whnay.'s good taste thread - Page 378

Thanks for the comments, I'll see what I can do on a next attempt. I wouldn't mind, however, some more insight into combining textures/materials. What, for example, is coherent with a tweed jacket?

Thanks for taking the time to do this -- I think I'll need to develop my eye for pairing blues a little better. I'll also need to pay more attention to how things look when worn -- the pattern density on the tie and the square are very different laid out, but stuffed into a pocket they look similar.

 

Quick questions: I have two squares that aren't quite cream silk -- one is a very slightly off-white (such that it reads as white, unless you put it next to something white), and the other is more of a champagne color. I was tempted to use the second, but I decided not to because it seemed too close to the stripe in the tie. Would that have been better or worse than the blue?

 

Here's the pic again, so you don't have to scroll around to find it.

 

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

For what it's worth, I think there are many times black shoes are called for when wearing a suit. Just not here. My general rule is that you need some white for the black to make sense.

It's a suit, Foo. And I like sloppy folded linen.


Different day, same outfit (Click to show)

foo - thank you for the score, more than i was expecting actually. interesting point about the stripes on the shirt being more pattern than actual stripes. i did not intend for them to be stripes, but i was hoping they would help detract from the fit being overly pattern-less. i guess not quite enough. will try and adjust that next time.

i am wearing the SC from my monochrome fit again today. i tried to pick a shirt and tie based on some of your comments from last time. i will post it later, i hope it will be considered an improvement.

I didn't think you were always against black shoes. I was just saying your setpoint were different.
Your white rule is odd but not crazy. In fact, it has some sense to it, though I really think it is just about how formally the suit is being made to function. White isn't necessary for that, though it certainly can be a factor.

Choose something that is different enough. I almost always wear silk ties with tweed. I've heard admonitions against this combination, but they honestly make zero sense to me. I think the root issue is not whether the tie is made of silk, but whether the pattern is appropriate for a more rustic, casual outfit. Many times, people pair silk ties that are much more urban and suit appropriate--and that is the mistake. Silk is not the problem, and its advantage is that it is almost guaranteed to be texturally complementary.

If you want to do wool or cashmere, then you need to make sure the tie is different enough from your jacket in other ways. Such as the pattern, color, and brightness. Don't pick a wool tie with a pattern you'd see on a tweed jacket. Don't pick one in the same color--and if you do, make sure it is appreciably darker or lighter. In any case, being appreciably darker or lighter is key.

Yes, this is key.

Hard to say without seeing each. But I think either would have been better here. Better for the dominant color of your square to pick up on accents elsewhere rather than other thing's dominant colors.

This is analogous to liking soggy tempura. It's simply wrong and reflects a fundamental misappropriation. If you want something softer looking, use a softer material.

Lol. Yes, I'm bad. You iron yours? It's the same fold as in the other pics.

If needed, yes.

Shame on me.

That's certainly a fair point.

Formality is a consideration behind the rule, yes. But the main thing is that black--like white--cuts very sharply. Without some white for balance, it is usually too strong to my eyes.

 

I see. I still like the tie, but I understand why it doesn't work with this outfit in particular. Madder and wool challis ties were already top priority in my fall/winter to-buy list (problem is lack of $$$); these will probably work better...

better use of the SC? any more harmonious?

No, this is not going in the right direction. The pattern density of the tie and jacket are extremely close. Just look at the size and spacing of the details and changes in color. Also, the shirt looks very purple--not an appropriate shade for a countrified outfit.