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Dressing down a suit

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#24 ·
Gosh, I wear monk straps with suits all the time!

Technically, monk straps are just another form of blucher/derby, though much sleeker, and hence dressier, than most.

I feel as if I landed on another planet. Is this the how I-Gent rules get started? :biggrin:
 
Discussion starter · #26 ·
I do have casual clothes! I simply prefer to be smartly dressed- I enjoy wearing a suit. It has a sort of psychological affect on me. I have no qualms with looking a little eccentric but no desire to look like a Banker.
I happen to despise loafers particularly on my self or with a suit. I find some of these solutions tend to leave me looking a little middle aged.
I'm 24. I'm leaning towards an Italian approach with lots of layering and texture.
 
Discussion starter · #27 ·
Flanderian said:
IMO, Mr. Winston is spot on. Dressy suits don't really dress down very well. During the '30's there was a term often used in the pages of Esquire which was semi-sport. It described a mode of attire that included suits of appropriate cloth with appropriate detail intended to be worn for leisure activities, which were still something of a novel concept, the 6-day week not being too far in the past.

This was an era when men wore suits. The only men who didn't were those who had little choice due to occupation or financial circumstances. And there were suits that really only suited sport/leisure activities, and semi-sports suits intended for double duty of either less formal business activities or a stroll in the country, but not the most formal of professional or personal undertakings.

The cloth that best suits suits for sport/casual wear, and much of semi-sport includes, for cool weather, tweed, corduroy, twill such cavalry twill, more robust gabardine (If it still exists.) and Saxony in patterns such as glen check, houndstooth, etc.

While I know some will not agree, I'll also list both seersucker and cotton poplin for warn weather. I consider them inherently more casual, and each can, IMO, be worn without ties and the proper accessories.

Starting from a basis of suits of these types of cloth, they can be dressed down in many ways. Wear them with sport shirts and sporty ties such tweeds and knits. Cold weather suits with turtlenecks. Summer suits with high quality polo shirts buttoned at the neck, or closed with an ascot/day cravat or neckerchief. Either of which can also be worn with cool weather suits. IMO, suits worn only with open-necked shirts look both poor and silly.

Footwear also plays an important role, instead of calf cap toe oxford/bals, try suede in appropriate shade and an appropriate style. Add some tasteful argyle socks, or other patterned socks that

Thanks Flanderian-very informative fine suggestions. I hark back to a time where we all wore suits. Its very rare I see someone pull off an open necked shirt with their suit but not unknown.
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#29 ·
Fredericsaint-loup said:
[Thanks Flanderian-very informative fine suggestions. I hark back to a time where we all wore suits. Its very rare I see someone pull off an open necked shirt with their suit but not unknown.
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You are very welcome, Sir!

Should I discover clothing that made me look like a middle-aged man, I would wear nothing else! :biggrin:

A brief meditation upon one aspect of age and dress: Age defined dress mainly serves two purposes; the first is sociological as a generational/tribal identifier, as within many cultures different generations assume a role similar to that of tribes in other cultures. The second is commercial, as by exploiting these distinctions commercial interests gain wealth in convincing a subject that they must purchase this or that to be excepted by their generational peers.

However, if we examine how one is best served by their choice of attire in terms of both personal aesthetics and presenting themselves most appealingly to others, one is actually free to choose among a range of choice far broader than those so narrowly defined. If one were a 24 year old musician, one can choose to emulate lowest common denominator commercial fashion, (Been there, seen that, done that.) or choose to look rather to other examples who when not performing preferred to dress to their own standard such David Bowie, Charlie Watts or Brian Ferry.

By choosing to dress fashionably, one is timely, whereas by choosing to dress classically, one becomes timeless. :thumbs-up:

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Discussion starter · #30 ·
FLMike said:
So far, the OP has disparaged middle aged men, bankers, those who are "off to the office", and loafers with suits. Well, I don't like you or your clothing choices either. So there, hipster boy.[/QUOT
Not at all. I have no intention to disparage any of the above. I am simply not one of them! ... and whats more I look like a moron in Loafers!
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#32 ·
Fredericsaint-loup said:
I do have casual clothes! I simply prefer to be smartly dressed- I enjoy wearing a suit. It has a sort of psychological affect on me. I have no qualms with looking a little eccentric but no desire to look like a Banker.
I happen to despise loafers particularly on my self or with a suit. I find some of these solutions tend to leave me looking a little middle aged.
I'm 24. I'm leaning towards an Italian approach with lots of layering and texture.
Click to expand...
Given this, I agree with the earlier suggestion of a sports coat with trousers. You'll be able to mix patterns, colours and textures and allow to introduce more individuality to your outfits but still keep it relatively formal with a tie.
 
#33 ·
If I wish to ratchet down the formality of the suit, button-down in lieu of spread collars and bluchers in lieu of bals are my first steps. The bowtie is another jaunty touch.

There is also the option of the casual suit. Fully half of my very finite suit wardrobe consists of casual suits (lighter colors, patch pockets, etc.), but, then, I'm really a pretty casual sort of guy.
 
#35 ·
Fredericsaint-loup said:
I do have casual clothes! I simply prefer to be smartly dressed- I enjoy wearing a suit. It has a sort of psychological affect on me. I have no qualms with looking a little eccentric but no desire to look like a Banker.
I happen to despise loafers particularly on my self or with a suit. I find some of these solutions tend to leave me looking a little middle aged.
I'm 24. I'm leaning towards an Italian approach with lots of layering and texture.
Click to expand...
Don't take this the wrong way, but you sound like someone who has absolutely no idea of what you want or what you're talking about.

There is nothing anathema about being "dressed smartly" and wearing casual clothes. That is unless casual clothes in your minds eye consists of track suits and sneakers.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to wear a suit and nothing wrong with feeling good when wearing a suit. One can feel just as good dressing casually and look just as smart doing so.

It's not a binary option; wear a suit or dress like a slob.
 
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Fredericsaint-loup
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