This seems like the correct venue for this question...
Related to the knit tie thread and their usability with suits, I was in Italy last week and noticed that a very well dressed acquaintance of mine wore a blue and red striped surcingle belt with business suits almost every day. I was wondering what the folks here thought about this combination.
Love them...
http://www.oconnellsclothing.com/belts_casual.php
I think these look awesome with laid-back suits like, say, a mid olive cotton fustagno, solaro gabardine, or tan linen. But they must look out of place with darker, more somber suits.
Last edited by Cruz Diez (2007-06-09 12:33:28)
I think striped braces look fine. :-)
Iammatt:
When not using suspenders, which is about 50% of the time, I do the same thing (blue/red and green/blue), mostly because I no longer own a regular solid leather belt. Works out fine and I think looks great.
Very Ivy!
I think they look wonderful if you are 8 or 9 and wearing your sunday best in the summer. If you have a driver's license, credit card or have ever kissed a female other than your mother, save them for shorts or linen/cotton casual slacks in the summer, if you must.
Anyone have an opinion on the merits of cotton v wool surcingle belts?
Matt,
Based on the poll on Styleforum, this is the point of style where Naples meets Omaha. Live and learn.
Regards,
Steven
Great tie -- great look. Is that a navy/red/navy belt? Seems to be the most versatile. I had blue and blue/green/blue once upon a time.
I saw surcingle belts sold at Cable Car Clothiers.
^ I as well.... mucho expensivo!!
On other note, in my last visit, I couldn't resist and bought some really cool OTC wool argyles. In this case the price wasn't that outrageous... it also helped that the staff were very friendly.
Last edited by Incroyable (2007-06-22 00:01:55)
I think it looks great. Just curious, what shoes are you wearing with the outfit? Penny Loafers?
Loafers are a bridge too far for me. I wore brown captoes here.
I read the discussion on SF. The button down shirt and striped tie, because they recall the prep boom of the early '60s, would let you wear the belt with a casual suit (meaning tan gabardine, say, in summer and, if the belt is heavy, with gray flannel in winter). I'd "cross the bridge" and use brown suede Alden tassel loafers or cordovan. No different than O-ring belts (I wear a brown alligator o-ring with a gray flannel suit and loafers). However, I don't remember this being actually done back then (oldtrix or howard might comment). You would see a harness leather o-ring or wool surcingle back then with heavier trousers and a button-down shirt back in the '60s.
My wife hates all these over-thought belt accessories and has decided to buy me a conventional brown alligator belt for my birthday, so as to rid me of the o-rings, surcingles, and other memories of 40 years ago.
Regards,
Steven
Last edited by stylestudent (2007-06-23 05:13:54)