Recent content by George A.Bailey

Understanding the impossibility in the modern world to purchase traditional mens evening pumps (or at least at a price affordable to the average middle-class chap), I have unfortunately being reduced to wearing my lace-up Oxfords with White Tie attire. I would feel more comfortable knowing...

Sorry, one must stick to the classics. You can't have a christmas without Bing Crosby voice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA45TnJQxhU

Well, if Bertie Wooster from P.G Wodehouse's novels existed, he'd certainly be my match. Just a shame though, I can't think of anybody real!

Any thoughts on Jared Harris's (Lane Pryce) choice of a contrasting waistcoat?

Very interesting. It's a shame some of these fashions have dissolved into total non-existance.

I believe it was somewhat common for plain-front boiled shirts to be worn with a necktie and lounge suit in the early decades of the twentieth century. Some ultra-traditionalist may still do this, but I'm afraid my own comfort standards won't allow anything more than a soft downturn collar shirt...

Obviously I'd gotten that wrong then! I don't know what on earth my source was on that information.

I've Never heard of this before, but is sounds interesting! Pictures would be great.

In the 1960's, some shirtmakers, in an attempt to revive the wing collar, began producing attached versions, which were usually both soft collared and fronted, closed at the front by buttons instead of studs (much to the dismay of many traditionalists). Many younger men found this style more...

That's true. Although Marcella front Boiled shirts are a required part of White Tie. Plain cotton bibs (as I understand, correct me if I'm wrong) are usually worn with morning wear, most commonly Morning dress, but sometimes Black lounge (known as a 'Stroller' in the USA.) If one was to wear a...

The classic evening shirt which has collapsed into extinction in recent times, sadly being replaced by the untraditional 'attatched' wing collar shirts. This heavily starched, tunic collared, marcella ('Pique' in the USA, I believe) front, single-cuffed, stiff, buttonless evening shirt was a...

Here's a few of my favourite singers. And whilst I'm at it I'll add a link to my favourite song they recorded: Noël coward: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ruFfxlMsbY|20th Century Blues, Bing Crosby: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cgVRwITAfY|Accentuate The Positive, The Andrews Sisters...

Do these buttoning guidelines apply to overcoats as well? Is every button fastened, or just certain ones, like with a suit jacket? Here's a few examples of partially buttoned overcoats: Take a look at Mr. Churchill's coat. I've seen this image a few times, I knew it was just a...

The perfect attire for those who want to distinguish themselves from the Jeans/T-Shirt ensemble that's typical of the masses, though aren't classy enough for a full suit. It's reasonably casual and in my opinion, the outfit of choice for those who want to look trendy, yet unsuccessfully smart at...

I have both Brown and Black shoes, yet I only have Grey and Black hats. I don't think Black would go very well with this colour ruling out the hat/shoe matching. I do have a brown belt to match the shoes, though I tend not to wear belts with suits, I'm more of a braces chap. I am willing to...