My Considered Style

[Ambulance Chaser]

The few times I've received comments on my clothes, it's from people who are interested in clothes. Occasionally, I'll get the kind "you look nice today." But if the conversation is more specific, it's usually from someone interested in clothes. This is independent of their economic background.

I've posted this before: the few compliments I have received on my wardrobe are overwhelmingly from African-American men, often on the older side.

 

[Thin White Duke]

I've posted this before: the few compliments I have received on my wardrobe are overwhelmingly from African-American men, often on the older side.

Every single time I arrive or leave FLL airport the (usually young) Black lads doing baggage etc on the apron will have something positive to say about my gear. (It’s not the same lads each time either!)

 

[dirtbag-delux]

Useless without pics!

I've looked through some photos and I have very few of myself. But here is one. It is on the dirtbag end of the spectrum. By that I mean athletic wear.

I am wearing mostly Patagonia and Black Diamond. I get a more consistent fit from Black Diamond. The boots are La Sportiva. Some call La Sportiva narrow, but if I get them wide enough there is plenty of toe space.

The cool thing about this day was that I met Gerry Roach at the trailhead. What a gift to meet a personal hero.

I will take a workwear photo the next time I'm in the onion patch. The next time I'm near a mirror I'll take a dressed up photo.

Colin Haley has an exceptional essay on what used to be called an action suite. Follow the links to Colin Haley at Patagonia, and Gerry Roach at his website.

Colin Haley’s Clothing System for Alpine Climbing in the Chaltén Massif - Patagonia Stories

6,000 words about dressing for alpine climbing you didn’t know you needed to know. Last year, I spent two months climbing in the Chaltén Massif, in

www.patagonia.com

Mountain photographs by Gerry Roach

This page provides access to mountain photo collections by Gerry Roach.

www.climb.mountains.com

 

[stuffedsuperdud]

I haven't experienced this kind of exotification of CM clothing in economically challenged neighborhoods. I've walked through poor neighborhoods both in the US and abroad. I'm sometimes in CM clothing. No one notices and I go about my day.

I grew up in a low-income Vietnamese community and still like to go eat in such communities.

This is all getting a bit off track and I apologize for the derail, but I didn't mean places like that. The fact that you go there for food means that there are businesses there, with employed people being productive. I meant places where there's zero hope at all, where things like drugs and social and economic failure are the norm. My job has given me the chance to (accidentally) come across places like this both in the US and elsewhere and I've found that if it looks like you have money, people will come up to you, sometimes in persistent groups, and ask for it. It's not exotification of someone's clothes, just the practical consideration that someone with expensive-looking clothes has cash to spare. I've never felt like I was in danger, but it's still a situation to be avoided if possible. Little do they know that I'm a SF'er: Brioni on Teh 'Bay, Drake's on sale, arguing with an HK baotau tailor to CMT my piece of Fox Flannel, and Spier & Mackay w/ referral code for all the rest, baby. Ha! Besides, even if you are actually loaded, in the end you won't be able to help anyone much anyway unless your suit lets you implement sweeping social changes magically on the spot, so why set up a no-win scenario? This happened a few times before I learned my lesson; now whenever I travel to someplace unfamiliar, I err on the side of looking not worth talking to.

I've never been to Haiti or the favelas of Brazil, but I'd be willing to bet that the people there would enjoy seeing someone wearing a bespoke Saville Row suit, etc.

I haven't been there either but these examples would be exactly the places where I'd try to keep my head down, just go about my business, and avoid looking like an 'other.' Unlike my previous experiences, which mostly come in bad areas that are nonetheless located in ostensibly wealthy-ish cities with all the rules and norms that come with them, your examples seem legitimately dangerous for an outsider who looks like their family and friends might be able to afford a ransom payment, and lord knows if I were in that situation, my family would be like, "Heh. Nah **** that guy."


Relevant:


If you're this cool though, then go for it.

 

[pasadena man]

I haven't experienced this kind of exotification of CM clothing in economically challenged neighborhoods.

The Sapeurs of the Congo come to mind. The force burns brightly in them.

Who Is the Dandy Man? The Congo Subculture Uncovered

Modern Man is Afraid of Dandyism. Except for a few... When you think of silk handkerchiefs, pink corduroys, tweed and double-breasted tailoring, would you associate such a style of dress with some of the poorest slums of Africa? © Daniele Tamagni What you're looking at is the ph

www.messynessychic.com

 

[dieworkwear]

I meant places where there's zero hope at all, where things like social failure are the norm.

You mean like StyleForum?

 

[pasadena man]

I've looked through some photos and I have very few of myself. But here is one. It is on the dirtbag end of the spectrum. By that I mean athletic wear.

I am wearing mostly Patagonia and Black Diamond. I get a more consistent fit from Black Diamond. The boots are La Sportiva. Some call La Sportiva narrow, but if I get them wide enough there is plenty of toe space.

The cool thing about this day was that I met Gerry Roach at the trailhead. What a gift to meet a personal hero.

I will take a workwear photo the next time I'm in the onion patch. The next time I'm near a mirror I'll take a dressed up photo.

Colin Haley has an exceptional essay on what used to be called an action suite. Follow the links to Colin Haley at Patagonia, and Gerry Roach at his website.

Colin Haley’s Clothing System for Alpine Climbing in the Chaltén Massif - Patagonia Stories

6,000 words about dressing for alpine climbing you didn’t know you needed to know. Last year, I spent two months climbing in the Chaltén Massif, in

www.patagonia.com

Mountain photographs by Gerry Roach

This page provides access to mountain photo collections by Gerry Roach.

www.climb.mountains.com

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I think I may have the same La Sportiva's that you do. They are, or should be, the SF approved high mountain boots. You can't deny the North Italian genius with leather.

 

[pasadena man]

If it doesn't scream "look at me", I ain't wearin' it! ?

I'm very flattered to be included in such a very short list. I'm not sure I could enumerate my approach to dressing in quite such the succinct manner of the OP. Here are a few common themes of mine, though, that have coalesced over the years:

No cuffs (turn ups) on trousers. Ever​

When worn with a tie, shirts should be plain white or light blue​

When worn with a tie, a shirt should have french cuffs​

Don't be afraid of color​

What you wear should make you happy (corollary: clothes should be fun)​

Wear a dinner jacket as often as possible​

On short notice, that's the best I can do, I'm afraid.

It may be that UrbanComposition and AnAcuteStyle are a little closer than you are to the mainstream on SF. Well, no, let’s face it, they are a lot closer to the mainstream. I have always admired your approach though, as a lodestar of pure, totally uncompromised, CM style. The fact that you live SF/CM large in the inhospitable wilds of Silicon Valley is even more impressive, as I have also experienced the sartorially challenging task of moving from corporate/consulting environments to a stint in tech.

Your themes have the concise clarity I have come to expect from you. French Cuffs might be a push for the OP in New Mexico though.

 

[pasadena man]

Ever wear a suit while walking through an economically challenged neighborhood, the kind where folks can no longer afford even little luxuries like pride and shame? You'll find that CM is quite the attractive garment (in the most literal and awkward sense) then.

I lived in some affluent, some rapidly changing, and some very poor neighborhoods in Chicago. I commuted in a suit, often on public transportation, in each. I don’t recall encountering any serious difficulties because of the suit. There were periodic positive glances, questions, and comments on my clothes though.

My own experience has been that environmental “fit” was more important than dress. If someone walked down the street in a way that indicated that they knew and were comfortable in the neighborhood, they usually did OK, regardless of what they wore.