MoneyWellSpent's Southern Trad Thread

[smittycl]



On the other hand, one could argue that the belt harmonizes perfectly by combining colors from the pants and the welt on the shoes, so it actually does match while not drawing too much attention to itself in an otherwise bright outfit. I think a white belt here may become a focal point towards your midsection, and "cut you in half." Instead, it comfortably sinks into the background.

One could argue but one would usually be wrong in this case.

 

[MoneyWellSpent]



One could argue but one would usually be wrong in this case.

Interesting. Based on what line of thinking?

 

[smittycl]



Interesting. Based on what line of thinking?

I've always felts belts should be a clear dividing line sight wise. The harmonization comes from matching belt to shoes.

 

[MoneyWellSpent]



I've always felts belts should be a clear dividing line sight wise. The harmonization comes from matching belt to shoes.

I agree that they should harmonize with the shoes in traditional men's dress rules, and I do the same. However, in Ivy/Trad, this isn't as closely adhered to. Ribbon belts, Surcingle belts, etc., frequently don't and even can't match the shoes. Therefore, one can't be dogmatic in this arena of style due to the high variance of colors.

Interestingly, there was an article on Real Men Real Style recently that challenged the tradition of matching the shoes, and instead says that it should match the trousers. This is certainly based on the assumption that your shoes are a proper pairing with the trousers as well, which in turn means that the shoes and belt will harmonize. I can't say I always agree with this article, as I do match my belts to my shoes in general, but I do try to prevent too much contrast for the bisecting phenomenon they discuss here (see Rule #7)http://www.realmenrealstyle.com/style-rules-that-matter/

Again, this goes out the window with much of the Ivy/Trad style, but it doesn't have to. There is simply more flexibility and room for louder color, etc.

 

[Count de Monet]



Nope. I'd have gone with a white belt, just cuz, but it looks good.

I believe at one time that was known as the "full Cleveland," (for reasons unknown to me).

I think I'd call O'Connell's and get a couple of surcincle belts for looks like that. But, no, that's not too much color.

 

[smittycl]

Speaking of Trad, I wonder what "smelling like Old Money" is like?

http://www.ivy-style.com/brooks-bro...-1950s-barbershops-and-buttondown-shirts.html

Haspel Seersucker suit should arrive Friday. I'll post some pre-alteration pics and comments on quality this weekend. Could use it now as it's hot and humid again.

 

[Caustic Man]

I saw that article, but haven't read it yet. I'm so ambivalent toward scents though, I can count on one hand how many times I've worn them this year. I look forward to seeing your thoughts on Haspel. You said you don't live in the south, right? What context do you plan on wearing it in?

 

[smittycl]

I saw that article, but haven't read it yet. I'm so ambivalent toward scents though, I can count on one hand how many times I've worn them this year. I look forward to seeing your thoughts on Haspel. You said you don't live in the south, right? What context do you plan on wearing it in?

I work in DC and live in NoVa which is a liberal Northernized-version of the South. Lots of Southern Trad around here. Went to a National's baseball game (only guy there in a Toledo Mud Hens jersey) last night. Counted three Seersuckers on Metro. I'll wear it on Seersucker day and then occasionally over the summer when the heat and humidity are rocking and nothing imporant is going on at work. One of our lawyers wears his weekly and seems to pull it off. I doubt I will wear it more than a handful of times each season. Snobbishly attached to my Italian stuff.

Not a big scent-fan either. Tend to get a bottle for Christmas and it lasts the entire year.

 

[Caustic Man]

Oh, that's right. You are in a border state. So was I when I lived down there (KY). You are southern enough, then. It's actually kind of fortunate for you in terms of wearing seersucker suits. VA is much more permissive. I live in Chicago now and when I wear mine it looks very out of place. I do it anyway, of course, because as I mentioned previously, confusing Midwesterners is fun.

 

[smittycl]

Oh, that's right. You are in a border state. So was I when I lived down there (KY). You are southern enough, then. It's actually kind of fortunate for you in terms of wearing seersucker suits. VA is much more permissive. I live in Chicago now and when I wear mine it looks very out of place. I do it anyway, of course, because as I mentioned previously, confusing Midwesterners is fun.

I was actually a little apprehensive about moving to a Southern state. Luckily Northern Virginia is bascially San Francisco compared to the rest of the state. Very nice place to live but five minutes outside the DC beltway and you're in Civil War-land. Us anodyne Midwesterners kind of fit in anywhere I guess.

 

[Caustic Man]

I hear that a lot from non southerners (I was born in California, btw). Seems like you've gone native, at least to some degree. In any case, I've been from Louisiana to Georgia to Kentucky and all points in between. I'd rather live down there than where I am now any day. Low taxes and a permissive lifestyle are definitely for me. Especially after having lived in California, the mother of all nanny states. When my CA friends heard I was moving to Kentucky the look on their faces was precious. It was like I said I was moving to Afghanistan or something. Someone even asked if there were any decent houses... in the whole state. If I knew then what I know now I would have said "Bless your heart..."

 

[smittycl]

I hear that a lot from non southerners (I was born in California, btw). Seems like you've gone native, at least to some degree. In any case, I've been from Louisiana to Georgia to Kentucky and all points in between. I'd rather live down there than where I am now any day. Low taxes and a permissive lifestyle are definitely for me. Especially after having lived in California, the mother of all nanny states. When my CA friends heard I was moving to Kentucky the look on their faces was precious. It was like I said I was moving to Afghanistan or something. Someone even asked if there were any decent houses... in the whole state. If I knew then what I know now I would have said "Bless your heart..."

Lots to love down here. I have family in Lexington and visit KY quite often. Lived in southern Georgia and "deep-in-the-hearta" West Texas. The smaller the town the nicer the folks are for the most part. Find myself having morphed into a city person now. Greatly prefer amazing restaurants, musuems, stellar bars, concerts, etc. Have lived in CA but it was Monterey and too scenic and captivating for me to bother with politics.

 

[Caustic Man]

Yeah, I hear you about the restaurants, museums, and bars. I'd add great theater and opera to that as well. I'd just rather drive there when I want it, and be able to leave it behind when I don't! Family in Lexington, eh? If they wear blue we can't be friends anymore.

 

[smittycl]

Yeah, I hear you about the restaurants, museums, and bars. I'd add great theater and opera to that as well. I'd just rather drive there when I want it, and be able to leave it behind when I don't! Family in Lexington, eh? If they wear blue we can't be friends anymore.

Forgot the theater! We hit the Shakespeare Theater and the Folger constantly (Macbeth is finally being staged again this season, it's been a while). Cathcing John Oliver at the Kennedy Center in a few weeks as well.

I think they follow UK basketball due to proximity. Small town sports is like being absorbed by the Borg. You get subsumed into the mass. Outliers get persectued!

 

[Caustic Man]

Forgot the theater! We hit the Shakespeare Theater and the Folger constantly (Macbeth is finally being staged again this season, it's been a while). Cathcing John Oliver at the Kennedy Center in a few weeks as well.

I think they follow UK basketball due to proximity. Small town sports is like being absorbed by the Borg. You get subsumed into the mass. Outliers get persectued!

Oooh, Macbeth. I've always wanted to see that live. I saw the recently released theatrical version with Michael Fassbender. The Scottish accents were so thick I couldn't understand a word of it.