Forget the old saying that it is wrong to be overdressed. That adage was promulgated before sweats and trainers became the lowest common denominator and denim the trouser for better occasions.
Now it would be too much to wear a suit when everyone else is in cut-offs and tees, but dressing one step more formally than the majority of people at any social gathering is definitely more in than out of place. That is the time for something like Mr. Grant's glen check suit (perhaps worn with a rollneck instead of a necktie) when others are in blazers and cotton trousers. Just make it an ensemble that would obviously not be worn to the office.
Be overdressed. It is so easy to do.
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Illustrated posts like these are why I click on ASW first thing every day, and lastly at night. Like my old-world grandfather used to tell me, "Remember, you're not the one who has to look at yourself."
Thanks, Will.
I do very much like the idea of wearing a suit, single breasted (almost certainly PoW plaid) and playing it down: Tobacco suede loafers, bright socks, cotton or wool polo shirt, or-- as you suggested-- roll-neck sweater. I'd go so far as to wear a dress shirt unbuttoned at the neck with a neckerchief -- but NEVER an Ascot!!
Throw it on and fuggedaboudit.
Thank you for the great blog. I too look at it every day.
For what it's worth, I would love to see more postings along these lines. I work in higher education in a somewhat rural area where only the college president and sometimes the deans wear suits.
I would be very grateful for more posts with ideas, suggestions, and inspirations for clothes that are below the level of a suit and tie but above khakis and a button down shirt.
I think that I know well enough how to choose and wear a suit and tie or a dinner jacket, given that I need them only once or twice per year! But I don't have a lot of good ideas of how to be appropriately turned out when a suit and tie is too formal.
Your example of a glen check suit with a roll-neck sweater sounds just perfect; but more of it, please. With pictures!
Several years ago you did a post called something like "the in-between wardrobe." It was very helpful to me. Please consider more posts illustrating this style of dress; and please also consider adding some of the relevant items to your online store.
Thank you again for your work.
Matthew,
If I may be so bold, I would suggest odd jackets (especially tweed & corduroy), with chinos, corduroy or moleskin trousers, or flannel pants. Under the jacket, you could wear button down Oxford shirts with striped, club, or knit ties. Wool or cotton ties (as the season dictates) are also good. Suede shoes, loafers, and chukka boots, in browns or wine tones, finish things off.
Dress things down by working in yellow, pink, brown, and green, while minimizing gray, blue, and black (though gray flannels go with most anything, as do navy ties and blue shirts). Smoother is dressier, so avoid worsted wool and calf shoes. Read Flusser on combining patterns, and learn how to wear three, or even more, patterns at once (warning: done well, it looks great, but done poorly, you can look clownish, so go easy here).
I won't say I have casual dressing mastered, but I'd like to think that I'm better at it than I was, due in no small part to the invaluable tutelage I have gotten here.
That is where cravats, Ascots and neckerchiefs are invaluable as accompaniments to casual suits or odd jackets. A suit that that very clearly is not designed to be worn for work.
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