We are all fans of something, and we all love to express our fandom in various ways, especially through paraphernalia and, most especially, through apparel. Yet sometimes we can be a bit overly emphatic or, dare I say…obnoxious, in expressing our love for our games. Here is a bit of a rundown on the good, the bad, and the way over the top. Always remember the basic rule of fashion goodness, a little subtlety can go a long way!

DON’T: Mario hoodie. Now don’t get me wrong. I love Mario, we all do. And Luigi and Yoshi and Princess Peach and mushrooms. But not Mario and Luigi and Yoshi and Princess Peach and mushrooms times infinity plastered all over a poorly designed hoodie. This thing makes my eyes water just looking at the picture. I can hardly imagine what it might look like on a person, and I can only hope never to see the sight.

INSTEAD TRY: Bullet Bill beanie. Now here is a way to wear your Mario fandom in style! This beanie (or skull cap, or ski cap, depending on your region) not only keeps your head warm from the cold, but displays your affection in a more subtle, yet infinitly more clever way! Fellow fans will recognize your cleverness and give a nod to ole bullet bill, while non fans will just see a cool cap with a fetching logo! And unlike the hoodie above, they won’t have to squint to look at you!

DON’T: Halo boxer shorts. Now you might, at first glance, assume that Master Chief plus a glorious sunset all spread across your crotch is the perfect combo that all the ladies desire, but um…well…no. Stick with the standard paisley or plaid for your undies. (Lounge-wear is a bit different, and will be discussed separately.)

INSTEAD TRY: Halo bag. Bags are wonderful accessories to express fandom, especially ones like this. With a sleek design and muted colors that go well with anything, you can carry around Master Chief and still look chic while doing so! I’m not even a huge Halo fan and I’d still carry around this sweet piece of fabric!

DON’T: Guitar Hero guitar pick necklace This necklace not only looks cheap, but thankfully it IS cheap. Stick to keychains if you must have something such as this, but keep your jewelry more on the classy side!

INSTEAD TRY: Guitar Hero lounge pants. Unlike the over-the-top Halo boxers seen above, these lounge pants offer a muted, more classic design in its color and layout that is comfortable on the eyes (hopefully on the legs as well). It’s fashionable, hip, and edgy!

DON’T: Gears of War Skull Belt Buckle Not much I can say here. It’s kinda funny and maybe worth a wear as a gag, but really, the ladies are not going to be sighing over this one.

INSTEAD TRY: Gears of War Special Edition Zune One of the more expensive accessories you can buy, but it’s sleek and hot and hell, I’ll be honest…I REALLY want one!!

DON’T: Gamer tie There is no reason to ever celebrate your fandom on a tie!!!!! (This may, on second thought, deserve even more than five exclamation points). If you are, in this moment, scratching your head and wondering why such a thing is inappropriate, well, there is no hope left for you.

INSTEAD TRY: Controller cuff-links Again, notice the subtlety here. These are classy (and run a hefty price tag at about $150!), show you love to game but that you also have the smarts not to look crass about it when you’re dressed for something more serious. If I ever see a man in these, I’ll be hoping there isn’t a ring to go with them!

DON’T: Streetfighter “funny-guy” tee T-shirts are a difficult category on their own, and are mentioned more in depth below, but for now note that this one is poorly designed and attempts to be clever (but ultimately fails!) with a picture of Dhalsim (a supposed pacifist in the Streetfighter story) and the silly, rhyming “Pacifist, Smash-a-Fist.” Be clever with your minds, and your video game knowledge, but never attempt it with your shirts!

INSTEAD TRY: Streetfighter beach towel The exception that proves the rule, bright outrageous colors are perfect for a day at the beach (spread over the sand, not your chest!). An added benefit: You show that you are, in fact, able to go outside once in a while and enjoy some fun in the sun!

A special note on t-shirts: Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the fan-shirt. But some are better than others. Simple and classic designs in muted colors, or even retro tees, can all look nice and hip. But some just go too far over the top. Avoid at all costs shirts that are too brightly colored or include pictures that are poorly designed or look like the logo threw up on the fabric. If you find people saying, “I’m sorry, I just can’t quite hear you over your shirt,” then perhaps it’s a bit too loud.



Also, humorous and quirky sayings that play off of trite comments or common parlance are funny on paper, but really just don’t belong on a shirt. Retro shirts are in these days, but there are some that are trying just a bit too hard. Keep in mind that, just like pineapple on a pizza, there is no excuse for the following.