Focus only on vintage?

[Marc Chevalier]

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I just took a look at the STYLE FORUM for the first time. The number of posts, topics and views over there makes the Fedora Lounge look absolutely puny by comparison. Then I went over to the ASK ANDY ABOUT CLOTHES forum, and couldn't believe how massive it is. Finally, I peeked at THE LONDON LOUNGE forum, and was equally humbled by its size and variety.


Interestingly, none of those 3 gargantuan forums focus on vintage clothing. Which begs the question: should we leave the modern stuff to them (which they do very well), and stick to old clothing (which we do superbly)?


What do you think?

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[Baron Kurtz]

I thought that was the point of this place [huh]

My owld Da used to say that you should find what you're good at and stick to it. now if only i could find that one thing i'd be set . . .

bk

 

[Matt Deckard]

That would be cutting ourselves off at the knees.

Not only do we talk about vintage, we ask where the good looks from back then went and tell you who makes the clothes up to the old standars today. This isn't a vintage forum, it's a true style forum that doesn't put down the guy wearing the hat for the sake of wanting to look cool.

 

[AlanC]

I'm a member at all three of the other fora (and a moderator at one of them), and obviously each of them has its own personality. There is also necessarily a lot of overlap, which isn't a bad thing. Clearly, at FL vintage is emphasized. A lot of that goes beyond my own interest, but it provides a great outlet for those interested in the various minutia. Still, I think it would be unwise to cut off any discussion of modern topics. Most modern topics--like Allen Edmonds shoes, for example--have a strong tie to classic style, or even a vintage inspired look. Ultimately Mr. Deckard is correct. It ought to be about classic style.

 

[The real Henry]

I personally became a member here, BECAUSE this forum is all about vintage clothing and the golden era. It's the best source for this hobby(topic/lifestyle/...) and that is what it should stay!!!


Please don't change anything!


Regards,
Henrik

 

[Feraud]

I appreciate the Lounge for the vintage aspect. When I want GQ style I read GQ magazine.

There are discussions at the Lounge on taking modern clothes and wearing it in a classic style. I believe a large majority of the members here do just that.

 

[J. M. Stovall]

Vintage only would exclude all of the great hat makers we have here too. I think the vintage/classic style theme we have is still unique and what we want.

 

[cookie]

FL versus the other Fora

It's classier over here and the folks are nicer and more refined. Ain't that enough? The other fora are interesting but only so far.

 

[jake_fink]

The magazine title says it all, Classic Style... not exclusively vintage, though inspired by forms and norms of the past.

 

[Dagwood]

Not only do we talk about vintage, we ask where the good looks from back then went and tell you who makes the clothes up to the old standars today. This isn't a vintage forum, it's a true style forum that doesn't put down the guy wearing the hat for the sake of wanting to look cool.

I agree. This forum, unlike the other forums, provides a historical overview (with a focus on the 1930's and 1940's) of what is stylish. Those forums often tend to focus on fashion. This forum will discuss, for example, shoes in terms of how they were worn in the past, what has and does look good, what worked for Fred Astaire, etc.

 

[Tango Yankee]

In a way this was addressed in a Hats thread. A lot of us came here for the love of hats, not necessarily vintage. The fact that the vintage aspect does seem to influence this type of member is a positive thing, but I think as often as not the influence is towards the classic style and not necessarily vintage clothing.

Since classic style has it's roots in the Golden Era it follows that there is great interest and enthusiasm for vintage clothing but that should not preclude modern clothing with a classic look from being discussed. In fact, going strictly vintage would greatly limit the range of discussion and clothing options.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[Baron Kurtz]

The fact is that most people are interested in current fashion. If people wish to talk about those issues there are plenty of boards out there. If people wish to find out the historical parallels of current fashions, frankly, this is the place to come for information. Disparage golden era fashions all they might, everything avant garde has it's root in the past . . . Those at the head of the fashion industry understand this. Petty neophytes and mud-slinging poseurs of whichever stripe fail to do so.

Like the eternal battle for supremacy raging between chemistry, physics and biology students, the answer lies in acceptance that the other side has a point to make and the ability to fight your corner.

I, for one, am happy to be a niche forum. Those gargantuan clothing sites rapidly become havens for the likes of Marcello, who - when they're not making up stories about taking photographs of vintage clothing dealers in airports in Italy - hang around merely to belittle other posters. The very size of those fora make them, to all intents and purposes, ungovernable (notable exception the London Lounge which in its relatively draconian banning policies maintains some semblance of order, however snobby). Therein the very reason i dislike visiting them.

bk

 

[Dagwood]

The fact is that most people are interested in current fashion. If people wish to talk about those issues there are plenty of boards out there. If people wish to find out the historical parallels of current fashions, frankly, this is the place to come for information. Disparage golden era fashions all they might, everything avant garde has it's root in the past . . . Those at the head of the fashion industry understand this. Petty neophytes and mud-slinging poseurs of whichever stripe fail to do so.

I couldn't agree more. However, many people, like me, discovered this forum and grew to love all things vintage. Indeed, seeing pictures of you, Matt, Mr. Rover, etc. has inspired me and given me the confidence to break away from what is "fashionable." I may now be the only guy in the room wearing a pocket square or fedora, but I am the most confident. I have you all to thank. :eusa_clap

 

[GBR]

I would disagree that this Group should solely do vintage - it is certainly very focused on and I welcome that. However it is good to contrast this with the present particularly for those that are looking to get something made which is either pure 'vintage in style or an amalgam of styling and features.


The biggest problem is that this site takes some finding. I have been a member of the other for some while but only recently came across this one - despite having vaguely heard of it.

Let's stay as we are, concentrate on suits, jackets trousers and of course some hats with a spread of subjects.

What we don't really want is someone trying to get a suit for his first job for £50 and asking where he can get a fully canvassed suit with high rise trousers.... for £50 ($100)

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I think that the biggest problem -- and the most easily solveable -- on this corner of the Fedora Lounge is the lack of a permanent FAQ section with info and pictures of vintage/classic hats, clothes and accessories.


The stickies come and go ... and they're not nearly as user friendly as a webpage that would have all the info in one place. And we all know what happens to those nonsticky threads which do have valuable info and pictures ... they get buried under the weight of successive threads, making the original posts difficult (if not impossible) to retrieve.


Newbies come and ask the same questions we've heard for years, because they don't have a comprehensive "vintage/classic style" FAQ section to turn to. No one can blame the newbies for this.


What we (BK, HK, me, and many other vintage/classic aficionados, each with his/her speciality) really can and should create -- because we're the ones with the knowledge and interest to do so -- is an online clearinghouse of vintage/classic menswear information.


To get an idea of what we could have here on the Lounge, take a look at the following link: it's for a forum dedicated to absinthe. Check out the toolbar at the top of the link's page. Note how much permanent information is accessible from the toolbar: http://www.feeverte.net/


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[Baron Kurtz]

I agree with you, Marc. One of the reasons i posted "All my Vintage Hats" into your "all my vintage hats" thread, and am going to host pics of all Dinerman's vintage hats on my (ahem, the Baroness's) webspace to get them into the thread without fear of them ever disappearing was to then petition the powers that be to make that thread a sticky.

bk

p.s. Eventually there will be a "Kurtz Collection" website. Perhaps those of us who care much should get together on a project to create, maintain, etc. such a site?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

P.S. Eventually there will be a "Kurtz Collection" website. Perhaps those of us who care much should get together on a project to create, maintain, etc. such a site?

Consider this post as my job application. I would have loved to have seen it happen here on the Lounge, but it hasn't. For some reason, the project has been dead in the water for years.


BK, I'll contribute whatever you'd like me to. Photos, commentary, etc.


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[WH1]

The strength of this forum is the community of individuals who share the knowledge they have gained by serious study and trial or error. The information I have gained here has made me a better consumer. I had a conversation with a bespoke tailor yesterday and I was able to intelligently discuss the design, structure and materials utilized in first class clothing, things such as high armholes, canvas backed vs. fused, handsewn button holes, peaked lapels, etc. all things I learned on this site from you gentlemen. He appreciated that I had more knowledge than the average first time customer. We discussed this forum specifically and I believe he will be viewing it from time to time. Quality is never vintage it is just harder to find and if you don't know what to look for and ask for you, mor than likely you won't receive it.
I like the idea of a FAQ for the suits focusing on the details of a quality suit, style differences (rope shoulders, a phrase I have heard before but never seen defined except here). The more user friendly it si the more likely we are to see a resurgence in fine suits continue to grow.

Just my honest opinion.

 

[Shaul-Ike Cohen]

A complete inventory of varieties for pieces of clothing, with explanations and simplified drawings as well as exemplary pictures (photographical or contemporary illustrations) would be a lot of work, but probably of much use.

Only, I realise a newcomer wouldn't be as happy as he'd first think, because he'll click on, say, "trouser cuffs" and not find "1929-1943: always 2 1/48 inches", but rather "You can find just anything, from uncuffed to 8 inches. Also depends on [list of 22 other features, all clickable, starting with armholes]. Search the forum for more information."

 

[Feraud]

Only, I realise a newcomer wouldn't be as happy as he'd first think, because he'll click on, say, "trouser cuffs" and not find "1929-1943: always 2 1/48 inches", but rather "You can find just anything, from uncuffed to 8 inches. Also depends on [list of 22 other features, all clickable, starting with armholes]. Search the forum for more information."

I agree. I like the idea of stickies to showcase hats, clothing, accessories, and faqs but always recommend members do a little footwork to find answers to their questions.
The answer to a question about neckwear is not always as simple as "wear a short, fat, loud patterned tie". A fuller answer to the question is better found by reading and grasping the concept of neckwear for a particular period.