The fine line between dressing like an old man and a sharp GQ/Esquire guy.

If I were doing this look (and I am, by no means, an example you should follow, but still...) I'd wear slimmer-cut pants or pants with a little more "form"; a slimmer blazer/top; definitely, different shoes as these seem too heavy and business-like. Also, I rarely wear white shirts when going smart casual.

Jesus H.


- B

It looks 'office' to me. Everything is conventional and fairly formal. Fairly generous fit on everything, the tie is a mighty big no no for dressing young, especially one that wide. If you must, a knit or a skinny tie.

And you need casual elements in there. Jeans perhaps. Slim chinos or cords. Less structure on the jacket, or a slimmer fit, which I'm not sure you're built for. More casual fabrics. Tweed would have been much better. Perhaps a ringer tee instead of the normal dress shirt. A more casual dress shirt even. An oxford with a button down collar. Not a fan of the shoes for a young and casual look either.

Or perhaps ditch the sportcoat altogether. If you put a nice brown leather jacket on with that top outfit, it looks a million times better. Slim and simple. Skip the bomber, unless you can find one cut closer to the original military style, which were cut for guys who maxed out in their low 20's, grew up in the depression and worked out regularly. Most of the ones you find these days are cut for guys who only get exercise when they carry 30 packs of beer from the store to their car.

Basically, only use the MC stuff as pieces in a streetwear type look. Just not the looks they talk about on streetwear. You'll want to stay far, far away from sagging pants and "creative fits".

ohhh were those actually his pics? he looks in his 60's

"Yes, I was dressed better than anyone in this casual sports bar."

..... bravo

Otto, yea, good point. I'm not trying to be THAT hip. As you can see above, I'm fairly basic and conservative. No lime green suit (cut thin) for me. The more I think about it, the more I think it's the pants. Slacks vs. jeans really swing it. Recall, I was in a sports bar, so the slacks might have clashed. The same outfit may have been fine in a quieter wine bar.

Poorsod, I 100% agree about your personal vibe. I don't have an old man vibe. I am very comfortable while dressed up. My body language is not stiff. That is why her remarks held more credence. She is picking up on something blatant, despite my relaxed/casual demeanor.

Originally Posted by OttoSkadelig

Click to expand...

left to my own devices i'll wear a pair of dark jeans and a casual jacket any day over slacks with 2" cuffs and a gun club sportcoat. i just happen to find the latter look fussy and, to be honest, a bit asexual, and the reality is that many others do as well.
I've never heard slacks described as asexual before, but I have to say I think I agree... reminds me of that Office episode when michael was unknowingly wearing women's slacks all day.

Reevolving, check out my sig for a nice slim fitting cardigan. I think the chicks will dig it on you.

This thread smells like old man.

Iodine and Vicks Vaporub.

This thread has had an AARP card for ten years.

This thread? Dines for 10% off at 4PM.


- B

Originally Posted by Reevolving

Click to expand...

Otto, yea, good point. I'm not trying to be THAT hip. As you can see above, I'm fairly basic and conservative. No lime green suit (cut thin) for me. The more I think about it, the more I think it's the pants.

as others have pointed out, please ditch the dreadful-fitting and-looking blazer first. the pants are the least of your worries. get yourself to a nordie's and invest in a canali on sale. you will look and feel 10x better.

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

Click to expand...

This thread smells like old man.

Iodine and Vicks Vaporub.

This thread has had an AARP card for ten years.

This thread? Dines for 10% off at 4PM.

The slacks certainly are a big factor. Straight fit jeans, fairly slim cut chinos, something along those lines. But fit on everything else is important too. Remember that you don't have to be in amazing shape to get benefits from closer fitting clothing. No matter how fat you are, baggy clothing only makes it worse. For example, I know a few girls on the DI hockey team at my school. Most of them have amazing bodies, but when they're dressed up in sweatpants and hoodies around campus after practice, you would never have any idea whatsoever. The shapeless clothing disguises the form of their body to the point where you would have no idea that they did anything more athletic then lift the cheetos bag.

Very random example I know, but the point is that you need more form and shape. And you need to have something in there to dress it down.

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

Click to expand...

"Get off my lawn, you rotten kids, before I call the cops!"


- B

You forgot the mothballs. Gotta smell like mothballs.

Hooya, how can I say this more politely? Please get the F off the thread, useless troll. I asked you nicely via PM.

Originally Posted by WhateverYouLike

Click to expand...

The jacket is what pushes it into old-man territory, IMO. It just looks very dated. And is ridiculously long. It's hitting like mid-thigh. Shoulders are really heavy as well. :
The jacket is a 2 year old Canali. 2 button, 2x vents. Dark windowpane Navy. Great hand. I think the color is fine, but it sounds like the fit is off. Or at least, is too traditional to be worn casually.

Originally Posted by acecow

Click to expand...

I'd wear slimmer-cut pants or pants with a little more "form"; a slimmer blazer/top; definitely, different shoes as these seem too heavy and business-like. Also, I rarely wear white shirts when going smart casual.
The pants above are all slim fit. Mabitex (which have been called "ball-huggers" on SF) And Banana Republic low rise / slim fit. It is amazing how baggy tight fitting pants can seem in pictures. I can't go any tighter than this. The pants don't look baggy in real life. Yes, I agree the shoes are formal. I think this is the least of the issues. Besides, I only have extremes (shell cordovans PTBs, pebble grain wingtips, NSTs, .....and black soccer sneakers) True, a white oxford might be too formal. Good point. I often wear lavender or blue.

Originally Posted by cptjeff

Click to expand...

It looks 'office' to me. Everything is conventional and fairly formal. Fairly generous fit on everything, the tie is a mighty big no no for dressing young, especially one that wide. If you must, a knit or a skinny tie. And you need casual elements in there. Jeans perhaps. Slim chinos or cords. Less structure on the jacket, or a slimmer fit, which I'm not sure you're built for. More casual fabrics. Tweed would have been much better. Perhaps a ringer tee instead of the normal dress shirt. A more casual dress shirt even. An oxford with a button down collar. Not a fan of the shoes for a young and casual look either. Or perhaps ditch the sportcoat altogether. If you put a nice brown leather jacket on with that top outfit, it looks a million times better. Slim and simple. Skip the bomber, unless you can find one cut closer to the original military style, which were cut for guys who maxed out in their low 20's, grew up in the depression and worked out regularly. Most of the ones you find these days are cut for guys who only get exercise when they carry 30 packs of beer from the store to their car. .
You're right, I'm not making a distinction b/w office and social. I'm wearing the same stuff. Yes, I think it's the suit pants. Jeans or cords or chinos come off as more casual. I do have a $700 goatskin brown leather jacket. I have just pulled it out of hibernation You're right, that is a much more casual vibe, and would never get "old man" from that. But, I am really hoping to be able to pull off a blazer in casual settings (like many do) Thanks for the replies and analysis. I do appreciate it. Verdict for tonight: While I do like my "office/MC" wardrobe, I may need some flexibility in more casual contexts/venues. It's time to look into a slimmer cut (perhaps shorter) blazer ....and jeans. I'll admit, the jeans feel like a step backwards, for some reason.

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

Click to expand...

You forgot the mothballs. Gotta smell like mothballs.

Dark jeans can't hide a shuffling walk and whistling dentures.


- B