To paraphrase something I wrote earlier this week in another context, a man in a charcoal suit, white shirt and navy necktie may be dressed impeccably but still be lacking in style unless he adds some of his personality to what he is wearing. In the photo, for example, Luca Montezemolo wears a necktie with the dancing horse of Ferrari to an auto racing event. And though he is otherwise turned out in perfect taste, that emblem adds personality to his dress.
Now there are not all that many opportunities to add personality to classic dress while still remaining tasteful, but with imagination they will suffice. The necktie is probably the riskiest of these, for some will think a tie embroidered with yachting flags declaring one's initials a little over the top (though I enjoy wearing mine). At the other extreme, a penchant for unusual cufflinks is undoubtedly so discreet as to remain virtually unnoticed. Wild socks fall somewhere in the middle, glimpsed as they are only periodically and having plenty of precedent.
Consistently wearing the less often seen can also make a statement. A boutonniere worn daily will over time be memorable. So may the silk pocket square these days when most jacket pockets are empty, or at best filled with white linen. And though I am reluctant to mention it and do not endorse it, so can the consistently unbuttoned jacket cuff button.
Whatever you choose, do add personality to your clothes. But do also limit yourself to one expression at a time, no matter how large a personality you may believe you have.
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6 comments:
Couldn't agree more Will. I know consistency is no virtue Will but how do you square the little flags with the oft quoted Jeeves obiter dicta on things on ties. The aim of course is to express personality without looking clownish.
Will,
Well put. I am in wealth management so suits come in three colours for me: charcoal, grey or navy. Initially, I used silk pocket squares to add a personal touch but found that anything more than something hopelessly drab, ie tv fold, was too much for my line of work. I now use braces of various colours (from Albert Thurston, of course) for this purpose. I find their traditional nature allows for a subtle way to add a personal touch to one's ensemble. At the fear of coming across too studied, I also allow my socks or cufflinks to pick up the colour. Well put indeed.
Yours, SG
I must second Stepan. Switching to braces was quite a good decision, for both comfort and the personal touch aspect to it. I love to experiment with cufflinks, especially antique ones with interesting motifs or antiques. My grandfather left me ones which were of small revolvers. Worn with an otherwise conservative blue shirt, they are fun and definitely out of the ordinary, but the outfit is not in any way "clownish"
This was beautifully written. I've often used colorful socks, cuff links, and interesting ties to dress up otherwise unremarkable suits. I'm also a fan of rings and lapel pins when the situation allows such things.
Mixing flashy jewelery, even gaudy pieces into an ensemble built from a suit gives it a counterculture flair without losing the legitimacy of being "dressed up." I like this for things like business mixers and errands. Definitely not a traditional suit and tie, but not jeans and a t-shirt, either.
I like lapel pins too. I must have a hundred of them and they are good conversation starters; especially if you are wearing one that you don't know anything about except that it looks cool and somebody says; 'oh, so you belong to the blah, blah, blah'.
I have to tell you about 'pocket squares' and students. Students know nothing about them but they ask questions and girls (High School,'at risk') especially wonder about the way a man dresses. I have maybe 50 paper pocket squares; made by students over the past six years at my current school. I had a student make a polka-dotted one, for example. I wore one last week that had curled and shredded peaks. I always have the student sign and date them. Yeah, wife is amazed..
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