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#1 2017-11-29 05:51:17

Vladimir C. Stanojevic
Member
Posts: 11

The Men Who Peaked Too Soon

(with apologies to Tom Wolfe)

The hideous beauty inherent in the idea of wearing a formal shirt with bow-tie/blazer/chinos/duck shoes has got me a-thinking over morning coffee...

What was the ugliest, most abusive, transgressive riff on the Trad/Preppy/Ivy cannon you ever wore to what you thought was your everlasting shame and embarrassment only to be stunned to see it taken-up by Ralph/Brooks/J. Crew/A&F/ etc. 10-15-20 years later?

Mine must have been Spring '94, the final final of my final 21 hour senior semester - tucked Brooks white OCBD, M1981 woodland BDUs (my sweatpants substitutes), boat shoes (sock-less, natch), and a PRL NAVY BLAZER - utterly disheveled and bathed in Safari.

Hey! I was shivering cold from sleep deprivation and caffeine poisoning when I got to campus and it was the only thing to be found in the car capable of providing any warmth.

At least I had the good sense to pop the collar.

People stared.

Slack-jawed.

Of course, this sort of look has been on the runways, websites, and in the magazines a couple of times since.

Your turn...


"Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn."

- Gore Vidal

 

#2 2017-11-29 10:18:56

MCM Geography Teacher
Member
Posts: 443

Re: The Men Who Peaked Too Soon

Crazy!


'Bill Murden becomes the hero of the day as he rescues a confused duck.'

 

#3 2017-11-29 11:00:29

Berkeley_Breathes
Member
From: Crabapple Cove, ME
Posts: 4519

Re: The Men Who Peaked Too Soon


"The only comment a gentleman’s outfit should generate is that he is properly dressed for the occasion" - Calvin Trillin

 

#4 2017-11-30 06:25:00

Vladimir C. Stanojevic
Member
Posts: 11

Re: The Men Who Peaked Too Soon


"Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn."

- Gore Vidal

 

#5 2017-12-20 01:32:28

Horace
Member
Posts: 6432

Re: The Men Who Peaked Too Soon

Can't top the initial post, I'm afraid, but shit I've worn that I wouldn't wear today (and I should come back to this topic).

Or, shit I've worn that I almost certainly won't be returning to (or if you prefer, to which I won't return):

white bucks
baggy knahkis
woven leather belt (I think purchased from Ralph Lauren in the earlier days)
ski vest - I seem to remember a kelly green and a rust colored one
(probably) anything madras
most ties (I seem to go for the same dozen these days)
detachable color formal shirt (unless with white tie which is very unlikely)
braces (unless with a few suits that require it including dinner jacket)
a bright yellow sailing jacket -- (it was hideous and expensive -- somehow I found the one with these qualities in an otherwise utilitarian item).
an embarrassingly expensive watch I bought when I had more disposable income than sense.


""This is probably the last Deb season...because of the stock market, the economy, Everything..." - W. Stillman.

 

#6 2017-12-20 09:56:32

Berkeley_Breathes
Member
From: Crabapple Cove, ME
Posts: 4519

Re: The Men Who Peaked Too Soon

...Bnaggy knahkis.

Glad to see there's at least someone out there who has escaped the Cult of the Expensive Watch


"The only comment a gentleman’s outfit should generate is that he is properly dressed for the occasion" - Calvin Trillin

 

#7 2017-12-20 12:44:44

stanshall
Member
From: Gilligan's Island
Posts: 12991

Re: The Men Who Peaked Too Soon


"bow wow wow yippie yo yippie yay"

 

#8 2017-12-23 05:06:15

marlowe v2.0
Member
Posts: 477

Re: The Men Who Peaked Too Soon

Baggy khakis or GTFO.

 

#9 2017-12-23 09:00:29

Berkeley_Breathes
Member
From: Crabapple Cove, ME
Posts: 4519

Re: The Men Who Peaked Too Soon


"The only comment a gentleman’s outfit should generate is that he is properly dressed for the occasion" - Calvin Trillin

 

#10 2017-12-28 13:54:27

californian
Member
From: USA
Posts: 10

Re: The Men Who Peaked Too Soon

baggy khakis
gold buttoned blazers
RL tennis shirts

 

#11 2017-12-28 16:41:42

Berkeley_Breathes
Member
From: Crabapple Cove, ME
Posts: 4519

Re: The Men Who Peaked Too Soon


"The only comment a gentleman’s outfit should generate is that he is properly dressed for the occasion" - Calvin Trillin

 

#12 2018-01-30 01:36:14

Horace
Member
Posts: 6432

Re: The Men Who Peaked Too Soon

chums,

I just heard the ol' saw about how one can't wear the gold buttoned blazer anymore.  I wasn't having it.  I've got one blazer, I'm not buying another.  It's an older Brooks and it works.  People are apparently rejecting the shiny shiny for the buttons.  But it doesn't bother me.

Maybe I should come 'round on the bagged khakis Stanshall.  I'll go reflect.

Yrs in contemplation,


""This is probably the last Deb season...because of the stock market, the economy, Everything..." - W. Stillman.

 

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