Quote:
Originally Posted by
SamSpade 
"The reasons behind the rules?" Scoff
. The only true reason behind any rules of dress throuhgout all of human history has been
to signify social status/superiority. that is the ONLY reason the topic exists in reality.
All the
aesthetic mumbo-jumbo is completely secondary, because aesthetics always follows/reflects the social moods of the era. Therefore, it is irrelevant.
The "timeless" aesthetic that SF members stubornly insist exists in reality isn't timeless at all. It's a by-product of a narrow historical period, and we just happen to like what it signifies. And what it signifies is a white (initially predominantly british) dudes plundering the world for personal gain and then retreating to their smoking lounges / country estates to compare notes and enforce entry barriers for the plebs. "No black leather shoes? No drinks with the boys for you!". So, it's understanding why we'd like to sunconsiously and symbolically associate with that (it's comfy, for crying out loud), but to pretend that clothing signifies some refinement and sophistication outside of this pretty brute symbolic game is beyond naive.
Really no different from "No huge bone inserted in your nostrils? No partaking in sacrificing virgins for you!"
Edit: i forgot another reason for the rules --> to make gullible people hate their perfectly sufficient for their need warderobe and spend their hard earned buck on rags in vain subconsious hope that this will buy them access to better life over which they they could have more control. A well fitting suit makes you feel powerful? Well, actually it does, but that is sad and pathetic and no true power can ever come from choking yourself with a $200 tie.
CBD is not so much about distinguishing social status as it is about signifying Puritan virtues of honesty, reliability, and thrift i.e. u can do a deal with this guy, he's like you, speaks your language.
That there are sartorial rules associated with the modern suit that can be traced to the early 19thc is a myth. When u look at upper class aesthetics of the early 19th C that there was much more variation, more license to dress as one pleased. the English aristocracy weren't 'doing deals', they weren't business men- their clothing didn't convey the same messages ours do today
