Levels of formality - Page 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mute 

If a sport coat seems overdressed, I don't see why you would even consider a tie. Why bother?

Because ties are wonderful in and of themselves. I get that for a lot of people, ties are something they have to wear, and thus can't wait to get out of them, or ties are something which exist only to complement a jacket, and thus wearing a tie without a jacket seems pointless. But for some people...obviously a minority...ties for them are their favorite part of the outfit...and thus the last thing that goes when dressing more informally.

Now as for those who just hate the way a tie looks without a jacket or cardigan, then we have to agree to disagree (and I'll acknowledge that I'm in the definite minority here...though I have several stipulations, including body type, as far when this is ok)

And Canta, if I end up picking up that Hober from you, I promise it'll be at least half a year before it ends up getting worn without a jacket or sweater.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cantabrigian 

It was a woven patterned tie and some middle-manager checked shirt.
 

Don't you hate on any of my graph checks! I love my graph checks!

Indeed I did (do it wrong). Before that post, I did not own a single oxford cloth shirt. Now I own five or so. Very first thing SF taught me (courtesy of sugarbutch, I believe). Fortunately, jeans and tie are not something I wear often (maybe 2-3 times a year), so I wouldn't have been offending too repeatedly. During less cool months I do often wear a tie with slacks or chinos without a jacket (hence my defensive response to Mute's query). With chinos, the shirts I wear may be too formal...something I'll address once it gets too hot to wear jackets again.

Actually, why the middle manager quip about the shirt? I'm not offended or anything, but curious about what makes you say that (I'm here to learn, though occasionally ignore, after all)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cantabrigian 

I like checked shirts too. But small scale and blue-on-white.
I'm sure it wasn't that bad, I'm just going out of my way to be a d-bag. I just remember it being kinda Brooks Brothers (in a not great way) and kinda baggy.

Still think we need to engage in fisticuffs.

Someone else mentioned the bagginess, which I thought was weird. It was made to measure by a tailor here, and if anything the shirts I've gotten from them have tended to be on the tight side. I'm chalking that one up to my sitting posture.

ALSO SELL ME YOUR TIES!!!!!