Posting is the life blood of this place brothers. There's no shortage of traffic on the forum, it is the case that new threads often attract a couple of hundred views within a day or two ....... but only a small number of replies. Members are not posting.

New members do not seem to be asking questions. When they do it doesn't really help when someone pops up and posts a link to an old thread....+.. People post outfits looking for feedback - so lets give them some!

Its true that many members have been here for a long time, during which most topics have been covered. But a renewed examination often brings a new take or perspective.

There is a tremendous reserve of knowledge here but unless it is shared, aired and discussed it contributes nothing to the good of this place that we have all enjoyed so much in the past.

Mods can do so much but ultimately it is up to you lot!

Come on you lurkers let's see your style and hear about it!

I'm not the most of observant of people it's true, but I check the forum regularly and hadn't noticed any signs of decay. (Obviously I noticed it all kicked off recently, but I'm referring to a lack of activity.) Quality not quantity should be the focus.

I think we all need to remember that (lively and civil debate aside) there is a wide range of looks that are acceptable for discussion here - prep and its satellites, Ivy through the decades, pre-Ivy... as well as music, literature, architecture... and then of course brands, the mechanics of clothing, etc... These are all deep topics and can live as threads for a long, long time...

I would suggest creating, if possible, a search function that may turn up dead threads which could be revived... Also the valuable ILSFT thread could be complemented by a WIWT-type thread, or posters could be encouraged to post (as some do) their own outfits in the relevant thread (like the 70s prep thread)...

I think no one should be afraid of putting their thoughts out there... Longer posts can hurt more if they're ignored but they also can add greatly to the conversation, rather than just throwing out a general question or topic (I'm not thinking of any specific instances here, just thinking out loud)...

I think also that after a long time with the same threads sitting in the same places with the same look, it can be hard to actually *see* the different threads - it's just the static face of TI. Switching up the look in some way could definitely inject some energy all on its own as people saw things in a new way...

There is not so much new to post for now. Less new relevant stimulus for discussion around in general.

I try to avoid the bickering, which only serves to make me avoid the forum until it quietens down. 

I think perhaps I and others self censor ahead of posting to avoid a potential row.  The subject here is very narrow with such a defined sense of style orthodoxy that not everyone follows as strictly.

I have also like Chipper felt that my posts often are ignored when others though off topic who are more central somehow to the group get much more response, so on the whole I just stopped bothering.

I check every day though and do try to put up anything distinct I find. I'm busy with life like everyone but will carry on here.

Last edited by An Unseen Scene (2017-03-10 16:17:31)

I would comment on the ILSFT thread but those people only want smoke blowing up their arse. And TBF, half of it really is tatt. Not offensive but just not very good, and for sure not inspiring. And then when you get the praising comments for the mundane you end up thinking; what the fuck are these people wearing if they think thats fab? I mean, no offence but when you get  Ox's post in a shetland jumper, chinos and uni BD for the 1000th time along side the traffic lights how can you expect any convo to come from that? And he's not the worse dresser on there, not by a country mile.

I'm happy to be in the out crowd, I've enough confidence to do my own thing without needing to applease people with group think.

I might start posting a bit more now Bop has taken his lumberjack shirts and Surgical appliance trainers off to the Lumberjacks in Surgical appliance forum and is frantically buying second hand Surgical appliance trainers and lumberjack shirts off ebay for as little as possible that won't fit very well to gain approval of group thinkers over there. At least he took his colour wheel with him, another enlightenment he found 20 years after the event.

Funnily enough I enjoy your outfits and Bop's. And Ox's. And I'm fussy about what I like.

Last edited by Yuca (2017-03-11 03:29:37)

A lot of stuff will just get lost in the Ivy style for today thread. If it is clothing with a slight twist then start a new thread.

Maybe 'central members' - if there is such a thing - are not phased by being ignored. Or they have been around so long that they don't get 'jumped on'. I don't see it as cliquey but I am not seeing it with fresh eyes.

As you say though, maybe a lot of the subject is talked out.

Hear, hear, Captain! I will drink to that. Although right now all I will drink is coffee. Later, though, different story... .

Some good wisdom coming up here fellas.

It’s regrettable that some people perceive an ‘in crowd’ on here, that feeling should belong in the past. In any group, there will always long standing members, people who feel more confident to post and people who have got to know each other a bit, that shouldn’t make for a clique though and new members should be made to feel welcome at all times, unless they are trolling of course.

Posting pictures of yourself for strangers to look at has to be pretty weird, or is it? Its rapidly becoming quite an everyday activity as the internet becomes an extension to normal life. There’s nothing weird about taking your classic motorcycle to a show and exhibiting it, all you’re doing is sharing something that pleases you with like-minded people and I would suggest that ILSFT is not that much different.  Like Thee Captain, I’m not really bothered if people like my pictures or not. It’s always nice if you get a positive comment, even better a question or constructive criticism, but I can live with stony silence or indeed not having smoke blown up my arse:

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/05/origin-expression-blow-smoke-ass/

Newcomers to the style will, however often be looking for constructive feedback and advice, it is good when over time, their style and dress improves and they start putting up really good looks - think Sancho.

Personally I like natural shoulder jackets, natural waist trousers and button down collars and as Kingy says, that’s what you’re largely going to get on an ivy forum. There are some trads here, but there’s room for people to come at it from different ways -think Leer, he’s had some stick about his ivy ‘with a continental twist’, but it doesn’t phase the guy and he’s very much part of our merry little band. Likewise, Unseen Scene posting about bits of gear he’s found on sale here in the UK – it’s good stuff and becoming more relevant as its starting to get more expensive to import clothes from the US, so don’t think you’re being ignored.

Thee Captain is living proof that you do not have to wear literal trad ivy to be welcomed here, there is a place for urban poncery in all its glory. Mate I just hope that your lobbying of the I.O.C. to include lunging in the Olympics bears fruit while you are still your prime. All these people will claim to be your besties after you bring home gold.

So, as far back as 2017 this conversation was being had.  Presumably people were already quitting in disgust/boredom or finding their boats were being floated on FB/IG/ whatever.  Which can work, as Gibson's IG work proves.  It's just mostly not for me, that's all.  Never was.  But, as Woofboxer (and others) may have hinted elsewhere, there's nothing much new under the sun - hence some bumped or weary threads.  So, why would FNB want to go on spending his hard-earned cash?  Maybe it'll all just fade away, leaving little behind but some very interesting memories.