HOF: What Are You Wearing Right Now - Part IV (starting May 2014)

Claghorn · Apr 8, 2015

New Challenge:
http://www.styleforum.net/t/472586/friday-challenge-04-10-2015-white-shirt-odd-jacket/0_20

Chulillo · Apr 8, 2015

in stitches said:
Im pretty much with Nick on this one. Anyone who wants to shine their shoes should do just so, I shine mine when I feel they are starting to look more beat up than Id like, but when its clear that someone prefers the look of a beat up shoe and a generally more rumply look, why cant they just be granted that, assuming they have the rig under control?

I mean, no one has to like it, and anyone certainly can say, nah man, Im not feeling the look of those beat up shoes at all, or I dont love that with a tailored suit, thats incongruent in my opinion..., the same way you might not like the shirt/tie combo on another fit, its nothing more than a critique on something that does not appeal to you. However, to tell someone that they are doing it wrong because they dont do it like you do it, or to make assumptions about their feeling towards others based on how their shoes look, is a bit much for me.

We all subscribe to certain rules about what looks good, and I know that Nicks jam flys in the face of a lot of what I would pen as rules to dress by, but he happens to do it in a way that works, imo. Again, not everyone has to like it, but thats really all that needs to be said, I dont like that. Jamming things down someones throat, especially someone who is far from a novice, is poor.

Critiquing is great, and its part what allows everyone here, especially myself, to learn and improve, but sometimes a little bit more live and let live could be applied. Its a hard line to walk, because I really do feel there are things/fits that are objectively bad, and people should be told so in such cases, so they can learn. But sometimes, something is not bad, its just different than what someone else likes.

My 2 cents.

I agree with you for the most part. I am one who likes my Chuck Taylor All Stars dirty. I own like ten or eleven pairs in different colors and the first thing I do when I buy one is to step on them. I like the beat up thing for that type of shoe. Once my mom told me "Do you need me to go over there and wash them for you?" hahaha I said "don't you dare". The poor woman just saw me one week end and thought "the poor guy has no time to wash his shoes". LOL

A like them a little dirty but not hideous looking dirty xD

Louys · Apr 8, 2015

I don't think anyone's said it yet, but a bit of saphir reno would do the job maintenance-wise and brighten the leather without altering the lived in appearance all that much. Of course, Nick might prefer not to spend any time durdling with his shoes at all in which case scratch that suggestion.

That said all this acquiescence to subjectivity seems lazy. Everyone comes to SF because they think that clothes can look good, even if they disagree about the way in which they think clothes look good. It may be true that this is subjective, that shined shoes look good to one person and unshined shoes look good to someone else but discussion doesn't have to stop there. There's always an objective reason why things appear they way they do even if they only appear that way to certain people. One of the great benefits of SF is that you get to rub shoulders with people who think different things look good. Deciding whether or not you agree with that person's taste at first glance doesn't take proper advantage of the situation. It's so much better to ask others, or at least try to see why they like things that are different from what you like. When you get an answer you gain a better appreciation of different styles. Why fight that? Even their style doesn't work for your life it'll give you a broader mind, and perhaps a bit of inspiration. In any case that's how SF has worked for me.

GMMcL · Apr 8, 2015

Edit: I grew up with my Dad spit shining his shoes every single night. It's something that carries a deep and resonant personal meaning for me. And it's something I've spent literally hours researching and trying to master. With absolutely no success. I've relegated myself to a maintenance buff shine. Not SF approved, and it saddens me I can't pay homage to my father in that way. But life goes on, I suppose.

SeaJen · Apr 8, 2015

GMMcL said:
Edit: I grew up with my Dad spit shining his shoes every single night. It's something that carries a deep and resonant personal meaning for me. And it's something I've spent literally hours researching and trying to master. With absolutely no success. I've relegated myself to a maintenance buff shine. Not SF approved, and it saddens me I can't pay homage to my father in that way. But life goes on, I suppose.

Given the time you have spent trying, I doubt this is actually news, but Crat's video show's demonstrates the same technique I used back when I had to do it.

Murlsquirl · Apr 8, 2015

One of the things I admire most about Antonio's style is that he has the "I just woke up like this" look. He makes everything look effortless and it doesn't bother me that his shoes aren't highly polished. His shoes aren't beat to hell and a complete mess....they just look worn and unbabied, for lack of a better (and actual) word. I'm the complete opposite and at times, I wish I could be that way, but it just isn't me. Antonio does Antonio....and he does it extremely well.

GMMcL · Apr 8, 2015

SeaJen said:
Given the time you have spent trying, I doubt this is actually news, but Crat's video show's demonstrates the same technique I used back when I had to do it.

I can almost recite it by heart.

Clearly I'm doing it wrong. I'm just not sure in quite what way, which is baffling given how many god damn times I've watched that video.

Murlsquirl · Apr 8, 2015

GMMcL said:
I can almost recite it by heart.

Clearly I'm doing it wrong. I'm just not sure in quite what way, which is baffling given how many god damn times I've watched that video.

What you need sir, is Basic Military Training.

SeaJen · Apr 8, 2015

GMMcL said:
I can almost recite it by heart.

Clearly I'm doing it wrong. I'm just not sure in quite what way, which is baffling given how many god damn times I've watched that video.

The mistake I have seen most frequently is in the quantity of polish. It really is a case of a little (teeny tiny) amount going a long way.

europrep · Apr 8, 2015

Not sure what I am doing with my leg in the first shot, but hey

Edit:

SC: Formosa
Shirt: Mazz
PS: Bigi
Pants: Eidos
Shoes: Vass
Socks: Howard Yount

SeaJen · Apr 8, 2015

Caustic Man · Apr 8, 2015

I have no moral problem with him not shining his shoes. I don't think unshined shoes say anything about a person other than "I didn't shine my shoes today". I don't like @NickPollica 's look in general but I'm not upset that he dresses that way. The thing I have a problem with is @jaywhyy 's moronic comments.

Cleav · Apr 8, 2015

Today, spring has sprung!

(new brown Borrelli from our friend @Ich_Dien fabulous)

Borrelli, Kiton, Canali, Lobb

English countryside

EliodA · Apr 8, 2015

Very nice tie, @Cleav, but I think your shoes are too shiny.

Cleav · Apr 8, 2015

EliodA said:
Very nice tie, @Cleav, but I think your shoes are too shiny.

Shoe police? Feck! I like I wear, others like different wtf, I can still respect and appreciate a different aesthetic.

PS, I know you get it ol' friend

HOF: What Are You Wearing Right Now - Part IV (starting May 2014)

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