Friday Challenge 16th December - Fair Isle

[Caustic Man]

Thank you to the five gentlemen of taste who know that crew necks > V necks.

 

[bienluienapris]

Thank you to the five gentlemen of taste who know that crew necks > V necks.

I like them both, but crew neck without tie, and V-neck with tie.

 

[Caustic Man]



I like them both, but crew neck without tie, and V-neck with tie.

This. But opposite.

 

[EFV]

I enjoy both. My knit wardrobe is pretty much 50/50 crew- & v-necks.

 

[An Acute Style]

This. But opposite.

What's your rationale for this?

 

[Caustic Man]



What's your rationale for this?  

See my first reply on the subject.

 

[An Acute Style]

The self conscious display of the tie is exactly what I have come to dislike about V necks.

I'm not sure what you mean by this. I don't think this is a rationale as much as a statement of position. This is a menswear forum. I think everyone is intentional in his choices or should be IMO.

 

[Mr Knightley]

I'm not sure what you mean by this. I don't think this is a rationale as much as a statement of position. This is a menswear forum. I think everyone is intentional in his choices or should be IMO.

Yes, should be intentional. I was intentional in not wearing a tie on a very casual Friday and thank you to the 8 voters so far...

An Accurate Style - what tie are you wearing? Is it Cockburn tartan?

 

[An Acute Style]

Yes, should be intentional. I was intentional in not wearing a tie on a very casual Friday and thank you to the 8 voters so far...

An Accurate Style - what tie are you wearing? Is it Cockburn tartan?

Not sure. I dare not google the aforementioned tartan at school. Who knows what'll pop up? Pun intended. I think it's MacLeod of Harris though.

 

[Caustic Man]



I'm not sure what you mean by this.  I don't think this is a rationale as much as a statement of position.  This is a menswear forum.  I think everyone is intentional in his choices or should be IMO.  

It's not that it's intentional, it's that it looks self conscious. I have come to admire the confidence implied in wearing something that is slightly off, slightly rumpled, or a little mismatched. Nothing against people who like to look immaculate, but it simply looks too self conscious to have perfectly combined patterns, colors, etc. Wearing a crew neck sweater and tie implies a nonchalant upper class vibe.G Bruce Boyer talks about this and I think he's right.

 

[bienluienapris]

It's not that it's intentional, it's that it looks self conscious. I have come to admire the confidence implied in wearing something that is slightly off, slightly rumpled, or a little mismatched. Nothing against people who like to look immaculate, but it simply looks too self conscious to have perfectly combined patterns, colors, etc. Wearing a crew neck sweater and tie implies a nonchalant upper class vibe.G Bruce Boyer talks about this and I think he's right.

But, if the process of wearing a tie with a crew neck sweater is done in the purpose to looks like more nonchalant, that make this process self-conscious no ?

 

[Caustic Man]



But, if the process of wearing a tie with a crew neck sweater is done in the purpose to looks like more nonchalant, that make this process self-conscious no ?

Of course it's self conscious. As AAS said, all of our choices are on purpose. All I'm saying is that it LOOKS like it isn't. At least that's the idea. I'm sure there are levels of success in that.

 

[An Acute Style]

Of course it's self conscious. As AAS said, all of our choices are on purpose. All I'm saying is that it LOOKS like it isn't. At least that's the idea. I'm sure there are levels of success in that.

My personal feelings: wearing a crewneck and tie is very dadcore. It does look unintentional like the wearer got cold and threw on a sweater purely for functional reasons with no consideration of form or aesthetics. Also, LOOKS like it isn't to who? Humans dress socially, but who is really caring that much other than enthusiast? If you're arguing on the grounds of perception, I think you're overestimating how many people care. If you can look past the intention of the dresser, what is your opinion on the matter from a purely aesthetic standpoint.

Side note: the only time I think wearing a crewneck and tie looks moderately good is when the crewneck is large enough to expose the entire button down collar and more of the tie ala PRL.

This sounds like a fun idea for a Friday Challenge. Crewneck and tie vs v-neck and tie. Would work well given the season.

 

[Caustic Man]

A bit of overthinking the issue. Im not making an argument about it. It's simply a part of trad ivy styles. It's not a rule or a hard line in the sand. It is a tendency, a feeling, a habit. It doesn't need anyone to care. It simply is. And it sends messages whether anyone is conscious of it or not. Consider wearing sharply pressed trousers. It's fine to do so, but it sends a message of meticulous care and attention to detail. Whatever the virtues of that, the impression is not one of relaxed nonchalance. For all their excesses, the SWD side really understands this principle.

 

[sugarbutch]

There's merit in CM's last post, but the rationale is misapplied in this case. The only people likely to notice and read it as nonchalance are menswear geeks, and likely not even them. The general population will likely wonder why he's wearing a tie when you can't even see it.