A Machiavellian Approach

[Paisley]

From a review of the book The Suit: A Machiavellian Approach to Men's Style by Nicholas Antongiavanni:

Just as Machiavelli boldly set forth the qualities a prince needed to obtain and maintain power, Antongiavanni recommends "dandification" as the virtù required at the highest reaches of business and politics, where it is survival of the best fitted. To those who would rule in these competitive worlds, Antongiavanni's first and foremost counsel is to don a suit and tie, the timeless combination that reached its apogee in the 1930s. A triumph of design that harmoniously balances modesty and sexuality, conformity and individuality, simplicity in the whole with ornament in the details, the business suit is the perfect uniform for those who see their work as civilized combat. Indeed, long before anyone spoke of the "power suit," bankers and lawyers on the streets of London could be seen going about like knights ready for battle, outfitted with armor (three-piece suit), helmet (bowler hat), sword (umbrella, never unfurled), and shield (copy of the Times). With this in mind, one should notice that the chief effect of business casual has been to strip men of the most aggressively masculine item in the Western wardrobe: the necktie.​

(emphasis added)

 

[Marc Chevalier]

What the author doesn't mention in the quote is that a necktie bears more than a passing resemblance to a hangman's noose. lol

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[geo]

knights ready for battle, outfitted with armor (three-piece suit), helmet (bowler hat), sword (umbrella, never unfurled), and shield (copy of the Times).

This is a funny comparison. However, I don't see wearing a suit, hat, umbrella and newspaper as comparable to going into battle, or as devices used to protect oneself, or to hide behind. I think that a 3-piece suit with hat, tie, umbrella and paper are very leisurely things to wear, and they make one feel good and relaxed, nothing like going into battle.

the chief effect of business casual has been to strip men of the most aggressively masculine item in the Western wardrobe: the necktie.

I call this look "the Saddam Hussein look": suit with shirt (usualy white) opened at the neck, and no tie. That's what Saddam Hussein wears when he shows up for his trial.

 

[Paisley]

Ever been to court?

 

[Story]

And as the Knights were sequentially unhorsed by longbowmen, crossbowmen and musketeers, one has only to look at the raggedy code geeks that have amassed fortunes. [huh]

 

[Marc Chevalier]

And neckties (or cravats) were first popularized by Croatian mercenary soldiers. Louis XIV, whom they fought for, thought their scarves groovy ... and the rest is history.

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[Desk Jockey]

I call this look "the Saddam Hussein look": suit with shirt (usualy white) opened at the neck, and no tie. That's what Saddam Hussein wears when he shows up for his trial.

He does that more not for sartorial stupidity but for the same reason that Ahmadinejad does: to some brands of Islam, neckties look like crosses.

Still doesn't change the fact that he (and the rest of the casual horde) looks a fool.

 

[Harp]

Going Mach I

Machiavelli would have suggested his prince have
the tailor killed, for reasons of sartorial state, of course....