No color, no pattern, Appreciation Thread

[lowlander]

I believe that Steve Reich once said that by restricting his use of melody he was able to explore other ways of making music complex and interesting, such as rhythm and timbre.

Some time ago, and with respect to classic/business/work wear, I committed to the following limitations:

1. Only solid suits, no patterns
2. No color in the suits (not even dark navy)
3. No color in ties

It was a great decision. You might be surprised at how much you can actually do within these parameters. Not to mention, acquiring clothes is so much more efficient now.

Looking understated is never under-considered.

 

[JFWR]

So you wear black and white suits only? I am not sure if I am grasping what you're going for here.

 

[lowlander]

Every shade of gray under the sun.

 

[JFWR]

Every shade of gray under the sun.

Okay. And for ties, black? Or grey?

 

[lowlander]

Any shade from black to white, and any pattern

 

[comrade]

Are you aware that color was actually introduced in 1939
in the Oz part of the Wizard of Oz ? You would have made
a depressingly dull Munchkin.

 

[comrade]

Any shade from black to white, and any pattern

Lowlander, I thought that "Lowlanders" generally did (do) not wear kilts.
Instead wore(wear) trews, unlike your avatar.

 

[lowlander]

Lowlander, I thought that "Lowlanders" generally did (do) not wear kilts.
Instead wore(wear) trews, unlike your avatar.

Interesting point, you're probably right, very generally.

If I'm being totally honest though, I'm probably best described as a true Midlander. After all, I remember the glow of lowland industry in the night sky to the south, while to my north, the dark crags of the lower highlands, vast and black and still.

There, at that liminal border, bastards be wearing whatever they please.

 

[Jnarcane]

@ericgereghty Your time has come!

 

[DorianGreen]

Wearing exclusively grey shades would be rather boring.

Of course grey is classic and has with a good reason a preeminent place in the mens wardrobe: it looks always subtle and refined, but limiting your choice at this extent, would prevent you to enjoy all the lovely colours and patterns of tweed and other beautiful options.

Ever thought about the expression "a grey life", meaning a boring one?

 

[ter1413]

EXTREMELY boring!

 

[lowlander]

Wearing exclusively grey shades would be rather boring.

Of course grey is classic and has with a good reason a preeminent place in the mens wardrobe: it looks always subtle and refined, but limiting your choice at this extent, would prevent you to enjoy all the lovely colours and patterns of tweed and other beautiful options.

Ever thought about the expression "a grey life", meaning a boring one?

I should restate that this only applies to my work/business wear - assume a necessarily traditional/understated/professional environment (certainly no tweed).

As I said in the original post, you may be surprised how much you could do within these parameters. For example, I have found myself seeking out monochromatic ties with geometric cube pattern designs and there's a huge amount of variety within that theme alone. The monochromatism keeps things appropriately formal, while the design theme distinguishes the outfit in a suitably subtle way.

In other words, sometimes limitations can actually provide a means to expand on design aspects you wouldn't have explored otherwise.

 

[Leiker]

Black shoes exclusively?

 

[lowlander]

Black shoes exclusively?

Absolutely, plain - no broguing or anything like it.

 

[gimpwiz]

I want photos.