A madras bowtie...oh my!

[mink31]

Long-time reader/fan, first-time poster... I was invited to a college dance this weekend with the theme, " '80s Prom." Since I have no real first-hand experience with '80s fashion, I have a slight dilemma. I thought I'd ask some of the slightly older forum members about their favorite '80s dressy wardrobe choices. Currently, all my ideas have been from The Preppy Handbook, which, I believe, is not only a hilarious depiction of the preppy persona, but a fairly accurate portrayal of some '80s styles. As of now, I've ordered a madras bowtie from J. Press. (As you might imagine, I'm trying to have a little fun with this.) One more thing-- I'm quite the Anglophile. Does my H&K cutaway collar shirt have any place in the '80s wardrobe? It's blue and I'm thinking of wearing it w/ the blue/pink mardas bowtie (the thought of mixing J. Press with H&K makes me doubt myself though). Advanced thanks for any input you may have.

 

[kabert]

Love the madras bowtie idea. It's guaranteed to be a hit, especially with the ladies. I've got one, with matching cumberbund, and it never fails to draw compliments.

 

[PeterMetro]

Go dressed as the Duck Man from Pretty in Pink - you'll be a smash hit.

 

[kabert]

Go dressed as the Duck Man from Pretty in Pink - you'll be a smash hit.

Or perhaps quickly take up breakdancing; bring along your boombox; wear one white glove, with white socks; and put the place out, bro. Request some Herbie Hancock "rock-it"; Do the robot like that guy in the Geico commercial, etc.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

I recommend renting any 80s movie with a dance scene.  I am quite partial to "Footloose."  (One of the best movies of that decade, imo.)  I have always wondered, however, how those kids were able to cut a rug in the last scene when they were prevented from dancing for so long.

 

[JBZ]

I recommend renting any 80s movie with a dance scene. I am quite partial to "Footloose." (One of the best movies of that decade, imo.) I have always wondered, however, how those kids were able to cut a rug in the last scene when they were prevented from dancing for so long.

That's always bothered me, too (Yes, I need a life). Either those kids were some of the most gifted first time dancers I've ever seen or that "no dancing" law wasn't worth the paper it was printed on.

 

[AlanC]

You didn't already have a madras bow tie?

Are you going in a tux? Try the madras bow tie along with a Brooks button down collar oxford, pink would be great.

 

[Christopher_NY]

Love the madras bowtie idea. It's guaranteed to be a hit, especially with the ladies. I've got one, with matching cumberbund, and it never fails to draw compliments.

Wow. Flashback. I have a madras bowtie/cummerbund set. Haven't thought about it since the 80's. Must be in the attic somewhere.

 

[kabert]

I think I'd skip the cutaway shirt in favor of what's been suggested -- a button-down collar shirt in navy or pink or green, by Brooks perhaps.

 

[petescolari]

Quote:

(PeterMetro @ April 13 2005,07:18) Go dressed as the Duck Man from Pretty in Pink - you'll be a smash hit.
Or perhaps quickly take up breakdancing; bring along your boombox; wear one white glove, with white socks; and put the place out, bro. Â Request some Herbie Hancock "rock-it"; Do the robot like that guy in the Geico commercial, etc.
Great. Now I have "Rock-it" in my head.

 

[AlanC]

 

[mink31]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.
I do have a dark pink candy stripe BB button down that I think will look great. Any ideas on a pants/jacket combination (a tux will be too much I think)? I've got a pair of J. Crew nantucket reds that look pretty vintage. My only jacket in college is a dark gray one from my suit. I don't know, however, if the ridiculousness of wearing the dark gray w/ red pants will be all that bad...

 

[shoreman1782]

I think the only possibility is a navy blazer. Preferably with buttons customized for your alma mater, which had better be ivy - or better yet your high school, which had better be boarding.

Seriously, if you're wearing reds and a loud shirt/tie (make sure the shirt and pants aren't too close in color, or you'll look like the music man), a neutral, dark jacket will pull it together. If you don't have a navy blazer, borrow one or hit up a thrift store. I've never been to a thirft store that didn't have at least one navy blazer I could wear. If you're aiming for really over the top, maybe find a white jacket, but man, that's a lot of bright.

EDIT: Dark gray is so business like, it will likely clash with the casualness of the rest.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

Another option is the Miami Vice look -- white or cream suit, pastel T-shirt, tan slip-ons.  A while back, a guy on the Modern Man forums bragged about sporting this look.

 

[shoreman1782]

C -

A number of guys wearing an augmented version of this look (in earnest??) at the Clarendon Ballroom last weekend. Needless to say, tough to pull off outside of a theme party.