TOOK YOUR GUYS advice but with my personal style - Page 3

It was fun!

Defintely agree with edmorel. I think he looks good enough in the suit. But as an everyday deal for a college kid... no. I can get some looks simply for wearing a sports coat around with my jeans (a lot 'why are you dressed up? comments). But that is still a daily deal for me because it is a fairly acceptable method of dressing, and I do insist on out-dressing my peers. I do wear a suit maybe thrice a month, and only at night, and only because I've got an occasion that calls for it. If I were to wear a suit to class as a day in day out thing... no bloody way. Even to a party out at night, unless its a fraternity cocktail party, it would make you stand out like a very sore thumb. In fact the only time people are dressed like that in mass is during Halloween. I'm not trying to be harsh on the style, but it is very very out of the norm for your standard, or eccentric, 19 year old.

The suits look fine. As mentioned many times, the hat throws it off and pushes you into "Capone" land. With this look you're trying to cultivate, the last thing you want to do is look like you're auditioning for Guys and Dolls. I like the first suit better than the DB, which I'm betting is shapeless. I'm surprised you didn't re-adjust your tie length and re-do the photo, knowing you were probably gonna get criticism for the tie length on this forum.

That big hat is gangsterish. The suits are nice, but your overall look does strike me as old for someone who's 19. What other colors do you wear? Do you wear more casual jackets? Casual pant? Cool shoes and boots? Could you liven up the suits with some color accessories?

I give you an A for effort and a C for execution.

I realize you're attached to the fedora, but take the advice of others here and ditch it.

It takes a certain gravitas to wear a fedora and also to wear DB suits. It certainly does not appear to me from your photos that you have that at your age.

That said, you've got some very nice suits, and once you get all the elements just right you're going to be quite a dresser. That grey pinstripe suit is quite nice.

Also, one thing it seems you're not clear on is that a windsor is not a type of tie, it's a type of knot. There are single and double windsor knots, the double being the larger. As others have mentioned, you would look good with a spread collar and a double windsor knot.

People keep saying, he's to young to dress like that etc. I disagree. If there is any age where it is appropriate to dress outrageously and against the norm, it's < 20 years, 25 years tops. So I support this whole fedora/suit thing. At that age, pretty much everything is a costume. Some kids choose to wear costumes that lots of other people wear, like hiphoppers, and our new member here doesn't. That's cool I think. I agree with those that say the hat doesn't fit very well. And the pic in this thread is definitely better than the one in the old thread.

Do what makes you happy, man.

Two basic rules, and some constructive suggestions to help you out.

1. Dress age-appropriately.
2. Dress activity-appropriately

-While I too wish fedoras and hats generally were still the standard they were in the 30's, they aren't anymore. At 28, I know enough to know I cannot yet pull off a fedora. My face just doesn't have the age for it (though there are those that do). I'll try again in 5 years and see what happens, but you currently have the same problem -- your face looks too young to pull off that hat.

-We know you are 19, but we don't know what you do. Presumably you're either about to graduate from highschool or are a year into college. In either case, a suit is really not appropriate for most every day situations. THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU NEED TO DRESS LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. Try going the fitted blazer/jacket with khakis or jeans route; open necked shirts under less formal suits (tweeds, corduroys and the like). My point is just that while I appreciate the desire not to dress like the herd, there are ways to distinguish yourself with subtlety instead of wearing what is (obviously from the reactions on in these threads) a very jarring look. The ability to distinguish yourself subtlely while still wearing age/activity appropriate clothing is what true style is about. Save the hat and suit for at least another 4 or 5 years.

It's not just about age. I'm just a year or so older than the OP and wear a lot of weird things. The key is to respect one's body and to understand the effects of one's dress. Don't try to build it out, that just shows a lack of confidence. Understand that some things scream costume these days, no matter how good they once looked - frock coats, walking sticks, etc. And some people can pull them off in that they are suitably eccentric to match their outfits. I think that's great. I love people who disregard 99% of the population and common taste. But 99% of the population will not take them seriously. I'm not sure I would either, despite the bowler and such hanging in my closet. Honestly, you look like you want to be a gangster (vintage). Some people like to dress like modern gangsters - how do you consider them? Do you really want to be on the fringes? People judge, and a lot has to do with appearance. It's a sad world we live in, but there's no other one.

My two comments:

1. Take the comments as constructive criticism. That's what it is meant to be.
2. See this thread. There is more to the package than simply looking good. You don't say where you are from, but if it is an English-speaking country, you need to work on this. Again, take that as constructive criticism, not simply me bashing you.


bob

The whole look would work a lot better if you

1) bought everything at least a size smaller. As it stands, you look like you raided your dad's closet for a high school production of The Untouchables, as another poster has already observed. This goes for the hat as well. It's time to hit the consignment shop.

2) Grow out your hair, or add something incongruously modern into your ensemble. Unfortunately, with your youthful looks and slight frame, there is no way you can pull off this look as is the way a man of 60, and with some real attitude, could. Conversely, you could do as a lot of people do and throw in one or more elements of your outfit into a modern ensemble. I know a fair number of musicians (rock, not classical), who wear a fedora with a completely modern outfit (say, jeans, slim jeans, shit kickers) and look really good. Of course, the one guy I am thinking of in particular who pulls this off best is also in his late twenties, with longish hair, and is 6'3", so mileage may vary..

Of course, you could go the route of making the outfits exceptionally outlandish.

I know this is not what you want to hear, but, there it is.

Firstly, I applaud your confidence. Unlike some of the others, I've got no issue with your desire to wear tailored clothing on a regular basis. In my late teens and early 20's, I too chose to buck the current trend - remember Disco - Polyester suits with pants painted on from the knee up and ridiculously wide at the hem??? - and wore a more restrained/sophisticated selection of tailored clothing. Most of the guys around me spent an enormous amout of energy in an attempt to shame me into conforming with the 'norm' - I attribute this to their insecurity with someone who dared to not 'fit in'. I felt good, and that is all that matters. And no, I didn't suffer socially for it... I got all the postive attention and benefits I ever wanted

However, I have two objections, that being the brim width and crown height on the fedora - one too wide, one too tall.... both are not the best look, given your facial structure.

Lastly, a bit of experimentation with color and pattern is needed... the looks are all a bit 'safe' in these areas. Mix it up a bit and you will own this look and make it uniquely yours. Keep it up!!

Besides size/fit, one key reason the hat looks costumey and gangsterish is that you're wearing it indoors and without an overcoat. Most guys who'd otherwise be able to pull off a fedora are going to look odd wearing one in that context. They're best worn only in cold weather, with an overcoat.

Get a better-fitting hat, and take a picture of yourself in it with a suit and a proper dress overcoat (and ditch the cocky pose) -- I'll bet it will look a lot better.

sweet of you to say that, but no, it won't