The Look goes on...



kicksinstyle said:

Yeah you're probably right... I suppose I was hoping for sort of 'gentlemen's country outfitters' with lambswool sweaters & rugged brogues!

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I think Penrith is your best bet for shops not skewed towards tourism. Seem to remember there is such a gentlemens outfitters in the small tangle of streets at its centre.



Cleav said:

Getting back on point there has been some discussion on WAYWRN about Clark's desert boots, still the thing or has it moved on?

Quite a selection nowadays...

http://www.clarks.co.uk/c/originals-mens/desert-boots

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Still got a black suede pair I bought around ten years ago. No sign of them wearing out yet so no need for me to ponder these fairly mad choices!



Oneflewover said:

Cross post from CM, I like to think it has "the look"

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I would wear a polo untucked these days but agree with you on top button open - top button closed makes the #skinhead types on tumblr look a bit odd.

Just had to post this. Audrey in loafers, always a treat:

covskin said:

I would wear a polo untucked these days but agree with you on top button open - top button closed makes the #skinhead types on tumblr look a bit odd.

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I normally wear mine tucked in and with top button (only) open. The buttoned up look really took off in the 80s and I did succumb to it then, especially under a jacket. Come to think of it there is one polo-type shirt that still looks right buttoned up IMO and that is the Smedley style with deeper pointed collar.



Mr Knightley said:

I normally wear mine tucked in and with top button (only) open.  The buttoned up look really took off in the 80s and I did succumb to it then, especially under a jacket.  Come to think of it there is one polo-type shirt that still looks right buttoned up IMO and that is the Smedley style with deeper pointed collar.

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Very good point and I agree. If it's not done up then the weight of the collar pulls it out of shape and it can look very untidy.

covskin said:

I would wear a polo untucked these days but agree with you on top button open - top button closed makes the #skinhead types on tumblr look a bit odd.

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Can't do untucked, exception, with shorts.

It is a very fine line, trying to carry the style without it turning into fancy dress. There is very little of what I was wearing forty years ago that I could get away with now. Frogmouth pocket trousers, polo shirts and OCBD are about it. Gone are the DMs being replaced by Chukkas, Elastic waisted jackets have gone, tweed is in. Crombie gone in favour of Pea Coat. Turtle and mockturtle jumpers have crept in as have woollen waistcoats and cardigans.



Mr Knightley said:

I normally wear mine tucked in and with top button (only) open.  The buttoned up look really took off in the 80s and I did succumb to it then, especially under a jacket.  Come to think of it there is one polo-type shirt that still looks right buttoned up IMO and that is the Smedley style with deeper pointed collar.

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I'll wear a polo buttoned up under a jacket, cardigan, or sweater. Without something over it, it's always top undone. Except, of course, for the Smedley polos. As already said, they look pretty shabby when the top button's undone.
It might be the way I move or my build, but an unbuttoned polo shirt collar looks untidy on me when worn under another article of clothing.
I do agree one the "untucked with shorts" rule. Here in "Nova Inglaterra" it's way too "yuppie yacht owner" to pull off and still look the biz.

What other footwear would constitute "the Look" aside from loafers, docksiders, and plimsols, when wearing, say, shorts and said polo shirt?

Botolph said:

What other footwear would constitute "the Look" aside from loafers, docksiders, and plimsols, when wearing, say, shorts and said polo shirt?

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I'm not very good with shorts and "the look" they are not really compatible. Shorts are for holidays and bumming around IMHO

Spoilered for those of weak disposition



Oneflewover said:

I'm not very good with shorts and "the look" they are not really compatible. Shorts are for holidays and bumming around IMHO

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Ahhhh, I suppose you're right-- the look of a man wearing shorts is pretty childish for the most part. I certainly don't LIKE to wear shorts, but some environs my work takes me to are of a veritably disgusting hot and humid atmosphere. I like to look put-together in said environs without looking like I'm melting into a puddle of sweat.
I guess my question should have been about a Tropical Equivalent version of "the Look"



Botolph said:

What other footwear would constitute "the Look" aside from loafers, docksiders, and plimsols, when wearing, say, shorts and said polo shirt?

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With such a pinnacle of simplicity as the canvas cvo I am not sure there can be much of an answer to this one!

covskin said:

With such a pinnacle of simplicity as the canvas cvo I am not sure there can be much of an answer to this one!

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I suppose you're right. Not many other choices.

covskin said:

With such a pinnacle of simplicity as the canvas cvo I am not sure there can be much of an answer to this one!

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Mine are Skechers and great for about 1/4 wear on sole before they need binning, the heels just collapse then. But nearly throw away prices so a month of summer life.

However, they do not look all bad under chinos. Sort of like a grown up version of the green flash of my youth.

So, what about adapting the Look for sudden changes in the weather? A week or so ago it was 27c or more in the SE of England and now it is quite autumnal - about 17c at the mo and a cool wind blowing. Later it might get up to about 21.

When I am in business mode there is little or no need to change but off-duty the challenge arises. A week ago I was typically wearing a short sleeve OCBD or long sleeve with sleeves turned back two or three times, jeans or cotton trousers and loafers sans socks. Today I am working at home in a long sleeve BD, jeans and loafers with Argyle sox and still feel cold. When I go out later I shall add blazer or Harrington. Even so I may feel incorrectly dressed as the light also starts to change at this time of year and autumn clothes beckon. It is getting to that cross-over time when nothing feels quite right.

Any thoughts / suggestions?



Mr Knightley said:

So, what about adapting the Look for sudden changes in the weather?  A week or so ago it was 27c or more in the SE of England and now it is quite autumnal - about 17c at the mo and a cool wind blowing.  Later it might get up to about 21.

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I am sure you are well able to cope and this is a rhetorical question - the sort of thing you see on William Wardrobe's blog.

It can blow hot and cold in the course of many days and you either have extra layers or tough it out. The danger is buying more gear for so-called transitional days. Not something a minimalist would do.

The other question is the whole notion of a Look. I know you are not suggesting some sort of tribal uniform but it may come across like that. I think you mean decent looking clothes with a bit of individuality and a long shelf life - not tat, or fashion dross.