A random thought about evolving tastes...

[AdmiralTofu]

Not really much of a point to this thread, I'm afraid; just something I realized today and felt I had to share. It really hit me today that my tastes have seriously changed in the last year and a half or so.

It was about then that I decided I wanted to stop saying I wanted to dress nicely, and start doing it. So, I dove head-first into it, not really knowing what I was doing (and hence my current wardrobe being overrun by modern, relatively low-cut, polyester "dress" pants and poorly fitting '80s jackets from Goodwill... but that's a topic for a whole other thread lol ), but having fun experimenting anyway. And over time, I've developed my own style which, while seriously constricted by financial considerations, is still very much my own. I feel naked without my favorite hat, downright alien wearing t-shirts (something I used to don exclusively, like a uniform), and so forth.

But what really drove it home today was when I said to myself, "You know what, I need more casual clothes," and the first image that popped into my head was a pair of pleated khakis, a sweater vest, bow tie, and a driving cap.

"Casual." A friend and I had a nice little chuckle over how most folks today would consider that overdressed.

That's when I stopped in my tracks and truly realized that I'm not the same kind of dresser as 18 months ago. It gave me pause. I'm not really a different person from the Tofu of old, and I still consider myself pretty down-to-earth (or at least hope I am!), and I wouldn't dare judge another by their choice of dress. But I certainly try to hold myself to a different standard these days, and present myself a lot differently. And it felt really good to think about.

Has anybody else ever experienced something like this?

-Tofu

 

[CharlestonBows]

Not really much of a point to this thread, I'm afraid; just something I realized today and felt I had to share. It really hit me today that my tastes have seriously changed in the last year and a half or so.

It was about then that I decided I wanted to stop saying I wanted to dress nicely, and start doing it. So, I dove head-first into it, not really knowing what I was doing (and hence my current wardrobe being overrun by modern, relatively low-cut, polyester "dress" pants and poorly fitting '80s jackets from Goodwill... but that's a topic for a whole other thread lol ), but having fun experimenting anyway. And over time, I've developed my own style which, while seriously constricted by financial considerations, is still very much my own. I feel naked without my favorite hat, downright alien wearing t-shirts (something I used to don exclusively, like a uniform), and so forth.

But what really drove it home today was when I said to myself, "You know what, I need more casual clothes," and the first image that popped into my head was a pair of pleated khakis, a sweater vest, bow tie, and a driving cap.

"Casual." A friend and I had a nice little chuckle over how most folks today would consider that overdressed.

That's when I stopped in my tracks and truly realized that I'm not the same kind of dresser as 18 months ago. It gave me pause. I'm not really a different person from the Tofu of old, and I still consider myself pretty down-to-earth (or at least hope I am!), and I wouldn't dare judge another by their choice of dress. But I certainly try to hold myself to a different standard these days, and present myself a lot differently. And it felt really good to think about.

Has anybody else ever experienced something like this?

-Tofu

Sounds like someone's got the bug!

It's really quite encouraging to hear this type of testimony -- some of us zealots might even call it witnessing!

 

[Benny Holiday]

I hear ya, brother! I've found my taste hasn't so much changed, but I guess it's become more refined by being a member of the Lounge here. Now I know so much more about what makes a quality fedora, Golden Era-style leather jacket (be it a flight or workingman's jacket), khakis, shoes etc. And as well as being a great learning tool, the FL has also been a place where I've been inspired to refine my look - there are so many well-dressed guys (and of course ladies) whose stylishness makes you want to delve further into the vintage/vintage-inspired lifestyle.

 

[Edward]

I've only been here a few months, but I can see what I've learned on here having an impact. I walked past Moss Bros in London the other day, and my eye was caught by the black tie display they had in the window - upcoming party season, obviously. I thought "wow, sb with peak lapels - nice..." then I looked down further and was genuinely disappointed to see pocket flaps, and the fact that it was two-buttons, not a single. A year ago I'd have looked at the same jacket and thought "oh, that has laepls shapes like a db. Weird!" lol

I've not gone anti-denim or anything, but I do find myself being more ready to dress "up" a bit for an evening out, something as simple as the theatre or whatever.... I'm really looking forwardto having the money to letting what I've learned on here have more of an impact on my wardrobe! I've also become a lot more confident in gonig out in a suit or whatever when others are not.

 

[dhermann1]

I think there's also an element of wanting to feel more like a grown-up going on. There have been many comments here about the idea that Americans want to be perpetual adolescents, and that's why they dress the way they do. A thing as seemingly superficial as style of dress is really a very deep thing. The Lounge is proof of that.

 

[AdmiralTofu]

I think there's also an element of wanting to feel more like a grown-up going on. There have been many comments here about the idea that Americans want to be perpetual adolescents, and that's why they dress the way they do. A thing as seemingly superficial as style of dress is really a very deep thing. The Lounge is proof of that.

I would tend to agree. I think the thing that a lot of my generation of Americans (I'm 26) don't realize is that it is possible to remain young at heart and playful, but still dress, well, a little more grown-up. I often remark to friends that I stopped growing up after I hit 12 -- which, while a joke, is certainly how I feel a lot of days. I still have fun, and I certainly don't feel "old" because I dress the way I do. In fact, I think it's added a whole new element to that feeling of youthfulness: it's a lot of fun to coordinate and experiment with my dress!

-Tofu

 

[The Wingnut]

There's a bit of playful youthfulness in saying to the world around you that you're not marching in lockstep with the status quo and instead one-upping it.

If you'd told me in high school that 12 years later I'd have a military haircut, 7 suits and a motherlode of ties and hats, I'd have laughed in your face. People's tastes evolve along with their awareness and education regarding their hobbies and the refinement of their character.