Being "Called Out" on Sprezzatura

Originally Posted by TC (Houston)

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I figured (hoped) there was some logical explanation to it. I was afraid to ask.

It was an odd assortment of stuff in my pockets - a cigar, two lighters, a cigar cutter, a straight razor. I looked like I was headed to Guantanamo for "information retrieval" detail.

Flintlock is the only way to go . . . .

Originally Posted by gnatty8

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I do this also to demonstrate that my button fly is indeed, functional.. The ladies down at the coffee shop called the police on me last time I came in for a Caramel Frappuccino.. How I suffer for sprezzatura..

This form of affectation truly only works when you have button fly pants. I generally only leave one undone down there, which the ladies are then happy to service.

Undone zipper fly = slob.

Undone button fly = sprezzatura.

How many times do I have to explain this?

It seems like sprezzatura is the manifestation of "wearing ones clothes" rather than "the clothes wearing you." That is, that you are confident in your appearence, rather than constantly checking to make sure everything is right, and thus the occasional deviation from perfection goes unnoticed.

I'm beginning to think "sprezzatura" is one of the most tiring concepts ever introduced in the clothing forums.

My take: Any affectation can be offputting, be it undone collar buttons, gaudy socks, or a tie worn with the thin blade longer than the short. This is particularly true when there is a dissonance between the wearer and the affectation -- someone who is naturally uptight will look conspicuous and self-concious if he he adopts a single "carefree" affectation that runs contrary to his personality type.

But here's the rub: The adopting of that affectation can be a step forward for a guy (particularly for those new to "nice" clothes) if he also adopts the philosophy that underlies it. So many guys start out aiming for perfection that, IMO, it represents a turning point when they relax and accept that they needn't look like a men's store mannequin all the time. Just look at the early days of WAYW vs. now -- the stiff robot poses of early on have been replaced, for the most part, with guys looking much more comfortable in their clothes. It's a change for the better, I think.

In a forum culture where we see threads posted regularly about how to prevent shoes from creasing, a little more cultivated disarray isn't necessarily a bad thing, IMO.

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

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In a forum culture where we see threads posted regularly about how to prevent shoes from creasing, a little more cultivated disarray isn't necessarily a bad thing, IMO.

Dear God in Heaven...let not my shoes crease!

Uhm, is there a thread about dogshit on the soles of one's shoes? I searched on the terms "dogshit" and "dog ****" but there were too many threads in the results.

Thank you.


- B

I thought the term, in the book at least, had to do entirely with appearances and the ability to pull off a performance, act, etc with ease, making it seem natural, despite the fact that one may have spent countless days, nights, whatever, preparing and practicing for it. Thus, it had less to do overall with the quality of one's performance or the act or personality that they put on, but much more about the effortless with which it was executed. How this relates to clothing, I don't really know. But it makes me think of JFK, in that I read someone post here that his style always seemed so effortless (with which I agree) but that he had actually, in fact, spent a great deal of time and effort securing his favorite tailors and clothing.

Originally Posted by chuckseabreeze

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I

How this relates to clothing, I don't really know. But it makes me think of JFK, in that I read someone post here that his style always seemed so effortless (with which I agree) but that he had actually, in fact, spent a great deal of time and effort securing his favorite tailors and clothing.



this is my take - I wouldn't want anybody to know how much effort and money I put into securing my clothes exactly the way I want them. but I wouldn't do additional activities to make it look like I put less effort into my dressing. I have creased shoes, I have a few worn collars, I have a few bits of shiney wool. aside from that, I usually look neat and put together.

it takes me 5 minutes to get dressed - each and every one of my suits goes with each and every one of my shirts, which goes with each and every one of my ties, shoes, socks, underwear, etc. I wear a single pair of cufflinks, and a single watch. aside from a few of my older ties, they are all the same length. so, effectivly, I pull on my clothes doing exactly the same actions that I did yesterday and the day before going back 20 years. I can't imagine standing in front of the mirror and adjusting my tie to look like I careless, or unbuttoning something or what ever.

but, if that's what rocks your world, feel free.

Only SF/iGents notice these things on me IRL..

Only once has someone said your pants are too short.. I said.. "I am short"..

Originally Posted by binge

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I politely, but firmly inform them that they just lost 5 AndyPoints.

Originally Posted by Phat Guido

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Only SF/iGents notice these things on me IRL..

Only once has someone said your pants are too short.. I said.. "I am short"..

People don't always say what they think. I don't go up to a woman and say your ass makes those pants look big

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

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Uhm, is there a thread about dogshit on the soles of one's shoes? I searched on the terms "dogshit" and "dog ****" but there were too many threads in the results.

You're screwed no matter what, the SF.net search engine won't match any word with fewer than for letters.

Originally Posted by binge

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You're screwed no matter what, the SF.net search engine won't match any word with fewer than for letters.

Fuk, I think that you're right.

People: please, the next time that you open a thread about dog **** in any context, put "dog" in the keywords.

- B

I think sprezzatura would best be illustrated as a "*******" attitude. I know when I'm getting dressed in the morning I will re-tie my tie if the length isn't right or I don't like the knot I've made. Or if I notice I've forgotten my belt I will run and grab one. I would say a man who says, "the first knot is always the best knot" (regardless of it's look) is a man who exudes sprezzatura. This is the nonchalance I believe in incorporating in my life.

However, I feel like if I left my button down collar undone it would definitely be an affectation because I had never seen it or thought of doing it until styleforum. I would therefore be making a conscious decision in the morning to create this look (that I saw on the internet). That's not sprezzatura, that's lame.

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

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Dear God in Heaven...let not my shoes crease!

Uhm, is there a thread about dogshit on the soles of one's shoes? I searched on the terms "dogshit" and "dog ****" but there were too many threads in the results.

Thank you.


- B

In W. Yarmouth right now, getting on the boat I stepped on geese ****.

Originally Posted by MORNINGSTAR777

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I would therefore be making a conscious decision in the morning to create this look (that I saw on the internet). That's not sprezzatura, that's lame.

If people stopped aping what they saw on SF, there'd be a remarkable decrease in WAYW posts. Personally, I come here for inspiration, and make no claims to be wholly self-invented.