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In this 2008 image released by FOX, "American Idol" judges, from left, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell are shown on the set in Los Angeles. Audience declines for "American Idol" are most steep among youthful viewers, the people who set the pop culture agenda and are most likely to buy music made by the show's winners.Michael Becker/The Associated Press

The question

All around me, young guys are wearing deep-V-neck T-shirts, but they aren't always the most flattering item on every body type. How long do you think they're going to be fashionable?

The answer

I wish they would all disappear. I have never been a fan of the V-neck, either in T-shirts or sweaters. They look feminine. Furthermore, the bony crevice between the male pectoral muscles is perhaps the least sexy part of the chest to display – particularly if you are not muscular.

If you are well-developed, you can pull off a V-neck if it is tight, but even then you are going to look like a showoff. You might as well have the name of your gym emblazoned on it. For some reason, though, the vast majority of males in revealing decolletage are not body-builders but skinny bearded types. Sometimes they want to show off their pretentious tattoos; sometimes, it seems, they are just proud of their sagging pecs and little bellies. If a guy wants something a little more sensual than a crew neck, he should try wearing a very wide crew– or boat-neck shirt. One other useful word: Trapezius. Traps are very valuable assets.

Russell Smith is a novelist. His recent memoir, Blindsided , is available as a Kobo e-book. Have a fashion question? E-mail style@globeandmail.com.

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