[burnedandfrozen]

I get quite a few compliments on my attire. I'm very casually dressed, my job requires neither a suit or a tie and we have a very relaxed dress code. At work as well as on my time off I'm usually dressed in cotton chinos or khakis with a cotton long sleeve shirt, usually more of a sporty style like plaid or bold stripes opposed to a classic dress shirt style and I usually have my sleeves rolled up a couple of turns. I often wear slip on loafers. So overall I'm very casually dressed but as we know, compared to the male population as a whole, it's not a particularly high bar to reach to be considered well dressed.

Now I get two kinds of compliments. Some people compliment me personally. "you look great", "you are the best dressed person here," "you have style," while others compliment the clothes, "that's a great shirt," "cool shoes" and so on.

So it got me thinking about a quote I read long ago which stated that in a well dressed man you notice the man, not the clothes. I think there's some truth to this although when we notice someone and we form our impressions of that person it's entirely subjective. It just got me thinking about at what point do the clothes we choose to wear upstage us. It also got me thinking if it's time to rethink my own choices in what I wear or is it really not a bad thing if people compliment an article of clothing I'm wearing. After all, its meant as a compliment.

 

[upr_crust]

If people are complimenting you on your attire, it means that you and your attire are in tune with one another - that the clothes complement your appearance. Instances where one's clothes are wearing the wearer refer, at least in my mind, to people who are wearing attire that they cannot otherwise "carry off" - articles of clothing that do not complement their appearance, or overpower them.

If people are complimenting you, take it as a good sign. To paraphrase Sigmund Freud, "Sometimes a man being complimented on his cigar is just a man being complimented on his cigar".

 

[SG_67]

You’re overthinking it. Just smile, say thank you and carry on.

If you’re single, she’s a woman and there’s no danger of a “MeToo” moment, then stop and introduce yourself and use it as a conversation starter.

 

[cosmotoast]

Men notice the clothing, women notice the clothing and the man because most men nowadays don't care about their appearance.

 

[Fading Fast]

If people are complimenting you on your attire, it means that you and your attire are in tune with one another - that the clothes complement your appearance. Instances where one's clothes are wearing the wearer refer, at least in my mind, to people who are wearing attire that they cannot otherwise "carry off" - articles of clothing that do not complement their appearance, or overpower them.

If people are complimenting you, take it as a good sign. To paraphrase Sigmund Freud, "Sometimes a man being complimented on his cigar is just a man being complimented on his cigar".

You're overthinking it. Just smile, say thank you and carry on.

If you're single, she's a woman and there's no danger of a "MeToo" moment, then stop and introduce yourself and use it as a conversation starter.

⇧ Agree with these two smart posts.

I noted in another thread here how, just this weekend, I wore a pair of chinos, a OCBD and a pair of bucks to a kids birthday part and several of the other adults compliment me on my attire, which is nuts as it was just three stupid items that have been part of America's casual clothing options for seventy plus years now, but when I looked around at what others were wearing - jeans, shorts (cargo, camo), T-shirts, sandals, etc. - I understood it a bit more.

And I'd add fit is part of the reason, as even casual clothes look much better properly tailored or, at least, properly sized and you see a lot of ill-fitting clothes today.

Unless you've gone way out on the curve - say wearing a suit and tie to that kids party I went to or pink shoes or something - assume a compliment is a compliment, say thank you and feel good about it.

 

[Troones]

Compliments are great, I bet.

Seriously though. I work in an office where a minimum of sport coat/blazer and slacks are expected. When you're in a suit most of the time, it loses its impact greatly. It just becomes a uniform. There are days that I really step it up with an eye-catching pair of cufflinks or pocket square and put the best shine I can on my shoes. But we're all still basically in a 'uniform.' Other than the office, occasions for me to wear a suit are few and far between.

I agree, take the compliments and keep on doing what you're doing. Its working for you.

 

[burnedandfrozen]

Great replies folks, thanks for putting this in better perspective for me.

 

[Mr. B. Scott Robinson]

⇧ Agree with these two smart posts.

I noted in another thread here how, just this weekend, I wore a pair of chinos, a OCBD and a pair of bucks to a kids birthday part and several of the other adults compliment me on my attire, which is nuts as it was just three stupid items that have been part of America's casual clothing options for seventy plus years now, but when I looked around at what others were wearing - jeans, shorts (cargo, camo), T-shirts, sandals, etc. - I understood it a bit more.

And I'd add fit is part of the reason, as even casual clothes look much better properly tailored or, at least, properly sized and you see a lot of ill-fitting clothes today.

Unless you've gone way out on the curve - say wearing a suit and tie to that kids party I went to or pink shoes or something - assume a compliment is a compliment, say thank you and feel good about it.

I get the "what are you so dressed up for?" comment all the time. I'll be wearing chinos, a button down, and a cotton summer weight casual jacket I bought at target for $20.

Fancy pants....

Cheers,

BSR

 

[Fading Fast]

I get the "what are you so dressed up for?" comment all the time. I'll be wearing chinos, a button down, and a cotton summer weight casual jacket I bought at target for $20.

Fancy pants....

Cheers,

BSR

It's kinda crazy as - I think - you and I would consider our outfits pretty darn casual and not particularly special, but then you look at what people around you are wearing (as noted at that party - jeans, shorts [cargo and camo], T-shirts, sandals) and how ill fitted and not thought out the outfits are and, I guess, our simple outfits properly sized and tailored look "dressed up," or "very nice."

 

[eagle2250]

The sad reality is that with the obvious erosion of sartorial standards we see played out around us each day, it is shockingly easy for one to rise above the norm and stand out in the crowd. All it takes is a pair of pressed chinos, a fresh OCBD or even a collared knit polo shirt, and footwear that actually covers one's feet. If the good Lord had intended for us to expose our feet, He/She would never have made them so damned ugly! LOL. Now "sally forth and prosper!"

 

[Mr. B. Scott Robinson]

The sad reality is that with the obvious erosion of sartorial standards we see played out around us each day, it is shockingly easy for one to rise above the norm and stand out in the crowd. All it takes is a pair of pressed chinos, a fresh OCBD or even a collared knit polo shirt, and footwear that actually covers one's feet. If the good Lord had intended for us to expose our feet, He/She would never have made them so damned ugly! LOL. Now "sally forth and prosper!"

Yes, seeing a male in summer, properly shod, with a pair of shoes costing more than $19.99 and not made of plastic is an increasing rarity.

The plethora of barely dressed middle aged moms in the grocery was also a shock to me upon returning home to the states this spring.

Cheers.

BSR

 

[Fading Fast]

The sad reality is that with the obvious erosion of sartorial standards we see played out around us each day, it is shockingly easy for one to rise above the norm and stand out in the crowd. All it takes is a pair of pressed chinos, a fresh OCBD or even a collared knit polo shirt, and footwear that actually covers one's feet. If the good Lord had intended for us to expose our feet, He/She would never have made them so damned ugly! LOL. Now "sally forth and prosper!"

I will point out (in the spirit of having fun) that Jesus wore sandals as referenced several times in the bible. But, then again, I believe his options back then were sandals, a pair of sandals or some sandals.

 

[16412]

My thoughts about chinos is they are in the same category as jeans. But in that category jeans are lower. Dressed up would be pressed wool trousers.
I'm really out of date if chinos are now a higher standard.

 

[Mr. B. Scott Robinson]

I will point out (in the spirit of having fun) that Jesus wore sandals as referenced several times in the bible. But, then again, I believe his options back then were sandals, a pair of sandals or some sandals.

Plus his sandals were hand crafted leather.

Cheers,

BSR

 

[eagle2250]

I will point out (in the spirit of having fun) that Jesus wore sandals as referenced several times in the bible. But, then again, I believe his options back then were sandals, a pair of sandals or some sandals.

LOL, but, but every aspect of Jesus was perfection; mind, body and soul...including his feet and he could wear those sandals with grace and dignity. However, the rest of us are flawed...some of us badly flawed, with our dried and cracking feet, cases of gnarly toenail fungus and distorted nails...disturbing images, never intended for public consumption. Best advice...wear a proper pair of shoes.

 

[AndyScottismoi]

well here are the essentials