Non-Rule "Rules" - Page 6

My non-button down shirts are made with two-button mitered cuffs, placket, and no pocket. My sport coats are made with patch hip pockets and breast welt pocket.

I can't explain why I don't vary the configurations. I always consider changing something up and then don't.

 

What if the belt is built into the trouser? Boom!

 

But of course. The colors are just awful in combination.


See above. It's a bad look, and whenever I see it, I think, 'random IT guy who only owns one pair of "dress" shoes'. I've never before seen someone who knows how to dress try that one, and there's a pretty good reason for that.

It's debatable these days. Most of the objection seems to be based on social convention about formality rather than any sort of aesthetic judgement, which I pretty much always defer to. Conventions change, and the people whining about rules of formality tend to just be objecting since those particular conventions have already changed, just in a way they don't like. I still stick to that one though, just because most suits these days are so incredibly boring that when you remove the tie, the entire ensemble just becomes incredibly uninteresting. Try it with a loud shirt, and it can work, or do it in some other way that adds visual interest, but it seems like most who try just use their standard plain white or blue office shirts, but omit the tie in order to achieve a lower level of formality. The fact that they look bad doing it isn't really considered.

I go tieless often, but with a sportcoat. The contrast between jacket and trousers, if nothing else (like a pattern on shirt and sportcoat), adds something else for the eye to ponder.

As for other personal rules? I don't wear plain captoes. Punchcap, yes. Medallion? Sure. But I find that captoes are just incredibly boring, and there are other alternatives that suit any level of formality, short of black tie, more than well enough.

I don't wear long sleeved shirts without either the sleeves rolled up, or some additional layer, unless I've removed my jacket temporarily. If it's hot enough and informal enough where I don't need a sweater or jacket, I roll the sleeves up or switch to a polo, and either option, to me, looks better than the plain dress shirt.

I don't wear solid ties, apart from a green knit I have. Probably just my fear of boring again. I occasionally do three pattern combinations, but usually two or one, and the solid is always either the jacket or the shirt. Very different from most here in that regard, I suspect.

I try to pick a pen out that goes with my outfit each morning. I'm sure absolutely nobody ever notices, especially since I don't own any gaudy pens (a category I put most of the stuff pen collectors freak over in), but it amuses me.

Right? I think that with a more casual suit, and in a boxier cut, a center vent looks better.

One rule that I hate to violate, and I know that this probably goes for no one else, especially here: I absolutely will not wear more than 2 items from one brand, designer, contemporary, or "tailored" clothing, at the same time. I hate the idea that I'm being completely or in large part styled by someone else. Not that my personal styling is all that stellar.

I know that this is anathema to you, but sometimes I like to look slightly sketchy - especially if I'm wearing a suit - like Tom Cruise's contract killer in Collateral. But Asian. And less good looking. I guess that it's a reaction to coming from a decent family in a town where there were a lot of very sketchy people.

If S/B I always wear suits with centre vent, double is for horses and besides a centre vent will always look slimmer from the front.

I always wear a Windsor knot when the tie is silk. half windsor for knitted. Fore in hand is for schoolboys

I always iron own my own shirts, I can't stand collars that curl at the tips and I never wear collar stays ( they don't work)

Only Vicars and waiters wear black socks, 

I will never wear pointy shoes that protrude way beyond the toe and curl like Aladin's slippers

What? A center vent derives from horseback riding.

Double-Breasted Suit = Twin Vents

Single Breasted Suit = No Vents

 

Never wear tasselled loafers

 

Never wear button down shirts (not that you can buy them here - seems to be a seriously American thing)

 

Never wear contrast collar/cuff shirts

I don't wear a watch that often anyway, but I never wear one after six.

I actually follow this "rule" as it was suggested by the owner of a small mens wear store where I've never been led astray. But the question remains, is a center vent used for sport coats and side vents for suits (I'm too lazy today to go into the closet to look and I'm also afraid of what I may find!!).

I can say from personal experience I despise center vented coats for a number of reasons. No matter how nice the suit or coat I will not buy unless it is side vented.

I prefer side vents, but being a good American, can appreciate the single vent in the Mad Men aesthetic. Who knew there were so many Commies around here?

I have a proper English hacking jacket. It has a single vent. It also smells of hay.

My non-rule rules:
I wear navy socks with everything. I can't remember the last time I wore anything else, save for black tie and sports.

Also, chelseas with everything, including black tie.

The same mid-brown belt with everything.

Knit ties with everything.

No shirt collars other than buttondowns or moderate spreads. Also, I can't remember the last time I wore French cuffs.

I value variety much less than I did in the past.

But Doc, you seem to dress in a more rustic fashion so many of your rules are apropos (not sure about navy socks with everything, tho).

That's true. I want my suits to look the business but everything else to be casualwear.