A man needs just a minute and a couple items of clothing to be appropriately dressed for an evening at home, assuming he has no plans to change the oil in his car or something of that ilk. A good pair of house shoes that he can slip on as soon as he walks in the door and removes his street shoes is one thing. And a comfortable sweater that can replace his jacket when he has removed his necktie is the other. Shirt and trousers can remain in place until he is ready to change for bed.
He is ready for a cocktail.
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7 comments:
It is a good looking sweater. Of course, we all are ready for a cocktail now.
That's a very nice flow you described.
I actually wondered about this topic quite a bit in building my wardrobe. I've typically decided not to continue lounging in my dress or suit trousers and dress shirt for the evening when I return from work and usually opt to change completely into a more casual outfit such as cotton trousers and a long sleeve polo. Granted this involves a complete change of clothing after work but I feel that I extend the life of my work/dress clothing and get more use out of casual clothing that would otherwise only be used on the weekends. Additionally, I have 2 young children and a dog that enjoy wrestling and I avoid doing this in my work clothing.
I wonder how many men go even further by changing out of suits and into sweatpants and a tee shirt. I'd be interested to hear of any one else's routine.
I typically keep on my tie (especially in the winter, when the closed neck keeps you warmer), dress shirt, and suit pants. To replace the jacket I throw on a cardigan, and on the feet shearling slippers from Lands' End. Cocktail of choice is a martini, on the rocks (gin). In the summer, the cocktail changes to rum on the rocks with coconut water or a rickey.
The best summer cocktail, for me, is the bourbon slush (found it in Garden and Gun magazine). Cool and refreshing; watch out!
My routine has three variants:
1) Simply swap the jacket for a cardigan, and the shoes for slippers, à la Mr. Rogers. The tie stays on.
2) Full change, to pyjamas and dressing gown.
3) The tie comes off, an ascot goes on, and the suit jacket is replaced with a tailored velvet smoking jacket.
(A black bow tie takes the place of the ascot in the ideal scenario, but in practice, since I rarely wear a white shirt to work, and rarely wish to change my shirt for the evening--let alone bother with formal trousers--this doesn't often happen at home, and I save the full black tie + smoking jacket for the club in London.)
I must say you gents are more civilised than me. I prefer to throw on an old pair of pants or jeans... Don't want to prematurely wear out or stain my more expensive, "public" outfits.
TuAutem's 2) and 3) - yes!
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