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Incorporating the workwear aesthetic into a non-workwear wardrobe

Transcendental

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Neither do I, if I buy the right pieces while still carrying the workwear aesthetic
 

dusty

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Somebody post those photos from that Drinkwater's shoot.
 

daft

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We need some pictures of some incorporating workwear successfully in everyday wear, and some pictures of failure.
 

zissou

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Originally Posted by Teger
Sizing down usually makes the shoulders much too small for me.

Well, there are three letters I have for you then: MTM
wink.gif
 

dfagdfsh

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so uh, most of those guys are wearing mostly EG or workwear esque pieces .. and most of the stuff doesn't fit that great
 

dusty

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Uh it may look old-timey but that stuff hardly looks like workwear. Cut out the hats and shawl collars and it looks pretty standard. Is it that much of a stretch to imagine a flannel shirt without a red button on it under that jacket?
 

dfagdfsh

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my point is that it is difficult to incorporate single EG/WWM/workwear pieces into an outfit that is not of the same aesthetic, especially if you're wearing clean cut designers ... not that it's hard to wear all EG
 

dusty

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yeah like I said if all your **** is trim it isn't going to work, but if that's the case not sure why the interest in EG
 

theom-

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Originally Posted by Teger
my point is that it is difficult to incorporate single EG/WWM/workwear pieces into an outfit that is not of the same aesthetic, especially if you're wearing clean cut designers ... not that it's hard to wear all EG

Yeah well its not like you'd wear EG with say Jil Sanders or Rick owens. That would be just weird.
You have to find a good medium. A lot of EG stuff won't look out of place with Band or Wings and Horns or J. Crew even and I wouldn't consider any of the latter to be workwear brands. Basically why would you be buying EG or WWM stuff if you've got a closet full of clean cut / modernish clothing.
 

milosz

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Originally Posted by AndrewRyanWallace
kitsch  [kich] Show IPA –noun something of tawdry design, appearance, or content created to appeal to popular or undiscriminating taste. Origin: 1925–30; < G, deriv. of kitschen to throw together (a work of art) Related forms: kitschy, adjective Sorry I couldn't resist.
Sadly, his usage is spot on. 'Designer' workwear is fine in small doses, and on the right people - but in designer mode on tiny little guys wearing nothing but EG/WWM/etc., it looks like an ironic costume. A single piece of that stuff is a stronger look (with appropriate Americana - real workwear, or preppie/J. Crew/whatever) than an entire outfit.
 

ToruOkada

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I haven't found much trouble with this either. Not hard to incorporate EG/WWM stuff with peasant brands such as J.Crew or even GAP I'd bet.
 

LA Guy

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Originally Posted by Teger
my point is that it is difficult to incorporate single EG/WWM/workwear pieces into an outfit that is not of the same aesthetic, especially if you're wearing clean cut designers ... not that it's hard to wear all EG

Not sure how a workwear jacket can't go with a plain v-neck and jeans...

Workwear has a lot in common with a "clean" aesthetic, in that the details were all originally utilitarian in the former, and that extraneous details are stripped in the latter. I really don't see where the discrepancy lies. A lot of Margiela, for example, is based on military and workwear pieces, and others are straight up homages to vintage pieces.

Where things may break down is in the texture; but it you keep that consistent, or are good at balancing contrasting textures and weights, you are going to be okay.

Of course, some pieces are just going to work, period. For example, the WWM Maine Guide jacket is about as minimalist as you get. Flap patch pockets at the hips, pathc pockets on the chest, and a short shawl collar with a fold back throat latch. You don't get much more minimalistic than that, unless you start taking lapels off of jackets...
 

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