How to Ruin a Perfectly Good Suit

[jamespowers]

So two-piece suits, designed as such, are right out?

I run a little warm to be wearing 3 pc. in the summer....

In Alaska?
Actually a two piece should be fine. I am not all that hot on three piece suits because I live here in California. The waistcoat can be a bit too much for our mild climate. However, if I lived in fog all the time or cold, I would definitely change my mind.

Regards,

J

 

[resortes805]

[*]Breast pockets on shirts - words just fail me. Why?

:

Like these?

I love these kinds of pockets!

 

[carebear]

In Alaska?
Actually a two piece should be fine. I am not all that hot on three piece suits because I live here in California. The waistcoat can be a bit too much for our mild climate. However, if I lived in fog all the time or cold, I would definitely change my mind.

Regards,

J

Well, NOW it'd be okay. We can get stifling hot, I'm talking mid- to upper- 70's, in the summer.

 

[jamespowers]

We can get stifling hot, I'm talking mid- to upper- 70's, in the summer.

Oh you poor thing. I am surprised you haven't just melted already.
It can get up over 100 here on a good day in summer. Not many of those days though---thank goodness.

Regards,

J

 

[Wild Root]

I noticed several people mentioning badly worn waistcoats - how do you feel about no waistcoat? To me this is completely wrong and just looks as though the gentleman in question has neglected to dress himself properly.

[*]The wrong shoes - not merely the style but the colour and location. Remember chaps, never brown in town! Needless to say, neglected shoes are a sorry sight.

[*]Short sleeved shirts - if casually attired, then I accept that they may have their place (doesn't mean I have to like them though); however, with a suit? No, no, no. The Mormon missionary look is never a good one IMO.

[*]Breast pockets on shirts - words just fail me. Why?

[*]Vests showing through thin shirts - I don't know what you call them in the States but they are worn underneath shirts and are usually sleeveless and often made from a stringy cotton. Whatever - a man and his undergarments share a very special relationship...one I have no wish to be privy to.
[/LIST]

Welcome to the lounge... I find your post interesting... I cut some of it down to comment on the parts I feel I'd like to address or defend.

Now, in regards to waistcoats: (Vest's to us Yanks) So, you're saying it's wrong not to wear one? My dear lady, that is quite a bold statement! If some one knew men's clothing that is a pretty silly thing to say! Now, I'm a student of the vintage school of thought and have no problem wearing a two piece suit... three pieces are nice for cooler weather but, in warmer areas such as California, a two piece isn't wrong, it's still pretty classy. If two piece suits were wrong, they wouldn't have made them!

Shoes: In America during the Golden age, Brown was worn allover the place... it was an appropriate color to wear with tan, gray, navy and green... or any sport outfit to the Races or other sporting events... even just walking down the Blvd. Black was for dress and also business... most business men of that time wore black shoes from what I've learned.

Short sleeved shirts: I agree with you! They're not to be worn with suits! As for the Mormon Missionary remark, I was one and didn't wear a short sleeved shirt... I refused! If it was hot, I rolled my sleeves... looks cooler I think.

Breast pocket on a shirt... why is this a bad thing? The dress shirts I own have this pocket... I hardly believe it's something that will ruin a suit. Breast pockets have been on men's dress shirts since the 20's! Well, here in the States they have... the British way of thinking is a little different. Also, we must not forget the popular gabardine sport shirts of the 40's and 50's, with out pockets, they're not what they should be!

And last, the "Wife beater" or "Tank Top" is a traditional under garment worn by many of the golden era men and today... It's proper to wear an undergarment of some nature I believe. I disapprove of transparent shirts all together with suits.

All the best,
=R=

 

[carebear]

Oh you poor thing. I am surprised you haven't just melted already.
It can get up over 100 here on a good day in summer. Not many of those days though---thank goodness.

Regards,

J

Shade, iced cocktails and nocturnal living. That's how this Irishman keeps his freckles in check in hot climates...

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Breast pocket on a shirt... why is this a bad thing? The dress shirts I own have this pocket... I hardly believe it's something that will ruin a suit. Breast pockets have been on men's dress shirts since the 20's!

I agree with you, Root ... they're neither awful nor wonderful. A stylistic detail that does no harm to anything or anyone.

Here's a cotton dress shirt from the 1930s. Ironically, it's made with British fabric (see collar label)

 

[Senator Jack]

I'm not a particular fan of the dress-shirt breast pocket (I get all mine made without) but I can't agree with it being a suitkiller.

Again, this thread started out as 'YOU JUST BOUGHT THE PERFECT SUIT'. Whether it's a two-piece or a three-piece doesn't matter. We were presuming that the suit is perfect in every way, but now what do you do to ruin your look?


Regards,

Senator Jack

 

[John in Covina]

Shoe Shine Guy

Shoes can be in ok shape but a lot of folks have no idea how to polish them anymore. And shoeshine guys are few and far between.

**********
One of the things I like is in Las Vegas many of the Casinos will have a shoe shine kiosk in the building. If I am wearing my dress shoes there I just love to treat my self to a good shoe shine.

Almost on par with a Haircut and a Shave! The Art of Shaving has a couple of locations in Vegas and you can get an apointment for a shave.
(One of these days!)

Come 7, Come 11!:eusa_clap

 

[Tomasso]

in Las Vegas many of the Casinos will have a shoe shine kiosk in the building.

John, there are many who will shine your shoes but there are few who will do it well.
Sorry to say, it ain't really happening in America.[huh]

 

[carebear]

John, there are many who will shine your shoes but there are few who will do it well.
Sorry to say, it ain't really happening in America.[huh]

Good Lawd!

Now THAT is a shine.

 

[Wild Root]

Nah, that's what they call patent leather brother. Real leather shoes should never shine like that. American's want their shoes to shine... but not like a waxed floor!lol

Patent leather is ok of your a Marine or wearing formals.

=WR=

 

[carebear]

Nah, that's what they call patent leather brother. Real leather shoes should never shine like that. American's want their shoes to shine... but not like a waxed floor!lol

Patent leather is ok if you're a Marine or wearing formals.

=WR=

(ahem) lol

I spitshine baby, bright enough to get arrested if I stand too close to a ladies skirt.

My favorite oxfords were issued to me in 1991, there may in fact be as many polish molecules as leather in the uppers by now.

 

[Wild Root]

Marines pull it off well!

=WR=

 

[Tomasso]

(ahem) lol

I spitshine baby, bright enough to get arrested if I stand too close to a ladies skirt.

lol lllll

 

[Tomasso]

Nah, that's what they call patent leather brother. Real leather shoes should never shine like that..

[huh]

 

[Lady Day]

To recap, I'd have the top ten as follows:

1. Worn out shoes - overbearing shoes
2. No pocket square
3. Drooping socks
4. Pairing it with wrong hat
5. Incorrect break for style.
6. Tie too long or wide
7. Overstuffed pockets
8. Gadgets clipped to belt.
9. Sporting a backpack
10. Open double-breasted

Any other additions? Exchanges?

Regards,

Senator Jack

Ooohh that just pickles my beats! I have pockets I dont use because they put unwanted buldges in places that ought not buldge. Wallet, address book, phone, etc. Thats what your briefcase is for.

LD

 

[Wild Root]

[huh]

That's a nice shine for that shoe... it's not too shiney or too flat... just right! The other shoe that was pictured was of the patent leather type wich shines to a mirror finish... a mirror finish isn't proper on a brown cap toe dress shoe as you pictured... the photo of the shoe above is perfect is not a mirror finish.

=WR=

 

[Tomasso]

The other shoe that was pictured was of patent leather

Au contraire, no patent leather, I swear.

a mirror finish isn't proper on a brown cap toe dress shoe

How about GREEN?

 

[Wild Root]

Green's fine... unless it's new buck. lol