“Is this something left in the realm of fashion “enthusiasts”, or is there a large group of people who have a consensus? I’ve heard that attitude makes a look, but there seems to be some objective guidelines beyond “these colors clash horribly and your shirt is two sizes too small”?

What’s “big” fashion? I mean, there’s those crazy ass designer shows where they show off their newest “art” that’s completely unwearable in real life. There’s those celebrity fashion commentators, which seem arbitrary, but maybe they’re in with you bastards? For random person X, how pretentious is it to mimic celebrity styles? Is there a sub-celebrity fashion to aspire to?

Grrr, screw fashion. I’ll pay for a flowchart.”

I’m not sure, but generally speaking, if you don’t mind going for the ultra-casual look you can go with jeans and t-shirts.

(I’m 5′10″, skinny, and white, as this does vaguely have something to do with my fashion choices)

I personally prefer brown corduroys, button down shirts in dark colors, a sweater in a color different from my shirts, and an m-65 jacket (olive drab) in the winter. I like that combo since it allows me to carry pretty much anything I might need on a given day without needing a purse (I’m a dude) or a backpack. That and even if I were most of it casually, I’m still dressed better than the vast majority of people I encounter in public.

In the summer, though, it really depends on where I am, but I like to wear khaki jeans, button down shirts in bright, “happy” colors, and of course a white undershirt to soak up any potential sweat. The long sleeves help prevent sunburns, and depending on the fabric, can help retain moisture, which can make you feel more comfortable in hot environments. I also wear polos when I’m performing tasks that may result in my nice shirts getting destroyed.

Look at what the US Army forces its soldiers to wear in Iraq. I don’t think they’d make them wear long-sleeved shirts if there was a serious risk of their soldiers dying.