Styleforum's Sweet Sixteen

[LA Guy]

Styleforum turns Sixteen.​

This year, Styleforum turns Sixteen. For me, the beginning seems simultaneously far away and very close.


It seems a lifetime ago since @j, my business partner, in a fit of frustration with GQ's forums, decided to create a place in which guys who cared to could discuss clothing. When we started, there was no Facebook, no Youtube, no Instagram, Ebay had single pages of auctions for men's clothing brands, and Amazon was still mostly selling books. And Styleforum looked very different. It wasn't much to look at, but it was the internet home for many of us. It was convivial and fun, with a mix of men (and several women) of varying tastes, knowledge, and experiences. And because it was such a lively, fun, frank, and often snarky, place, it quickly became the nexus of discussion about menswear on the internet. It’s from this atmosphere that of “Come for the clothes, stay for the company” motto emerged.


And yet, it seems like this amazing journey with all of you has just started. I make new friends every year, learn about new brands and discover old ones that I feel like I should have found out about years ago. I learn more about shoemaking, tailoring, edge rolling, leather, indigo, silk crepe de chine, and of course, shell cordovan and grenadine, with each post I read. I’ve learned a thing or two about grilling a steak as well. Thank you all for the honor and the privilege.


We will be giving away sixteen gift certificates between $100 and $200 redeemable at an affiliate vendor, throughout our Sixteenth year, to an active member in good standing.


Thanks for making this the largest and most lively English language mens clothing forum online. Help us become an even better community. If you have a friend who is interested in men’s clothing, invite him to register and join us here. Read, ask questions, give us your opinions and share your knowledge! Help us build more great memories.


Cheers,


Fok – owner and manager, Styleforum.

 

[LA Guy]

@gdl203 @kirbya @NickPollica @shoreman1782 @Saucemaster @Epaulet @Manton @Despos @rach2jlc @Ambulance Chaser @dieworkwear @Steve B. @tiger02 @Stu @clarinetplayer @bengal-stripe @Bradford @The_Foxx @mr monty @cristobal @Manton @Bic Pentameter @LabelKing @A Harris @yfyf @AlanC @Shirtmaven @jpierpont @sartoriale @Brian SD @VictorC @SpooPoker @NewYorkIslander @ken @Kent Wang @Will @chobochobo @JLibourel @emptym @TheWorldsFinest @mack11211 @A Canuker @globetrotter @Baron @Parker @FrankCowperwood @DiplomaticTies @Iammatt

There are so many more to tag, but thought that I should tag some of our OGs and a few others besides. Please drop by and tell us how you found this place, so many years ago, and what you've been up to. Please tag anyone you feel is missing here - I know that there are many.

 

[othertravel]

Fok, thank you for building this forum. We are a literal community because of your efforts (and every community needs a place to congregate - which you’ve allowed us to do here).

 

[LA Guy]

Fok, thank you for building this forum. We are a literal community because of your efforts (and every community needs a place to congregate).

Geez, thanks man. I just looked at your join date, and realize that you experienced just a few months of the "second iteration" of Styleforum before we entered into what might be called our "modern" era. And that was 7 years ago. Time flies...

 

[othertravel]

Geez, thanks man. I just looked at your join date, and realize that you experienced just a few months of the "second iteration" of Styleforum before we entered into what might be called our "modern" era. And that was 7 years ago. Time flies...

Yeah, it’s been a while. I still regret my first post (if I recall correctly, I was arguing the merits of Hugo Boss’ Selection line). This was before I discovered the glory of B&S. I never realized that such amazing deals could be found online.

I recommend members do a deep dive into the archives, where there’s some great geeking out on menswear.

For example, there was an informative thread about G&G when they were first starting out, and comparing them to Corthay. This was before GG had their own factory.

And let’s not forget PCAT...

 

[SpooPoker]

I dont remember how I found SF. But I remember lurking for a good month in awe of what kind of salty humor (@voxsartoria) and fits I saw and was so scared to make my first post. Finally I did, and have had a few thousand awesome conversations about clothes since then.

Not only that, Im 101% sure I would not have been able to become an entrepreneur and start my own company if it were not for StyleForum. It has, without question, changed the trajectory of my life and for the better. Tell @j that I owe him lots - and you too Fok, I cant believe it was damn near 10 years ago we all hung out at that hotel in NY.

I can safely say that StyleForum has changed my life more than Google or Yahoo has. So, I thank you.

 

[LA Guy]

I dont remember how I found SF. But I remember lurking for a good month in awe of what kind of salty humor (@voxsartoria) and fits I saw and was so scared to make my first post. Finally I did, and have had a few thousand awesome conversations about clothes since then.

Not only that, Im 101% sure I would not have been able to become an entrepreneur and start my own company if it were not for StyleForum. It has, without question, changed the trajectory of my life and for the better. Tell @j that I owe him lots - and you too Fok, I cant believe it was damn near 10 years ago we all hung out at that hotel in NY.

I can safely say that StyleForum has changed my life more than Google or Yahoo has. So, I thank you.

Yeah, I remember that. You were there with @NewYorkIslander , and at some point, I tiried to start an impromptu sparring match with @shoreman1782 in the bar at the Ace, because it somehow seemed like a good idea, and we'd had some lamb burgers and a few drinks.

Incidentally, I just bid on some of your stuff on Ebay, because, well, it would be awesome to have a crazy bed. Um, if you look at your bids, you'll see that my Ebay username is as lame as my Styleforum username. A British friend made me do it when I was still back in Cambridge, and we were selling stuff that we found at Filene's Basement on B&S for extra beer money. That's the only excuse that I have.

 

[LA Guy]

Yeah, it’s been a while. I still regret my first post (if I recall correctly, I was arguing the merits of Hugo Boss’ Selection line). This was before I discovered the glory of B&S. I never realized that such amazing deals could be found online.

I recommend members do a deep dive into the archives, where there’s some great geeking out on menswear.

For example, there was an informative thread about G&G when they were first starting out, and comparing them to Corthay. This was before GG had their own factory.

And let’s not forget PCAT...

In your defense, Hugo Boss is not that bad. Incidentally, if @mafoofan is reading this, I think that there are a few green "coat" wallets being made by a few of our leather work affiliates. Just sayin'.

 

[Caustic Man]

Congratulations on sixteen years. I look forward to more stories of the old days.

 

[SpooPoker]

Yeah, I remember that. You were there with @NewYorkIslander , and at some point, I tiried to start an impromptu sparring match with @shoreman1782 in the bar at the Ace, because it somehow seemed like a good idea, and we'd had some lamb burgers and a few drinks.

Incidentally, I just bid on some of your stuff on Ebay, because, well, it would be awesome to have a crazy bed. Um, if you look at your bids, you'll see that my Ebay username is as lame as my Styleforum username. A British friend made me do it when I was still back in Cambridge, and we were selling stuff that we found at Filene's Basement on B&S for extra beer money. That's the only excuse that I have.

Shameless plug - Guidi shoes in your size and Guidi bags drop next Thursday

 

[mr monty]

It's been a fun and learning experience.

Thanks,

 

[RogerP]

16 years? I would have guessed it HAD to be longer than that! I can't recall how I found the place but I knew I was very glad when I did. I've learned so much from so many forum members. Thanks Fok!

 

[purpleporing]

Sixteen years is a long time. Hmm. I've lurked around this forum for a while because my brother was a member (back in like, 2008 or something, though I think he's stopped posting since) and hung around for all the knowledge and B&S deals. I don't tend to post much but I still read a few times a week and appreciate all the knowledge that gets shared here.

 

[clee1982]

wow, 16 years, I definitely didn't know it until 2009? I think I landed on AAAC first before somehow end up here (must be some fit picture Vox posted or something)

 

[LA Guy]

Sixteen years is a long time. Hmm. I've lurked around this forum for a while because my brother was a member (back in like, 2008 or something, though I think he's stopped posting since) and hung around for all the knowledge and B&S deals. I don't tend to post much but I still read a few times a week and appreciate all the knowledge that gets shared here.

I know guys who have been reading daily, for a decade, and still haven't made an account. I'm too opinionated to have held out that long...