Reader Questions

From David

"Interesting article. It's the first time I've seen something that specifically addresses the suburbs - rather than the usual distinctions of town vs. country or business vs. business casual.

However, isn't this really just "business casual"? Wouldn't you wear these same things on "casual Friday" in a big city?"

Suburban dressing and business casual overlap but I don't think of them as the same. Business casual is specifically tie-less, at least in the United States.

Suburban dressing is situationally tie-less. Beau Brummel tells us that clothing should never be obtrusive. I try not to be the only tie-wearing visitor to a super-casual suburban office. And I've also seen polo shirt and chino culture suburban corporate headquarters where the CEO dressed as if he was in mid-town Manhattan. When I had a meeting with him I wore single breasted suits in mid-gray, mid-blue or tan, and a necktie.

Striped Socks

A couple readers pointed out sox-populi.com as a source for striped socks. It is a great resource for casual and sport socks, but I haven't seen any over the calf striped hose to wear with city suitings. I'm looking specifically for stripes no larger than an inch in height, in tan and gray, gray and blue, black and silver and the like.

I'm away from my desk this week but I'll post pictures of the kind of hose I'm seeking when I return.

Pants Across the Sea

A reader emailed asking how to get started with a tailor. I recommend visiting one of the clothing forums like Ask Andy About Clothes, and searching for a thread on tailors in your city. Or, start your own.

If you live somewhere without a recommended tailor, there will most likely be a Hong Kong tailor visiting your area in the common months.

All established tailors will have cloth samples and photos or drawings of the types of garments that they can provide. Start with something they recommend and see it through to completion before venturing off on your own.