Some tips to help those who are clueless about men's fashion

[filfoster]

Also I disagree with the suspender rule that we keep them covered up. When I wear a suit to work I always wear suspenders and I gurantee you my suit jacket doesn't stay on the entire day. Ok my rage is finally subsiding.... lol

I share your opinions on the matters of suspenders and bowties. I rarely wear either but enjoy them when I do and I garner compliments on the bow and showing the suspenders in the office with jacket removed, though it may have offended grandmother, is certainly no cause for comment now, even a comparision to Mr. Gordon Gekko (sp?).
(I will credit the op with good intentions and this dust up is certainly fun, but proves how elastic clothing rules must be. Well, some. No cuffs on formal wear, ever.)

 

[Rodkins]

I will just take from it what I want, and leave the rest.

It's very hard to argue with this excellent advice. Thanks, scottyrocks.

 

[Historyteach24]

I share your opinions on the matters of suspenders and bowties. I rarely wear either but enjoy them when I do and I garner compliments on the bow and showing the suspenders in the office with jacket removed, though it may have offended grandmother, is certainly no cause for comment now, even a comparision to Mr. Gordon Gekko (sp?).
(I will credit the op with good intentions and this dust up is certainly fun, but proves how elastic clothing rules must be. Well, some. No cuffs on formal wear, ever.)

I didn't mean to bash the fedora lounge member who posted just commenting that the book sounds a little silly IMO, but I may be a terrible example because I follow none of the classic rules. I will mix and match patterns in ties and dress shirts because if it pops I like it. Those rules seem to be falling my the wayside nowadays too. So with all these rules changing and going away I say just wear what make you feel like a million bucks....just dont show your boxers

 

[filfoster]

I am glad to be too old to share in the current fashion of many of the youth downtown here who favor the jeans that have a waistband below the hips, crotch at the knees, and indeed show very much Boxer shorts. It's a look that just doesn't work for many of us.

 

[PADDY]

dog20 - Thanks for going to 'all' the effort and taking the time to transcribe this information. No mean feat!

I think it's all pretty positive in that it gets 'members' to think about what 'they' like in their 'own style' and it generates discussion too - which can't be a bad thing.

So 'thank' YOU for starting it..!

 

[Richard Warren]

Actually I find very little in the original post to disagree with insofar as it states rules for what to wear. Some of the comments seem to reflect the fact that some people do not like the rules. If, however, rules were a matter of personal taste they would hardly be "rules," would they?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

If, however, rules were a matter of personal taste they would hardly be "rules," would they?

Yes. Furthermore, rules are most useful to those who need them ... and most folks do.

 

[Undertow]

Actually I find very little in the original post to disagree with insofar as it states rules for what to wear. Some of the comments seem to reflect the fact that some people do not like the rules. If, however, rules were a matter of personal taste they would hardly be "rules," would they?

Are you stating the "rules" listed in the OP are actually regulations governing conduct? Or perhaps the "rules" listed are in some way customary sartorial practice?

In either case, the answer would be negative. If the OP were regulations governing conduct, they would be false - there are a number of inaccurate "rules" listed, including the bow tie conjecture.

If the OP were customary sartorial practices, they would again be inaccurate as already detailed in previous posts.

 

[MikeBravo]

The easiest way of determining the true waist size of a trouser is to button/fasten the trouser, flatten the waistband onto itself, measuring the distance end to end, and multiply by two.

A great method if one carries a tape measure with them when shopping (and I do).

However the way I mentioned is a down and dirty (quick) method with a minimum of fuss. Works for me

 

[scottyrocks]

dog20 - Thanks for going to 'all' the effort and taking the time to transcribe this information. No mean feat!

I think it's all pretty positive in that it gets 'members' to think about what 'they' like in their 'own style' and it generates discussion too - which can't be a bad thing.

So 'thank' YOU for starting it..!

Absolutely. I love topics like this.

 

[scottyrocks]

I may have posted this before, however there is a good way of checking the waist size at least

Do up the trousers and wrap the waist (where the belt loops go) around your neck. If it fits around your neck, it will fit around your waist

You will have to try them on for size, but if the waist size is too small or too loose you needn't bother taking them to the fitting room


** By waist I mean the place where the belt loop goes

I am having trouble imaging myself in a mens store putting the waistband of a pair of trousers around my neck. Fitting room, please!!

 

[MikeBravo]

I am having trouble imaging myself in a mens store putting the waistband of a pair of trousers around my neck. Fitting room, please!!

I understand your trepidation, sir It does feel a bit funny, but people are rarely looking. And that is not unusual in a op shop, anyway

The whole idea is to avoid the fitting room

 

[dnjan]

SUSPENDERS​

-DON’T’ wear suspenders w/ belt
-Buy plain cotton webbing w/ leather tabs for buttons (avoid flashy colors)
-Should be worn under waistcoat (IE Don’t make them visible)

I find these rules on suspenders to be interesting.
In my experience, most people wear suspenders for one of two primary reasons:

1) As a confortable way to hold pants up, or
2) Because they want to be seen wearing suspenders.

Of course it is possible to subscribe to both reasons, but very many suspender wearers fall primarily into one camp or the other.

Which brings up the suspender rules. Obviously, if a person is wearing suspenders for the above reason 2, no rules apply.

However, if reason 1 is the primary motivation, these rules make a lot of sense.

Why put up with the added hassle or discomfort of a belt if already wearing suspenders?

Why wear flashy colours if the suspenders are being worn for function rather than for show (and a flashy colour would just draw attention)? Though I agree with a previous post concerning the functionality of silk-webbing suspenders.

And the wearing of a waistcoat is one of the best ways to keep suspenders from being seen.

I am definitely a suspender-wearer motivated by reason 1. Therefore, when the weather finally gets warm enough to make a waistcoat uncomfortable, I put my suspenders away and switch to a belt.

 

[Tommy]

A great method if one carries a tape measure with them when shopping (and I do).

However the way I mentioned is a down and dirty (quick) method with a minimum of fuss. Works for me

It's surprising how many brands mislabel understate their waist sizes. The desire for people to stay in their smaller waist size is very powerful, and I think has caused a good part of the men's trouser industry to understate the real size of their trouser waists. I am technically a 38, but wear a lot of trousers labeled "36", but when I measure the size myself, they are 38's.

 

[scottyrocks]

I'm surprised more people don't wear suspenders. To not have a belt putting unnecessary pressure on my mid-line, and having my trousers stay up, is a beautiful thing.

 

[ALLAN PRICE]

A bit of Lounge help please!
colour of fedoera to wear with a double breasted navy blue suit please???
thanks,Al

 

[Tomasso]

A bit of Lounge help please!
colour of fedoera to wear with a double breasted navy blue suit please???
thanks,Al

Grey, brown or blue depending on what color shoes and overcoat.

 

[Undertow]

Grey, brown or blue depending on what color shoes and overcoat.

I second that emotion.

 

[Dan Rodemsky]

I'm surprised more people don't wear suspenders. To not have a belt putting unnecessary pressure on my mid-line, and having my trousers stay up, is a beautiful thing.

When I was little my grandfather gave me a pair of suspenders. Since none of my pants had buttons, I couldn't figure out how to attach them! Last week I bought two pair. JCPenney clip-ons since I still don't have trousers with buttons. I also bought a set from Aerostich for holding up my motorcycle overpants. The clips are plastic so they don't set off metal detectors and they are guaranteed not to come off. Cruising ebay for vintage stuff in my size.

 

[ButteMT61]

It might be more acceptable to call them guidelines.
Taste is personal, but there are sine basic rules to achieve a classy look. For me, there's some good info and some bunk.
For me, knowing faux pas in formal situations is nice.
I'm
Mostly casual these days, so the info can be useful. It does seem though that there aren't many rules these days. People can look pretty dreadful, and I've mentioned my disdain previously for these new pointed toe shoes men wear. Hate them.