Men's Clothing Forums banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Short-sleeved shirts?

Jump to Latest
21 - 28 of 28 Posts
#21 ·
Pr B said:
Elsewhere I've read there is no place for short-sleeved "dress" shirts, period.
Click to expand...
From Wiki: Dress for Success is a 1975 book by John T. Molloy about the effect of clothing on a person's success in business and personal life...Molloy's advice was unusual because they ran actual tests by showing drawings to people and compiling their perceptions of the impact of the clothes. (italics mine)

I read this book several decades ago and one thing I still remember from it is that short sleeve dress shirts are seen as less powerful / more blue collar than long sleeve dress shirts because even in the Summer a powerful person will have air conditioned work space.

If I were in a business situation in which I wanted to project an image of authority or expertise then it would be long sleeves all the way.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#22 ·
This really only matters if you are wearing a tie with the shirt. A long-sleeved shirt is marginally dressier than a short sleeved shirt. I'll admit that on stage, I'm more likely to select a long sleeve shirt (when I play with a band) but especially if the venue's air conditioning is suspect, I'll wear short sleeves.

Malloy was almost certainly referring to shirts worn with a tie. In the mid-seventies, most business people working for large companies or in professional positions wore suits and ties or sport coats and ties. I doubt he was thinking of people going tieless at work.
 
#23 ·
Acct2000 said:
This really only matters if you are wearing a tie with the shirt. A long-sleeved shirt is marginally dressier than a short sleeved shirt. I'll admit that on stage, I'm more likely to select a long sleeve shirt (when I play with a band) but especially if the venue's air conditioning is suspect, I'll wear short sleeves.

Malloy was almost certainly referring to shirts worn with a tie. In the mid-seventies, most business people working for large companies or in professional positions wore suits and ties or sport coats and ties. I doubt he was thinking of people going tieless at work.
Click to expand...
"You will never, ever, as long as you live, wear a short-sleeve shirt for any business purpose, no matter whether you are the office boy or the president of the company..." (pg 86).
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#26 ·
I live in a pretty warm part of the country, and I don't own a single short-sleeved, jacket front (i.e., buttoned up) shirt. I just never found they were appreciably cooler than a long sleeved shirt of an appropriately lightweight fabric and concluded long ago they just looked sort of dorky. However, I wouldn't consider short sleeved shirt worn casually to be a sartorial sin.
 
#28 · (Edited)
It may not be trad or as stylish as some of the other garments we seek but in the 1960s, it was normal for these steely eyed missile men to wear functional short sleeve shirts in the Florida and Texas climates and elsewhere for a business casual look (paired with flannels/chinos and pennys). I think they pulled it off quite well too, just wish they included the slide rule and AO pilot aviators in the breast pockets ;)

Maybe that's because I'm an engineer like them. Although, I think we can all appreciate the collar roll on Michael and Neil. They don't look that bad. Do shirts like these exist anymore, specifically the one Michael Collins (middle) is wearing?

1621471368307.jpeg
 
21 - 28 of 28 Posts
About this Discussion
27 Replies
20 Participants
Last post:
Mercury7
Men's Clothing Forums
posts
1.7M
members
84K
Since
2004
A forum community dedicated to men’s fashion and clothing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about collections, materials, models, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Timeless Style Trad Style The Interchange Food, Drink, Travel & The Arts Deals, Steals, & Sales!