In the photograph, the late Duke of Windsor is in Nassua, capital of the Bahamas, at what I will guess by his dress is a golf course.
The Duke's chinos, bluchers and a Shetland odd jacket have been tasteful casual dress in the civilized world for three or four generations but as we all know the places where style hangs on are fewer every month. During the two days I spent in and around Reno, Nevada, the normal dress of the inhabitants was a tee shirt and denim, with the few souls in collared shirts outnumbered by the winners of the race to the bottom in their polyester track suits. And that was in the casino.
Now I do recognize that men are unlikely to wear odd jackets when no-one around them is doing so. And the problem is compounded by the probable lack of a place offering them for sale locally.
Fortunately there are a few square blocks in San Francisco where a jacket wearer still fits in. I am glad to be back.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Glad to be Back
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14 comments:
Glad you're back, Will; I've been missing the posts. I understand completely about the clothing men wear today. I am an English professor in my mid 30s, and perhaps 1% of my college brethren wear ties, much less the odd jacket. I do everyday, but wearing a suit is too far out of the norm, so I do as much as possible. I think the students like seeing it.
Great post. Interestingly, Mr. Michael Chow was interview in the Financial Times last week on his shoes and he said that the bought them at an auction of the Duke of Windsor's clothes, which were made by George Cleverley.
I agree 100% with pavo3. I am a Chemistry and Physics professor at a college and, apart from the deans, I am the only male faculty member who wears a necktie and jacket every day. A Biology professor and a Math professor I know do not even own a jecket, much less a suit with a tuxedo being unthinkable for any of them to own.
Glad to have you back in house Will. I've become accustomed to reading your posts every morning.
As a college student, not only do I sympathize with pavo3, I can relate to his statement. Very few of the men I've encountered on a daily basis look much different from the students that roll out of bed in the morning and head straight to campus.
It makes me long for the days when there was a certain understanding towards dress for a collegiate setting.
Welcome back Will, any thoughts on why the gentleman to our right of the Duke has his jacket buttoned they way he does, bottom button? I have seen this in some other photos here and there, was curious if this was just due to haphazardness or some type of style statement.
Cheers,
tom
Unfortunate demise of a society doomed to wear dreck. I was in Beverly Hills last night for a little shopping and dinner at a casual but good italian restaurant. Lots of tourists this time of year. most wearing shorts and T's. And they were from European countries or the mid-east. Found a bespoke tailor though and may spruce up the town with some new garments. Great to have you back Will.
I've been working at a concert hall this summer, and I've noticed a fair number of our male patrons (mostly quite old), fastening their 2-button jackets the same way. A few of them seem to have ... outgrown their jackets, which doesn't seem to be an issue for the gentleman in the photo.
I initially mistook the title to be "Glen to be Plaid" - has a nice ring to it, given the subject in the photo.
Welcome back, Will. Please let us know the next time you'll be gone--I was starting to get worried!
I work for the Federal Government, and where I work, I am one of a handful of men who wear a tie every day. Fewer still wear a jacket (as I do), and rare indeed is a suit (about once a week for me). It appalls me that some men wear jeans & T-shirts to work. Even so, I won't give in and won't give up.
Re: Mr. Bottom Button: Notice how the buttoning of the wrong button distorts the line of the jacket and causes unsightly creases. The Duke's unbuttoned jacket has the unflattering effect of making his hips look oddly wide. On the other hand, the gent in the white (?) jacket & gray (?) flannel pants at the far right is as dapper as they come.
I have a feeling that the trend is slowly reversing.... I see so many under 30's men on these blogs talking about better presentation. Not for a job, but for themselves. I hope my instincts are correct. For those of you, silent, determined, and proud, can help just by dressing well and others will follow.
A lovely woman (okay, drop dead lady) told me recently, "I can spot an elegant man easily. He looks good at work, of course, but he dresses elegantly in his time-off, smiles at people. I mean, he's always put together..he's a gentleman always. Nothing sexier..." I'd have married her ...
Count me among those who missed your posts Will, and sorry to hear that things just aren't that spruce in Reno anymore.
Gentlemen of academe, keep your jackets on and the correct button buttoned. Some co-eds do know what's what.
You are forgetting the baseball hat that goes along with the Tee's and jeans . The worst part they never take it off in a restaurant .
Hear hear, Robert!
One of my favorite episodes of the Sopranos involves Tony hovering over some slob in a nice restaurant and making him take his ball cap off.
I've had to do the same during the national anthem once. Principles, after all...
Never ever can one rely on others to have one's own style guided by. Others that display good style should be listened to for ideas’, inspiration’s and respect's sake, but where the occasion is right, the appropriate outfit should be worn. Unlike in the days when there was a rebel without a cause, in 2009 the men preserving and enhancing style - not fashion! - are the rebels and the courageous ones, facing the amorphous boring mass of blue jeans, tees and polyester tracksuits guided by herd-instinct. Never surrender!
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