how vintage is too vintage for inspiration ?

[steam geek]

hi! I'm very new to this forum. I'm starting from ties between the historic menswear community and the classic menswear community. I start to slowly stray into regular classic menswear. I'd like to get inspiration but I don't know how old I can go with either icons inspiration or even illustrations.

 

[maxalex]

It's fine to be inspired by historic menswear (assuming you're not going back to satin stockings and powdered wigs), but you risk veering into cosplay if you take vintage styles too literally. For example, Harlem Renaissance-era zoot suits are fun as historic talismans, but wearing them today (and some people, sadly, do) just looks like Halloween. Likewise, in most cases, 1940s-era fedoras, which today generally look like someone is trying too hard (usually someone who stupidly wears them indoors)--to say nothing of the fact that there is no longer any "hat infrastructure," meaning a hook to hang your hat in a public place like a restaurant. (Not to be confused with straw Panamas which remain stylish and useful as sun cover but are worn at night only by cosplayers.)

Study classic style masters like Fred Astaire and Cary Grant, but then get inspired by contemporary well-dressed men--for example, the British rock stars Bryan Ferry and the late Charlie Watts. For an Italian take on modern "classic" style, check out every outfit worn by Toni Servillo in the film "The Great Beauty." In all these examples they are wearing the finest bespoke garments, not exactly Suit Supply. No matter. You will get the general style idea, and can proceed thusly.

More important than adopting a specific style or era is having tailored clothes that fit well. The average person may not be able to pinpoint why you look like an ape in an ill-fitting suit, but they will sense you don't look somehow right, or elegant. Get the fit right, above all.