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Putting it all together

Ben Stephens

One of the Regulars
Messages
116
Location
Hampshire
I think one of the worst combinations I have seen is in the 1940 dated 'Menswear' magazines, adverts with striped trousers and windowpane jackets, in the same colours. If I can I will scan them. Baron will know the ones I mean.

Kindest Regards
 

Gin&Tonics

Practically Family
Messages
899
Location
The outer frontier
Johnny J - this look shows some considerable panache and an eye for style. You've chosen a very bold shirt with a similar pattern in a rather bold jacket, but they work together because of the muted colors of the jacket vs the vibrant shirt, as well as the different scale of the plaids. Also, you've chosen a very subdued solid tie in a complementary colour, thus preventing the tie from clashing with the jacket and shirt for attention.

Overall, I like it! The only problem with the button down is that it's significantly more sporty and informal that might otherwise be ideal for your double breasted peak lapelled jacket and the nice solid, dark hued tie.
 

Chasseur

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,494
Location
Hawaii
Chasseur, you do yourself a disservice. you're always very well turned out. if you have a look on fine and dandy blogspot you can see all of the colour combinations in this set.

Thank you for the kind words!

I'll check out that blog for the other colour combinations.
 

Ben Stephens

One of the Regulars
Messages
116
Location
Hampshire
As promised. I am really not sure about the mixing of the jacket and trousers. Almost looks as though the chap in the middle has borrowed a jacket and a pair of trousers!

img208.jpg


Ben
 

Dinerman

Super Moderator
Bartender
Messages
10,562
Location
Bozeman, MT
I'm working on more of these. As I get more photographed and scanned, these are pretty easy to put together.

Here's a late '60s/early '60s one.
stingybrims.jpg
 

Evan Everhart

A-List Customer
Messages
457
Location
Hollywood, California
Sometimes I wonder how many of the supposed classic clothing "rules" were for real, and how many are a faux-classic, modern affectation that has crept into the collective (sub)concious. Much the same as how many of the supposedly ancient Scottish tartans and so on were actually inventions of the Celtic revival period in the late 19th Century as opposed to the pre-Highland Clearance, genuine article. Bear in mind that in all probability most of us today are better off than folks would have been back in the 30s or 40s, with more disposable income and better wardrobes. My personal view tends towards the Baron's slant on things: experiement and see what works. Of course this can lead to some howlers, but that's how you learn (I still regret the day eight and a half years ago when I went out in matching brown shirt and trousers, and blue peacoat, just didn't work for me, and left me with a mortal fear of mixing blue and brown. That said, the number of folks on here who do it well has convinced me it's not something to rule out ad infinitum). Naturally we don't all have anywhere near as\extensive a suit collection as the good Baron (very impressive, Sir!), but nonetheless I think there's always room to experiment. Do it at home in the evening - see what looks good together. Take some tips from the photos of those on the FL who do it so well - the ladies have been doing this for generations, why shouldn't we men catch up? :)

Start with a few classic looks, say one really good suit, try different colour shirts and tie combinations, see what works with a pocket square, and shoes.... One rule that I do think is sound is matching the belt (brown or black) to the shoes. But in general, I'd think of "rules" as not so much hard and fast rules as advice.




As memory serves, the old rule was "Black for town, in country - brown." I don't know its origin or the thinking behind it, but I would suggest that it had something to do with the idea of black being more formal, brown being something relaxed. Bearing in mind that many of these so-called rules evolved out of the upper and upper-middle classes who would probably have been in the city through the week, then off to the country estate at the weekend to do a spot of game shooting or fishing. I'm figuring too that in the 30s it would have been de riguer for those worknig in the City of London to be turning up for work in a stroller...?

In London today, you certainly do see a lot of brown. The big trend of the past 12 months or so seems to have been very dark navy or black pinstripe suits with relatively conservative ties, light shirts (pink I've seen a lot of, as well as blues, ivories and so on), and light tan coloured shoes. The tan and navy combination I'm not convinced of for myself, but it's certainly around as a fashion thing. There don't seem to be so many 'rules' being followed, though it does seems to me that you see certain tribal characteristics - e.g. the lawyers I see around the courts tend to dress very classic, whereas City trader types you can pick out by their more modern cuts, bright shirts, wide splayed shirt collars and tie knots the size of a fist. lol

The idea behind black for city wear and brown for country wear really originated in the 19th century with the industrial revolution; with more and more factories which produced more ash and smog, brightly coloured country clothes would soon be fouled beyond acceptability with city wear, whereas black, dark gray, and dark blue is much more forgiving, likewise, black and other "city" colours show the smut and grime of country dirty (predominantly clays and muds and such much more quickly than brown "country" coloured clothes would. Essentially the practice is rooted in wearing garments which coordinate with the predominant colour of the local filth. Quite funny actually, but also quite practical. Just like brick coloured breeches in West Virginia because of the red clay soil there. Hope this was helpful sir!
 

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