Flannel is my favorite city suiting for fall, because the flannel wearer can be anything from flâneur to professional. That's not true of tweed, which at its most formal classifies its wearers as academic rather than executive, nor of worsted, which usually needs a light color to avoid automatic classification as work day garb.
Furthermore, I like flannel best when it's worn with a cashmere necktie. That's because both fabrics have a soft, nappy finish that complement a royal oxford shirt and a silk pocket square like the ones in the photo. The combination weights the scales away from the work-a-day, but not too far away.
I'll admit that a white shirt whould not have been my normal choice, but my shirt drawer organization is haphazard at best on most days and that's not going to change because I don't have space to hang the things. I unfolded this one early last summer thinking it was linen, and it's been waiting ever since for a day I could wear it.
And there we were.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Flannel and Cashmere
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8 comments:
Will,
I like this look very much. I just picked up my new flannel suit last week, so please, keep the visual options coming.
Will,
What shoes do you like to wear with flannel?
I've never seen a gray suit, guards tie and white shirt look quite so nice. It's a good illustration of how good materials and fit can trump patterns and cleverness.
Paul, I wear shoes with brogueing. Full brogues principally in the country. Quarter and semi-brogues in the city.
Thanks for the compliment People's. The tie is brown and navy rather than red and navy but the look is similar.
I frankly find nothing wrong with the much-maligned white shirt. Perhaps generally men might be more colorful, but it's such a classic, clean, and with a dark suit, punctuated look that permits endless variations with a tie or pocket square without risking the kind of tasteless clashes one finds on an overly colored palette. Plus the color of your hat keeps the ensemble from looking too serious, as some might say. But I like serious, too..
So Will, What are you going to do dressed so dapper this day. Not going to the office. Lunching and hanging out at the club?
I want to throw in my comment in favor of the clean and crisp white shirt, particularly as we head for days when much darkness sets in earlier. It serves as a perfect frame for the tie with small patterns or several colors. Sure, sticking to white exclusively is boring and unimaginative but often the classic white shirt, especially if well tailored, IS the best choice.
I absolutely love the look of cashmere with flannel. It is two different fabrics that I did not think would meld well but it is fabulous!
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