MC General Chat

NOBD said:

I wore them in the first half of the eighties. In black and navy IIRC. With a "college shawl", polo shirts, cardigans and plaid trousers.

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E said:

pics please.

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NOBD said:

: ) I don't think I have pics of the shoes and the scarf. I might have one with the plaid trousers, two (!) polo's and a cardigan, and... forget about it!

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Holdfast said:

Tassels are fun, if you're going for a certain transatlantic type of look. I have a pair of dark brown calf tassels that don't get particularly frequent use, but it's almost always enjoyable use when they do come out to play.

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E said:

I only ask as I have a hard time imagining you anything less than very well dressed
That's pretty much my attitude to them too. Not often, but always put a smile on my face.

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NOBD said:

How about black boots, jeans, band T-shirt (Primus, Living Colour), suede sports coat and... pony tail? Early nineties... NO pictures

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Kaplan said:

Actually, NOBD, if you post a pic of either of those gettups I'll post a 10 year old pic with a black shirt

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dieworkwear said:

Does Kate Spade know she's advertising to a bunch of dudes on StyleForum?

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July 23rd

Dear Mel,

I've just received the costume sketches. I'll tell you everything I think, without censoring, and you take from my opinion what you like.

I assume that the designer took his impressions from the book and didn't know, naturally, who would be playing Willy. And I think, for a character in general, they're lovely sketches.

I love the main thing — the velvet jacket — and I mean to show by my sketch the exact same color. But I've added two large pockets to take away from the svelt, feminine line. (Also in case of a few props.)

I also think the vest is both appropriate and lovely.

And I love the same white, flowing shirt and the white gloves. Also the lighter colored inner silk lining of the jacket.

What I don't like is the precise pin pointing in place and time as this costume does.

I don't think of Willy as an eccentric who holds on to his 1912 Dandy's Sunday suit and wears it in 1970, but rather as just an eccentric — where there's no telling what he'll do or where he ever found his get-up — except that it strangely fits him: Part of this world, part of another. A vain man who knows colors that suit him, yet, with all the oddity, has strangely good taste. Something mysterious, yet undefined.

I'm not a ballet master who skips along with little mincy steps. So, as you see, I've suggested ditching the Robert Helpmann trousers. Jodhpurs to me belong more to the dancing master. But once elegant now almost baggy trousers — baggy through preoccupation with more important things — is character.

Slime green trousers are icky. But sand colored trousers are just as unobtrusive for your camera, but tasteful.

The hat is terrific, but making it 2 inches shorter would make it more special.

Also a light blue felt hat-band to match with the same light blue fluffy bow tie shows a man who knows how to compliment his blue eyes.

To match the shoes with the jacket is fey. To match the shoes with the hat is taste.

Hope all is well. Talk to you soon.

All my best,

Gene

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cptjeff said:

Dudes who pay attention to clothes, are statistically older and more likely to be in a relationship, and relatively affluent. I think the idea is that the posters here might be interested in occasionally buying something to surprise the wife or girlfriend.

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E said:

Don't know if this has already been posted, but I recently came across this great letter from Gene Wilder to Mel Stuart, director of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, about Wiily's costume. I love the line "But once elegant now almost baggy trousers — baggy through preoccupation with more important things — is character." -

Quote:
IMO, what readers should take away from this letter is not the style advice/commentary, but Gene Wilder's ability to write a charming but thoughtful critique, and his exquisite care in phrasing directions as suggestions, explaining where necessary to ensure persuasion. He really does write a very pleasant letter, with a lot of theory of mind at play so as ensure his points get the positive response. It guarantees that the reader respects the writer as a man. I'm impressed.

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