Old Navy would like you to think so. Are they acceptable? I don't think they'll get past any maître d' I know, or would ever want to know for that matter.

But for a beach excursion, midnight trips for Taco Bell Chalupas and taking out the trash, I think they work perfectly providing that the wearer's toenails are clean and properly trimmed.

As eveningwear, I'm also going to have to give this trend a big fat no unless the two of you have invitations to a luau. As for footwear at the office, if he has a whistle around his neck, zinc on his nose, or works at an Internet startup, he should fit right in. 

 

Need advice? Does it concern fashion? Style? Affairs of the heart? Send him all of your questions to info@outsideleft.com.

Spanish Pantalones
Editor-at-Large

As employee #3, Spanish has worked for OUTSIDELEFT in some capacity since day one. As our editor-at-large, Spanish now calls ‘the road’ home, filing articles about the arts, leisure, and culture when the wi-fi works.


about Spanish Pantalones »»

Pete Williams web banner

RECENT STORIES

RANDOM READS

All About and Contributors

HELP OUTSIDELEFT

Outsideleft exists on a precarious no budget budget. We are interested in hearing from deep and deeper pocket types willing to underwrite our cultural vulture activity. We're not so interested in plastering your product all over our stories, but something more subtle and dignified for all parties concerned. Contact us and let's talk. [HELP OUTSIDELEFT]

WRITE FOR OUTSIDELEFT

If Outsideleft had arms they would always be wide open and welcoming to new writers and new ideas. If you've got something to say, something a small dank corner of the world needs to know about, a poem to publish, a book review, a short story, if you love music or the arts or anything else, write something about it and send it along. Of course we don't have anything as conformist as a budget here. But we'd love to see what you can do. Write for Outsideleft, do. [SUBMISSIONS FORM HERE]

WRITERS thru' the Years

Agata Makiela, Alan Devey, Alan Rider, Alex V. Cook, Ancient Champion, Andy Allison, Annemiek, Becca Kelly, Belle Plankton, Bruce Bailey, Caiomhin Millar, Chantal, Cheiron Coelho, Chris Connolly, Christian Present, Damon Hayhurst, Dan Breen, Danny Rose, David Hackney, David O'Byrne, Denni Boyd, Dirty Lillie, DJ Fuzzyfelt, Dr. Rich, Dr. Richard Bennett, Duncan Jones, Erin, Erin Pipes, Erin Scott, Gracey Babs, Graham Baker, Guilaine Arts, H.xx, Hamilton High, Henderson Downing, Holly Martins, J. Charreaux, J.Lee, Jay Lewis, Jaycentee, Jennifer Lynn, Jenny McCann, Jeremy Gluck, Jez Collins, Joe Ambrose, John Robinson, Jonathan Thornton, Julie O, Karl Morgan, Katherine Pargeter, Kelsey Osgood, Kevin McHugh, Kiah Cranston, Kleo Kay, Lake, Lee Paul, Luke Skinner, Malcolm, Marek Pytel, Mark Piggott, Martin Devenney, Meave Haughey, Michelle Williams, Mike Fox, mindy strouse, Neil Campbell, Neil Scott, Ogglypoogly, OL House Writer, Pam, Paul Burns, Paul Hawkins, Paul Mortimer, Paul Quigley, Peter Williams, Pixie McMowat, Pixievic, Rene Williams, Richard John Walker, Rick Casson, Rikki Stein, Ronan Crinion, Rowena Murphy, Ruby Lake, Ryan 'RJO' Stewart, Samantha Charles, Seth Sherwood, Shane O'Reilly, Sheridan Coyle, Sofia Ribeiro Willcox, Sophia Satchell-Baeza, Spanish Pantalones, Speedie John, Spencer Kansa, Steve McCarthy, The Conversation, Tim London, Tim Sparks, Tony Fletcher, Toon Traveller, Trevi, Urs Lerch, Wayne Dean-Richards, and founders, Alarcon & Lamontpaul

OUTSIDELEFT UNIVERSE

Pete Williams, outsideleft night out
OUTSIDELEFT Night Out
weekend

outsideleft content is not for everyone