Quote:
Originally Posted by
voxsartoria 
But it's not just the collar undone...there informalizing elements that are often in their in a bunch as well.
Compare to Foof when he undoes his BD collar. The effect is not the same, don't you agree?
Is this because (a) so much life leaks through in the type of photography PG does compared to nearly everyone else, (b) once you go sprezz, you should go all the way, or (c) PG has successfully translated OCD into a stylistic opposite.
All three?
Good point. The effect is certainly different to when the almighty foo does it.
In terms of why the effect is different:
PG clearly thinks about this stuff a lot. In that respect, I DO think his OCD (mild subclinical OCPD with some pretty good learnt coping stragies might be more accurate
) attention to detail allows him to introduce enough disparate elements of informality to create a harmonious whole, rather than the undone buttons being a lone jarring element.
I think it's partly projection as well though, if I can be permitted a little crude pop psychology, and this ties into your comments about the life in his photos. By introducing enough fun elements into his photos, we project our own prejudices & preconceptions into his looks. So his sprezzy elements appear more natural and joyful since we automatically ascribe those attributes to him. Moreover, track record matters - PG has a reputation for dressing well, so gets the benefit of the doubt more often than not. This isn't necessarily a conscious thing either; because he DOES generally dress well, we have a lower threshold for judging his outfits. A classic example of this is what Matt has pointed out in the past - pre-HK, there were little details off in the fit of his jackets, but everyone gushed anyway. Of course, PG did look good then too, with his customary eye for texture/colour/balance, but there were things there that people generally skated over mentally, because their default position was that he always dresses well.
Hmm, there is a danger of analysis-paralysis with this line of thinking. Perhaps it's as simple as just his wanting to create a look, and willing to take the time to do it right?
