What your best friend won't tell you, Ken Karpinski will.
In his book, "Mistakes That Men Make That Women Hate" (Impact Publications, $6.95), Karpinski doles out 101 image tips for men.Tips such as tie clips are out. Business shoes don't go with casual khaki pants. Don't spit in public - unless you are choking, it is highly gross, he writes.
The tips are a culmination of conversations with women who revealed their biggest peeves about men's style to Karpinski, who took copious notes.
"We had so much input from females that we started counting after we got 39 or 40 (tips)," Kar-pinski said from his home in McLean, Va. "We had to cut it off at 101."
While mostly helpful, the book occasionally dips into condescending territory. Take Tip 72, The Ink-Stained Pocket. Nobody will think it is an abstract monogram, Kar-pinski writes. No-duh, Ken.
Other advice is more practical: Tip 75, the Unbuttoned Double-Breasted Jacket. Only David Letterman has gotten away with this - you're not Dave, he writes.
Karpinski's favorite faux pas is the book's first tip: Don't go around with a pocketful of pens.
"More than two is the international nerd symbol," he said.
Karpinski published another book last year, "Red Socks Don't Work: Messages from the Real World About Men's Clothing." And is working on another about how men can make the transition from college to career. He began his career in men's fashion as a wardrobe consultant for Nordstrom's and Bloomingdale's and was a consultant for author Carol Jackson on two books about color and style for men.
"A lot of women said to me that they knew someone who did this or that (mistake)," Karpinski said. "And men are grateful to see it spelled out.
" `No one told me,' is their general response."