The end of 2008 is upon us and it’s a great time to look back across the year and examine some of the incredible fashions we adopted – and count the errors of our ways.  Trend and style is ever-changing, though many of the items that follow never should have been considered for public approval in the first place.

Here we go, in no particular order:

Top 5 Male Fashion Blunders of 2008

1. Belted Jackets

The only possible point of a belt on a jacket that already has a zipper and/or button is to add definition to your waistline.  In my opinion, men need not worry about accentuating their curves.  Leave the belt at home.

2. Cheesy Body Adornments

Never forget that most people equate barbed wire tattoos with Pamela Anderson, and there is simply no way you can make it look cooler than her.

Eyebrow rings were in a decade ago; if you still have one, take it out, and if you’re thinking about getting one, don’t.

It’s incredibly obvious, especially to women, when you have fake blonde highlights.

3. Inappropriate Shirts

Wearing a shirt with fake ’sleeve’ tattoos is not ok – if you don’t have the gall to get a real tattoo, don’t play make-believe with an Ed Hardy shirt.

Same goes for shirts covered in flames.  You are not that hot.

When you pop your collar, you look like a 15 year old boy.  And yes, you actually do look twice as ridiculous if you double-up on polos and pop both collars.

Lately, I’ve been seeing the hipster boys dressing up in girls’ clothing…just because girls adopted the “boyfriend tee” and took style cues from menswear, doesn’t mean you can steal back from our wardrobe.  Buy a small men’s shirt and call it a day.

4. Overtly Conspicuous Accessories

I think we can all agree that Kanye West is one of the most ridiculous humans on the planet, and so are the shutter shades that he cherishes.

By popular request, I’ve been asked to include shell necklaces and fedoras here – my personal opinion is that some men can pull fedoras off, but don’t go there if there’s even a hint of uncertainty.

5. Strong cologne

When I can smell you from a block away, it’s not sexy.