Film Noir Buff Style Forum / Traditional American Style: Streetwear.

Taylor McIntyre · 2008-07-02 05:14:00

Traditional American style has many aspects: Black tie, Bow Ties, Sack Suits, Button-downs, Chinos...

And also it has a Streetwear aspect.

Streetwear isn't "Trad". Far from it. But Streetwear is Traditional American.

Hanes Sweatshirts, Keds, or Converse, Levis or going-threadbare-on-the-arse old Corbin Khakis which were once rather smart...

This is an aspect of Traditional American style which hasn't been touched on yet and it's one which along with the perfect bow-tie shape and size that I'm keen to explore.

There's no snob-appeal here. Just a discussion of That American Look as worn on your down-time when you have chores to run or are just feeling nice & mellow & fancy taking in a movie.

All contributions welcome.

Jim

Alex Roest · 2008-07-02 06:52:00

I quite liked Jesmonds "downbeat cool" phrase in this respect really. I tended to write off this style as somewhat nondescript before to be honest, trainers, khakis/jeans, t-shirt and sweater.....scruffy kinda look I thought.

Then again having read some of the posts recently about just exactly what kind of items people meant I've changed my mind. Interesting stuff anyway, something I could use adding to the mix....

Looks good with the 'right' haircut only IMHO still, mind you.....I do like people being tidy after all

P.S. http://www.filmnoirbuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=2537

Last edited by Alex Roest (2008-07-02 07:08:10)

Taylor McIntyre · 2008-07-02 08:31:20

Jesmond is really good at all this.

Also check out the 'Take Ivy' boys - There's a downbeat cool there as well. No suits & bows on show.

1967 - The Odd Couple - Check Oscar's rig in the early scenes: Soft Blue/White Pin Whale or Hairstripe Ivy League jacket with just a Grey Marl T. underneath, worn Khakis, & old White Sneakers.

The Look is not all about the correct wear for a court appearance. It's a look to LIVE in too.

J.

Last edited by Russell_Street (2008-07-02 08:32:53)

Alex Roest · 2008-07-02 09:44:36

mike · 2008-07-02 09:53:10

in the Fall i like flannel shirts, plaid flannel shirts with khakis. my only fear is looking like a lesbian - LOL - can this be considered street wear, I also like my old blue and white stripe shirts with my name in a patch on the chest from a job i had as a janitor, i wear it untucked with khakis on the weekends and a ball cap (never backwards) with some old 'Chucks'. i worry i may be tending towards ghetto hip-hop which is not me at all

Taylor McIntyre · 2008-07-02 10:02:37

Thanks Mike,

My point here is that Traditional American style is not one suit & a bow tie.

What did 1950's Ivy Leaguers wash the car in?

There is an American Tradition of good quality down-time clothing which has been overlooked in the rush to look like an Internet Gentleman elsewhere.

I take the whole of life as my canvas. The only real man is a man in the round.

Vaclav · 2008-07-02 11:47:34

Champion , reverse weave before, Hanes.

Tretorn in, place of Keds or, the Incontinence pants made, in W.Germany, France or, Yugoslavia. Thinking, of the Campus, or Country, models.

katon · 2008-07-02 12:36:13

Last edited by katon (2008-07-02 12:36:49)

JOA · 2008-07-02 12:38:30

Someone I look to on Traditional American Streetwear style is Andy Spade. I find it interesting that, despite his high-fashion status, he chooses to wear what he's worn since he was a young man--sack jackets, oxford and broadcloth buttondowns, surcingle or engine-turned belts, selvedged 501s, Desert Boots, Wallabees, Longwings and Tretorn Nylite canvas sneakers. I look to that as similar to my own experience because I know that, as a child of the 80s, I have always worn (for the most part) these same items. I have so many pictures of me in a Lacoste polo or oxford buttondown, 501s or Duck Head chinos, surcingle belt, Sperry's, Tretorns or Bean Camp Mocs. It was my uniform as a kid, in college and even today. I've always taken comfort in the simplicity of classic American brands. Some see this as too limiting. I remember a AAATrad thread on minimalism. I'm quite taken with the idea. Most over there can't (or couldn't) handle it. To each his own I suppose.

Some Spade images (hope these links work):

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/movies/features/article_1402150.php/In_photos_7th_Annual_Tribeca_Film_Festival_-_Lake_City_Premiere?page=7

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://acontinuouslean.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/aspadegq.jpg&imgrefurl=http://acontinuouslean.com/2008/04/01/april-gq/&h=1356&w=979&sz=501&hl=en&start=22&um=1&tbnid=FSD997ZFupvlCM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=108&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522andy%2Bspade%2522%26start%3D18%26ndsp%3D18%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26ie%3DUTF-8

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0ehD37g6K5aPO/340x.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.daylife.com/photo/0ehD37g6K5aPO&h=474&w=340&sz=48&hl=en&start=27&um=1&tbnid=FH-KMyQ2g004JM:&tbnh=129&tbnw=93&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522andy%2Bspade%2522%26start%3D18%26ndsp%3D18%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26ie%3DUTF-8

Taylor McIntyre · 2008-07-02 12:43:13

^^ Makes absolute sense Katon & it's a great look...

Ummmmm - Chambray isn't 'Trad' btw, even though Chet Baker bought his Chambray shirts from The Andover Shop...

... But Chambray is Traditional American style. So that's OK.

Isn't it?

What we lose in 'Trad' we pick up in Traditional American style.

All is safely gathered in.

J.

Last edited by Russell_Street (2008-07-02 12:45:19)

Taylor McIntyre · 2008-07-02 12:50:44

R.A. · 2008-07-02 20:05:22

Are there any recommendations for sweatshirts? I've been considering one of Buzz Rickson's versions.

Last edited by R.A. (2008-07-02 20:12:52)

Marc Grayson · 2008-07-02 20:10:08

Kent Dorfman · 2008-07-02 20:30:18

I know what you're talking about, but I don't think "Streetwear" is the right term. I looked up "Streetwear", and found it's stuff designed, created and sold as a particular look or ensemble.

I think the Ivy Leaguers of the 50s would wear something called "old clothes" to wash the car. I remember young adults in the late '60s ( I was a mere squeaker) wearing jeans, shorts, loafers or athletic shoes (low-cut Chuck Taylors, etc) plain colored t-shirts, old button up shirts untucked, etc. No big deal, just comfortable stuff you already had.

Look at Patrick's current blog entry where he's standing in the door of his cabin wearing shorts, mocs and a t-shirt. That's what I'm talking about. I wouldn't call that streetwear.

But admittedly, I know as much about streetwear as I do quantum physics.

R.A. · 2008-07-02 20:49:23

Marc Grayson · 2008-07-02 22:10:40

Taylor McIntyre · 2008-07-02 23:50:15

Brownshoe · 2008-07-03 15:39:35

JOA · 2008-07-03 15:54:29

BShoe, is the shirt oxford cloth or linen? Looks good. Gap chinos, I presume?

eg · 2008-07-03 19:51:35

Taylor McIntyre · 2008-07-04 00:26:46

Hats off to Brownshoe!

The sweatshirt tip is new to me... I must explore it...

Moose Maclennan · 2008-07-04 00:33:01

H. Logg · 2008-07-04 00:45:15

What's the v-stitch in sweatshirts for? The two lines of stitching at the front, under the collar?

Moose Maclennan · 2008-07-04 04:26:37

I like this T-shirt:

http://www.ebbets.com/Authentic_19714_Details.aspx

Some other interesting stuff on this site too.

Brownshoe · 2008-07-04 22:50:16

#1 2008-07-02 05:14:00

Traditional American Style: Streetwear.

#2 2008-07-02 06:52:00

Re: Traditional American Style: Streetwear.

#3 2008-07-02 08:31:20

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#4 2008-07-02 09:44:36

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#5 2008-07-02 09:53:10

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#6 2008-07-02 10:02:37

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#7 2008-07-02 11:47:34

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