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#1 2009-04-30 12:32:55
- chetmiles
- Member
- Posts: 1099
How great a degree of mixing is acceptable?
Yesterday, I was full on Ivy except for my socks. But if we start to mix in French slack jackets, English scarves and chukka or desert boots, Italian knitwear etc. is 'true, authentic' Ivy subverted or diluted?
What do chaps like Brownshoe and Patrick feel about this on the other side of the pond? I think Alex is comfortable enough. Is it, in fact, now just a time-honoured tradition: Anglo-Ivy flavoured with the Belmondo-Delon-Mastroianni influence so greatly that no one would really notice? Won't too much 'English', though, simply drive The Look back in a Sloane-wards direction? I still feel a little odd wearing Grenfell, Clarks', obviously English Viyella, even for work.
#2 2009-04-30 13:28:48
- Brownshoe
- Member
- Posts: 490
Re: How great a degree of mixing is acceptable?
It doesn't bother me much, as long as the overall effect is harmonious and smart.
I go through phases in which I think it would be nice to go pure Ivy and get rid of everything that doesn't "fit"--and there are many days that I do toe the line completely--but for me, dressing is fun, and there's just too much other good stuff to ignore.
Maybe this is something better left unsaid, but I dress according to mood and the "character" I want to project that day. Having a specific icon to emulate, or role to play, helps me focus in on which items to choose and is a big part of the appeal of clothing, for me. Sometimes I like a more bohemian vibe, or straight-edge Ivy, or OPH preppy, or mid-century Americana, or whatever. Luckily, everything I like tends to work together.
I wish I could be more like JJ and Tom Rath and others and pare down to a hard, clean, consistent look, but I'm too promiscuous and schizoid to ever settle on one approach. I really think this is to my detriment, and that I would attain a higher level of stylishness if I could do so. Maybe as I get older...
#3 2009-04-30 13:49:59
- Alex Roest
- Member
- From: The Hague, The Netherlands
- Posts: 2165
Re: How great a degree of mixing is acceptable?
Last edited by Alex Roest (2009-04-30 13:51:15)
#4 2009-04-30 13:50:54
- Natural Sole Brother
- Ivy, naturally.
- Posts: 782
Re: How great a degree of mixing is acceptable?
Interesting thoughts Brownshoe.
Incidentally in being "too promiscuous and schizoid" you sound a great deal like my ex-wife.
#5 2009-04-30 14:13:11
- adam!
- The Future
- Posts: 608
Re: How great a degree of mixing is acceptable?
in the same way mods should move on from navy mohair and parkas, ivy should move on...
i hope there's far more to this style than what i already know...surely it should go somewhere different...not hugely different obviously...but it has to go somewhere...i think it's our job to do that!
#6 2009-04-30 14:16:14
- Tom Rath
- Member
- Posts: 172
Re: How great a degree of mixing is acceptable?
NSB, she sounds just my type, can you send her my way...
Very well said Brownshoe, however, I think you have it backwards. The fact that you take chances, try to mix and match and experiment, thats the essense of style. If anything, the way I dress could be construed as a detriment. Its static, consistent, plodding. Its the main reason I dont post much on the pics page, I wear nearly the same thing every day. Ive scaled my wardrobe down so much that I am left with a handful of navy, gray and brown suits and black knit ties. Im not complaining, since I choose to dress this way, and I like it. But thats coming from a guy who has eaten the same thing for breakfast nearly every day for years. I like consistency, it soothes me.
#9 2009-04-30 14:29:06
- Alex Roest
- Member
- From: The Hague, The Netherlands
- Posts: 2165
Re: How great a degree of mixing is acceptable?
#11 2009-04-30 14:37:20
- ScarletStreet
- Member
- Posts: 540
Re: How great a degree of mixing is acceptable?
It seems to me Ivy is at a state where it is what you make of it. If someone is content to keep a tried and true Ivy uniform more power to them. I admire this ability too, it's just not who I am. There is no real Ivy movement so it is up to the individual to make the style work, and to see to it's evolution. I constantly add and update. There are basics that won't change. For me those are: Brooks Oxford, Weejuns, gunboats, desert boots, slim cut permanent press chinos, cardigans, v-neck sweaters, shetlands, Ray Ban Wayfarers etc. I see no reason to not be inspired by the great looks of the past and present members of this board. If pieces happen to be English, Italian, French, American, whatever..it doesn't concern me. All I am concerned about is if it will fit in with what I all ready wear. I agree with Brownshoe, there is too much out there that fits in the overall style realm to just stick to a strict ivy uniform. From the picture evidence, it more than works for him. I understand and appreciate that we have Ivy purists here, but this forum truly reflects it's description of "Traditional American Style from all angles". American culture has always been kind of a whore, not paticularly caring with whom she slept as long as something new and satisfying came out of it. I would be very interested to see where some people on this board continue to take the style especially Adam. Adam, you are probably our youngest member and easily one of the best dressed. I have stolen from your outfits before. Along with Brownshoe, 66', Tom Rath, Heikki, and Moose, you seem to be a natural at this stuff.
"All men are frauds. The only difference between them is that some admit it. I myself deny it." -- H.L. Mencken
#12 2009-04-30 14:42:35
- Alex Roest
- Member
- From: The Hague, The Netherlands
- Posts: 2165
Re: How great a degree of mixing is acceptable?
Last edited by Alex Roest (2009-04-30 14:47:07)
#15 2009-05-01 03:21:16
- Prof Kelp
- Professor of Ivy
- Posts: 1033
Re: How great a degree of mixing is acceptable?
http://thetownoutside.tumblr.com
#16 2009-05-01 03:56:35
- chetmiles
- Member
- Posts: 1099
Re: How great a degree of mixing is acceptable?
No, you're right, they're Falke. Only make I wear. I even have American boxers.
#17 2009-05-01 05:42:55
- Prof Kelp
- Professor of Ivy
- Posts: 1033
Re: How great a degree of mixing is acceptable?
Last edited by Prof Kelp (2009-05-01 09:15:25)
http://thetownoutside.tumblr.com
#18 2009-05-01 05:44:53
- Patrick
- Member
- Posts: 2653
Re: How great a degree of mixing is acceptable?
I admire consistency a la Tom Rath but I can't do it. A couple years ago I decided I was only going to use three fly patterns for an entire fishing season. That didn't last long, and neither do my efforts to do a by-the-book Ivy thing every day.
I'm a collector. (Thinks: pack rat.) I've got a lot of stuff, and I want to wear it.
And I like experimenting. Sometimes it works pretty well - the English side vented high roll three button jacket with a crisp white buttondown.
And sometimes not so well - the spread collared shirt with a sack suit. (The collar made my wide face look even more so.)
There are some obvious mixes I avoid - a buttondown with a regular American 2B suit. Acceptable, yes, but very blah.
Although that config, with a glen plaid and a moderately cheerful Thai mudmee necktie from Sam Hober, that could be goofy enough to try!
I always settle back to the Ivy rig after a walkabout, though. Like coming home after an extended, multi-city pub crawl.
Otter : Take it easy, I'm pre-law.
Boon : I thought you were pre-med.
Otter : What's the difference?
#19 2009-05-01 05:45:00
- chetmiles
- Member
- Posts: 1099
Re: How great a degree of mixing is acceptable?
That's the difference between 'hardcore' and compromise - which we all do from time to time.
#20 2009-05-01 05:50:56
- chetmiles
- Member
- Posts: 1099
Re: How great a degree of mixing is acceptable?
Sorry, that sounded nebbish; and I've already had this discussion, more or less, with Alex.
It's obviously all according to personal taste and selective faculty, isn't it? Also according to the amount of cash you have to spend.