Who still wears a suit to work?

[joacimbylehn]

Premise of this thread is for smalltimers. Real men dress themselves and dress appropriately and harmoniously for the occasion. What has changed is social standards. Anything goes today in such an individualized culture. What surprises me is how much conformity to a way of dressing occurs in the pursuit of individualism.
Even one of my better dressed clients is wearing sport jacket and tie instead of a suit to NBA games.

One could argue going to a ball game is not the occasion for neither odd jacket and tie nor suit.

 

[aj805]

My work doesn't require me to wear suits, and I only wear them on rare occasions such as weddings or court appearances. However I do wear tailored clothing often, with a sport coat when out on a date or other social functions. I've done this as a way of helping promote a sense of decorum, which I believed would add to social experiences. Recently however I have come to realize that it probably has the opposite effect.

I believe that the whole concept of "decorum" is being lost, that many people probably do not understand what it is or see any value in it. Today's culture is basically antithetical to the idea--respect for heritage, propriety and convention are no longer considered virtues but instead shadows from an antiquated, oppressive society. When I go out in my coat and tie, to some extent I am essentially speaking a dead language, which is of course not the intention.

It is curious because we can look around the world at examples of others wearing traditional clothing and it seems to so positively convey a respect for themselves and their heritage--kaftans or the saris worn by women in India, for example. These are gorgeous clothes, and they are in stark contrast to our Western love for change and fashion.

 

[jayvee]

I am flabbergasted by the ‘mid-town uniform ‘ fleece gillet abomination. Everyone knows NY leads the world in trends so I can only assume I’ll see it everywhere soon enough.

Maybe this is the latest evolution of the suit? Hats have gone, ties have largely gone, overcoats have gone, double breasted jackets have gone and now the humble single breasted jacket is on the way out.

 

[radicaldog]

In academia, an interest in clothes is looked down on cause it shows you're not focused on your work (and clothes are superficial, making them worse than having an interest in sports or something). But even in academia, if you do good work, it'll shine through. If you have a sense of humor about yourself, you can take the punches and jokes when people rib you for your clothing.

Tell me about it. But after a while they get used to it. Having said that, I've been introduced as a speaker as "the best dressed [field] in Europe", which I don't think was a compliment. And in general there's still a little more tolerance for oddballs in academia.

 

[RJman]

Tell me about it. But after a while they get used to it. Having said that, I've been introduced as a speaker as "the best dressed [field] in Europe", which I don't think was a compliment. And in general there's still a little more tolerance for oddballs in academia.

Meh, Steven Seagal was Yale's "most highly decorated professor" in Out For a Kill.

 

[dieworkwear]

When I was growing up, this is how guys in fleece dressed.

 

[beargonefishing]

One could argue going to a ball game is not the occasion for neither odd jacket and tie nor suit.

And an English teacher weeps.

 

[TheFoo]

I am flabbergasted by the ‘mid-town uniform ‘ fleece gillet abomination. Everyone knows NY leads the world in trends so I can only assume I’ll see it everywhere soon enough.

Maybe this is the latest evolution of the suit? Hats have gone, ties have largely gone, overcoats have gone, double breasted jackets have gone and now the humble single breasted jacket is on the way out.

Well, Silicon Valley was the originator, but yes, NYC is now the key catalyst.

 

[TheFoo]

Why is the concept of team participation in corporate environments so foreign and confusing to you guys? It's not so different as it is in sports.

 

[dieworkwear]

I play for team Sport Coats

 

[Salad]

Why is the concept of team participation in corporate environments so foreign and confusing to you guys? It's not so different as it is in sports.

I play for team Sport Coats

Game, blouses. Or in this case, vests.

 

[Kilo11]

I wonder if you can still use iGent phrases while wearing a vest. Like, can you say: "I just took delivery from Patagonia." "Well done, sir. Wear in good health."

You won't be able to use "sartorial", "elegant", and "Patagonia" in the same sentence.

 

[dieworkwear]

You won't be able to use "sartorial", "elegant", and "Patagonia" in the same sentence.

Finally, something good out of this

 

[joacimbylehn]

And an English teacher weeps.

Well English is not my first language so the teacher will have to dry his tears the campus fleece vest.

 

[steveoffice]

if i wear my patagonia vest over a t shirt. is that still considered mid-town uniform? it gets cold in office...