Question:
If you guys had the chance, would you wear the kinds of clothes that went out of fashion decades, and I mean decades, ago?
I'm seeing all this talk about button boots and spats and safari suits and I think to myself: What man in their right and conscious mind even considers spats?
Answer:
I think there are two components to your question. Would you like to, and do you?
I've always liked the looks of cloaks, for example. But I don't wear 'em because I don't live in the 1880s. Similarly, I have no interest in wearing button boots or spats.
Other items are more of a gray area in my mind. I can't pull off a wide-brimmed fedora, but I've seen a few guys who can, and who do so without looking like they're extras in a movie set in the '40s.
There's a fine line between personal style and costume. But I'd hate for everyone to be so afraid of crossing it that no one took risks. It's about knowing yourself and your style, and realizing what you can pull off and what you can't.
Answer:
DocHolliday, I've always considered you one of the most reasonable and stylish members so thanks for your input.
I confess I've harbored a small but nagging desire to dress like a Victorian Anglican cleric for other reasons than to spite my violently Catholic family. Maybe one day I will; I mean I have the London Lounge for input right?
As for cloaks, maybe if you lived on the British moors you'd have a legitimate reason to don one.
Answer:
If you wanted to wear a cloak bad enough but couldn't stand the potential awkwardness, you could always buy an overcoat slightly larger than normal and wear it around your shoulders instead of putting your arms through the sleeves. Get a chain or a strip of leather to fasten it in the front so it won't fly off as easily.
Still, seems a bit pretentious. Maybe you're better off just wearing a cloak in the first place.
Answer:
I've never worn that chain business you mention, but numerous times, I've worn a piece of outerwear draped over my shoulders.
Military officers--especially the Germans for some reason--did it a lot, and I think it's rather a rakish touch.
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I tend to fight down the urge to do so these days, now I am no longer a student. I agree with Doc (of course!) about the fine line between one's personal style and costume and have my own views about what sits where - when I have occasionally gone so far as to wear a pair of co-respondent shoes or spats to work I am conscious of pushing the line in a way that is qualitatively different (to me) from wearing a stroller/half morning dress to work, which I do fairly often.
Answer:
No.
I don't know.
Answer:
If occasion permits, I would like to wear my tuxedo everywhere. I'd alternate between a turn-down collar shirt and the removable winged-collar shirts. I'd also trot out in my opera pumps.
Alas, such occasions are quite rare.
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Even before 6 PM?:devil:
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+1
Exactly the issue.
Personally, I say sod the consequences and occasionally just play dress up. :laugh:
Answer:
Oh, most certainly before 6PM. That way people will think that I got somewhere important to go or somebody important to see.
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I would...for Halloween.
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Spats are still used in many military uniforms, particularly in honor guards and other special groups.
Answer:
to wear a top coat in this way.
have two straps made of lining fabric make them about 18 inches long.
fasten them on the facing next to the lining. they are sewn at the top and bottom.
that makes two long vertical loops. positioned high enough for your arms to slip
through them, you dont need that chain in front.
you will appear very suave.
years ago this was a very common thing.
Answer:
Chainmail and powdered whigs would be awesome to wear to a baseball game or something. Tophats are pretty dope too. (although I know 1 girl who wears a little tophat and everyone calls her 'mini tophat girl')
