Nobilis Animus
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2017
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I think this is very interesting. I'm guessing there has been an influx of younger people discovering Styleforum, but finding the conservative CM a bit inappropriate for their age/work environment/climate/city.
I think this is something everyone goes through once they discover their interest in clothing and style. At first you read about pocket squares, boutonnieres, suspenders, shoes and suits. You try to incorporate the things you learn, probably overdo it and stand out too much. But over time you become more relaxed and confident with what works and what doesn't in your particular environment.
I can tell you that I would certainly stand out in my town just by wearing a worsted navy blazer with pocket square, but in New York no one would bat an eye. That's why I personally found this thread such a breath of fresh air, because the outfits posted are so much more appropriate for my environment.
I think I agree with all of this. The thread is actually interesting and useful, since it may help some to avoid overdoing things day-to-day. Otherwise they might just dismiss it all in frustration without examples of how to wear anything less than the most formal type of CM. The WAYWRN Casual thread sports some good pictures from time to time, but it's not very helpful as far as figuring out how to put those outfits together in the first place.
The only thing that bothers me is when some here assert that CM is, in fact, too stuffy for modern tastes, or that there is no way to wear suits or tailored clothing without standing out too much nowadays. This is simply a reflection of their lack of artistry, not one of the times. If they had lifestyles and social experiences that made tailoring unremarkable, except for its being complimented, then they wouldn't feel so out of place.
As for myself, I live in a big city and prefer a kind of smart-casual look as a default, adding in tailoring and whatever else in turn. Of course, the details and styling are my own personal touches. I find that this suits me and my tastes/social milieu best, and I'm not very bothered if anyone dislikes it.
Here are some seasonal examples of what I mean by smart-casual:
I'd easily wear any of that to go out shopping, run errands, etc., and adjust as needed. Brunch at a nice cafe? Tailored jacket and loafers. Cocktails and dinner? Sharp suit and scarf. Hitting the bars? Red wing boots and fine knitwear.