Ask A Question, Get An Answer... - Post All Quick Questions Here (Classic menswear)

[mastakebob]

What pants can I pair with this grey window pane sports jacket to keep it as close to "business" as possible? The 'panes' are lighter grey and dark blue.

It's a Saks odd jacket. I keep it at work and wear it over wool slacks and shirt and tie for when I need go to meetings/presentations. Office dress code is Business.
I got it a few years ago and have been wearing it over medium to dark grey wool slacks, with white or light blue plain shirts, with basic ties and with brown leather shoes (J&M, AE loafer, cap toe, brogues).

I bike commute, so my strategy is to leave multiple jackets and shoes at work, and bring in pants, shirt, and tie each day, changing in the building's locker room. Once at my office, I wear whatever jacket/shoes best match the pants/shirt that I brought.

EDIT: Maybe its not windowpane plaid, but glen plaid? not sure..

 

[SimonC]

I know you said business, but I'd draw out the lighter colours in the windowpane by pairing that with cream coloured trousers and a light blue shirt. To my eye, dark grey pants are just going to drain the life from the jacket.

The other option, as you can see from the lining, may be to go with mid blue. The fact the lining complements the colours of the fabric suggets a pair of pants in that shade may do so too. In this context I'd probably wear a white shirt.

 

[12345Michael54321]

I don't mean to be unhelpful, but that windowpane/plaid jacket really doesn't lend itself to business attire. It's a pretty casual jacket, really.

That having been said, blue pants would be my choice. Never mind that blue pants don't usually get a whole lot of love here on SF. They're a good pairing with that jacket. Various possibilities in terms of a shirt, but the most simple choice - white - is a rather good one in this case. Similarly, a solid, blue tie is about as simple a necktie choice as you can get, but there'd be nothing wrong with it here.

Still not a great look, or a business look, but if you're wedded to wearing that jacket these suggestions will likely do as well as any others, and likely better than most.

 

[mastakebob]

I don't mean to be unhelpful, but that windowpane/plaid jacket really doesn't lend itself to business attire. It's a pretty casual jacket, really....

No worries here, I think that was a very helpful comment. Any suggestions on odd jackets that are 'business'? Or is that a contradiction in terms?

 

[smilence]

Would 13oz be too heavy for a spring / fall cotton blazer?

I'm thinking of replicating this unconstructed, quarter lined cotton blazer : http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Gant-Ru...WT-/302250601879?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275 a medium weight blazer for spring / fall (60 - 80F)

So I have the option of a similar 13oz / 370 gram fabric at Luxire, would it be too heavy for this application? Another option is 7oz but I suppose it's too lightweight.

 

[ysc]

Where to buy White Tie (in London or online).

I have to attend a white tie event in a little over a month. The options seem to be Ede & Ravenscroft where I am looking at over £1000 for the rig, which is just too much for something I am realistically not going to wear again in a decade, renting most of which looks dire, or strange online shops like this.

At the moment I am leaning towards ordering from a strange online shop and taking it to a tailor to see what can be done, but I wondered if anyone had any useful suggestions first?

 

[Loathing]

You used to be able to rent from Ede — is that not the case anymore?

Otherwise, the stuff like you see on Dobell's it's the same as you can pick up from any of those formalwear ships around Temple or the City. Pretty crappy, but then everyone's white tie looks awful these days do you will hardly stand out:

 

[ysc]



You used to be able to rent from Ede — is that not the case anymore?

Otherwise, the stuff like you see on Dobell's it's the same as you can pick up from any of those formalwear ships around Temple or the City. Pretty crappy, but then everyone's white tie looks awful these days do you will hardly stand out:

Thanks for the quick response. Online it looks like you can only rent gowns and graduation gear from Ede these days although I am going to go into their City shop and find out for sure.

Someone offline just mentioned a couple of good second hand places that specialise in formal wear in SW London so I might look into that before I go down the Dobells route. Looking crappy may not stand out, but I would rather avoid it if I can!

 

[Quesjac]

Thanks for the quick response. Online it looks like you can only rent gowns and graduation gear from Ede these days although I am going to go into their City shop and find out for sure.

Someone offline just mentioned a couple of good second hand places that specialise in formal wear in SW London so I might look into that before I go down the Dobells route. Looking crappy may not stand out, but I would rather avoid it if I can!

For what it's worth, if you are going to an evening event you're either going to be in the dark or in artificial lighting, so I doubt anyone but you will notice the fabric etc. Even with bad evening hire, if you do it in person you can control the fit, and that is going to be all people notice on such an occasion I expect. If you were doing it twice a month I'd think differently, but for a one-off I say go with cheap but well-fitting.

 

[ysc]



For what it's worth, if you are going to an evening event you're either going to be in the dark or in artificial lighting, so I doubt anyone but you will notice the fabric etc. Even with bad evening hire, if you do it in person you can control the fit, and that is going to be all people notice on such an occasion I expect. If you were doing it twice a month I'd think differently, but for a one-off I say go with cheap but well-fitting.

Agreed. It is quite a fun/unusual event for me so I want to wear something I feel good about, but at the same time it is a one off so cheap but well-fitting is where I will (probably/hopefully) end up.

 

[SimonC]



Where to buy White Tie (in London or online).

I have to attend a white tie event in a little over a month. The options seem to be Ede & Ravenscroft where I am looking at over £1000 for the rig, which is just too much for something I am realistically not going to wear again in a decade, renting most of which looks dire, or strange online shops like this.

At the moment I am leaning towards ordering from a strange online shop and taking it to a tailor to see what can be done, but I wondered if anyone had any useful suggestions first?

The great thing about white tie is most people that own it wear it so infrequently it lasts an age, and there is an oversupply on the used market. So with a bit of careful shopping you can pick up great vintage bespoke for pennies.

To maximise your chances of success I'd start somewhere like Hornets in Kensington given they more or less have a shop dedicated to formalwear, but there are plenty of smaller places that have a reasonable selection. I'm not sure if Old Hat / David Saxby still has stock?

 

[XKxRome0ox]

anyone have a recommendation for NECKTIE drycleaning around Los Angeles?

I have 2 ties that need a little extra care
a silk ISAIA tie is dirty where I knot it from just repeated handling
and a Hermes tie got a dab of oil on it

 

[12345Michael54321]



a silk ISAIA tie is dirty where I knot it from just repeated handling

For future reference, try to avoid tying or untying your necktie if your hands are dirty.

 

[XKxRome0ox]



For future reference, try to avoid tying or untying your necktie if your hands are dirty.

yes
but considering that I've been tying and untying and adjusting this particular necktie since 2010 or 2011, i think i've done a pretty good job of keeping it relatively clean

 

[12345Michael54321]



considering that I've been tying and untying and adjusting this particular necktie since 2010 or 2011, i think i've done a pretty good job of keeping it relatively clean

Depends on how often it's worn. Like too many SF members, I have some items in my closet which have been worn maybe twice since 2010.