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#1 2010-07-22 02:12:11
- Rip Rig & Panic
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Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
Talking to Chris H a couple of weeks back set me thinking about some of the fancier clobber we might own. I've got a lovely old Brooks Brothers Chesterfield. Velvet collar and everything. You've got to wear it with the right suit and tie, no question. I've had it on once, to go and file some paperwork at the county court.
I've got four suits, something suitable for every occasion. Most of the time, though, I'm just slipping on a slack if the weather's fair, London Fog or McGregor if it ain't, over jeans or chinos. This time of year, though, you expect to be living, more or less, in half sleeves and shorts if not working.
I still love looking for and at clothes, but, shirts apart, I find myself buying less and less. Sure, I can then spend the extra cash on CDs etc. but it somehow feels odd not to be Shopping For England. But who really needs thirty suits?
#2 2010-07-22 02:48:47
- Gibson Gardens
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
Does anyone still wear half sleeve OCBDs? I used to buy bag loads from JS in the 80s but I sensed there was this notion that they were a tad vulgar, you know that gentlemen simply rolled their sleeves up...
g.g.
#4 2010-07-22 03:08:27
- Gibson Gardens
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
Have you seen pictures of Flusser? I mean - what a wanker. That floppy hair, the paunch, the wobbly bottom lip. He's obsessed with the 1930s. Wants us all to look like Cary Grant whereas we all obviously want to look like Steve McQueen!
g.g.
#5 2010-07-22 03:13:25
- Rip Rig & Panic
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
Almost everything he approves of is approved of by every other self-appointed 'stylist': Fred Astaire, Cary Grant, The Duke of frigging Windsor, Douglas Fairbanks... I have a little dip into these books to see the usual stuff about Brooks and then dip out again... No UK modernist is going to get his rocks off there...
#6 2010-07-22 03:56:38
- Kingstonian
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
#7 2010-07-22 04:07:54
- Rip Rig & Panic
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
I'd have no objection to wearing a pale blue Brooks half sleeve with an updated Brooks suit.
#8 2010-07-22 04:14:59
- Hard Bop Hank
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
“No Room For Squares”
”All political art is bad – all good art is political.”
"Would there be any freedom of press or speech if one must reduce his vocabulary to vapid innocuous euphemisms?"
#9 2010-07-22 04:55:10
- Si Cheeba
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
Half sleeves a-plenty in this balmy UK summer - but never in the office!
If I'm not in a formal suit / tie in the city (i.e. the grey area of "business casual" )
- it's gotta be long sleeves (rolled in hot weather) - with flat front chinos (never with front jean style pockets either). Matched with brown / oxblood loafers or brogues (royals or smooves)
For most city types now the "informal" dress codes are just an excuse to be lazy. Mostly blokes will just not wear a tie and a suit jacket - but still suit trousers and black shoes.
it's sad sad times !
#10 2010-07-22 04:59:28
- Hard Bop Hank
- Ivy Soul Brother
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
I do wear half sleeves in the office, but not if I will meet customers... I don't own a single short sleeve oxford, I think...
“No Room For Squares”
”All political art is bad – all good art is political.”
"Would there be any freedom of press or speech if one must reduce his vocabulary to vapid innocuous euphemisms?"
#11 2010-07-22 06:45:00
- heikki k
- The Ivyist's Ivyist
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
another half sleeve man reports. i guess the half sleeve as summer wear has stuck from my ben sherman days. for some reason i'm sort of reluctant to wear them with shorts though, wear 'em only with chinos, cords or jeans. with shorts (mostly) always long sleeves or polo shirts.
#13 2010-07-22 07:17:44
- Chris_H
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
Half sleeves all the way this weather. I do have a couple of OCBD half sleeves, but lately I've given the Cotton Smedleys a bashing.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hardyandjohnson/
#14 2010-07-22 07:20:49
- Rip Rig & Panic
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
I'd like to think this is all part of 'dressing down' a bit, rather than being a 'collector'. I'd rather own a hundred good books than a thousand sat gathering dust.
#16 2010-07-22 07:25:29
- Chris_H
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
^ Bulk up man!! 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hardyandjohnson/
#17 2010-07-22 07:30:51
- Chris_H
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hardyandjohnson/
#18 2010-07-22 07:34:00
- Rip Rig & Panic
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
Don't misunderstand me, I have to force myself not to buy stuff!
#19 2010-07-22 07:44:06
- Rip Rig & Panic
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
Not being on Ebay has helped. I did, however, buy a pair of black Sebago beefs from a guy in Southport at the weekend; using my wife's account. £16. 90. The £3 shirt I bought from the Red Cross Shop yesterday is growing on me by the hour.
#20 2010-07-22 19:10:02
- 842
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
I agree the rolled long-sleeve is best. Guess it's habit at this stage. Half sleeves if the cut is proper, which is usually due more to my shape than the maker.
And never shorts. Terrible invention meant for children.
Last edited by 842 (2010-07-22 19:32:52)
Imperials, Cardies & Boss Sounds!
#21 2010-07-22 21:23:13
- shamrockmonkey
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
I brush my teeth with minty paste/I hate when Liquor goes to waste.
#22 2010-07-23 05:28:37
- Kingstonian
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
Going back to the original point. Yes it can be easy to get carried away with buying stuff once you start. Especially if you read about it first and have to go out of your way to source it.
Eventually you catch on to yourself.
Unless you are in the clothing game yourself or writing a blog like 'A suitable wardrobe'. He seems to have clothes for every possible eventuality..... and then some.
#23 2010-07-23 05:36:14
- Rip Rig & Panic
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
Yes. I'd really rather just have a poke around now and see if anything takes my fancy. Ebay trapped quite a few of us into daft buys, I'd reckon. I paid top dollar for some rayon and cotton Nortex piece I ended up giving away. Why did I buy it? Because it was featured in 'Life' magazine and JFK was reckoned to have worn it.
You have to stop being a prick sooner or later.
#24 2010-07-23 05:39:44
- Chris_H
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Re: Sure... But What Do You Actually Live In?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hardyandjohnson/