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Faine Makes A (Fashion) Statement

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 5, 2008

TAMPA - We are only two weeks into fall, and as the weather gradually changes, so will fashion.

Most guys will put away their tank tops and cargo shorts for button-down shirts and jeans, while women will say goodbye to sun dresses and hello to blouses and high-waisted pants.

As Tampa Bay travels to the cooler confines of Denver this weekend, this gave Bucs center Jeff Faine, who owns his own clothing boutique in downtown Orlando (Forty Seven) the perfect opportunity to talk about fashion for this week's Wide Right column.

Anwar: Is it possible for an offensive lineman to dress better than a quarterback?

Jeff: For sure, especially when you have Luke McCown on your team. You definitely can. That's not a hard job to do.

Anwar: Offensive linemen are usually big guys, so what's the biggest fashion mistake they make?

Jeff: The biggest fashion mistake they make are bigger guys wearing bigger clothes. It just makes them look that much bigger. It makes them look that much sloppier. You don't want to wear skin tight stuff, but you have to make sure things have a good fit.

Anwar: Who dresses better - Barack Obama or John McCain?

Jeff: Barack for sure. It's a lot easier on him. The clothes fit better on him. I think he has a little bit more style than McCain does.

Anwar: Who has the better fashion sense - Bert or Ernie?

Jeff: It goes back to what I was saying about Barack. I think Bert wore his clothes a little better. He was taller and lankier. Ernie was a little shorter and not as clean.

Anwar: Is there ever any excuse for a guy to wear a mock turtleneck?

Jeff: Ooh. I think only if you're in Antarctica. It's just not a good look. There are so many other things you can do. You can wear a scarf, but a mock turtleneck just looks bad.

Anwar: Which shoes have set clothing back more for guys - penny loafers or shoes with tassels?

Jeff: I think the tassels. It's a hard question because I'm not a huge fan of either. I think the tassels are worse. I don't mind a nice pair of loafers, but I don't know about the penny in there, either.

Anwar: Do you think P. Diddy (Sean John) or Jay Z (Rocawear) has the better clothing line?

Jeff: Sean John for sure. Rocawear is making strides and they are improving, but Sean John has expanded into suits. They are more modern and much, much cleaner. They went from a T-shirt company to a full ensemble.

Anwar: What do you think of football coaches wearing suits on the sidelines?

Jeff: I'm a huge fan of suits. Suits aren't really big in this organization. This is the first organization I've been in where it hasn't been big, but I don't think it's a bad look. I don't think every coach can get away with it, but some coaches can pull it off and look good.

Anwar: How do you think Jon Gruden would look in a suit?

Jeff: I think Coach Gruden would look pretty good in it. He can definitely pull it off. He's an in-shape guy, takes care of himself, and he would look good on game day.

Anwar: What type of outfit should a guy wear on a first date?

Jeff: It all depends on the woman. If you're looking for the right woman, you don't want to overdo it, but at the same time, I don't think you want to wear T-shirt and jeans. You want to dress like a gentleman and really take it serious. If you take your clothing serious, she's going to get the vibe that you're taking her serious. You will get a little better response out of her.

Anwar: So no Ed Hardy or Affliction T-shirts?

Jeff: No, not on a first date. Maybe when you get comfortable, but not on Day One.

Anwar: What is the biggest fashion mistake most women make?

Jeff: One of the biggest trends right now is the high-waisted jeans, but it's not attractive at all. ... It's one of those things that I don't think is going to last because it's not a good look. It goes halfway up their stomach. It doesn't show off their assets.

Anwar: Who has the better glasses - Sarah Palin or Joe Maddon?

Jeff: I'm a huge Ray-Ban guy. I can't really pull them off myself, so I like Joe Maddon with the Ray-Bans. I don't really like Sarah's look. She needs a major overhaul.

Anwar: Who looks better in black - Marilyn Manson or Darth Vader?

Jeff: Darth Vader for sure. There is nothing that looks good about Marilyn Manson. Nothing at all. At least Darth Vader has a mask on.

Anwar: How fashionable would a Super Bowl ring look on your finger?

Jeff: That's tough. You can get away with any kind of fashion mistake with a Super Bowl ring on your finger.

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425.

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