Black

[Tomasso]

Any truth to that, and what time, and what place? *

Brown suede shoes were English country wear until the DoW employed them for city wear. Ever since, they've had a Dandy aura about them and with that would come some speculation , usually from the hoi polloi. [huh]

 

[Godfrey Park]

I wear a black DB suit with a white shirt (among other colors) and have never once been asked if I am there to pick a body or who died. lol

 

[MK]

.

It works for George. I don't think he looks like he is going to a funeral. It is a great rat-pack kind of look for an upscale party of event.

 

[melankomas]

i'm fond of my black suits, actually. i would concede that this must be due to a lack of taste on my part, but having seen the Honorable Senator Jack, i will hold firm that it can be done. i doubt i can do it, but that's another matter.

my attachment to black suits may be due to my vigorously polished black shoes. i only have black shoes, all polished to a blinding finish, and all combat boots or low quarters.

i do generally relieve the black with shirt and tie, though rarely white. white shirts have a special brand of gravitational attraction effective only on Italian and pseudo-Italian sauces.

 

[Senator Jack]

iste elines, kyrie melankoma

 

[Tomasso]

Like so?

i only have black shoes, all polished to a blinding finish

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Black doesn't seem to me to be boring or sombre or anything of the sort. I've never heard of a black suit being reserved for any specific occasions. If this is something that's said, it's one of the more idiotic of the "rules" i tend to rail against.

Just another colour (i know, it isn't a colour) for a suit. It's all about how well it's cut and how well it's worn - see Jack's pics for examples of how to do it. I have been looking for years for black pre-1950 (preferably pre-1940) vintage suits. I have found two - both NRA-era; both in great condition.

bk

 

[melankomas]

iste elines, kyrie melankoma

fftopic: <- this is the correct form, i think.

Senator the Hon. Jack: i had enough difficulty learning English, and rely mainly on Lattimore in cases such as this. "melankomas" is an homage to the eldest outboxer. i also found the bout in the Iliad very exciting, but the admittedly legendary Melankomas is one of my boxing ideals.

a bit dull, Tomasso! not truly, but while my low quarters and boots shine as brightly, they are not patent. simply plain, dull leather, as issued, with the addition of a great many nights of proper polishing.

 

[carebear]

Unless Tomasso's a dirty liar, those aren't patent either.

Which makes them shiney indeed.

 

[Senator Jack]

Black Suit #2

Going out to the film noir party tonight, so I thought I'd wear this one. I thought it was blue when I bought it. Then I thought it was black. Then I thought it was blue again. Suffice to write that if it is blue, it's so blue that it's black.

Date? Mmmm... I've always thought 30s. Short-hemmed (buttfreezer) DB jacket. Pleat and dart, button-fly trousers. Baron? (Sorry, no bloody giveaways like tags here.)

Over the top? Mafioso? Perhaps. Who cares? I'm in NY where 95% of the public wears its trousers down around its...

Regards,

Senator Jack

 

[The Duke]

Looks sharp to me Senator Jack, I really like that tie.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Hmm, black pinstripe with a bum-freezer jacket ... Just send it on to me, Jack.

The details sound 30s. Can't really tell. How heavy is she?

bk

 

[Feraud]

I saw the entire outfit last night when Senator Jack and I went to the Femme Fatale Fest downtown. The photo is good but the real deal is even better!

fftopic:
Jack and I had a little discussion over drinks and I thought of three things that make "A Look" work.
1 - Know the look. Knowledge is power and all that. You may love your black leather motorcycle jacket and fedora but unless you are going for a mid 1980's Ralph Macchio look I suggest we keep the styles separate. It rarely works.
2 - Be comfortable in what you wear. Your attitude says a lot about you and defines a costume versus clothes. If you feel like you are in a suit of armor your attitude and actions will reflect it. I prefer to come across as a comfortable, confident guy in khaki, flight jacket, and newsies cap than a stiff in a three piece suit with a walking stick. Be yourself.
3 - The Details. The little things matter. A watch, cufflinks, handkerchief, or tie can make or break an outfit. I do not suggest over doing their appearance. Keeping things simple is an important concept. What you do not wear can be as important as what you do. Back to topic..

Hmm, black pinstripe with a bum-freezer jacket ... Just send it on to me, Jack.

hahaha, this very sentiment was brought up last night!

 

[Senator Jack]

Shall I send it by magic carpet or unicorn, Baron? What is the speediest delivery to Dreamworld?

Material is probably 12-14 oz and has a rather abrasive texture. It's one tough suit all right. And obviously it's not a high quality suit. Only one stripe matches at the collar/lapel. I think in these photos the suit looks more blue than black.

Can't tell if that middle loop was sewn in like that originally or if it was moved. If original, why was it set higher than the others?

What is the purpose of this dart just below the jacket pocket welt? I have to rumage, but I think I only have a few jackets with that dart.

Regards,

Senator Jack

 

[Tomasso]

2 - Be comfortable in what you wear. If you feel like you are in a suit of armor your attitude and actions will reflect it.

Very true. It's pretty easy to spot men who aren't used to wearing tailored clothing (suits, sportcoats) and ties, especially.


A man should look as if he had bought his clothes with intelligence, put them on with care, and then forgotten all about them. – Hardy Amies

 

[Baron Kurtz]

still hard to tell. Are the jacket seams taped?

bk

 

[Senator Jack]

Only the inside bottom hem is taped. The center is not. Lining is skeleton.

 

[The Wingnut]

This is how I'd do it, sunglasses and all. Leave the earpiece at home, though. That's trying too hard.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Only the inside bottom hem is taped. The center is not. Lining is skeleton.

Weirder and weirder.

I'd lean towards 30s too. How do the trousers drape? Do they look 30s (billowing out to the hips and straight down to the ankles w/ little taper)? Width (circumference) of cuffs?

I'll get some pics of my black suit tomorrow morning. The trousers are in need of serious work, but i gues they're wearable enough for photogs.

bk

p.s. Magic carpet works best for me.

 

[carebear]

Wingnut,

Who wants to look like Elrond?

lol