HOF: What Are You Wearing Right Now - Part II

My trad entry



J. Press suit
BB OCBD
University Crest tie
Standing in front of a bunch of books, which I figure is worth at least 1 or 2 points on the tradometer.

Originally Posted by SpooPoker

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Thanks for your comments so far guys. A few of you have mentioned my color combo is off today, but I'd like to know a little bit more why. I actually thought it was a bit too matchy, not off. Could someone who has commented (or agrees) expand a bit more? Not about fit, preference or selection, just the color. For reference, this pic is most accurate : pants are dark charcoal grey, sc deep plum, shirt blue with Bordeaux stripes, and tie is a brighter purple with white dots.

Here is my opinion:

Tie and shirt not a good match (bright purple doesn't work with a wine color)
This tie would look wonderful with a white shirt
Too many shades of similar but not complimentary colors when using a mix of bright purple, deep plum and wine. That approach to color will always look "off".
Pant and jacket need contrast, try a shade lighter grey pants
Pocket square color doesn't compliment or relate to the other colors. How about an ancient madder print with a hint of plum but other contrasting colors in the pattern? That could be your go-to square for that jacket


Another thing to consider is when wearing corduroy that the vertical lines are a geometric pattern that needs to work with the shirt. For that reason I would suggest a solid white or blue shirt. It is a very nice jacket.

I think it is great that you are confident enough to ask the forum these questions and allow for constructive input. Color theory is complex and takes time to learn. It gets especially difficult when you combine many different colors and patterns. Sometimes it is better to lay out your outfit but then remove one or more patterns or colors and go for a more harmonious look.

FWIW, I've been a member of the Color Association and Color Marketing Group for 20+ years. I directed the development of 500+ products annually using color and patterns and I'm still learning something new every day. I'll be the first to admit that I still make color mistakes. That happens when experimenting and trying something new. But I find it very enjoyable.

Originally Posted by J. Cogburn

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The pocket square should not match anything else in your rig. It should either harmonize or just be random. Otherwise, it looks like you're either trying too hard (never good to put out that signal) or it's part of a matched set some low-end retailer sells to the potato farmers. Hence, your match with the sweater is a big error.

Regarding the lavender and minty pastel green, I don't know where you live, but unless you're getting nice balmy spring weather, those colors are best kept in the closet until such as time as you're getting nice balmy spring weather.

Originally Posted by ManofKent

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Matching the PS to the sweater doesn't work.
Socks are too bold for the rest.

Originally Posted by acecow

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That would be so much better with well-fitting pants and a different pocket square.

Thanks guys, I've learned much. The moment I posted it I was almost fearing the sweater was too much. To be fair, most of the day I had the sweater off, so the pocket square went unmatched. And yes, it was (finally!) spring time weather here today, so I tried to dress accordingly.
And really need to look into getting some better khakis, these are several years old. Shall add that to my springtime shopping list, thanks for the feedback.

Today Harvey wins.

Originally Posted by IrateCustomer

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http://img852.imageshack.us/img852/8369/wddhvglenplaidencoltrui.jpg

This is a great example of why I can't wait to get myself a good pair of brown suede chukkas/loafers. Great look. I can't pull off a turtleneck if you put a $5000 bill in front of my face, but the rest is awesome.

I didn't even know $5000 bills existed (or was that the point, or do they exist ). Thanks.

Originally Posted by Kaplan

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I saw it, but was just too lazy and quoted MoK's post

- what I meant was it does look better.

I've come to feel that sport coats worn casually often look better open.

Hehe. No problem. I wasn't sure you'd seen the edit. Most of the time I let practicality decide if I wear them open or closed (cold and windy: closed; warm and not windy: open. Something like that).

Originally Posted by acecow

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Those shoes are amazing! What are they? The whole look is very nice and very you.

I thought everybody already knew, because they're in quite a lot of WAYWRN shots... C&J Tetbury in snuff suede, double leather soles.

Originally Posted by TTO

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The suit is excellent; both in terms of style/fit and colour. I'm not a fan of either the shoes or hat with it, thought they're nice pieces individually. Best Trad so far: Mike and Orgetorix (btw, there's no problem entering contests you've picked the theme for, in case you change your mind). Runner-up so far: UrbanComposition - as already mentioned, loafers would have put this one ahead of the rest. Alan - everything good, except the scarf, which just looks too white/new. A truly trad schoolboy scarf would surely have achieved a dull yellowy-white by now. No Trad for me today; it's just so far from how I dress normally that it would feel like too much like getting ready for a costume party. If there's another Trad contest in the summer, I'd probably enter it then as I have some BBBF summery stuff that would probably pass Trad muster.

Originally Posted by sugarbutch

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That van owns

Originally Posted by banis

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Can this be somehow considered as a Trad attire?
It is not what I was actually wearing today. Maybe from a couple of weeks ago.

3-patch navy jacket without the front dart with white MOP buttons (don't know whether it maybe called sack)
BB OCBD NOS
Panta repp tie
Uniqlo chinos rolled-up
Carmina shell monkstrap

Yep.

Originally Posted by acecow

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That would be a win if you went sans socks.
I did think about it, along with the loafers, but it was too cold. 65 degrees. Would get frostbite.

Originally Posted by harvey_birdman

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Standing in front of a bunch of books, which I figure is worth at least 1 or 2 points on the tradometer.

Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy

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Here is my opinion:

Tie and shirt not a good match (bright purple doesn't work with a wine color)
This tie would look wonderful with a white shirt
Too many shades of similar but not complimentary colors when using a mix of bright purple, deep plum and wine. That approach to color will always look "off".
Pant and jacket need contrast, try a shade lighter grey pants
Pocket square color doesn't compliment or relate to the other colors. How about an ancient madder print with a hint of plum but other contrasting colors in the pattern? That could be your go-to square for that jacket


Another thing to consider is when wearing corduroy that the vertical lines are a geometric pattern that needs to work with the shirt. For that reason I would suggest a solid white or blue shirt. It is a very nice jacket.

I think it is great that you are confident enough to ask the forum these questions and allow for constructive input. Color theory is complex and takes time to learn. It gets especially difficult when you combine many different colors and patterns. Sometimes it is better to lay out your outfit but then remove one or more patterns or colors and go for a more harmonious look.

FWIW, I've been a member of the Color Association and Color Marketing Group for 20+ years. I directed the development of 500+ products annually using color and patterns and I'm still learning something new every day. I'll be the first to admit that I still make color mistakes. That happens when experimenting and trying something new. But I find it very enjoyable.

Great advice. It might also be said that the jacket (which I actually like) is a bit of an anomaly. Historically, single breasted peaked lapels are the most formal lapels, second only to white tie. They are still seen as being fairly formal today. That would pretty much exclude them from being on most sport coats. Corduroy is a casual material, and is best on a casual jacket - think notched or latched lapels. Then there's the color. That color would be absolutely pimp on a velvet smoking jacket, and...that's pretty much it. Mix all those factors in together, and the jacket is a bit of an oddity.

Whatever, I'm all for the slightly off, but as far as classic men's clothing goes, I'm not sure that jacket goes...with anything.

Much love kthxbai

Originally Posted by MBreinin

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I think you most certainly should go into the Challenge, Org. Just because you pick it, does not mean you have to abstain.

Originally Posted by in stitches

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feeling a little confident there are we?

Originally Posted by acridsheep

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+1 on your eligibility (meaning, you are eligible). Also, I don't think you'll win anyway (not that it will be me challenging you).

Originally Posted by cronicmole

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Originally Posted by J. Cogburn

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Best-executed trad yet. You should have entered.

Originally Posted by Holdfast

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Best Trad so far: Mike and Orgetorix (btw, there's no problem entering contests you've picked the theme for, in case you change your mind). Runner-up so far: UrbanComposition - as already mentioned, loafers would have put this one ahead of the rest.
Ok, I realized after I posted earlier that what I said did perhaps sound a bit arrogant. I certainly don't expect to win this thing, I just didn't want people to think I'd slanted things in my favor, given that, among the regular WAYWRN participants, my style tends to gravitate most towards Trad. If folks think I should be in the running, I'm fine either way. I suppose I'll leave it up to Spoo in the end.

I hate that the challenges are Fridays. So, had to configure a trad get up while going a bit more casual, so we have
Brooklyn Blue Collar Trad

All items made in the USA and are somewhat tradly...Red Wing Boots, Bills Khakis (these are the slim ones) and Schott OCBD. The waist could use a nip, I look like a fat bastard...looked better untucked.



Not pictured Paul Stuart Raincoat...

Originally Posted by Requiem

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SC may seem to be stiff, but it´s really made from a very soft fabric and slim-cut, but not too snug. The match between the ps and the tie in terms of colour was just too good to let go

Originally Posted by acecow

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That's really nice, spoozy.

Cheers, acecow!

Originally Posted by acecow

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I´m a fan of the tie / suit / shirt combo. However, i pretty much don´t like the cufflinks.

Originally Posted by DaBatMan

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Originally Posted by twistoffat

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Very nice indeed. Love the colour mix

Cheerio!

Originally Posted by ManofKent

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Validating the shirt point, but as said above, couldn´t resist the perfect ps / tie match.

Originally Posted by LilacCords

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Sharp!!

Originally Posted by ManofKent

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Like it!

Originally Posted by SpooPoker

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EPIC Fail*

*as a trad contest entry.

Win on fit and the tie, not sold on the colour combo...

Originally Posted by AlanC

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Good to see you posting again, Alan, and well done!

Originally Posted by Orgetorix

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Great tie knot (what a dimple!!) and great shoes.

Originally Posted by niidawg3

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NOW THAT came unexpected. . I felt like i´d particularly throw you off with this one. Praise highly appreciated!

Originally Posted by Thin White Duke

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Damn great lapel pin!

Originally Posted by UrbanComposition

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Trad by definition.

Originally Posted by Eustace

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Great tie!

CONTEST ENTRY: TRAD or MAD?

It appears that imageshack is a little pissed off at styleforum. Attachments aren't really satisfactory.

"Trad" entry:

Thanks everyone for the compliments and feedback. I to feel the shoes and hat where a touch out of place, but the shoes are new and they needed breaking in! I was walking along a damp and sometimes muddy path and thought their commando soled goodness would be suitable!
They are longwings though...my first ever and part of two pairs I picked up brand new for £64!
I figured longwings, despite the soles, where pretty trad-ly, and the swelled edge on the suit was about as close as I would get to American Trad standards...I thought about wearing a seersucker bow today but it didn't feel right, too pale? anyway...one of my favorite suits...I'm glad you like it!
-TTO
P.S. I don't expect to be taken seriosly as an entry to the challeng...hence the title of my post!

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