Help with my A-2 "ensemble"

[Deleted member 16736]

Hi. I recently bought a seal brown A-2 jacket and I'd like to build a dressy ensemble around it. Specifically, I'm looking to add a fedora, a white shirt, splashy 40s tie, shoes of some kind and trousers or chinos. Since I don't know what to buy or where, I was hoping some of the Loungers might be able to make specific suggestions for my A-2 "ensemble". I'm shooting for a 1940s look, obviously. On the shoes, I already have a pair of brown and tan saddle shoes and I'm also looking to add some burgundy calfskin cap toe bals from Alden as well as a pair of White's Semi-Dress boots in brown, but I'm also wide-open on other suggestions that might fit with my look. Other than that, I got nothing.

Here's the jacket I bought for reference:

http://www.goodwearleather.com/photos/Dubow1755_No1_46/A2_Dubow1755.jpg

Thank you!

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

For the Khaki's, buyhttp://www.atthefront.com/. I'd be ordering more, but they're out of my size right now. They're $50, they're substantial, and they shrink to fit For the rest I got nothin'

Later Y'all

 

[Deleted member 16736]

Hi

For the Khaki's, buyhttp://www.atthefront.com/. I'd be ordering more, but they're out of my size right now. They're $50, they're substantial, and they shrink to fit For the rest I got nothin'

Later Y'all

Thanks for that. I have the shirt and you're right: it's very substantial and a terrific value. The length is long, but I guess I can cuff it or have it shortened. Not sure if cuffs are retro, though. I also would like a pair of khaki's with wide belt loops. I'll probably pick up a pair, however. Thanks again.

 

[Edward]

I'd consider a white or non-khaki coloured shirt, just to break away from it being too close to a uniform, if you're after a more civilian look. A brimmed fedora would be nice. I love a wide brimmed fedora, though with a shorter jacket like an A2 to my eye a 2" brimmed hat can look superb - little bit more of a smart-casual, sporty feel to it to my eye (your mileage may vary, of course). An eight panel cap also works well, especially if you are headed somewhere where you might want to take the hat off but then would have nowhere to put it. Nice 40s tie, of course (or a cravat can work too). I often wear something along these lines with an A2, or one of my Aero civilian jackets. It's a great look, ideal in the Autumn / Spring when a sports jacket isn't quite warm enough, but it's still not cold enough for an overcoat on top of the same. Something I quite often add is a waistcoat - tremendously handy when you need additional pockets for bits and pieces such as pens, id cards, field telephone, and so on.

On the trouser front, I would consider looking into PIR Clothing's Overlord Khakis. I have a pair of their cargo trews, and the quality is outstanding. I plan to buy at least one of each of their Overlord model when funds allow. http://www.pirclothingco.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=04OV0616

 

[Deleted member 16736]

I'd consider a white or non-khaki coloured shirt, just to break away from it being too close to a uniform, if you're after a more civilian look. A brimmed fedora would be nice. I love a wide brimmed fedora, though with a shorter jacket like an A2 to my eye a 2" brimmed hat can look superb - little bit more of a smart-casual, sporty feel to it to my eye (your mileage may vary, of course). An eight panel cap also works well, especially if you are headed somewhere where you might want to take the hat off but then would have nowhere to put it. Nice 40s tie, of course (or a cravat can work too). I often wear something along these lines with an A2, or one of my Aero civilian jackets. It's a great look, ideal in the Autumn / Spring when a sports jacket isn't quite warm enough, but it's still not cold enough for an overcoat on top of the same. Something I quite often add is a waistcoat - tremendously handy when you need additional pockets for bits and pieces such as pens, id cards, field telephone, and so on.

On the trouser front, I would consider looking into PIR Clothing's Overlord Khakis. I have a pair of their cargo trews, and the quality is outstanding. I plan to buy at least one of each of their Overlord model when funds allow. http://www.pirclothingco.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=04OV0616

Thanks, I wasn't clear: I own the shirt. I am thinking about getting the pants. PIR Khakis are nice too, and you can get them in different colors. Maybe I'll go for gray just to mix things up. And certainly a white shirt is the way to go to avoid the uniform look.

A short-brimmed hat... in what color? Gray? If it's brown I'm afraid I'll look too much like Indiana Jones.

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

I intend to buy a Brown A-2 at some point. I plan on getting a light tan / sahara wide brimmed fedora with a medium brown or possibly deep maroon ribbon. It seems to be the color that screams Indy, not the hat's shape. Of course, in some circles, any hat that doesn't have a sports team emblem or seed corn company name on it is an Indy hat.

Later