Hi, Chris.

I haven't posted any pictures in my mere couple of years on the various fora, mostly because my kit is totally unremarkable.

Like Coolidge, bespoke and MTM have been beyond my means, though I may be foolish and try MTM this summer, and I hope eventually to be able to go MTM consistently (I don't see the ability to justify bespoke in my future). As a result, my best suits are a couple of Hickey-Freemans and an old, canvassed HSM that I've been lucky enough to find at absurd discount at places like Nordstrom Rack and on EBay. I even still have two Mens Wearhouse suits in the rotation, though they're clearly at or nearing the ends of their lives.

I'll even go on record as saying that as much flack as MW takes on the boards, they've probably done more than any other company in recent memory to get men into suits and decent-looking other clothing, even if they've simultaneously done just as much to convince men that suits are generally uncomfortable. Besides, if you're short and skinny like me, there is almost no other place to find a reliable selection of suits off the rack, for better or worse. But I digress. . . .

My ties are mostly a mix of Robert Talbott, J. Press, Brooks Brothers, Ike Behar, J. Crew, Lands' End and *cough*JerryGarcia*cough*, from Ebay, at retail, and at discount and thrift. These include a few bow ties, which I adore, particularly with sweater vests.

My shirts are a mix of Land's End OCBDs, Brooks Brothers spread collars, and a hodgepodge of others.

My shoes are old Cole-Haans, newer A-Es, and a couple of Loakes, with a Rockport and a Bostonian for rainy days.

My aesthetic preferences have been heavily influenced by the TNSIL (The Natural Shoulder Ivy League look, also sometimes called "Trad," which Coolidge's preferences beautifully illustrate) "pallette" -- that is, repp stripe or discreet foulard ties, OCBDs, flannels, blue blazer or sportcoat, and khakis -- but I don't object to darts or pleats, and prefer fuller-cut clothing.

I have no strict preference regarding vents: I own suits with no, one, and side/double vents, though I think the latter suit me best.

I generally gravitate toward the drab American suit silhouette, either two-button or 3 button rolled to two, with cuffs on my trousers, though not on my khakis, and on-seam pockets on both trousers and khakis.  I like a more natural shoulder, but a couple of my jackets extend slightly beyond my natural shoulder line and are more padded.

I'm also a big fan of solid-colored suits. Part of this stems from my previous career and a conscious effort not to stand out or seem too stylish or well paid, but part was also inspired by pictures of my father and uncles in the 40s-70s, as well as by my father's guidance when I first started "dressing up" regularly for work. 

I wear fedoras, the best of which are a vintage Dobbs and a vintage Stetson. I also have a couple of tweed caps, my grandfather's old Kangol wool cap (from before they stitched the kangaroo on everything), and nearly a dozen ball caps, mostly from my alma mater. The hat-wearing began primarily as a stylistic preference, but became more of a necessity as my hair fled my scalp.

My tailor is Boris at Classic Tailoring in Los Angeles. Not a bespoke or even MTM kind of guy, but reliable and reasonable.

When not at work, I'm a jeans- or khakis-and-t-shirt or polo shirt kind of guy, though I'll almost always go with at least khakis and an OCBD -- and a sweater vest if it's cool out -- when going out.

Last edited by Tyto (2007-03-08 22:40:30)

I thought this a good read and I would also like to see some photos of member's suits. I have not yet ventured into the MTM or bespoke suit circle but I would like to graduate from ready wear. Photographs help that process out.

FNB:

I guess we know whose bastard son you are....