Linen scarves are not for temperatures in the mid-nineties (34 C) as they were in Manhattan the other day, but Barbera USA had the irresistable beauty in the photo on display. It was less flamboyant worn folded in half lengthwise, however even in an air conditioned room that was just too warm.
In my opinion, the recent popularity of scarves, neckerchiefs and the like for casual dress is a reaction to the decline of the necktie. Like the tie, a scarf draws the eye to the face where it belongs. Further, it cleans up the messiness of an open-necked shirt and adds some complexity to an ensemble. As decoration it is not for most offices, but the rest of the time a scarf adds a little fun.
Friday, July 23, 2010
A Little Fun
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8 comments:
I think your reasoning is spot on Will. On mild days in winter, late autumn and early spring, a heavy scarf tucked into the jacket front is a superb way of cleaning up a tie-less neck area while also dispensing with the need for an overcoat or topcoat. It's a look that's been around for ages and I use it whenever I can.
I've now also taken to wearing summer scarves for those chilly evenings, but I still incline towards the neckerchief to tidy up the open neck area during the daytime.
While I like and wear scarves and neckerchiefs, I don’t think this particular scarf worn in that manner looks good. I shall not elaborate for fear of being offensive.
Scarves have really taken off over the past few years, probably for the reasons you enumerate Will. The tie was most men's one opportunity for a bit of self expression. Take it away so you have to find a substitute. This btw is why I think the tie is going to survive. Linen scarves fall into the same part of the hot/cold spectrum as light silk although silk has a much more polished appearance. So with a covert coat you'd wear a light silk but with a raincoat, Barbour, short "casual" topcoat, or just a jacket the Linen scarf comes into it's own as real alternative to silk. Drakes have some nice patterns (in their sale) but I've picked up a couple of great ones in women's stores with check patterns and bold colors for a third of their original price so it's worth keeping your eyes open. Scarves, particularly linen ones, have a wonderful 17th or 18th century look to them it seems to me, and after all linen is a very 17th/18th century fabric.
I imagine those fresco pants are performing wonderfully in New York's oppressive heat. Your example has prompted me to have a pair made. I'm meeting with Patrick (Chan) tomorrow to work out the details.
Aaron
www.thesluicebox.com
Will,
What store are you standing in there? Looks like some nice garments.
I think my problem with this outfit is that the shoes play a trick on me, making me see them as ballerina slippers, and combined with the flamboyant scarf makes you look like your a runaway cast member of La Cage aux Folles.
I don't think the scarf worn like this works, but I definitely think there's room for beautiful scarves like this in a man's wardrobe.
Outfit? Where did I say it was an outfit? I threw it on to show the scarf, not to coordinate with my shoes. One day I will learn not to show anything that hasn't been carefully planned. :-)
Seth, I am not standing in a store. It is the showroom for Barbera USA.
Ah, I see I rightly assumed you threw it on to show the scarf, not as some crazy man wearing that out and about. To take up what sluice box mentioned, I focused on the trousers. They look good. Because of their previous appearances here on ASW, I too had my tailor order some Minnis high twist Fresco in light gray for a pair of odd trousers. Took some wrangling to get the cloth here. Apparently, that particular Huddersfield wants an extortionate delivery charge, especially when considering one is only ordering enough for odd trousers. But it turns out, or so I was told, that Gladson is the distributor over here and it was bundled with some other shipments by Gladson so as to not pass the banditry on to me.
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