Short-sleeved shirts

Raúl Peschiera on fashion faux pas

These days common sense smells like a wet dog for some people. Why else would they turn up their noses at it and lock it in the laundry room? Whether it's propping up the debt markets with the scaffolding of the poor; believing that the England cricket team can stir fear in opposition hearts; or betting it all on that gamey 15-1 hound at Walthamstow dogs; common sense is left scratching at the door. Perhaps it is hope, the eternal spring that bubbles up against all reason, that leads us astray. Because no sooner have the daffodils started poking through garden turf then that rampant wish for a proper English summer starts pushing some people towards considering short-sleeved shirts for the office.

Maybe you think it's that cicada of the catwalk, "geek chic". Every 15 years or so, this same ugly mug seems to crawl out of the dirt to find a purchase on the High Street. And every time it's just as foolish. Of course, there are caveats. If you work outdoors, by all means button one up. I would not deny my local postman from doing his rounds in that fine, light blue, short-sleeved, collared shirt.

The rule of thumb is simple. If you are likely to wear a jacket and tie, consign short sleeves to beach holidays and summer stag parties in Estonia. Not convinced? I could tell you how half-cocked a suit looks without the appropriate cuff inching out from under the sleeves, but you know this already.

So think back—when was the last time Hollywood pushed out a hero wearing a short-sleeved, collared shirt? Falling Down, where Michael Douglas became the poster child for anger management. And that was 15 years ago. You might feel like an RAF pilot just back from a mission, but believe me you look more Top Shop than Top Gun. So calm down, count to 10 and button up something that's just a little more professional.

And if the air conditioning packs in, undo the cuff and roll up those sleeves. Not too much, mind you, or you'll look like you're on the verge of lip-synching to Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Keep cool and look professional. But then isn't that just common sense?