Funny really. I received part of an order I had placed with Drakes London the other day and as I looked at the neckties I was struck by how conservative my taste has become. Just in neckties mind you - I doubt whether any man who wears polka dot socks with his checked suits can accurately be called a conservative dresser.
But here we have four neckties. From the left, they are a light green twill solid, a subtle silver herringbone, a brown and ivory gingham and a lilac houndstooth. They are all one or two colors, and only the gingham has a pattern discernable from more than a couple feet away (there was supposed to be a madras silk in the bunch but it was the one that was back-ordered).
At any rate, as I wrote, I thought initially that the selection was just too dull this time. And then I reconsidered. There should be no more than one noticeable element in the day's clothes. Pair anything but a simple necktie with a suit or shoes that stand out, and there is considerable risk that one has gone too far.
Better safe than sorry.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Better Safe Than Sorry
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8 comments:
Will,
I just bought another dozen drake's ties. Yes, they are conservative, but I like the ability to do a lot of different things, and as you say, you can always jazz it up with the socks. They make great ties, thanks for pointing them out.
Jim
Will,
Precisely the right conclusion to reach. As you point out, one can go overboard. I looked down once at my colorful socks, pocket square and brown shoes and realized that while they all "matched" nicely, I had gone too far in pulling together items that stand out.
What you've really done by choosing to wear a conservative necktie is enabled yourself to express more dramatically elsewhere.
Drakes, conservative? Not sure about that at all.
Will, I'd agree whole heartedly with your approach.
A subtle word, or a well placed nod will achieve so much more than boorish shouting.
The same applies to your choice of clothes; formal, casual or other.
Clown and character may look very different on paper, but in style there is a very slim line.
Hi Will,
I've noticed the same trend toward more solids in my ties. I thought that maybe I was getting boring. But they do allow for more interesting combinations with shirts or shoes.
And with the spring/summer suits out of storage, I think conservative ties just work better with those light gray glen urq.'s and cream linen suits.
It must be something in the air, for I, too, am going conservative in my ties.
Even so, I wonder how subdued one's tie should be with less formal summer clothes. It seems to me that nothing says summer quite like a pink or red plaid tie coupled with a seersucker suit (or a navy blazer and cream pants, for that matter). Similarly, I think an eye-catching tweed (such as yours, last seen here) needs a strong tie to stand up to it.
Am I in the minority here?
Hi Will,
It's a good idea to choose subtle neckties. If you look at Cary Grant, one of the best dressed men of the 20th century, he wore discreet ties. So did Fred Astaire.
The mark of highly refined taste is discretion. But it's the hardest part of taste to learn. A fair number of men can buy expensive clothes and accessories. Few of them can do so with elegance and restraint. The tendency is to overdo the outfit, as with a loud and jarring tie, which is about as elegant as bathing in cologne. The cardinal problem is pushy, flashy excess.
Well, I think it would be fair to say that the lilac shepherd check offers the great advantage of not being burgundy red, and so thereby easily proves its warm weather cred, so to speak.
That gingham may present a challenge beyond cambridge gray worsted and ecru shirting; but hey,
you can do it.
Nice selection Will; you certainly are set for an active season of wedding going as well as other chilling events of the kind. Enjoy!
Consider the Italian Background:
http://permanentstyle.blogspot.com/2008/04/italian-background.html
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