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

[An Acute Style]

Wonderful ensembles all around, but can somebody explain to me the allure of penny and tassled loafers? In South America it screams "you are a lazy old who doesn't care about menswear and gave up"; it is almost worse than wearing sneakers with suits. Look at the awesome fits by @Betelgeuse: his Carmina complements the suit perfectly. I am not going to give you my opinion on tasseled anything. I am glad that style of footwear does not exist around me. Of course, "de gustibus non est disputandum" and all that, but in my eyes, any classic menswear attire with a loafer would be improved by the right oxford or derby (I like monks and double-monks, but also get why people dislike them). Is it an American thing? Northern European? Or just variety for variety's sake (that would be the most reasonable explanation, I believe, but I stand to be corrected)?

I think loafers are very much a part of American menswear tradition. I absolutely love loafers of all kinds. I’m also wearing loafers today. Look away. Look away.

 

[Betelgeuse]

Wonderful ensembles all around, but can somebody explain to me the allure of penny and tassled loafers? In South America it screams "you are a lazy old who doesn't care about menswear and gave up"; it is almost worse than wearing sneakers with suits. Look at the awesome fits by @Betelgeuse: his Carmina complements the suit perfectly. I am not going to give you my opinion on tasseled anything. I am glad that style of footwear does not exist around me. Of course, "de gustibus non est disputandum" and all that, but in my eyes, any classic menswear attire with a loafer would be improved by the right oxford or derby (I like monks and double-monks, but also get why people dislike them). Is it an American thing? Northern European? Or just variety for variety's sake (that would be the most reasonable explanation, I believe, but I stand to be corrected)?

You do realise that only yesterday @Betelgeuse posted a pic wearing his magnificent Jon Lobb ‘Lopez’ penny loafers, right?

I’m sure the “allure” of loafers is just a matter of personal preference more than anything. Maybe regional bias is at play here?

I wear most type of shoes cause I think there are some great occasions to be worn. I know some hate loafers but others hate double monks or any single kinda of monks others hate wholecuts.

 

[1st Step]

I wear most type of shoes cause I think there are some great occasions to be worn. I know some hate loafers but others hate double monks or any single kinda of monks others hate wholecuts.

And Shoes With Velco...

 

[upr_crust]

The weather is overcast in NYC, and is seasonably cool, making the wearing of a suit not a painful prospect. Initially, I had wanted to wear a new pair of Albert Thurston braces, in dark red, with this suit, but the combos of braces, suit and tie never worked out to my satisfaction, thus I ended up with this two-color combination of blue and white - a bit sedate for my usual Technicolor approach to attire, but sometimes one needs to go with that which works, rather than that which one thinks should work.

Suit - Paul Stuart/Phineas Cole
Shirt - Tyrwhitt
Tie & braces - Paul Stuart
Cufflinks - Tiffany's
Pocket square - no name brand
Shoes - Gaziano & Girling for Paul Stuart
Face mask - New & Lingwood

Spoiler

 

[NakedYoga]

General question.......What are your thoughts on grey flannel chalk stripe pants as a solo act? I see a pair for sale but I'm wondering if they will appear as orphaned suit pants when worn.

People may think you're wearing half a morning dress ensemble.

Wonderful ensembles all around, but can somebody explain to me the allure of penny and tassled loafers? In South America it screams "you are a lazy old who doesn't care about menswear and gave up"; it is almost worse than wearing sneakers with suits. Look at the awesome fits by @Betelgeuse: his Carmina complements the suit perfectly. I am not going to give you my opinion on tasseled anything. I am glad that style of footwear does not exist around me. Of course, "de gustibus non est disputandum" and all that, but in my eyes, any classic menswear attire with a loafer would be improved by the right oxford or derby (I like monks and double-monks, but also get why people dislike them). Is it an American thing? Northern European? Or just variety for variety's sake (that would be the most reasonable explanation, I believe, but I stand to be corrected)?

I used to be in the same camp as you, and still am to some extent. I don't really care for leather tassel loafers, although I do like and own leather penny loafers which I admittedly wear only rarely. @Betelgeuse has posted photos in the past of himself wearing (I believe) Meermin suede tassel loafers, which I really like. Different strokes, and all that.

 

[An Acute Style]

Loafers, linen and madras. Another addition of leave well enough alone. I had these pants tapered a while ago. First time wearing them. I noticed that the crease is not aligned with the side seams. Would you press them/have them pressed or leave as is?

 

[1st Step]

Loafers, linen and madras. Another addition of leave well enough alone. I had these pants tapered a while ago. First time wearing them. I noticed that the crease is not aligned with the side seams. Would you press them/have them pressed or leave as is?

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Only If It Bothers You! Trousers Look Great, Maker? This Fit Looks Great...

 

[An Acute Style]

Only If It Bothers You! Trousers Look Great, Maker? This Fit Looks Great...

Polo Ralph Lauren.

 

[beneven]

I think loafers are very much a part of American menswear tradition. I absolutely love loafers of all kinds. I’m also wearing loafers today. Look away. Look away.

I would agree with this, particularly when it comes to North American tradition--and even more particularly when it comes to the ivy / trad / prep variations of North American style (both men's and women's). I've always thought that at least in the ivy / prep styles, the appeal of loafers was the mixing of an "informal" shoe with clothing that might be read as more "formal." Kind of a youthful or fun thing (you don't have to be young to have fun with your clothing, I think most of us would agree with that--but that's an assumption on my part).

Controversial statement: I don't care for loafers w/ suits and would almost always prefer a captoe oxford. Just a personal thing and since I rarely wear suits it's a fairly empty statement...in fact, though I like loafers and have a few decent pairs I hardly ever wear them.

Whatever. /2cents

 

[ericgereghty]

I would agree with this, particularly when it comes to North American tradition--and even more particularly when it comes to the ivy / trad / prep variations of North American style (both men's and women's). I've always thought that at least in the ivy / prep styles, the appeal of loafers was the mixing of an "informal" shoe with clothing that might be read as more "formal." Kind of a youthful or fun thing (you don't have to be young to have fun with your clothing, I think most of us would agree with that--but that's an assumption on my part).

Controversial statement: I don't care for loafers w/ suits and would almost always prefer a captoe oxford. Just a personal thing and since I rarely wear suits it's a fairly empty statement...in fact, though I like loafers and have a few decent pairs I hardly ever wear them.

Whatever. /2cents

I don't think it's particularly controversial. Especially if you're talking a conservative business dress suit. Think loafs absolutely have a place paired with summery suits though.

 

[Jtchapman]

I don't think it's particularly controversial. Especially if you're talking a conservative business dress suit. Think loafs absolutely have a place paired with summery suits though.

I definitely agree with loafers and summer suits! I'll wear loafers with anything but businesses suits, though I'd probably go for a patent oxford over a pump so I guess with anything but businesses or formal wear

 

[beneven]

I don't think it's particularly controversial. Especially if you're talking a conservative business dress suit. Think loafs absolutely have a place paired with summery suits though.

In the post Vox Styfo era it's hard to know what might come off as controversial...

 

[Roycru]

A white Brugmansia (Angel's Trumpet) and me. It was around 89F here today.

Napps jacket, Brooks Brothers glen plaid PPBD shirt, Vineyard Vines tie, Squareextraordinare pocket square, Darcy Clothing Company snake belt, Banana Republic glen plaid trousers, and Allen-Edmonds white suede shoes.

The most famous snake belt wearer is probably Rangi Ram on the British television series, "It Ain't Half Hot, Mum". Rangi Ram wore his snake belt on his turban.

Here's a picture of Battery Sergeant Major Williams and Rangi Ram wearing his snake belt on his turban.

For fans of "Piece-Of-A-Person" pictures, here's a piece of a person with a Chicken Curry Salad Sandwich (Coronation Chicken Sandwich in the UK) picture. Have no idea why the sandwich came in a bowl instead of on a plate. The sandwich wasn't very good.

For fans of random car pictures posted in this thread, a picture I took on Friday on the way to the barber shop of the current version of the Bijan car, a yellow Rolls-Royce, parked in front of the Bijan store on Rodeo Drive.

Usually there are swarms of tourists around the Bijan car it taking their pictures with it. For the last year there haven't been many tourists. Yes, that's a special yellow Bijan parking meter.

 

[NakedYoga]

Loafers, linen and madras. Another addition of leave well enough alone. I had these pants tapered a while ago. First time wearing them. I noticed that the crease is not aligned with the side seams. Would you press them/have them pressed or leave as is?

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I love this look, especially the top block. Is the jacket cotton?

 

[ericgereghty]

Putting this suit (well, jacket...still doing the conservative business dress mullet) through its paces.