Would you wear a monocle to the races? Please let this not be a trend

ONE of Australia’s most stylish men is encouraging blokes to rock this kooky accessory for spring racing season. Would you do it?

IT’S the kooky accessory worn by fiction’s quirkiest characters. And now one of Australia’s most stylish men is encouraging blokes to rock it this spring racing season.

The monocle — a single eyeglass attached to a string or stick — is the go-to trackside accessory, according to Myer’s menswear ambassador Kris Smith.

The stylish Brit says quirky accessories will help fashionable lads stand out from the usual grey-suit crowd at the races.

“Someone with a monocle or a pocket watch, the little touches of individuality that sets them aside from everyone else,” Mr Smith told the Financial Review.

He told news.com.au: “It really is just a bit of fun, popular on the English racetracks.”

A monocle might work on Hercule Poirot or Cluedo’s Mr Mustard, but will Aussie men really jump on board?

Kris Smith (right), with fellow Myer ambassador Nikki Phillips, sports a dashing powder blue spring racing look. Photo: Naomi Jellicoe.

Editor of GQ magazine, Ceri David, says he doesn’t expect to see the average bloke rocking the monocle anytime soon.

“Considering some guys still turn up to the race track looking like they’ve borrowed their dad’s suit, monocles might be a bit of a stretch,” Mr David said.

“Before you leave the house dressed like Mr Peanut, let’s get the basics sorted first — get your suit tailored, shoes polished, and then we can move onto things like tie clips and pocket squares. “Baby steps, people.”

The monocle is a high fashion look more suited to editorial pages than real life, the editor of men’s fashion blog D’Marge, Luc Wiesman, says.

“I’d be worried about my eye getting really tired and sore on race day,” Mr Wiesman said.

Winona Ryder rocks a monocle in the 1988 film ‘Heathers’.

But Mr Wiesman says there are plenty of other ways guys can up their fashion game for the races.

He said men were experimenting with pocket squares, hats and forgoing their usual lace-up shoes for a loafer with no socks. The three-piece and double-breasted suits were also making an appearance.

“The main thing is to go beyond your everyday work suit,” Mr Wiesman said. “The races are a time to dress up and try different things, whether it’s colour or a cool tie. It’s all about having fun.

“There’s no really right or wrong, as long as you don’t wear white socks with a black suit.”

The monocle, complete with hipster mo and tweed vest. Photo: Warby Parker.

This isn’t the first time the monocle has been hailed as a new trend.

There was a collective eyeroll from practical fashionistas earlier this year, when the New York Times published an article titled, ‘The Monocle Returns as a Fashion Accessory’.

It read: “The one-lensed eyepiece, an item favoured by 19th-century military men, robber barons and Mr. Peanut, is finding itself wedged anew into the ocular sockets of would-be gentlemen seeking to emulate the stern countenances of their stuffy forebears.”

But outside of the Brooklyn laneway bars no has heard of yet, we’re yet to see this trend actually gain any traction on the street.

What do you think of the monocle? Ridiculously pretentious or kinda cool? Tweet us @newscomauhq