Please Help Me Learn How To Become an IGent

[KaiserSose]

To be honest I don't even know what an IGent is - that's how clueless I am. Keep in mind that I've browed the forum obsessively for the last two weeks. It just seems that you guys are on a different level than me and while I don't expect to be on that level yet, it would be nice to at least make a few baby steps.

1) What is Bespoke? I hear this term being tossed around a lot in reference to high quality suits, but I have no idea what it means.

2) How can I determine my precise measurements? I see people list like five different type of measurements, but all I know is that I'm a 33 / 30 in pants and a 16 / 32 in dress shirts (both awkward sizes, unfortunately).

3) Where should I go for tailored shirts? I hear people talk about Janzen a lot, is this recommended? Keep in mind that I'm on somewhat of a budget and don't want to really spend more than $60 a shirt.

4) What does it mean when someone says they have a Corneliani suit that is made in Italy for Dunhill? Or C&J made for Ralph Lauren?

5) How do I know what shirts are slim? What pants are slim? What suits are slim? I mean, I've read through the slim fit thread but information is always being contradicted and is really tough to piece together. For example, I heard Ted Baker shirts fit reasonably slim. I went on bluefly and found a shirt I thought looked pretty nice, but it only says contemporary fit. WTF does that mean? http://www.bluefly.com/Ted-Baker-bla...000/detail.fly

6) Any recommendations for places to shop online? Right now I really only go to the Buy & Sell forum, ebay and Bluefly.

Please help, even if you can only answer one question.

 

[grimslade]

Who is Kaiser Sose?

 

[Spatlese]

The greatest trick the igent ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn't....never mind.

 

[bluemagic]

 

[KaiserSose]

lol, while I appreciate all of the jokes a little help would be nice

 

[Mauby]

Good luck with that Kaiser. People here aren't all that helpful, but they sure are humorous.

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by KaiserSose

lol, while I appreciate all of the jokes a little help would be nice

Have you read the Manual?


- B

 

[dsmolken]

Originally Posted by Mauby

Good luck with that Kaiser. People here aren't all that helpful, but they sure are humorous.
Oh, they're helpful, it's just an unfortunately worded question. Like asking "How do I become an Internet Tough Guy?" on a boxing forum.

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by KaiserSose

lol, while I appreciate all of the jokes a little help would be nice

Honestly, all the question you ask have been covered many times on this forum. "What is bespoke" for instance has launched a thousand threads. You might try reading those and see if you have any additional questions.

The reason you might not be getting answers right off the bat is, first, when you use iGent in the thread title, people will assume you are joking, and second, many of these questions have been asked and answered so many times that people are sort of tired of typing out the same answer yet again.

 

[itsstillmatt]

The True Gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy; whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others, rather than his own; and who appears well in any company, a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe.

Just add i where necessary.

 

[grimslade]

Here's one for you though, assuming despite your name and the thread title that you might be serious:

Companies like Polo don't make most of what they sell. They are branding and marketing companies, not manufacturers or artisans. So a company like Crockett & Jones, which makes shoes under its own label, will also make "private label" shoes for various stores. The same with some suitmakers. That's what "C&J for Polo" or the like means--the manufacturer has produced the item in question under contract with the retailer, which may well not make anything at all itself, or make very little of what it actually sells.

 

[gnatty8]

If you really want to learn how to become a full-fledged member of the iGentry, you may want to start by registering at this fora, and observing the aberrant behaviors of most members with an anglophile sounding user name:

 

[Scoundrel]

Well, for starters, you need to buy the best fountain pen you can afford. They don't make good ones anymore, so you will probably have to eBay a vintage (used) fountain pen. Most iGents concur the breast pocket of one's suit is the only place to keep a fountain pen. Others will contest the breast pocket of a shirt is best. Either way, always keep one on you! Don't even think of using a ball point pen, ever!! Good luck!

 

[KaiserSose]

Vox: That link was just to another forum? Is there a "manual" somewhere in there that I shoudl read?

Manton: Trust me, I know all about the fatigue associated with answering noobs questions in forums. I'm a very active member of a few other forums. This forum, while extremely helpful in a number of ways, is not catered at all too noobs. While I could use the search tool to find information on the questions I presented, the answers are often contradictorary and inconclusive. Furthermore most of the threads presume you know things. Like there are a ton of bespoke threads, but not one I have found defines what bespoke is.

Grim: Very good response. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks so much.

I realize my title / name are somewhat humorous, but this is a boring thread so I thought it would help lure in the experts. I guess my choice of words should have better conveyed what I was after.

 

[nostrings]

The term "Bespoke" usually means that you're footing the bill for something custom made by hand. Essentially you've visited a good tailor, had yourself measured and 'spoken for' your own quantity of fine cloth to be used specifically for your own suit, jacket...

A good tailor, or experienced clerk can advise you on fit, quality and value. If you are "new" I would recommend staying clear of Macy's, Sears, Dillards, JCPenny, etc. Better shops/department stores will help you find ready-to-wear articles in odd sizes or recommend things that can be altered to fit you.