Sources of trouser inspiration: pale chinos

[dieworkwear]

Nobody in real life would notice.

This is true, but only because most people don't have an eye for clothing and especially now tailored clothing. The language for this stuff is mostly lost. However, people here discuss many things that the public would not notice because most people here are interested in clothes.

 

[Panama]

This is true, but only because most people don't have an eye for clothing and especially now tailored clothing. The language for this stuff is mostly lost. However, people here discuss many things that the public would not notice because most people here are interested in clothes.

Yes, but we are discussing shoes not clothes.

 

[dieworkwear]

Look through photos of the more sophisticated dressers who have posted on this board -- Iammatt, Vox, Maomao, yfyf, etc

The only well dressed person I can think of who breaks this "rule" is Bruce. I think he consistently looks great, but partly that's because he is who he is. Most men would look better in a derby here.

And indeed, even on him, I think he looks better with these choices.

 

[Panama]

Look through photos of the more sophisticated dressers who have posted on this board -- Iammatt, Vox, Maomao, yfyf, etc

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The only well dressed person I can think of who breaks this "rule" is Bruce. I think he consistently looks great, but partly that's because he is who he is. Most men would look better in a derby here.

View attachment 1573939


And indeed, even on him, I think he looks better with these choices.

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The loafers in photo two, meh...

 

[dieworkwear]

The loafers in photo two, meh...

We've gone from those fits to this:

 

[Panama]

We've gone from those fits to this:

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That's a great yellow sweater. You can never have too many yellow sweaters. Cool tan Oxfords too. I want a pair...

 

[breakaway01]

Look through photos of the more sophisticated dressers who have posted on this board -- Iammatt, Vox, Maomao, yfyf, etc

The only well dressed person I can think of who breaks this "rule" is Bruce. I think he consistently looks great, but partly that's because he is who he is. Most men would look better in a derby here.

If the core of your argument is that “more sophisticated” dressers only wear oxfords with suits (and I’d contend that this is not a particularly strong argument, because this sets up a tautology where the definition of “sophistication” is simply following these rules) then I guess I’d have to point to this thread where plenty of “well dressed” SF posters have written that they wear less formal oxfords with sport coats:

Are oxfords only for suits?

The only two oxfords in my collection are black and brown captoes. I only wear them suits. However, I notice that some here wear oxfords with odd trousers. Was wondering what the forum's opinion on the matter is.

www.styleforum.net

 

[dieworkwear]

If the core of your argument is that “more sophisticated” dressers only wear oxfords with suits then I guess I’d have to point to this thread where plenty of “well dressed” SF posters have written that they wear less formal oxfords with sport coats:

Are oxfords only for suits?

The only two oxfords in my collection are black and brown captoes. I only wear them suits. However, I notice that some here wear oxfords with odd trousers. Was wondering what the forum's opinion on the matter is.

www.styleforum.net

Looking through that thread, I don't know how any of the participants dress, so I can't say. The people here that I've admired have generally stuck to this rule, though.

 

[breakaway01]

Looking through that thread, I don't know how any of the participants dress, so I can't say. The people here that I've admired have generally stuck to this rule, though.

so a kind of tautology where it’s impossible to refute your rules of dressing because sophisticated men dress the way you like. I agree with a lot/most of what you write, I just think this particular rule of yours is a bit too dogmatic and narrow for my taste. But YMMV of course.

 

[dieworkwear]

so a kind of tautology where it’s impossible to refute your rules of dressing because sophisticated dressers follow rules that you like. I agree with a lot/most of what you write, I just think this particular rule of yours is a bit too dogmatic and narrow for my taste. But YMMV of course.

Just to clarify, I don't think they're well dressed because they follow this rule (that would be reductive). I think they're well dressed because they look good in their clothes. I'm thinking of posters such as Iammat, Vox, Will, Maomao, yfyf, Gus, Gaz, RSS, aportnoy, GDL203, Parker, Niidawg, etc. The shoes end up being a small detail as part of a whole, but it's a notable decision.

I like the way Bruce dresses, and he doesn't follow this "rule."

 

[Boggis]

Stumbled across a good interview with Gerry Nelson from around these parts, he talks about how he learned how to dress well casually after first doing "classic menswear".

Gerry Nelson Profile in Style - Iconic Alternatives Profiles in Style

In this Profile in Style, we speak with Gerry Nelson about how he developed his personal style and the lessons he can share about his experience.

iconicalternatives.com

Anyway, I thought the suggestion of paying attention to brands you like and essentially copying them until you know what you're doing to be a good one, I'll give it a try. Hopefully I'll end up looking like a smooth Italian and not Greg from accounts.

 

[Keith Taylor]

I will fall on my sword on this forum repeating that people should not wear oxfords outside of suits. Please, for the love of all that is holy. Stop wearing oxfords outside of suits. It looks so terrible.

I agree with a lot/most of what you write, I just think this particular rule of yours is a bit too dogmatic and narrow for my taste. But YMMV of course.

When I first read DWW put forth this preference in such emphatic terms I also thought it was a bit dogmatic, and what’s more I strongly disagreed as I really like oxfords and tend to dislike derbies. I’d never wear oxfords with jeans and almost certainly wouldn’t with chinos, but I’d happily wear them with any style of dress trousers no matter how casual the rest of my outfit. The only thing that mattered to me was that there wasn’t a jarring clash in formality between the shoes and trousers.

Lately, though, as my own style has developed in a slightly more casual direction, I’ve begun to come around to the idea. I’ll still wear my Alfred Sargent suede oxfords in pretty much any situation (tan, too, and they look phenomenal), but wherever I used to wear oxfords outside of a suit I’ve now switched them out for loafers or my trusty Clarks desert boots, the only shoes with open lacing that I’ve ever loved.

I still don’t agree that oxfords should only be worn with a suit. I think it’s just a matter of personal preference rather than a prescriptive, iron clad rule, but I at least see where DWW is coming from.

I’ll defend my tan suede Sargents to the death, though

 

[Panama]

When I first read DWW put forth this preference in such emphatic terms I also thought it was a bit dogmatic, and what’s more I strongly disagreed as I really like oxfords and tend to dislike derbies. I’d never wear oxfords with jeans and almost certainly wouldn’t with chinos, but I’d happily wear them with any style of dress trousers no matter how casual the rest of my outfit. The only thing that mattered to me was that there wasn’t a jarring clash in formality between the shoes and trousers.

Lately, though, as my own style has developed in a slightly more casual direction, I’ve begun to come around to the idea. I’ll still wear my Alfred Sargent suede oxfords in pretty much any situation (tan, too, and they look phenomenal), but wherever I used to wear oxfords outside of a suit I’ve now switched them out for loafers or my trusty Clarks desert boots, the only shoes with open lacing that I’ve ever loved.

I still don’t agree that oxfords should only be worn with a suit. I think it’s just a matter of personal preference rather than a prescriptive, iron clad rule, but I at least see where DWW is coming from.

I’ll defend my tan suede Sargents to the death, though

I do not like loafers or any slip ons. I wear CHINOS seven days a week. I am looking at a pair of coloured jeans, but I have not worn jeans for 15 years and they were black. I can't possibly wear Chukkas 7 days a week. I only have one pair of desert boots. Most sales items are coloured OXFORDS. Gibsons don't appear that popular here.

 

[breakaway01]

I do not like loafers or any slip ons. I wear CHINOS seven days a week. I am looking at a pair of coloured jeans, but I have not worn jeans for 15 years and they were black. I can't possibly wear Chukkas 7 days a week. I only have one pair of desert boots. Most sales items are coloured OXFORDS. Gibsons don't appear that popular here.

Two styles that I like are a Norwegian split-tie derby and a plain toe derby.

 

[Boggis]

Two styles that I like are a Norwegian split-tie derby and a plain toe derby.

I wish I could like a Norwegian Split toe... but it just doesn't do it for me. I generally dislike any shoe with an apron, and I find the **** toe usually looks ugly. Sometimes the overall silhouette of a Norwegian Split toe looks great, but I can't see past the weird stitching.

What's the thoughts on a captoe derby in casual outfits? Like this: