How to dress well in CM without standing out too much

[Hellbent]

... I'd just switch the shoes to something more like desert boots, to keep it more left wing ...

I don't dislike the desert boat idea, but for me the look then becomes something else entirely.

 

[RSS]

The total traditionalist are going to ostracize me ... but I have just ordered a pair of 5-pocket pants in a khaki color. Assuming they look good, I'll order more. I'm especially fond of the white and beige ... but winter is on the way. Hell, I may even buy some denin. If it doesn't work, I'm not wanting for odd trousers.

Don't say you can't teach an old dog new tricks ... or perhaps I've just been tricked. We'll see.

 

[radicaldog]

I don't dislike the desert boat idea, but for me the look then becomes something else entirely.

Yes perhaps more bobo than bcbg. I think the sweet spot is somewhere in the middle for me.

 

[Hellbent]

Yes perhaps more bobo than bcbg. I think the sweet spot is somewhere in the middle for me.

Yes right, more bohemian. Still a good casual look.

 

[K. Nights]

(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.

Interesting. What kind of connotations do the Weston 180s have in France?

 

[radicaldog]

Interesting. What kind of connotations do the Weston 180s have in France?

Urban right wing.

 

[mak1277]

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.

You often make comments about dressing "left wing" or "right wing", but I don't read many (any?) other people talking about this consistently. I certainly have never given a moment's thought to how my clothes portray me politically, but I'll admit that I don't give much thought to politics in general. I'm curious if other people are so conscious of this as an idea, and I am just oblivious.

I obviously think certain things get appropriated by specific groups (e.g., I know there was some commentary a while back on a particular piece of clothing being worn by skinheads, that sort of thing), but I'm talking about more general clothing.

I hope this doesn't come off as combative...it's not meant to be. I'm genuinely curious about the assignation of politics to clothes and whether I'm just in the minority of folks who don't draw those connections.

 

[dieworkwear]

You often make comments about dressing "left wing" or "right wing", but I don't read many (any?) other people talking about this consistently. I certainly have never given a moment's thought to how my clothes portray me politically, but I'll admit that I don't give much thought to politics in general. I'm curious if other people are so conscious of this as an idea, and I am just oblivious.

I obviously think certain things get appropriated by specific groups (e.g., I know there was some commentary a while back on a particular piece of clothing being worn by skinheads, that sort of thing), but I'm talking about more general clothing.

I hope this doesn't come off as combative...it's not meant to be. I'm genuinely curious about the assignation of politics to clothes and whether I'm just in the minority of folks who don't draw those connections.

I've noticed that, when I wear CM, petitioners in San Francisco never ask me to sign petitions. I assume because they think I'm Republican.

Like, there will be someone on the street asking "do you have time to support LGBTQ rights?" "Have a moment to spare for the environment?" "Sir, would you like to help us to stop gun violence?" Just over and over again to all passerbys.

Then when I walk by in a sport coat, the person just looks down and waits for the next person.

 

[mak1277]

I've noticed that, when I wear CM, petitioners in San Francisco never ask me to sign petitions. I assume because they think I'm Republican.

Like, there will be someone on the street asking "do you have time to support LGBTQ rights?" "Have a moment to spare for the environment?" "Sir, would you like to help us to stop gun violence?" Just over and over again to all passerbys.

Then when I walk by in a sport coat, the person just looks down and waits for the next person.

So I suppose this doesn't really surprise me.

Maybe my question for @radicaldog is more nuanced. Like, if someone was wearing flannel trousers, a sportcoat and penny loafers, vs. the same outfit with desert boots...would that really signal a political shift in the minds of many people?

 

[smittycl]

I've noticed that, when I wear CM, petitioners in San Francisco never ask me to sign petitions. I assume because they think I'm Republican.

Like, there will be someone on the street asking "do you have time to support LGBTQ rights?" "Have a moment to spare for the environment?" "Sir, would you like to help us to stop gun violence?" Just over and over again to all passerbys.

Then when I walk by in a sport coat, the person just looks down and waits for the next person.

Works the exact opposite with panhandlers around here. Suit = $$.

 

[radicaldog]

You often make comments about dressing "left wing" or "right wing", but I don't read many (any?) other people talking about this consistently. I certainly have never given a moment's thought to how my clothes portray me politically, but I'll admit that I don't give much thought to politics in general. I'm curious if other people are so conscious of this as an idea, and I am just oblivious.

I obviously think certain things get appropriated by specific groups (e.g., I know there was some commentary a while back on a particular piece of clothing being worn by skinheads, that sort of thing), but I'm talking about more general clothing.

I hope this doesn't come off as combative...it's not meant to be. I'm genuinely curious about the assignation of politics to clothes and whether I'm just in the minority of folks who don't draw those connections.

Fair questions. As I was saying earlier, I'm aware that these political connotations are more evident in Europe. For example, think of the "Tories of Bumble" pic DWW posted recently:

Isn't it obvious that this guy is conservative? I submit it'd be obvious to anyone familiar with the UK. It's also obvious from comments frequently make here that many igents see being well put together as connected to bourgeois, conservative notions of respectability. (I'm not judging, just describing.) Or just consider the different politics regularly on display in MC vs SWD: I don't think the differences are coincidental. Or look at this old feature by Corriere della Sera on politics and fashion in Italy. They correctly note that 40 years ago things were more clear-cut, but still, some elements are still there.

 

[Stylewords]

Then when I walk by in a sport coat, the person just looks down and waits for the next person.

Perhaps they're concerned you're going to criticise their choice of footwear.

Fair questions. As I was saying earlier, I'm aware that these political connotations are more evident in Europe. For example, think of the "Tories of Bumble" pic DWW posted recently:

View attachment 1672706

Isn't it obvious that this guy is conservative? I submit it'd be obvious to anyone familiar with the UK. It's also obvious from comments frequently make here that many igents see being well put together as connected to bourgeois, conservative notions of respectability. (I'm not judging, just describing.) Or just consider the different politics regularly on display in MC vs SWD: I don't think the differences are coincidental. Or look at this old feature by Corriere della Sera on politics and fashion in Italy. They correctly note that 40 years ago things were more clear-cut, but still, some elements are still there.

But the issue is more a question of being posh or not, not specifically their politics.

 

[dieworkwear]

So I suppose this doesn't really surprise me.

Maybe my question for @radicaldog is more nuanced. Like, if someone was wearing flannel trousers, a sportcoat and penny loafers, vs. the same outfit with desert boots...would that really signal a political shift in the minds of many people?

I personally wouldn't, but I think these outfits have different meanings in different places. If I saw someone in a Barbour, I wouldn't automatically assume something about their politics. Barbour is just a very generic, slightly preppy type of garment here.

If I saw someone wearing a sport coat with desert boots here, I would think they don't know how to dress or they read menswear blogs. It's just such an unusual combination here; it doesn't hold any political meaning.

 

[radicaldog]

Maybe my question for @radicaldog is more nuanced. Like, if someone was wearing flannel trousers, a sportcoat and penny loafers, vs. the same outfit with desert boots...would that really signal a political shift in the minds of many people?

Not many people, no. But in Milan, say, many people aged 35 or older would notice and think of the political difference. Especially if the desert boots were well used, and instead of penny loafers the person was wearing shiny English brogues or these days some godawful branded shoe-sneaker hybrid. Ditto for JM Weston 180s in Paris, etc.

 

[radicaldog]

But the issue is more a question of being posh or not, not specifically their politics.

My British posh--like, peers of the realm or thereabouts--left wing friends don't dress like that. Though some of them sometimes will not resist some nod at landowning and such.