Listen up, guys! We know a fashionable man is sometimes considered an oxymoron. But I totally disagree. Men and fashion can go hand in hand. Sometimes you may just need a little sartorial assistance. To save many a man from stepping out like a fashion faux pas, here are six fashion sins to avoid.

Cargo Pants: Guys! Put those pants with unlimited pockets to good use by making them your garage uniform, outdoor project pants or wilderness wear.

Fashion - cargo-pants

Socks in male sandal and boat shoes: Yes, socks are classy and even fashionable when paired with the right shoes, but you need to realize that socks and male sandals are a deadly combo.

 Fashion - men's socks-and-sandals

Wrap around Shades: Blocking the sun in style might be difficult, but not impossible. Wearing those Terminator or Men in Black shades are just going to add more disasters to your wardrobe. Rather pick up some vintage Wayfarers or Aviators and beat the heat in style.

Fashion - wrap around sunglasses

Square-toed shoe: It’s almost impossible to like the looks of those huge ape-foot sized shoes! Instead opt for semi-pointed shoes.

Fashion - men's square-toed-shoe

Knee-length denim shorts: Wearing denim shorts is not a sin in everyone’s fashion handbook, but if the shorts barely reach your knees then you’re wearing your girlfriend’s hot pants! A safe fashion trick would be to completely avoid denim shorts. My friend Michele King has preached the “no denim shorts for men” mantra for years!

Fashion - men's knee-length-denim-shorts

Pleated Pants: You don’t have to be able to do cartwheels in your pants, so why not try classy and slimming pants with no front pleats?

Fashion -men's pleated pants

What to wear, you ask? Dark denim is crucial! If you don’t have a pair, add that to your shopping list.  Premium denim in a dark wash is a staple piece to be worn day or night and can change your look entirely based on what you chose to wear with it. You can throw on a tee or a flannel and cuff the bottoms with a pair of boots. Or you can wear oxfords with a blazer or a sweater and call it a night! More fashion ideas for men in a future Fashion Plate piece!

Not everyone needs to be at the George Clooney level of dressing, but a few tweaks to your wardrobe will surely make you stand out in the crowd!

Dr. David Lee Hill, Jr. at Carolina Inn’s Fridays on the Front Porch looking dapper dressed in dark denim.

Dr. David Lee Hill, Jr. at Carolina Inn’s Fridays on the Front Porch looking dapper dressed in dark denim.

Share your men’s fashion sins below with Chapelboro Insiders.