'Baroque' - my look upon an early visit to Russell Street, wearing an Italian wool/cashmere coat (navy) with a Peter Pan collar, yellow check Truval Career Club shirt, canary yellow Brooks cardigan, white Levis, cola-coloured desert boots.
They were in - and admittedly they were working - their pocket polo, denim shirt, sweatshirt or Ralph Lauren button-down. 
I learned something that day.

Well timed! I've spent the last few days - and it has taken days - sorting the wardrobe, which started out as the usual seasonal migration of removals boxes to and from the loft and garage.

I've had Patrick's post regarding thinning out on my mind. And following AUS's posts over the last few days had started wondering how much of my collection is down to ticking off items  my 18/20 year old self would have wanted. And how much I've been buying clothes and shoes that are only fit for places and situations I'm never in. How much I own vs how often I wear most of it.

To be honest, when it was all laid out I was kind of revulsed by it.

Still very much work in progress, but I'm working towards rebuilding it very much in line with AFS's posts above. Plain and simple. No fuss or frills. 'Fitting In' as AUS so brilliantly put it the other day.

Edit to above: Probably should point out that I'm rebuilding the wardrobe with items I already own. Not some kind of 'scorched earth' exercise

Last edited by Spendthrift (2022-02-10 06:54:17)

We filled a bag with shoes and clothing last night.  They come through the letterbox.  This one is for cancer research so it's highly personal.  A pair of Clarks' desert boots went in, some Sperry Topsiders, a Ralph Lauren shirt, a Campus polo shirt (very 'Boom Years', but I decided to let it go anyway).  Then, this morning, I handed over a pair of Grenson chukka boots I've worn on and off for the past twelve years and never quite got on with. 
There are times when I fully understand Spendthrift's sense of revulsion, but I have certain things that I remain very attached to, such as the Alan Paine scarf Staceyboy (now posting, I believe, on Instagram) sent me as a gift.  Greetings, Mark, I hope you're well. 
I also sent four boxes of books to Oxfam last week.  Somehow, I enjoy thinning out more than acquiring and accumulating.

Got to be very wary of those bags that come through the letterbox AFS. I’m sure you’re one was legit. Sometimes the small print on the bag mentions that 5% of profit goes to charity. They’re often collecting volume to sell on to God knows who.

I’m up to four large bin bags handed over to our local hospice shop. As you say, it feels better to get rid than to aquire.

The other thing on clearing out.... those vintage purchases that don't lose the whiff.... it's sad but they have to go.  Letting go of a great Magee jacket where the aroma will not subside.

Going back to the original premise of this topic I really think it's slightly more complex.
It's not just any old button down shirt or loafers.
The button down at least should have a roll. Too small collars and it's a bit too fashion forward. Then you can play with the details. A locker loop, third collar button and Press flap pocket are nice add-ons that elevate the humble shirt into something quite refined.
Loafers. There are so many styles and brands out there now. Many will not appeal to the Ivy-styler but we still have plenty of options available - from cheap corrected grain to expensive Cordo. From beef roll to full strap and beyond.
Then we have the whole country of origin issue. I appreciate many on here prefer Made In The USA but how about Kamakura Vintage Ivy?
How about vintage originals versus modern and new.
The beauty of this thing of ours is how subtle it is. Yes, it can just be about a shirt and some shoes but it's means so much more than just being about a shirt and a pair of shoes.