"I Am Dandy"

[Two Types]

I think the Hipster/Dandy notion is far too broad. I would accept the idea of a Dandy Hipster, one who stood out from his peers because of a certain attention to detail, but cannot accept the idea of all hipsters as dandies.

 

[simonc]

I think a hipster is a person participating in a fad in clothing, whereas a dandy was born with it and cannot do anything about it.

 

[Guttersnipe]

if the definition is too broad it's rendered meaningless. we're all dandies according to you simply because we have an above average interest in clothing. most of us who frequent the suits forum are merely 'well dressed'.


preoccupation isn't enough. many people are preoccupied with their appearance but aren't dandies. they might fail miserably at it while still being preoccupied by it.

likewise, hipsters aren't by default dandies just because they have an affected look. it doesn't take much effort to grow a beard, get tattooed and pull on some skinny jeans.

no... it's the attention to detail, fine fabrics, tailoring etc. - in short: the level of perfectionism - that the dandy achieves that sets him apart from the merely well dressed, cool or trendy.

Well put, HBK. Interestingly, I made the exact same point regarding broad definitions in a discussion about of term "Victorian" and it didn't go over so well . . . but I certainly agree. In fact, the only thing I would disagree with is the assertion that getting tattooed is easy ("easy" wouldn't be the adjective I'd use to describe the process of having my full sleeves and chest piece put on) . . . but that's rather far afield.

If I understand you correctly, you're say it's something internal that makes a dandy a dandy (the attention to detail, fine fabrics, tailoring, etc. that goes above and beyond).

But wouldn't that transcend a particular style?

 

[herringbonekid]

If I understand you correctly, you're say it's something internal that makes a dandy a dandy (the attention to detail, fine fabrics, tailoring, etc. that goes above and beyond).

i'm not sure about internal... there are certainly people who are just naturally stylish, but aren't dandies.

as for the motivations behind dandyism - that which makes a person want to achieve a high level of fastidiousness of dress - i don't think i'm qualified to say.
dandyism is often criticised as being simply a vacuous pose. i think there's a bit more to it than that.

But wouldn't that transcend a particular style?

yes, but i think the typical dandy 'style' automatically gravitates towards certain clothes and accessories that permit the level of connoisseurship that dandyism demands... which is why items such as pocket watches, canes, fine spectacles, silk scarves, crocodile shoes etc. are commonly seen. these same items could be used in various different dandy styles.

 

[Guttersnipe]

I think the Hipster/Dandy notion is far too broad. I would accept the idea of a Dandy Hipster, one who stood out from his peers because of a certain attention to detail, but cannot accept the idea of all hipsters as dandies.

Out of curiosity, are the folks on this board familiar with the term iGent?

It was coined to (somewhat) derisively refer to (younger) men who participate in online fashion forums and possess certain characteristics. The classic example being a second hand knowledge of bespoke tailoring (i.e., they have not personally had suits made bespoke, but have been told about the process, yet speak authoritatively on the matter (via the Internet), and slavishly fetishize certain tailors/houses/brands/etc.).

To me, this concept is somehow apropo to tour discussion here, I'm just not exactly sure how.

An iGent, as I've described above would be a dandy, yes or no?

 

[dhermann1]

Almost the antithesis.

 

[dhermann1]

GHT! I have only been in El Bronx for five years. I think anyone who knows me would say I have no accent at all, other than American Standard speech. Hope you're not disappointed!

 

[Metatron]

Looking for my own definition of the word.

I have an acquaintance who I consider a dandy.
He likes many of the things we do, peak lapels, vintage sunglasses, tweed etc, albeit with skinny trousers and an impressive quiff.
I think it's that extra bit of pea-cocking that pushes you into dandy zone.
Unusual accessories.
The look has to be over the top or 'wrong' in a way that paradoxically works for the individual.
The attitude: sexy grins unapologetically inviting the cameras.

 

[LizzieMaine]

A dandy is a fop with a press agent.

 

[Guttersnipe]

U

A dandy is a fop with a press agent.

Good one. Although, historically speaking, in England, dandies were fashoinable gents who rejected the sartorial conventions embraced by fops.

 

[Tomasso]

I've never thought dandy and fop to be interchangable.

 

[Feraud]

It shouldn't be this hard to define a dandy...

 

[Smithy]

Oxford Dictionary - "a man unduly concerned with looking stylish and fashionable".

Origin: late 18th century: perhaps a shortened form of 17th-century Jack-a-dandy 'conceited fellow' (the last element representing Dandy, a pet form of the given name Andrew)

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

I don't think a dandy would talk/write about the same things as igents but take them for granted. An igent appears to be desperate for attention, clothes, prestige while a dandy seems to be bored of all that because he apparently is one step ahead. Maybe it's that blasé attitute mixed with some eccentric quirks that makes the dandy?

I can't say much about "fop" though. It's not a word I am used to.[huh]

 

[Two Types]

I have to say, I was familiar with the term iGent, but had no idea of its meaning. Now I know. Thank you.
From that description (and not based on any other knowledge) i would think it unlikely that iGents would be dandies. However, I can imagine an iGent developing (or should i say blossoming) into a dandy.

 

[Two Types]

Oxford Dictionary - "a man unduly concerned with looking stylish and fashionable".

If that is the official definition of dandy that rules out nearly all FL posters, who strive for stylish but who are certainly not fashionable (if we were fashionable we wouldn't spend so much time moaning about the low waistlines on modern trousers).
As such, a really hard striving hipster, sporting the artwork of the most fashionable tattooist, with just the right length of beard (why in London is it always a ginger beard?) and riding a bicycle even more ridiculous than the rest of his contemporaries etc would be the Dandy Hipster.

Of course, the 'fashionable' part of the description would also eliminate most of the people whose photographs appear to be in the 'I am Dandy' book.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

However, I can imagine an iGent developing (or should i say blossoming) into a dandy.

Yes, I can imagine it too. However the new "dandy" wouldn't like to be reminded of his "igent" past because certain characteristics just don't work with the dandy image. A dandy won't talk about the price of his suit or buying in outlet stores. He won't talk about ebay buyers remorse and bad luck with dry cleaners. I think he needs more mystery while an igent needs more feedback from his peer group.
Also he won't admit that he is a flashy dresser like an eccentric needs to think everybody else is wrong and he is right.

 

[Feraud]

Oxford Dictionary - "a man unduly concerned with looking stylish and fashionable".

If that is the official definition of dandy that rules out nearly all FL posters, who strive for stylish but who are certainly not fashionable (if we were fashionable we wouldn't spend so much time moaning about the low waistlines on modern trousers).
As such, a really hard striving hipster, sporting the artwork of the most fashionable tattooist, with just the right length of beard (why in London is it always a ginger beard?) and riding a bicycle even more ridiculous than the rest of his contemporaries etc would be the Dandy Hipster.

Of course, the 'fashionable' part of the description would also eliminate most of the people whose photographs appear to be in the 'I am Dandy' book.

Agreed. Those anachronistic dandies are out and Hipsters and Hip- Hop guys/gals are it.

 

[Tomasso]

if the definition is too broad it's rendered meaningless. we're all dandies according to you simply because we have an above average interest in clothing.

I said an EXTREME interest.








*
ex·treme *(k-strm)
adj.
1. Most remote in any direction; outermost or farthest:
2. Being in or attaining the greatest or highest degree; very intense:
3. Extending far beyond the norm:
4. Of the greatest severity; drastic:

 

[Brian Sheridan]

After the reading the book. I read it again. It was so good that I would eat it if I could. Some of the members here should be included in book 2 if they ever make one.