Can you be to old to wear it? I think I am... If you think you are to old, then it's not for you. Is it that kind of thing?
I think it is. Paisley was about as far as I was once prepared to go. Even too pronounced a stripe now seems wrong.
But, in the United States, a fun shirt might work as resort wear, might it not?
The English resort tends to be rather on the gloomy side.
If you like them then wear one. But definitely for a very informal scenario e.g. a barbecue. With chinos and loafers maybe.
Personally I detest them.
I'm a fat middle aged white guy. Not even close to as charismatic as Jonah Hill in that movie what's it called. The Wolf... of something? But I have a thing for the 80s gaudy preppy stuff.
I found a shirt on the PRL web store. They have it in their Classic fit, or fat as fuck fit as I like to call it. It has some nice colours in it. Blue and yellow front, green and pink sleeves, and blue uni-stripe collar and chest pocket.
I don't want to be seen as one of those old fuckers who dresses like a twenty year old. But in reality is past his prime. Anywho, I rarely meet people and I never do social functions. It is just me, my books and the cat and the chickens. And the rooster, of course. What if he get to thinking I am testing his authority?
Doubt you'd find anyone under 50 wearing a fun shirt so I don't think anyone would think you're trying 'to-get-down-with-the-kids ', you should be ok......
'I rarely meet people and I never do social functions'
I doubt wearing a fun shirt will have much impact on your life, but if it does then it will probably improve it. I think we all want you to go for it.
The old Makers fun shirts were the greatest, and maybe with time you can locate one on ebay etc, but until then the PRL you mention above would be good for you. Who knows you might end up getting a collection.
What is fun? asked jesting Pilate, and would not stay for answer.
I have heard of people in these dismal Derbyshire towns to the east having fun with chickens.
There is often a substantial fine to pay.
Last edited by AFS (2022-02-04 08:14:17)
DBA- I reckon you should buy that fun shirt. Challenge the Rooster. Let him know who is boss. Strut around the room in your fun shirt, call the Rooster out.
No one is too old or to portly for a fun shirt. You sound like the person that could carry the look off.
Fun shirts not for me however The Weejun has a really nice looking Paisley shirt with a great collar roll. Perhaps too good to be called a fun shirt.
Yes and strangle the Rooster with a Rooster.
Incidentally did anyone use the term Rooster to describe a Herbert or Lad about town?
I've heard it a film at some time. Definitely not as a compliment.
Fun shirts are in the same category as Christmas jumpers and novelty ties.
Not for me.
Best left to characters like Colin Hunt from ‘The Fast Show’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6txO0rPmhg
'Yes and strangle the Rooster with a Rooster.'
That made me laugh. And want to listen to Howlin' Wolf. (But NOT the Rolling Stones.)
HaHa Colin Hunt. I'd forgotten about him.
At the risk of invoking His name, there are a number of snaps of Mr.Simons seemingly in a jovial mood at Chiltern Street - sometimes alone, sometimes with other people - just as there were snaps of he, Jeff and Kenny taken at Russell Street. They would sometimes be wearing, say, shorts: once, perhaps, an Ivy staple but now to be seen on every other young and old silly git in creation. That's probably as close as the average UK Ivyist is going to get to merriment. In England, as some will tell you, Ivy League dressing is often a serious business. Perhaps it's as well that it should be so. Skegness pier is not an adequate substitute for some secluded but well-equipped drinks-wise harbour in New England.
Yuca: I hate people and modernity. Call me Prep Kaczynski
AFS: Cock of the pier
Kingstonian: I get that fun shirts, critter pants and christmas sweaters get a lot of ire, or is looked down on, from the Ivy "purists". Now, I'm not writing that to be derogatory.
I'm somewhat of an introvert myself, and I'm not completely sold on the benefits of 21 century life either.
Is a fun shirt even ivy? I suppose it's post boom years ivy, as it was invented by Brooks. In the 70s I assume. I think Berkeley Breathes may have posted a shot of himself in one, however I can't recall anyone else on this forum having a fondness for them. But there's no reason why you can't indulge. Whatever works for you. Even if you're the only one ever to see it.
In 1996 Volkswagen offered an option on their smaller models (Golf and Polo) called the Harlequin paint scheme which was multi coloured panels, so the roof might be red, drivers door green, passenger door yellow, bonnet blue … you get the idea. They looked terrible, you still see the odd one around. They still look terrible.
I'd say very few 'Talk Ivy' posters are 'purists'. The English Ivyists have always had, I suppose, a pretty straightforward take on the style, ranging from the Stopped Clock/Limited Pallet approach of some to a slightly restless experimentation on the part of others.
Woof woof: So what you are saying is that it is a car you wouldn't dowload?
Last edited by DuluthandBackAgain (2022-02-04 15:14:06)
The point has been made elsewhere (i.e. on another forum) that certain Ivy/preppie items have not really made the transition from the United States to the United Kingdom. The Ivy look in England - for what it's worth - became part of 'youth culture' for a while with the emphasis on button-down shirts, cardigans, golf jackets, Levis, Sta-Prest, loafers and brogues etc. I'd say the wearing of Madras or seersucker is relatively uncommon (Madras shirts always excepted). But an item like, say, Nantucket Reds - no, not for most. I once owned a pair myself, ten years ago, but maybe wore them once. The English are 'conservative' - more so, I'd guess, than, say, the Japanese.
So, no fun in the UK. At least, not in the shirt line. Madras, for various reasons, is an exception to the rule - and some will certainly tolerate seersucker. One of my favourite shirts around fifteen-plus years ago was a claret and blue striped seersucker half-sleeve from Austin Reed worn with jeans and a G9. But many - probably most - currently on this forum will avert their eyes from anything too garish. Remember Ian Strachan's 'unremarkable' socks? Remember, too, the single 'stand-out' item favoured by the Ivy Shop staff, the Brooks white shirts favoured by Mr.Strachan. I see a great many lurid shirts and items of knitwear being offered on Ebay, often at jaw-dropping prices - but, like those blanket items that are filed under 'Pendleton', sold by the Japanese, I wouldn't have them as a gift.