conservative business dress WAYWRN: An Experiment

[Manton]

I will post every day, or every day I can be bothered, or when the spirit moves me, what I wore to work. The idea is to show what conservative business dress is, how it can be bent, and -- crucially -- what the old-timers, or at least me, mean by "classic style." Be warned: this is going to be really dull and repetitive. To those who post your own pics: you WILL be criticized, by me, to the extent that you unsuccessfully deviate from conservative business dress or do anything I disapprove of. Beyond that I will do my best to maintain equanimity, which as we all know is very difficult for me.

Today: solid gray worsted twill suit, cream shirt, orangish brown cashmere houndstooth tie, blue & purple paisley square, dull orange & gray striped wool socks, dark brown pebble bluchers.

Silhouette:

Colors:

Shoes & socks:

 

[cronicmole]

good stuff, hopefully the other senior members join in. Those shoes make me mad for some reason.

 

[MBreinin]

I was recently criticized for wearing a cashmere tie and calling my fit "conservative business dress."

What is your take on a cashmere tie, Manton? Is this a rule bender?

What about the silk square?

Mike

 

[wEstSidE]

that is a central business district look if i've ever seen one.

 

[UrbanComposition]

Originally Posted by MBreinin

I was recently criticized for wearing a cashmere tie and calling my fit "conservative business dress."

What is your take on a cashmere tie, Manton? Is this a rule bender?

What about the silk square?

Mike
I'd posit that historically, it may not be conservative, but today, that tie would be considered pretty tame.

 

[vncrz]

Originally Posted by MBreinin

I was recently criticized for wearing a cashmere tie and calling my fit "conservative business dress."

What is your take on a cashmere tie, Manton? Is this a rule bender?

What about the silk square?

Mike

I would have never considered chukka boots or pebblegrain leather to be conservative business dress, much less both together... great look however, keep the experiment going!

 

[UrbanComposition]

Just to clarify, Manton - do you mean Classic Business Dress, or Conservative Business Dress?

 

[MBreinin]

Originally Posted by UrbanComposition

I'd posit that historically, it may not be conservative, but today, that tie would be considered pretty tame.

Mine was even more conservative than this. I think it was when I wore my Isaia a little while ago and went with the grey Altea cashmere.

Originally Posted by vncrz

I would have never considered chukka boots or pebblegrain leather to be conservative business dress, much less both together... great look however, keep the experiment going!

I though they were Chukkas as well, but I don't think so. Just some PTBs, I think.

Mike

 

[forex]

Subscribed, please make this a sticky thread. Also, Manton, can you please tell us who makes the suits?

 

[mordecai]

This is a great thread idea. Thank you.

 

[DocHolliday]

Deets on suit? I like that silhouette on you. Looks more waisted than I might have expected. Would like to see it with both arms at your sides.

 

[onix]

Subscribed too.

Q: So pebble-grain bluchers with suit is conservative business dress?

 

[Eustace Tilley]

Manton: the silhouette pic doesn't show up - can you pls repost?

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

I wore a charcoal suit, neat pattern navy tie and multi stripe white based shirt today with gray socks and dark brown tassels.

It was casual friday.

 

[Manton]

The suit is Shattuck.

Originally Posted by cronicmole

Those shoes make me mad for some reason.
They do need a shine.

Originally Posted by MBreinin

What is your take on a cashmere tie, Manton? Is this a rule bender?
I would say it is a slight bend. I tend to wear a lot of wool and cashmere ties in fall/winter, and without fail in rain or snow.

What about the silk square?

According to the strictest possible interpretation of CDB, there would be no square. While linen is barely passable. I note that I do see them a lot in Manhattan these days. There is a revival of sorts going on. Silk is an indulgence. But when the rest of the ensemble is so bland, it's OK. Also, always a silk square with a woolen tie.

Originally Posted by UrbanComposition

Just to clarify, Manton - do you mean Classic Business Dress, or Conservative Business Dress?
Conservative.

Originally Posted by onix

Q: So pebble-grain bluchers with suit is conservative business dress?
Not strictly. I just am liking a more substantial shoe these days, especially with a woolen tie. A brown oxford would have worked as well.