This intrigues me, but also frustrates the fuck out of me. I can't help wonder if there is some agenda being played out here. Is it that the "trad" criticising is so much part of your online identity Russell that you can't give it up? That people will lose interest if you do? I know that you've been around a long time on this one and sound passionate about it, but I think a lot of this stuff detracts from some of the good stuff that can go on in this forum. You got a lot of good knowledge so use it for the power of good. The force flows strong in you, do not get tempted to the darkside!!! I much prefer it when you stick to talking about clothes and such like and aren't Trad baiting (or Chensvold baiting for that matter)

Hell I like a debate and good argument, but it can also get in the way of progress too. Maybe its about acknowledging the differences, accepting them and either learning to live with them or basically have nothing to do with the other party. The net is a big place.

I'm not advocating Love, Peace and Harmony....far too cynical for that, but come on there must be a way through this stuff?????

Last edited by 1966 (2009-04-09 11:01:04)

Shame on you for bumping this thread!

I like a big old messy mix up myself. Just like life. There's actually some nicely interesting stuff in this thread - Mainly from AQG. Lots of food for thought & conversation points: Is JS a costume shop?

Without the banter there would have been no nuggets of good stuff from Mr. AQG. He doesn't post a lot & to get his POV takes a little work.

He's an interesting chap though when he gets going!

Last edited by Alex Roest (2009-04-10 00:43:45)

Covent Garden is just a location, Alex, and a pretty naff one at that with all those designer shops and poncy eating places.  Not that Soho's much better these days.  It's ultimately futile to try and dwell too deeply in the past; self-defeating, too. 
'Modernism' is one of those words loaded with possibilities and at the same time very misleading - a bit like, say, 'fascist': it gets misused.  Soon enough J.Simons as we know it will disappear, and we ourselves will grow a little older, a little greyer, and a touch more misty-eyed (perhaps).  Or each of us, in his own way, will begin marching to a different drummer.  If we are not already doing just that.

Otherwise it appears as if you have to take out a subscription.  Sign up.  Obey orders.  The 'rules' of Ivy style are available in the back of your mind:  You know something with a big lapel from Vartek isn't right; you know that tie has too wide an apron - you can see it's so in the mirror.  'Trad' to me is Chris Barber.  'Preppy' is floppy hair, fresh from the shower, tennis courts and good-looking girls like Ali McGraw.  'Ivy' is Miles, Monty and McQueen - but would I have been 'Ivy' to them?  Subjective, subjective; and always room for doubt...

If Mr. AQG wants I'll answer his points properly as time allows.

Just off the top of my head I'll say what I asid to Mr. Egadfly earlier on today - We have this funny situation of Americans wanting to be traditionalists, but not quite knowing the tradition & European fans of all this with no real interest in tradition who are Ivy League die-hards. If we had some Japanese posters then we'd really have some fun!

I see Trad as a Preppy update. I don't see Ye Olde Classic US Tradition. Ken Pollock in his Chensvold interview couldn't see it either. Trad is too narrow.

Is that how we can all meet in the middle? Trad is new. Let it be what it is. Drop the claims to tradition & embrace your real strength - Revision! You'd be stronger that way & we couldn't keep accusing you of Fedora-ism.

Best -

AQG in his posted pic today is so regular guy American and Trad as to be almost beyond notice here in the midwest.  most of the guys at my gym dress very much like this when theyre not wearing suits,  is this look something that you English guys can wear everyday?  or would most people stop and look