Photo: Irving Penn When the going gets cool and a vest would be too formal for the occasion, try wearing a sleeveless sweater (v-neck pullover or cardigan) under a suit jacket, à la Jean Cocteau, the French surrealist poet, boxer, and filmmaker, in the photo.
Sweaters work best in different weights for different seasons. In winter, a tightly knit single ply cashmere is light but warm under a jacket (more plies are too much for indoor wear). For spring and fall, silk and linen blends cooperate with the milder temperatures. Either way, the sweater is often just enough to eliminate the need for a topcoat and its attendant bulk.
Add a silk scarf and a pair of pigskin gloves to be ready for the boulevards.
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6 comments:
Will,
I enjoy wearing a light gray, sleeveless cardigan with my suits. In fact I just wore it on Friday when it wasn't so cold here in NYC. It's important to choose the right tie and shirt however. As the sweater gives off a more relaxed look, I like to go with a box check shirt and paisley tie.
John McCain wore this look during the presidential race, and I thought it was too casual for his purposes.
I do not recall McCain wearing that combination, all I remember is that godawful baseball cap which kept appearing. Running for president? Get a real mans hat.
This is a look which I am hoping to embrace, but like everything of good taste a decent knitwear sweater seems hard to come by in Australia. They are lal acrylic/nylon blended monstrosities.
The plural of ply is plies.
" kds said...
The plural of ply is plies.
December 16, 2008 12:09:00 PM PST"
The plural of 'grammar nerd' is 'grammar nerds'
I've been a big fan of the sleeveless cardigan with suits for the last several years. They tend to tone down a "rigidness" that the suit's vest creates.
Apart from an extra touch of warmth, they add a texture that is different from your suit. This allows you to add an element of interest to your business suit without losing its formality too much.
John - Great choice of color. Light gray is the most versatile color. If you get only one, gray is the best choice. It'll work with most business and country suitings - a dark gray suit, or blue, or even an odd brown jacket and gray slacks, almost anything.
Next, dark solid gray which goes well with a blue suit and your chalked striped gray suit. A dark navy sleeveless cardigan with grays and other suits.
Other classic colors are yellow and beige, but these, and most patterned ones, are a bit too elaborate and you risk looking like you're trying too hard.
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