conservative business dress WAYWRN: An Experiment

[Claghorn]

I suspect the logic behind conservative business dress, for some, is that anything extraneous to function and unnecessary for an item to look appropriate violates conservative business dress.

 

[Manton]



Who came up with the idea that a ticket pocket was not conservative business dress? It seems that sometimes the reactions in this thread are a bit extreme. The question isn't whether an outfit is as conservative as possible - but rather whether it is sober enough to fly inconspicuously in a conservative business dress environment.

I would say that, if one were to order a suit with conservative business dress in mind, one would not get a ticket pocket. However, a ticket pocket is not the kiss of death for conservative business dress. It's just that its absense is more conservative business dress than its presense.

I stopped getting them a long time ago on any thing but tweed, and even then, it's been a while. I still wear the ones I have, though.

 

[gdl203]

It's just that its absence is more conservative business dress than its presence.

That's what I meant. On a continuum, it is less conservative business dress to have a ticket pocket. However, it is not a binary factor like for example a contrasting buttonhole thread or even a knit tie.

I don't have any ticket pocket on my suits either but I think that's because they're just at odds with the cuts and style that I prefer.

 

[sugarbutch]

Been a long time since I posted here. Flame away on the earrings, Manton.

Oh, and BTW, I took your advice about collar height on my latest shirt (not this one). Much better. Future orders will keep this revision.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I don't like those kind of stripes on suits.

 

[sprout2]

You prefer them on underpants?

 

[patrickBOOTH]

On nothing?

 

[sprout2]

Oh well why didn't you say so. I agree

 

[sugarbutch]



I don't like those kind of stripes on suits.

I knew this about you. I think Manton doesn't like them, either. I am generally not a fan, but this one struck my fancy.

 

[sprout2]

As I recall, there was something similar in one of the LL flannels in a shade of brown. Maybe it had one stripe fewer. Yes, on second thought, I think this pattern could be improved by removing the pinstripe and leaving the double stripe. It's a vintage look, but not a bad one.

 

[iceman45cal]

Not sure if this thread is dead or not. Trying to get over my plain white shirt only issues for conservative business dress. Does this combo of patterns work. Suit is a steel grey. I wore it today.

 

[aravenel]

Looks busy, and not a big fan of the shirt or tie. Would also not consider this conservative business dress given the multi-stripe shirt.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Yeah, I generally only like bengal stripe shirts for business. Tie isn't awful, but the scale is kind of large, imo.

 

[iceman45cal]

Thanks for feedback.
I have leeway in terms of really conservative. I'm used to only wearing white broadcloth shirts with 1 or 2 patterns either in suit and or tie (my customers are surgeons, most who dress pretty bad, but I report to senior VPs who are very conservative). Occasionally I would do a lavender shirt with purple tie with a solid gray suit on a little more casual day, or blue shirt blue tie combos. Trying to mess with adding more patterns and colors based on info from site. So here is a real departure for me mixing orange and blue suits. I posted this one in the ask a question forum and only got 1 response. Both shirts are lavender, the second shirt is lavender on lavender stripe... first suit is blue micro dot pattern (the really common canali suit) the second suit has a faint maroon stripe window pane type effect and has a cashmere feel) both suits look solid navy at 10 feet. thoughts? I figure a pale blue solid shirt would be better looking and more conservative business dress, but wondering if this works to mix it up a little.

 

[aravenel]



Thanks for feedback. 
I have  leeway in terms of really conservative.  I'm used to only wearing white broadcloth shirts with 1 or 2 patterns either in suit and or tie (my customers are surgeons, most who dress pretty bad, but I report to senior VPs who are very conservative).   Occasionally I would do a lavender shirt with purple tie with a solid gray suit on a little more casual day, or blue shirt blue tie combos.  Trying to mess with adding more patterns and colors based on info from site.  So here is a real departure for me mixing orange and blue suits.  I posted this one in the ask a question forum and only got 1 response. Both shirts are lavender, the second shirt is lavender on lavender stripe... first suit is blue micro dot pattern (the really common canali suit) the second suit has a faint maroon stripe window pane type effect and has a cashmere feel) both suits look solid navy at 10 feet.   thoughts?  I figure  a pale blue solid shirt would be better looking and more conservative business dress, but wondering if this works to mix it up a little.  

So, here's the thing--a lavender shirt will never be conservative business dress. Nor will a bright orange tie, nor a multi-stripe shirt like the last one. Realistically, nor will a plaid suit.

conservative business dress is pretty simple--a solid (possibly a tasteful pinstripe in some situations) blue or grey suit, a solid white or light blue shirt (or possibly a bengal or pencil stripe as pB mentioned), and a muted tie (basically, navy, dark green, navy, maybe burgundy, navy, maybe black in some cases) in a simple pattern (solid, neat, or a classic, simple stripe). Tough to execute well, but simple in concept.

The basic concept is to be *conservative* so as not to stand out based on the rakishness of your dress, and bright colors or loud patterns generally are not considered conservative.

There are a number of examples in this thread and in the Good Taste thread for reference. I will caution, however, that both threads are considered as being for advanced players only, and response to fits outside of their boundaries are generally not well received.

You may get better feedback in the WAYWRN or the Noodle's thread.