So would YOU/do YOU wear "Trad"?

[Larry Lean]

I'm using the "T" word for ease of being understood here.

The 'Sartorial Word Association' thread highlighted some common perceptions of classic American clothing.
The Ivy League Style thread continued my thinking out loud about this style of clothing.
Here I'm wondering if any of you would wear that "Trad" look and if so (or if not) what your reasons would be.

No trolling from me here.
I started wearing English copies of Ivy League clothes in London round about '79. Slowly in the early '80's I found my way to imported American shirts and loafers. '85 I cracked it and started visiting the U.S. for shopping holidays to Brooks, Press, etc., up and down the North Eastern U.S. coastline.
I've lived in this look ever since and have a slight obsession with it (

), hence my attempts at information gathering here.

Promise I won't be rude about our "Trad" brothers, but I'm interested in testing a theory of mine that here on the MBs we seem to view the Ivy style through the prism of the Trad interpretation of what the look is all about.
We seem to see these clothes through a glass Tradly.
... Interesting because "Trad" and the spread of the words usage as a concept on the U.S. MBs is only as old as 2004.

Any thoughts to share?

Thanks -

LL.

 

[Connemara]

I happily and proudly wear numerous elements of Trad. Most of it comes out in my casual clothing...I like GTH pants, OCBD's, V-neck shetland sweaters, boat shoes, Alden loafers, etc. I draw the line at sack suits/jackets, though. I look silly in them. My "business dress" style is much more Anglicized.

 

[skalogre]

I cannot think of a single thing I wear/would wear of the sort. Anything that may be remotely related to that "style" would only be worn because it is a staple or style neutral (or accidental). Lambswool jumpers are not trad or ivy league or any such rubbish, it is stuff that is worn everywhere.

 

[jpeirpont]

Allday, everyday.

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by skalogre

I cannot think of a single thing I wear/would wear of the sort. Anything that may be remotely related to that "style" would only be worn because it is a staple or style neutral (or accidental). Lambswool jumpers are not trad or ivy league or any such rubbish, it is stuff that is worn everywhere.

Try telling that to the Trad forum.

 

[Python]

Never - in Australia, you'd probably look a bit silly.

The closest I get is polo shirts (usually paired with jeans); other than that, I far prefer the Euro looks.

 

[Get Smart]

not in any way that would be currently associated with trad (no bowties, crabpants, nantucket reds, etc)

but most of my casual style is based on ivy/trad (as you very well know where I come from LarryLean). Today's WAYWT pic in the streetwear section is my take on trad style, tho I dont look anything like a typical 'trad' but I do know the heritage of where my clothing choices have come from and I've deliberately chosen such based on that historical connotation.

modern sack suits look terrible on me, but I *can* envision how one could be made to be very sharp and complimentary looking, not that anyone makes such a jacket.

on a related note, over the weekend my fiancee and I were remarked as looking "very old school ivy league" by someone who went to Northwestern during the 50s. a great compliment!

 

[dopey]

I've been Trad ever since my days as an Everly Brothers fan.

It is a bit disturbing to see the way MB culture has twisted what was supposed to be a wholesome look into the uniform of an oppressive patriarchy and their witless "Jazz player" musical tools. In the UK, the Everly Brothers look has been usurped by scooter riders that call themselves mops. This is the real thing:

Long live Trad forEver[ly].

 

[Larry Lean]

Thanks guys -

No wrong answers here.

I'm happy to hear that you hate the style just as much as I'm happy to hear that you love the style.
You can even question if it's a 'style' at all.

How much does the idea that "This is 'Trad'" come into your thinking,
either to interest you in an item or to repulse you when you see an item?

"Trad" seems to be such a poweful concept with such strong feelings both for and against it...
... And all from 2004-2006 on the MBs.
Whatever your POV you have to agree that that's interesting.
(-ish).

 

[Edward Appleby]

Originally Posted by skalogre

I cannot think of a single thing I wear/would wear of the sort. Anything that may be remotely related to that "style" would only be worn because it is a staple or style neutral (or accidental). Lambswool jumpers are not trad or ivy league or any such rubbish, it is stuff that is worn everywhere.
QFT ska, QFT.

I wear Harris tweeds, but those aren't "trad"- they're Scottish. Chinos have their roots in military clothing, and bow ties are simply old-fashioned. As near as I can tell, trad seems to be an amalgamation of elements from other styles that only become unified when worn with a militant disregard for fit.

 

[skalogre]

Originally Posted by Edward Appleby

... As near as I can tell, trad seems to be an amalgamation of elements from other styles that only become unified when worn with a militant disregard for fit.

Originally Posted by Connemara

Try telling that to the Trad forum.

Hey, last thing I need is the trad trolls (trodls?) getting in to an intifada, followed by a sartorial antifit jihad against me (apologies to any arabic speakers)

 

[Dormouse]

Reminds me of Vaclav and his Triple Tweed. Trad Heaven, that is. I myself have a penchant for tweed coats and shetland sweaters.

 

[dopey]

Bob Everly, the uber-trad:

 

[Edward Appleby]

Originally Posted by Dormouse

Reminds me of Vaclav and his Triple Tweed. Trad Heaven, that is. I myself have a penchant for tweed coats and shetland sweaters.
The net effect of the triple-tweed was really more ironic, though.

 

[VMan]

No, never. At least not in the AAAC sense, where it is made into somewhat of a complete lifestyle lived by those who mostly are not part of that scene. Some individual elements could possibly be alright, but it seems way too 'overthought' on the whole.