TheChihuahua
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- Jan 22, 2020
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To be clear, I don't "look down" on these people. I look down on people based on their character, which has nothing to do with their dress.
I'm purely talking about aesthetics. If we can't say that some aesthetics are better than others, then there would be no discussion on this board. People would just post their photos, and regardless of how they're dressed, everyone claps. This would be a disservice to the people participating -- and the people spending their money on clothes. If you spend thousands of dollars on a wardrobe and look bad for it, was that money well spent?
There's a lot of room between "accept everything" and "look down on people." You can also say that there are better versions of a look (here being classic menswear), and discuss how to achieve that aesthetic.
I've posted many types of outfits in this thread, which stretch across a range of CM expressions.
Here are some very traditional outfits. This doesn't look like the 1940s to me. These outfits include formal suits, casual suits, and sport coats. They can be used for a variety of expressions, even if they're all very traditional.
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Here are some outfits that are not super traditional. Meaning, you will not see anyone dressed like this from the "Golden Age." They are contemporary versions of traditional outfits. Yet, they still have some connection to the past. (In the first photo, I'm focusing on Jeffery, the man on the left. In fact, the man on the right is very traditionally dressed, and his attire is a perfect foil for what I mean by Jeffery's contemporary take on CM.)
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By contrast, these are also not recreations of the past. But they are also not informed by anything. They are aesthetically bad.
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So yes, I'm happy that tailors and factory workers have jobs. But as people who are spending money on this stuff, we can also encourage people to buy better things, wear things in better ways, and develop a better sense of aesthetics. Otherwise, this forum would just be a consumer's bacchanalia, everyone encouraging each other to buy crazier and crazier things, wear stranger and stranger outfits.
Fair enough.
but I guess I take issue with the idea that the top two pictures are good and the bottom two are bad.
Especially when the reason for the distinction is due to the top two being based on a connection to the past or being informed.
(and note: I’m not endorsing either group or giving my preference.)
good
Informed
Based on a connection to the
Bad (for whatever reason)
now I’m not saying I dislike the top 2 photos. They are fine.
but one is a guy in a blue blazer with olive chinos, a white t-shirt, and new balance sneakers. That isn’t connected to the past or informed. That’s just a combination that you happen to think works.
the other is a black v-neck t-shirt with a light suit and keds (is that what they are called?) and no socks. Again, how is that connected to the past or informed? It’s not. You just like it.
and I’m not saying either is bad. But to say those are somehow educated or informed styles, but the other two are not…
Well that seems like you are forming an opinion based on your own preference and trying to justify what makes it better.