I understand it is warm in much of North America currently but you would never know that from temperatures in the part of the world that I inhabit. Winter has returned here and out came not just the gray flannel suit but its vest, an item I doubt if I had worn all season.
Vests do double duty with single breasted suits. They provide a different look periodically as well as a significantly warmer one. Since flannel is a little more casual than worsted, mine has lapels, a country detail that in this case is at home in the city.
With the suit is a light blue shirt with white collar and cuffs, a white linen handkerchief, brown quarter brogues and a navy Cappelli necktie with white and brown figures to pull it all together. That is nearly as formal as gray flannel can get - had I wanted to dress it down I would have worn a checked flannelette shirt, full brogues, a cashmere necktie and a silk pocket square.
It will be chilly again tomorrow and I once again I will head down to the storage closet for something to wear. That tempting row of warmer weather clothing that I optimistically brought out last week will continue to hang undisturbed.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Winter Returns
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8 comments:
Will, this is a textbook perfect look for a serious professional or businessman. It is also a great, serious look for an artist or intellectual. (I'm thinking of TS Elliot, Isiah Berlin, and John Steinbeck.)
In fact, I am wearing a similar 3 piece today in charcoal tricotin stretch.
Will,
I love that suit! It looks great on you and it's a beautiful color.
I live not so far from where Will lives, and I, too, have brought my cool-weather clothes back out and pressed them into service after being led astray by some spring-like weather. (Yes, I'm wearing a vest, too.)
I did not know that lapels were a country feature for vests, but, upon reflection, it makes sense: black-tie vests are lapel-free. Your comments on how you might have dressed the suit down are also highly informative.
Agreed that you look supremely professional in this understated yet fabulous outfit. A bow tie would also be great, though that would give you an intellectual, perhaps even (old-fashioned) professorial air. The outfit also makes me come to see your point about older men being more flattered by suits than odd jackets.
"black-tie vests are lapel-free"
Hmm. My black tie vest from Paul
Stuart has lapels. It was "correct"
when I bought it in the 60s.
BTW, Will you look great in the suit.
Looks like you've dropped a few
pounds. I am envious.
San Francisco is fall year round city. It is never summer I am afraid.
Looking sharp, Will, looking sharp.
I am glad to see you bravely putting up with these extreme temperatures. Yesterday I saw a young couple, each wearing a down vest, long-sleeved cotton (I think) sweater, khaki/cords, and boat shoes. Here, in Southern California! The day before I went to the beach and got a deep tan.
Transitional weather for sure. I had to turn the air conditioner on yesterday here in D.C. but am headed out the door to Salt Lake City in a moment. Had to resurrect my Cavalry Twill suit to accommodate temps in the high 40's/mid 50's
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