Poetry Reading - Black Turtleneck

[J. Cogburn]

First time - and hopefully, the last time - I ever ask you guys for "what to wear" advice. But I'm going into foreign territory here.

I'm hooking up with an old girlfriend who is doing a poetry reading this weekend. Her poetry is really, really good (she's published three books, two of which have won awards, she teaches poetry for Christ-sakes, etc.) but ... I've never been to a reading. We're having dinner afterwards.

Anyway, it's getting a little chill, so I thought I'd break out the black cashmere rollneck. Very masculine, very classic, and I rock those bad-boys. But ... God, it seems so effected for A POETRY READING! Honestly, if it weren't for this being A POETRY READING, I'd wear it in a heartbeat. But given the setting, I'm afraid I'm going to look like a douche.

So yeah or nay? If yeah, do I dare pair it with a sports coat or grey suit (I'm leaning towards jeans because otherwise, I think I'd look like a goddamned cartoon). If nay, what instead?

 

[Grayland]

As long as you don't play the bongos while she reads her poetry, you should be ok.

 

[J. Cogburn]

Leaving bongos at home.

Oh yeah, I should mention that his particular poetry slam is at a public library. Pretty low-rent it seems to me, but that's no reflection on her or her stuff - she gets lots of acclaim. Can't always read your poetry at Carnegie Hall I guess. Anyway, the public library setting is one good reason for not dressing too terribly up.

 

[sjmin209]

Is it a poetry reading or a poetry slam? They're not the same things.

And don't wear the turtleneck.

And be sure to tell her you think the library is pretty low-rent. That will be sure to charm her.

 

[TRINI]

You need a beret as well.

 

[J. Cogburn]

Originally Posted by sjmin209

Is it a poetry reading or a poetry slam? They're not the same things.

And don't wear the turtleneck.

And be sure to tell her you think the library is pretty low-rent. That will be sure to charm her.

Reading. Just getting into the groove, man.

Don't think I ought to look like Dobie Gillis, eh?

I'll keep the public library thing to myself. Only brought it up in this context because it seems to me that the venue is relevant to the sartorial conversation.

 

[Harold falcon]

Wear the turtleneck. Absolutely.

 

[wetnose]

+1 for turtleneck. And black acetate eyeglasses. And really angsty expression.

 

[landshark]

These people are setting you up. Don't wear a damn turtle neck.

 

[gorgekko]

Originally Posted by landshark

These people are setting you up. Don't wear a damn turtle neck.

He's lying. You seriously want to wear a black turtleneck.

 

[fredfred]

I'd go button down shirt.. .with something resembling a sport coat. If it's hot, you can take off the coat. You can't do that with a turtle neck.

It's a special occasion for her. Class up the event. Maybe you are her agent. People might wonder. It will add to her cache. You can talk with the library management on her behalf.. "oh, she really is happy you selected her.." etc.. That might help her career as a poet.

 

[JonathanHemlock]

I think all anwers need to be in form of haiku. . .

Public Library
Cotton Dockers are the Choice
With Rush Concert Tee

 

[LabelKing]

 

[Kent Wang]

This fellow looks quite like Black Dynamite.

 

[rebel222]