WAYWRN: Classic Menswear, Casual Style

[F. Corbera]



Well, I would imagine at some point that it becomes about more than just making a change to look better, which is subjective. Some just want to make a change for their own personal interest and enjoyment.

If this discussion were about personal interest and enjoyment, it wouldn't consist of posts telling the fit posters in this thread that they dress badly and that the solution lies in looking at SW&D.

 

[F. Corbera]

Perhaps capes are the answer.

 

[gdl203]

The same process that helps an MCer get better in MC suit & tie: more exposure to good and bad fits, awful and interesting pieces, some exposure to discussions about what seems to be praised or not (proportions, colors, coherence). Pick up bits and pieces here and there and apply it to our own social environment. Some people dress 100% heritage there (ManofKent, zissou...) others dress completely runway - one doesn't have to subscribe 100% to one aesthetic but it helps to look at other casual styles than just BB and J Crew.

 

[fritzl]



I prefer to bother myself with first world problems, it distracts me from real problems. I lost a mother of pearl button off of my sleeve on a RLPL shirt today. I didn't actually lose it, I found it in front of me at my desk. It's still sitting in my desk drawer. It bothered me for about 45 minutes. No joke.

apropos, what's the english term for fremdschämen?

 

[HansderHund]



apropos, what's the english term for fremdschämen?

Are you asking literally?

There's no real English word I believe...to simply be ashamed/embarrassed for someone.

Edited to add embarrassed as well.

 

[DLester]



apropos, what's the english term for fremdschämen?

Not directly relevant, but the other day I was telling children about how German words often run a lot longer than English words, and I gave them some examples. Their favorite was Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung. They thought that was awfully funny.

 

[gdl203]



apropos, what's the english term for fremdschämen?

Are you asking literally?
There's no real English word I believe...to simply be ashamed/embarrassed for someone.
Edited to add embarrassed as well.

To cringe in shame ?

 

[hendrix]



If this discussion were about personal interest and enjoyment, it wouldn't consist of posts telling the fit posters in this thread that they dress badly and that the solution lies in looking at SW&D.

Don't force me to add a disclaimer. Some stuff just looks bad.

As you've aluded to, exposure is what empowers people to form their own definitions of what looks good. Assuming people can be objective about themselves - which they can't, whatever - the only other barrier is that noone wants to think for themselves.

That's why we suggest looking at SW&D. For the exposure.

 

[HansderHund]



Not directly relevant, but the other day I was telling children about how German words often run a lot longer than English words, and I gave them some examples. Their favorite was Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung. They thought that was awfully funny.

There are entire websites dedicated to (sometimes made up or hypothetical) German compound nouns. If you're talking to English speakers about them, it often helps to shout them. They eat it up with a spoon.

 

[HansderHund]



To cringe in shame ?

Yeah, but for someone else. If you see something embarrassing happening and you're embarrassed for them. He was making a joke about me...as in he's embarrassed for me.

 

[ethanm]

To cringe in shame ?

It's like empathetic embarrassment. Conveniently enough empathy comes from German as well. Who said they don't have feelings?

 

[F. Corbera]



The same process that helps an MCer get better in MC suit & tie: more exposure to good and bad fits, awful and interesting pieces, some exposure to discussions about what seems to be praised or not (proportions, colors, coherence). Pick up bits and pieces here and there and apply it to our own social environment. Some people dress 100% heritage there (ManofKent, zissou...) others dress completely runway - one doesn't have to subscribe 100% to one aesthetic but it helps to look at other casual styles than just BB and J Crew.

I understand the theory, but I do not see the evidence for it working.

 

[gdl203]

I don't get what you're saying. It worked for me, it worked for Parker, it worked for MoK, it worked for you... what exactly is not working in the idea of looking at more expressions of casual wear styles as inspiration for casual dress ?

 

[gnatty8]



I really like this look. The shirt is classic southern prep, and the blazer looks really nice. What's the make?
Fit everywhere looks spot on, although the pants seem to have a touch too much fabric for my tastes.

Thank you. Coat is PRL.

 

[hendrix]



I don't get what you're saying. It worked for me, it worked for Parker, it worked for MoK, it worked for you... what exactly is not working in the idea of looking at more expressions of casual wear styles as inspiration for casual dress ?

I think he's saying that even with the added exposure the general majority lack the capabilities to see for themselves what looks good, hence the fact that there are also bad fits on SW&D.

As someone who posted some of the worst fits in SF history, and who now feels that I look reasonable most of the time, I would argue that the process takes some time. At least it's progress though.

I suppose you could argue the same in this thread...depending on how lenient you are with your definition of progress.