What's With Letterman?

[MrDaniels]

The last two nights I have noticed that the narrow end of his tie is hanging at least four inches below the wide end with the wide end's tip hovering at least four inches above the belt line. After being suited up on TV for decades you would think he'd know better...you think he is doing it to be cheeky?

 

[whoopee]

Given he wears his DBs open against the advice of his tailor and has worn loafers and trainers with his suits, I think so.

 

[Ed355]

He also wears white (or light grey) socks with black dress shoes. I hate the way he fiddles with the inside button of his db jacket when he's on the show.

 

[Reggs]

He had footage when he use to be a weather man, and he would smoke wile on air. I think that bit of carelessness adds to his charm.

 

[Joffrey]

Originally Posted by Tuczek2

This Letterman sounds like a crackpot for wearing sneakers with his suits.


http://www.sourcetext.com/images/people/letterman.jpg

Now you've got to know he dresses like that for fun...

 

[jml90]

How he dresses reminds me of a child on his first communion. You know that one that hates to get dressed up. There are still these people even adults and young adults who beleive the tie is a foul choker.They would rather wear a ratty t-shirt and jeans.

 

[di Robilant]

Are we to understand that David Letterman is regarded (by whom ?) as something of a style icon ? The mere fact that we are discussing his habiliment on this site should seem to suggest that he is indeed so regarded - by some, anyway .

Here's something else which I fail to grasp : 'loafers' - if, by the term 'loafer', is intended a moccasin-style slip-on - have been happily mated here in Europe with lounge suits for as long as I'm able to remember ; why do North American men have such a problem with this concept ? I understand that : (1) they began life as sportive footwear and ; (2) some styles - for example, Bass Weejuns - are not, ahem, suitable or appropriate accompaniments to a lounge suit (being somewhat 'rugged', if not downright clumsy), but I see nothing wrong in pairing 'sleeker' styles (Berluti's 'Warhol' springs to mind) with suits . Let it not be forgotten that everything is in a constant state of flux : Edward VIII caused a veritable scandal by wearing brown reverse-calf oxfords with grey and navy-blue flannel numbers ; his father WROTE him a letter complaining that he had never seen anything so "unsmart" [sic.] as a short (i.e. tail-less) dinner jacket !

Now, suits and sneakers ? If we're talking hi-tech Nikes, or something similar, then the answer must be a resounding negative . If, on the other hand, we're looking at a pair of (say) Etro or Pantofola d'Oro HYBRIDS, I've seen many stylish, confident, Japanese and Italian men carry this off with some aplomb . I don't think that I would mate them with a Savile Row number, but a summer-weight, unlined Neapolitan suit...maybe .

 

[odoreater]

Originally Posted by di Robilant

Are we to understand that David Letterman is regarded (by whom ?) as something of a style icon ? The mere fact that we are discussing his habiliment on this site should seem to suggest that he is indeed so regarded - by some, anyway .

Here's something else which I fail to grasp : 'loafers' - if, by the term 'loafer', is intended a moccasin-style slip-on - have been happily mated here in Europe with lounge suits for as long as I'm able to remember ; why do North American men have such a problem with this concept ? I understand that : (1) they began life as sportive footwear and ; (2) some styles - for example, Bass Weejuns - are not, ahem, suitable or appropriate accompaniments to a lounge suit (being somewhat 'rugged', if not downright clumsy), but I see nothing wrong in pairing 'sleeker' styles (Berluti's 'Warhol' springs to mind) with suits . Let it not be forgotten that everything is in a constant state of flux : Edward VIII caused a veritable scandal by wearing brown reverse-calf oxfords with grey and navy-blue flannel numbers ; his father WROTE him a letter complaining that he had never seen anything so "unsmart" [sic.] as a short (i.e. tail-less) dinner jacket !

Now, suits and sneakers ? If we're talking hi-tech Nikes, or something similar, then the answer must be a resounding negative . If, on the other hand, we're looking at a pair of (say) Etro or Pantofola d'Oro HYBRIDS, I've seen many stylish, confident, Japanese and Italian men carry this off with some aplomb . I don't think that I would mate them with a Savile Row number, but a summer-weight, unlined Neapolitan suit...maybe .

I, for one, agree with this man. I don't see any reason why someone can't wear a nice sleek loafer with a suit. I might draw the line well before it reaches the oxford/sneaker hybrids, but I would definitely wear some types of loafers with suits (the other types of loafers, that I wouldn't wear with suits, I wouldn't wear at all). That's what style is all about gentlemen. Having "style" isn't about picking up the latest book or magazine out there and copying word-for-word what they are telling you to do - or flipping on the television and copying what the Prince of Wales or the Duke of whatever is doing - that's simply imitation. Style is the ability to create your own image based on what works for you. If part of your image is that you wear loafers with suits - so be it - as long as you know what you are doing and why you are doing it.

Excellent post di R.

 

[grimslade]

Maybe he read Manton's remarks on him in The Suit and decided to yuk it up a bit.

 

[rssmsvc]

I think the "Satorialist" guy, the one who takes the amazing pictures, had noted that he noted some sales man from St. Andrews tie it like that as an Italian thing.

I don't know if the 2 are related , but it is done.

 

[Roy Biggins]

Originally Posted by rssmsvc

I think the "Satorialist" guy, the one who takes the amazing pictures, had noted that he noted some sales man from St. Andrews tie it like that as an Italian thing.

I don't know if the 2 are related , but it is done.
I remember reading this as well. It seems as if a lot of Italian men wear their ties like this.

 

[Tomasso]

Originally Posted by odoreater

I don't see any reason why someone can't wear a nice sleek loafer with a suit.

copying what the Prince of Wales or the Duke of whatever is doing - that's
simply imitation.

 

[odoreater]

Originally Posted by Tomasso

Well there you go. If it's good enough for the Duke, it's good enough for me. He does it, not because he follows the rules, but because he has a style of his own and doesn't give a hoot about what anyone else thinks.