I think that clothes should be a dialogue with the world in some sense.

I think that they should express an aspect of you which ordinary conversation cannot... They should convey a sort of air of what you're all about.

Clothes too can be armour and camouflage and signal all sorts of messages about how approachable or unapproachable you are... But only to those who can read their message...

Mostly I think clothes should be a part of one's signature, a way of being yourself to the fullest.

Oh, I dunno.
Really interesting thread though...

Last edited by Miles Away (2006-06-07 12:41:26)

It's a challenge pulling off that casual look. The better the quality of what you're wearing, the more toned down it has to be to keep heads from turning to follow you down the street.

When all around you are wearing cotton, a double breasted Savile Row product stands out. As do benchmade shoes in a sea of Nikes.

I had a memorable experience outside the Peninsula Hotel in Kowloon a couple of years ago trying to smoke a cigar. I was wearing my usual db. Within 15 minutes I was surrounded by a small crowd of people from the mainland who were pointing me out to their children and asking me to write a note in their school notebooks.

Seems to me that one of the key issues is practice.  Just think about the young man whose mother has dressed him impeccably.  He is ill at ease and would probably look better in casual clothes.  Years later the same fellow might look elegant in the same type outfit but this time the reason would be that he has worn the clothes enough he is comfortable in them.

Here is a quote I like:

“Oh, never mind the fashion.  When one has a style of one’s own, it is always twenty times better.” 

       Margaret Oliphant

Last edited by gng8 (2006-06-07 20:33:43)

Hey Twin Six. All very well said. I know that pinching the crotch thing far too well...not good.


One of the most disturbing things Ive heard on all the MBs is that people think if they dress too well at a certain age or at a certain type of company theyll be picked on. Its more truthful that if they give off "Pick on me" vibrations theyll get mistreated at work. I have always dressed better than anyone else and it made people more respectful of me and have a higher opinion of me. I often ended up shopping for people at or near the top or giving them tips. MDs would bring things in that they or their wife had bought over the weekend to ask me if it was acceptable and Id give the article the sniff test.

Additionally, I would attract the notice of older men who also liked clothes and who would compliment me on my outfit, ask what make my things were and also ask for tips.

But the idea that you get punished for being well put together is astonishing.

Hmmm, I think style is elastic. I started out with some things that were self conscious for me but I persevered and now they are second nature. Maybe its closer to the truth to say that you should work on one item that makes you less than comfortable at a time as an occasional experiment to see if youre truly uncomfortable with it or if you would find you indeed like wearing it.

Sprezzatura is an important element, as is posture and bearing. All part of getting in touch with your sartorial chi.

FNB Quote: ''My style invokes ordinary people to say, "wow you look good, tell me how to look good." Fellow clothes aficionados simply fall into step and assume Im one of them and start speaking to me about style as if we have always known each other. is there a better measure of stylish accomplishment?''

Without answering the specific question, let me pose another, on the premise that we accept what you say: that you have so much IT, that it is nearly a crime to keep it from the world and to continue to fail to take your rightful place among the style leaders of this generation. Remember you too could be photographed, Wall's cornetto in hand, with Luca Rubinacci! However, you have mentioned before (basically) that your perception of the consequences of  (literally) coming out of the closet - all stripes blazing - might be to get upbraided or even fired from the work that enables you to indulge your closet habits. How do you cope with this restriction of your freedom - or is this kind of thing - having ball-crunching employment - just normal in New York?

Indeed it is often these little twists that add an acceptable touch of distinctiveness.  Keeping them to a couple per days' wardrobe is important to avoid looking eccentric.