How to dress well in CM without standing out too much

[mak1277]

I really liked this thread. Unfortunately it’s pretty close to being ruined by the doggie.

 

[FlowableFill]

My experience on this site has gotten a lot better since I blocked him.

 

[thuhoan]

Please tell us a bit more about what kind of look you’re going for, and in what context. And your age would also make a difference. Otherwise our advice will be useless projection.

Also, are you sure about that vertical buttonhole?

Hi,

With regards to the buttonhole: it comes with the jacket. I never use the lapel buttonhole so it probably will not bother me.

I am working in an office where people dress anything from casual to smart casual, usually without jacket. As I don't care what and how they dress (I don't judge), I myself like to dress up (compared to them), but more importantly I like to dress well. Currently 33 years of age and working as an engineer. I myself don't necessarily want to stand out by wearing bright and or colorful items, rather standing out by looking well put together.

I have some basic rules myself when putting outfits together:
- Never jeans at the office (though it is perfectly acceptable at my work place), only trousers and chinos in neutral/light colors like grey, tan, off white, sometimes navy (combined with a lighter blue base color jacket, northern light)
- Never sneakers
- Always a shirt (usually white/light blue/greyish glenn plaid
- Will always wear a jacket when wearing a shirt (hence I need more jackets)

Typical outfit combinations:

 

[dieworkwear]

Those pant + jacket combos look nice to me.

 

[ValidusLA]

My experience on this site has gotten a lot better since I blocked him.

Wisdom I should follow.

 

[otterhound]

or (3) they live somewhere a tad bit less sophisticated than LA or Toronto or SF. What do you think Oklahoma City is like? Or a suburb around there or even the rural areas?

You don't even need to go to Oklahoma City. Just go to the outer suburbs of a major city and it gets provincial quickly.

 

[TheChihuahua]

If one is looking for some historical cohesion, this is a pretty good look.

 

[Mirage-]

I do wish I could buy (non-polyester) robes for less than 10$, instead of hundreds. Though I'm unlikely to wear it with a tie.

If one is looking for some historical cohesion, this is a pretty good look.

View attachment 1672238

 

[radicaldog]

Hi,

With regards to the buttonhole: it comes with the jacket. I never use the lapel buttonhole so it probably will not bother me.

I am working in an office where people dress anything from casual to smart casual, usually without jacket. As I don't care what and how they dress (I don't judge), I myself like to dress up (compared to them), but more importantly I like to dress well. Currently 33 years of age and working as an engineer. I myself don't necessarily want to stand out by wearing bright and or colorful items, rather standing out by looking well put together.

I have some basic rules myself when putting outfits together:
- Never jeans at the office (though it is perfectly acceptable at my work place), only trousers and chinos in neutral/light colors like grey, tan, off white, sometimes navy (combined with a lighter blue base color jacket, northern light)
- Never sneakers
- Always a shirt (usually white/light blue/greyish glenn plaid
- Will always wear a jacket when wearing a shirt (hence I need more jackets)

Typical outfit combinations:

View attachment 1671965 View attachment 1671970 View attachment 1671966 View attachment 1671967 View attachment 1671968 View attachment 1671969

Good combos. Conservative to my eye but tasteful. I think you aesthetic would be very well served by following the advice of Simon Crompton of Permanent Style.

 

[MacGuffen]

Felt pretty successful in wearing CM and not standing out today. The moleskin fabric of the sports coat and subdued colors help a lot.

It was cold in the morning, so I popped the collar. Most people probably registered it as a nice outerwear jacket.

 

[thuhoan]

Good combos. Conservative to my eye but tasteful. I think you aesthetic would be very well served by following the advice of Simon Crompton of Permanent Style.

Thanks. I am going back to being conservative. I have had my fair share in fancy socks, skin tight tailoring, bright and colorful shoes and what not.

 

[otterhound]

Felt pretty successful in wearing CM and not standing out today. The moleskin fabric of the sports coat and subdued colors help a lot. View attachment 1672621

It was cold in the morning, so I popped the collar. Most people probably registered it as a nice outerwear jacket.
View attachment 1672622

This look would work for me out in the 'burbs. Saw a guy grocery shopping looking similar this morning. Any 5-pocket pants would probably work, wouldn't necessarily have to be denim. Proper Cloth has some black moleskin 5-pockets that look interesting.

 

[Hellbent]

I have been trying before, in vain, to put words on what casual elegance means for me. I now have found, not the words, but instead an whole article with pictures, which describes just that. Written by Tony Sylvester for Permanent Style.

Permanent Style

What is French Ivy?

www.permanentstyle.com

My thoughts:
A relaxed, but not baggy, fit.
Shiny dark shoes.
OTC socks (Not shown, but they need to be there for sanity reasons)
One accessory (scarf, thin belt).
No shirt (Damn I love shirts, but I could try wearing something else once in a while )

 

[radicaldog]

Thanks. I am going back to being conservative. I have had my fair share in fancy socks, skin tight tailoring, bright and colorful shoes and what not.

I meant conservative more in a political/formal sense as opposed to the opposite of fancy (which I abhor), but yes. Political connotations in dress are more of an Italian/French thing I guess.

 

[radicaldog]

I have been trying before, in vain, to put words on what casual elegance means for me. I now have found, not the words, but instead an whole article with pictures, which describes just that. Written by Tony Sylvester for Permanent Style.

Permanent Style

What is French Ivy?

www.permanentstyle.com

My thoughts:
A relaxed, but not baggy, fit.
Shiny dark shoes.
OTC socks (Not shown, but they need to be there for sanity reasons)
One accessory (scarf, thin belt).
No shirt (Damn I love shirts, but I could try wearing something else once in a while )

Like this look a lot too. Loden coat, floppy well-worn stuff etc. I'd just switch the shoes to something more like desert boots, to keep it more left wing (I mean, I love Weston 180s, but you just can't wear them in France and be taken seriously, for example). But to each their own.