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

[Michael81]

@Alan Bee As a way to maybe conclude this chapter of forum history, I'd just like to mention that your last few posts have been both well-reasoned and reasonable. There is a world of difference between saying you dislike double monks because their features add little to form or function and saying you dislike them because they are infantile, for example. I'd like to see more posts of the former variety, and fewer of the latter. Our discussion yesterday was perhaps overly robust, but I certainly don't harbour any ill-will towards you on a personal level. No hard feelings.

 

[mcobinad]

Hello gents,

Outfits on day III at #Pittiuomo95. Kind regards

 

[hoodog]

The multi page spat here is ridiculous.

Everyone knows that menswear is subjective. Everyone knows how Alan Bee gets down with his dictates and declarations. He can state it however he wants. It’s just his opinion. He’s been told numerous times about it. He’s going to be who he is. I’m sure it’s too late to change him as a human being at this point.

I guess once you’ve been here long enough you just get use to peoples’ idiosyncrasies. Let Alan Bee be. He means no harm and is here to help people dress better. He is always well meaning and gives people advice when some of us just keep scrolling. Carry on, Bee.

I strongly disagree, for the following reasons.

Spoiler: Rant

1. I think not only what you say is important, but also how you say it. Maybe even as important. Sometimes, maybe even more. The posts discussed were clearly worded in a way that were lacking in the "how-you-say-it-department". Imho, from a moral point of view, and sometimes even a legal one, a person is not free to say things "however they want", even if that person only speaks his mind.

2. I think it's elementary for any rational discussion to give reasons for ones conclusions. Conclusions are in general uninteresting, if you can't give reasons for them. Also, every discussion focused only on conclusions, without their premises, is bound to fail. "Dictates and declarations" really don't advance anything in this thread, at least not the base of knowledge.

3. Even if you, and maybe even I, are used to a poster's "idiosyncrasies", it of course doesn't apply to everyone. New forum members, random Google searchers, members who just started following this thread etc are not privy to such "idiosyncrasies".

4. It's important to separate the person and that person's actions. It's fully possible to critize a person's actions without necessarily critizing the the "whole" person. While I think Alan Bees posts are often helpful for others and worded in a way that is acceptable, I have come across several that aren't. For the latter ones, he deserves critizim. This doesn't detract from the value of what he has written in other posts.

5. Even though someone means no harm by acting in a certain way, I think it is important to be responsive to when other people find those acts "harmful". At least, one should hear those people out and then, afterwards, judge the merits of that feedback. As I see it, if several different people give someone the same kind of negative feedback, chances are that there will be good grounds for it.

Rant over. Of course, these are only my humble two cents.

 

[Alan Bee]

@Alan Bee As a way to maybe conclude this chapter of forum history, I'd just like to mention that your last few posts have been both well-reasoned and reasonable. There is a world of difference between saying you dislike double monks because their features add little to form or function and saying you dislike them because they are infantile, for example. I'd like to see more posts of the former variety, and fewer of the latter. Our discussion yesterday was perhaps overly robust, but I certainly don't harbour any ill-will towards you on a personal level. No hard feelings.

@Michael81

Is that what Don Vito Corleone might have referred to as a peace meeting?

Do please send Peter Clemenza with a car. I shall be glad to attend Michael, indeed I would be honored

Alan Bee

 

[upr_crust]

Friday, and frigid in NYC - more three-piece suits in flannel. Also included are my second pair of double monks this week, a new acquisition from the winter sale at Paul Stuart.

Suit - Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece
Shirt - Brooks Brothers MTM
Tie - Corneliani
Braces - Paul Stuart
Cufflinks - Metropolitan Museum of Art
Pocket square - New & Lingwood, London
Shoes - Paul Stuart house brand
Overcoat - Brooks Brothers
Scarf - Fortnum & Mason
Hat - Selentino

Spoiler

 

[Thrift Vader]

As a guy who has to take off my shoes often,

Isn't 2 buckles too much?

As always,manly elegance.

 

[Michael81]

Haha, subtle @upr_crust.

 

[Luigi_M]

As a guy who has to take off my shoes often,

Isn't 2 buckles too much?

As always,manly elegance.

It depends on how much in a hurry you are ...
I have two pairs of double buckled and, while maybe not my favourite ones, I like them.

 

[Ebichuman]

@Ebichuman

You see sir, I view the written word as a form of art. A Picasso will never be mistaken for a Monet and vice versa. Indeed there are artists who have made a name for themselves with that which might, on the surface of things, be taken for vulgarity.

The language of expression is either something that is innate, or imbued through our own literary diet. I am drawn to dry wit, sarcasm and even sardonically inclined literature. That might explain my own style and manner of expression. But I hope I can assure you, none of it is meant in poor form.

What a chore if we had only to deliver substance without the embellishment of style.

Alan Bee

It's only when the style trumps the substance that I have a problem. Your purple prose hinders your message.

 

[Caustic Man]

I wonder why men in general affect the notion that clothing is an issue of little importance. I mean, I get that the prevailing western culture insists that men are serious about worldly issues and generally appear to be unconcerned about clothes. However, I think it would be much more rewarding to discuss clothing with an understanding of the cultural and historical significance that they actually have. Which is enormous.

Um... this was in response to a comment in the last page. I can't remember who.

 

[aj805]

@Michael81

Is that what Don Vito Corleone might have referred to as a peace meeting?

Do please send Peter Clemenza with a car. I shall be glad to attend Michael, indeed I would be honored

Alan Bee

Just avoid letting Clemenza sit behind you in the car...

 

[Mr Knightley]

Very mild here again in old Blighty. In the office and around:

Spoiler

Jacket - Brook Taverner
Trousers - bespoke worsted flannel
Shirt and vest - C Tyrwhitt
Tie - T Miler
PS - from local outfitter
Loafers - Bass Weejuns in Horween leather for Mr P.

 

[Roy Al]

Whitcomb & Shaftesbury.

Spoiler

 

[themanfromLisbon]

Hello gents,

Splendid look, already missing Pitti.

 

[themanfromLisbon]

Friday, and frigid in NYC - more three-piece suits in flannel. Also included are my second pair of double monks this week, a new acquisition from the winter sale at Paul Stuart.

A very British look. The shoes are rather unusual, beautiful!