"I dislike men whose socks are so short that when they cross their legs they expose flesh. I dislike men who do not wear white shirts at night." Alexis von Rosenberg, 3rd Baron de Redé
A full-time aesthete, the late Baron de Redé was undoubtedly harder to please than most of us but his two dislikes may be taken on faith. A man should not so much as own a pair short socks for other than athletic pursuits, and should limit himself to white shirts after six o'clock.
The white shirt of course is a carry-over from the black and white of evening dress and tells others that not only is the wearer a cultured man who pays homage to tradition, he is also an experienced dresser who understands that white makes a good frame for the face under artificial light.
The wearing of white after six is hardly difficult. Many lifestyles no longer allow time for a complete change of clothes before dinner, but every briefcase accommodates a change of shirt.
Wear a white shirt at night.
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6 comments:
I obeyed this very dictum last night, when I went to the local community college's dance concert (wife performed in it). Of course, I was the only one wearing a white shirt, much less a suit and tie, but at least I looked good (I hope!).
Dear Will, thank you for this post! The Baron is reported to have said shortly before his death: "Most of the world moves too fast for hand-made shoes, and elegant luncheons." He had himself a huge collection of bespoke shoes some pictures of which are available online. He is also reported to have declared: "I am not a philosopher". - I think he was wrong...
I've always preferred solid white shirts to any other colour, except perhaps pale blue. They're good in the day or the evening. It's probably more about simplicity and ease in my case (or a hangover from school uniform days), but if it manages to be elegant as well, it's win-win.
The Baron probably didn't realise that most of the world probably works too hard to be having elegant luncheons or hand-made shoes, but Barons don't tend to move in working men's circles very much.
From gilded youth to glamorous kept man to sharp businessman to perceptive man of the world -- a man after your own heart!
It's interesting this post comes directly after one wherein white broadcloth dress shirts elicit a yawn. Is it the broadcloth you find boring? Maybe it's wearing a white shirt before six?
Broadcloth.
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