OFFICIAL Simon Crompton thread (PermanentStyle.com)

[DorianGreen]

I think that, after much ado about Crompton's integrity or supposed lack thereof, we're back to the classical forum standoff of "anything I don't routinely personally see worn in my social circle or at least environment, is outdated and customey, it would look ridiculous if I wore what X guy wears" vs "Y guy is cool because he wears whatever he wants with pride" vs "Z guy is safe but boring".
I don't really have a groundbreaking solution either. I tend to lean more in the second camp simply because I think most people grossly overestimate how much people care about your choice of clothing and underestimate how much the "stand out" problem is mostly your own perception making you uncomfortable (within reason, ofc bright yellow suits are not accounted for here). For example, I don't think anyone would be dumbfounded by anyone wearing cuffed, pleated high rise trousers - I wear mid-to-high trousers, often pleated and cuffed, nearly everyday, people (largely in imho atrocious low rise) don't even realise, even though i know literally ZERO males that wear them beside me. I do not wear suspenders though, and my trousers are RTW, so the highest rise trousers I have don't really stay truly as high as they could anyway.

For the record, I'm early 30s, and get a lot of compliments for dressing in mostly casual tailoring at work. Outside of work, it's more often shirts and casual refined jackets, but on occasion soft tailoring as well.
I do know some select few people who love making fun of me and saying I dress "very old"... but it's also people who I believe have 0 sense of style yet think they're "cool" because they wear black or something, so...

That being said, I'm sure you can in fact go too far. I'm not talking about ties, which may not be worn much but are still very much in everyone's mind, but more like bowler hats, morning dress etc etc.

Well said. If you are authentic and wear what you really like and is expression of yourself, you never feel overdressed or uncomfortable, and you'll be mostly complimented for your style.

But it's right, we tend to overrate others' percection of ourselves: the most people won't care at all. And certainly it's preferable to stand out for dressing carefully rather than sloppily.

 

[TomTom]

I never understood this whole "not wanting to look like previous generations" stuff. If something works it works, period. High rise trousers look great for most men. Conversely the shrink-wrapped fits of the early 2010s look awful whether you are 25 or 55. And thinking gold watches are "old man-ish", get out of here!

I agree, I'm in my early 40s now but have been wearing high waisted trousers and ties for the last 15 years. I prefer the classic fit of clothes and never , ever fell for the slim fit trend. FYI I'm 6 foot 3 (191cm) and I'm fairly slim and a former athlete. Age has nothing to do with what kind of clothing you prefer. And golden watches are very classy if done correctly.

 

[TomTom]

As someone in their 30s, I like higher waisted trousers and forward pleats, especially with suit trousers. It makes me my waist look slimmer and legs longer, and it works for me. I also dislike seeing my shirt in a inverted V below the buttoning point of my jacket which happens with contemporary low or mid rise trousers. It all helps creating a sense of silhouette that Boyer and Crompton talks about.

For casual tailoring, I like a higher waist but flat fronts for more versatility with knitwear.
I think baggy trouser fits and pleats are in vogue with people in their 20s now, at it was in the 1990s and 1950s Fashion is cyclical. I still prefer a tapered leg since I feel it looks the most flattering and highlights a flattering physical feature of mine rather than obscure them in potato sack trousers--which also makes one appear visually shorter.

At a certain point in life, one should have an informed opinion and sense of self confidence to realized mass fashion is an idea pushed by fast fashion corporations that make cheaply produced clothing but have massive marketing budgets. Personally, I am unmoved by such pandering to buy poor quality products made in Asian sweatshops, most of which will wasted and end up on a trash pile on a beach in Ghana or The Philippines. I like the idea of owning less, but better quality, and reselling them on eBay to someone that would also appreciate it.

To Simon Crompton's credit, he seems to espouse to this ethos as well and I appreciate that perspective.

Are you sure you are not a younger version of me? Bravo, and keep up the good work !

 

[TomTom]

If I wore a tucked-in polo shirt to work, I'd be more formally dressed than everyone else. When I wear a sports coat, shirt and non-denim trousers, my colleagues look at me as if was from another planet.

That is sad state of affairs. What a **** place to work

 

[epsilon22]

I think that, after much ado about Crompton's integrity or supposed lack thereof, we're back to the classical forum standoff of "anything I don't routinely personally see worn in my social circle or at least environment, is outdated and customey, it would look ridiculous if I wore what X guy wears" vs "Y guy is cool because he wears whatever he wants with pride" vs "Z guy is safe but boring".
I don't really have a groundbreaking solution either. I tend to lean more in the second camp simply because I think most people grossly overestimate how much people care about your choice of clothing (and if they do it's more often than not in appreciation of dressing intentionally, which most people do not) and underestimate how much the "stand out" problem is mostly your own perception making you uncomfortable (within reason, ofc bright yellow suits are not accounted for here). For example, I don't think anyone would be dumbfounded by anyone wearing cuffed, pleated high rise trousers - I wear mid-to-high trousers, often pleated and cuffed, nearly everyday, people (largely in imho atrocious low rise) don't even realise, even though i know literally ZERO males that wear them beside me. I do not wear suspenders though, and my trousers are RTW, so the highest rise trousers I have don't really stay truly as high as they could anyway.

For the record, I'm early 30s, and get a lot of compliments for dressing in mostly casual tailoring at work. Outside of work, it's more often shirts and casual refined jackets, but on occasion soft tailoring as well.
I do know some select few people who love making fun of me and saying I dress "very old"... but it's also people who I believe have 0 sense of style yet think they're "cool" because they wear black or something, so...

That being said, I'm sure you can in fact go too far. I'm not talking about ties, which may not be worn much but are still very much in everyone's mind, but more like bowler hats, morning dress etc etc.

I think it really depends on several things like industry and your seniority. I can start wearing ties to work tomorrow and at best I'll get a few questions from my team or clients since they've known me for a few years by now. But if I just recently started at the job I'd prefer not standing out because of my clothes and try to blend in with the rest of the team. If your job is client-facing it's also a good idea to get a sense of how they dress before showing up several notches above in formality level.

Maybe I'm overthinking this, I won't deny that.

 

[ConElPueblo]

That is sad state of affairs. What a **** place to work

As I mentioned, I am in the armed forces. Our work wear options are pretty heavily regulated.

 

[Keyser_Söze]

It depends where you are as well. If you're wearing a jacket and tie to a weekend barbecue then I'm going to question you just like if you wearing denim to an opera.

 

[Satmoche]

It depends where you are as well. If you're wearing a jacket and tie to a weekend barbecue then I'm going to question you just like if you wearing denim to an opera.

How about if one were to rock this fine garment?

 

[Keyser_Söze]

How about if one were to rock this fine garment?

Well... Depends how you style it I suppose.

 

[DapperDan15]

As someone who has always liked and still wears ties and other forms of neckwear, you may all send me the unworn Charvet, Sulka, etc, ties that cause your office colleagues to bully you. I offer a full depository service, including free storage space.

 

[epsilon22]

How about if one were to rock this fine garment?

Not enough marbling, you'd get bullied if you wear this.