Interesting thread, I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for reviving it fxh.

I actually agree with the sentiments of the OP. I find myself in a suit less and less nowadays. The urge to look respectable is still strong but I understand that a suit can be very threatening, particularly in my workplace. Hence I mostly live in chinos/odd trousers and sportscoats, with knit ties or no tie at all, with fabrics and weights varying with the season. For me, the look I go for is professional but approachable.

Sometimes though there is nothing for it but to wear a suit - e.g. at awards nights, professional seminars or lunch time gigs with the finance and corporate law crowd, for whom a suit is every day regalia. You can't really turn up in a sports jacket and grenadine tie to those things and expect to be taken too seriously (unless they have had a chance to get to know you first). I do still like to have a little bit of fun though with a suit, whether it be a floral tie or pink shirt, or a subtle windowpane pattern on the suit itself... one can still stand apart a little bit at these things while not standing out.