Less-than-Informal Dress: How Do You Put it Together?

[Dick Ireland]

Gents,

I have reached a good stopping point in my informal wardrobe, where I have enough suits (vintage inspired) for the workweek, plus a few extra for variety, a few nice felt fedoras, a straw fedora, and a good trenchcoat. I'm all set for work, church, or a nice outing with my wife. I always feel good and at ease dressed like that.

But it's not always appropriate and when I'm in between workwear (also a favorite of mine, if not much worn in these desk job days) and informal wear, I feel out of my element. It's an odd middle place.

I've got a couple of sportcoats (brown and middle blue) and a collection of grey, brown, and khaki trousers that I have accumulated over the years, plus some bolder button-down shirts and conservative sweaters, and two 8-part caps, one wool, one linen.

How do you put together casual looks that are still neat and sort of vintage-looking? I have no eye for colors or patterns, so I just learn the rules and imitate the well-dressed of yesteryear. Advice needed. Thanks.

-Dick

 

[Pinesiw]

Depending on the weather i'd wear anything from a henley shirt, button down, and trousers, to an old work type suit and or wool coat. Any type of hat is suited to all outfits.

A couple examples of wat I throw together for everyday wear

 

[Shangas]

Heh, I like the second photo. You look like an old-time gangster!!

 

[AtomicEraTom]

I prefer something from the 1950's TV dad category, myself.

Open collar shirt, cardigan, slacks or jeans, and typically my pipe and slippers are all my non-work/non-formal attire.

Chores, I wear old flannel shirts, jeans, and work boots, usually.

I'm not sure if that's what you're after. I had a bit of a struggle with the question at hand.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

^^^^

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

I like pinesiws look but it's already in the "workwear" category. I think the opening post meant something else?
I was thinking more in the lines of: Grey flannels, a knit vest (or cardigan), a soft cotton shirt and a tweed sportscoat. (for fall and winter)
Everything a bit softer and more textures and pattern thrown together. It looks like you might have most of the items. I am afraid we can't tell how to mix and match them without pictures.
Read the putting it all together thread.

 

[Dick Ireland]

Pinesiws, I often dress like your first pic when I'm doing chores or running errands in the summer. It's a good look but I consider it "workwear" and I trying to figure out what's a little more elegant but not informal.

 

[Dick Ireland]

Haha, Tom I think you've hit upon it exactly. 50s Dad, huh? I think that's how I come off when I try this level of casualness, but I hadn't thought about it that way.

I know we didn't have television to give us a stereotype then, but any idea what a "30s Dad" would look like?

 

[Dick Ireland]

I'll check out that thread, Flat Foot. It sounds like exactly what I need to read.

 

[Rudie]

You mean formal, not informal, don't you? You're looking for a casual look in between formal and work wear, right? I think Flo's suggestions fit the bill. Or pair grey flannels or tweed trousers with tie/neckerchief and shirt and a nice leather jacket or 30s/40s style blouson.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

I don't imagine that the looks were all that different. Fashions didn't change so quickly and drastically. Perhaps the cut of the clothes was different, and a tie would be more commonplace than an open-collar shirt.

The 'Old Man' from 'A Christmas Story' comes to mind (I believe that movie was intended to take place in 1940?)

Haha, Tom I think you've hit upon it exactly. 50s Dad, huh? I think that's how I come off when I try this level of casualness, but I hadn't thought about it that way.

I know we didn't have television to give us a stereotype then, but any idea what a "30s Dad" would look like?

 

[Dick Ireland]

You mean formal, not informal, don't you? You're looking for a casual look in between formal and work wear, right?

I don't own any formalwear. I mean between your 2- or 3-piece suit with fedora, and workwear.

I think Flo's suggestions fit the bill. Or pair grey flannels or tweed trousers with tie/neckerchief and shirt and a nice leather jacket or 30s/40s style blouson.

I think that's where I'm going.

Question for ya'll: in the spring and fall when you can't wear a sportcoat over your sweater, would you opt for the sweater always, the sportcoat always, or one or the other depending on the day?

 

[Dick Ireland]

I don't imagine that the looks were all that different. Fashions didn't change so quickly and drastically. Perhaps the cut of the clothes was different, and a tie would be more commonplace than an open-collar shirt.

Good call. I usually feel more comfortable in a tie anyway (open collar with a beer especially).

 

[John in Covina]

I tend to wear khakis / chino's more with a collared shirt. (Summer's here can be brutal tend to go with hiking shorts a lot more in the heat.)

 

[DavidBowie]

I also was very worried about my informal wears.. Then I got an idea of winter wear formal as well as informal.. Then I search to shop online for woolen overcoats which gives both formal and casual look at the same time. :eusa_clap

 

[Mr Lilleythorpe]

Well, simpler, less patterny brogues, casual trousers, collared shirt and a jumper or pullover. Perhaps a thin, light tweed or sports coat, and maybe a cravat.

 

[filfoster]

I don't own any formalwear. I mean between your 2- or 3-piece suit with fedora, and workwear.



I think that's where I'm going.

Question for ya'll: in the spring and fall when you can't wear a sportcoat over your sweater, would you opt for the sweater always, the sportcoat always, or one or the other depending on the day?[/QUOTE]

Yes; You can also wear a bow tie occasionally for a 'go to hell' look. Please wear a narrow profile one or a batwing, instead of those monstrous 'butterfly' things popular now.

 

[Tomasso]

Well, simpler, less patterny brogues .

Don't brogues decrease in formality the busier they get?

 

[scottyrocks]

Question for ya'll: in the spring and fall when you can't wear a sportcoat over your sweater, would you opt for the sweater always, the sportcoat always, or one or the other depending on the day?[/QUOTE]

I think a sweater is definitely more casual than a sports coat. But the type of sweater also affects the level of casualness. My preference these days is shawl neck cardigans.

 

[Mr Lilleythorpe]

Don't brogues decrease in formality the busier they get?

I think that I'd only wear patterned brogues when out and about casually, because when at home, they can be a bit of an eyesore with a comparitively simple outfit.