[drpeter]

A nice, short piece on the essential information about a classic and timeless suit:

http://www.ivy-style.com/elegance-week-boyer-on-grey-flannel.html

 

[Vecchio Vespa]

It has been years since I had a grey flannel suit. I dearly love them, but it is almost never cool enough in Austin for flannel suits. I always liked wearing one with walnut brown cap toe oxfords, a white shirt, and an Irish poplin striped tie. I almost never wore pocket squares or handkerchiefs with my work suits, but the grey flannel always got the full treatment, a linen handkerchief ironed into four neat points. I think my boss liked it. He wore grey flannel with a similar handkerchief. My suits and shoes came from Brooks, but he always wore Oxxford suits and Church's shoes. I never saw him in a striped tie. He was wearing Hermes long before they were a business wear phenomenon. Nice memories.

 

[drpeter]

I have two or three grey flannel suits myself, a three-piece from Britches of Georgetown, quite heavy, and a couple of lighter-weight ones with chalk stripes/pinstripes. One of my old favourites was a nice DB chalk stripe grey flannel suit, which I gave away some years ago.

Your ensemble sounds splendid! Brown and burgundy shoes go beautifully with grey flannel, as do white shirts, but I really like pink shirts with grey flannel. Dress up with a straight collar or dress down a bit with button-down collar. And striped ties with two or three colours are great, but dark maroon or dark purple grenadines also go well with grey flannels. The texture of a grenadine tie goes handsomely with the mottled finish on a good grey flannel.

TKI, I guess you'll just have to come up north for spring or fall and enjoy the cooler weather with a new grey flannel suit, LOL.

 

[some_dude]

What is the difference between "flannel" and ordinary wool, like 100 or 120 weight?

 

[Vecchio Vespa]

What is the difference between "flannel" and ordinary wool, like 100 or 120 weight?

By "ordinary wool, like 100 or 120 weight" I assume you are referring to tropical worsted, finely woven but with a discernible weave and quite breathable. Flannels come in various weights but I think of them as heavier than tropical worsteds, having less of a discernible weave and more of a nap. Tropical worsteds do not present that same wool scratchiness on bare legs that flannels do. Therefore, quite often flannel trousers are lined to the knee. Tropical worsteds are generally not lined, making them wonderful for hot weather.

 

[drpeter]

While I have both worsted and flannel trousers, jackets and suits, I have a special fondness for grey flannel.

Two images of grey flannel and tropical worsted:

There is also a further distinction between worsted flannels and woolen flannels. This may seem confusing, but the distinction is nicely explained here:

https://putthison.com/worsted-vs-woolen-flannels-i-love-wool-flannel/

And this is a general guide:

https://www.permanentstyle.com/2017/12/the-guide-to-flannel.html

 

[some_dude]

Thanks-- that is very helpful.

 

[Oldsarge]

I have only owned one grey flannel suit and it was a charcoal pinstripe. Grand piece of clothing but, alas, I 'outgrew' it. Now I have no place to wear one.

 

[fishertw]

I have one BB grey worsted pin stripe which is reserved along with a navy of similar BB cloth which are now tried on once per season, just in case I need to have an appropriate suit for weddings, funerals or other currently non existent opportunities.

 

[drpeter]

Thanks-- that is very helpful

You're most welcome.