'Prep' poisoned so much.

I think perhaps those of us in the UK have to put a more than usual amount of thought into our overall appearance.  The lingering associations of 'youth culture' possibly lie behind this and some are unable to quite turn away from those associations.  Most do not stay long on 'Talk Ivy'.  Better - by far, then - the look Moose describes above than Mikkel Rude, Oi Polloi or whatever floats the boat of the 'sussed skin' and his ilk.  Softness - or non-aggression - is the key.  The 'quiet' nature of the clothing hopefully reflects the reasoned nature of the wearer.

Not so asexual after all eh?

Blazer, khakis, button down and loafers is 'not ivy'?

Anyway, you're an ivyist with 3 wives, so how can it be asexual?

Paradoxically I find the navy blazer to be highly unversatile.  What are the options for trouser matching?

1.  Khakis - a matter of personal  pereference as we have seen above, but a combination I find dull.

2.  White trousers - only in summer and can be a bit too nautical, especially if your blazer has gold buttons.

3.  Grey flannel - way too middle aged.

4.  Jeans - only if you want to go down the Top Gear horror route.

The problem I think is that in the UK the navy blazer has all sorts of unfortunate associations which maybe it doesn't have in the US.  It brings to mind something you'd buy in M&S or from a small ad in the back of a colour supplement; the sort of thing worn by Dennis Thatcher or some bore with a G&T in the local golf club.  A bit too Terry and June if you get my drift.

Nice with desert boots too, instead of the more usual loafer. Grey trousers (maybe cords instead of flannels?) fine IMHO if slim enough and not too dark.

Sloppy fit you might get away with in tweed won't work with a blazer. Crappy ones can look really bad indeed.

Mind you, I'm one of the most hidebound dressers you can imagine.

The average woman barely knows her arse from her elbow.  Some of them have a vague notion they like a man wearing a suit.  If they play with your tie, you're onto something.  Despite what anyone says to the contrary, plenty of them fancy pumped up lunks like Daniel Craig.  Around here, you could be wearing MTM Simon-style and they'd never notice.  You'd be better off hanging from the branches of a tree by your toes and grunting.

They tend to be more fashion-conscious, I suppose.  Or bag ladies or crusties.  Our former cleaning lady used to come in all her D&G tat.  Liked to show off her thong.  Making notes on Anglo-Saxon England for one of my more inquisitive A-Level students became quite difficult.

Last edited by 4F Hepcat (2011-11-09 11:54:52)