08 April 2009

Casual Dress (100 years ago)

After reading this recent post on Archival Clothing, I was inspired to strike a decidely 1920's pose today:

My big cable knit, shawl collar sweater, in a weird belnd of silk, linen and cotton, paired with a Brooks Brothers vintage 1950's black bow tie with white dots, black watch slacks, blue oxford, brown longwings, and a tweed cap (not shown)
If only I had a hound, and some countryside in which to walk him.
I realize that I am often prone to complain about the current laxness in adult dress, but it does have its advantages. While its true I enjoy wearing suits and ties, I also like the look of a nice sweater instead sometimes. In the old days such a thing would have been completely unacceptable, but having the freedomto work these kinds of things into my daily attire is refreshing. Besides, even dressed like this I'm still likely to be the most "dressed up" person many of the people I come in contact with will see in a given day.

And truth be told, when the baby's kept you up all night and you're running extremely late, it's comforting to know that you could throw on any damn clothes and leave the house without shaving and no one would care.

But of course I would never do that...


14 comments:

Theo said...

wonferful sweater, where'd you pick it up?

Cyclo2000 said...

It IS odd that you and I would consider a self tied bowtie as something you just "throw on".
I like the breeks. Very chic. Nice look.

Barima said...

Your combination is elegant, but the sweater's especially outstanding

Anonymous said...

Great look.
I think I passed right by you on Newbury Street yesterday. The tweed cap and blackwatch trousers were quite recognizable. I was in a green vintage sack suit, navy/red repp. Not trying to make this sound like a personal ad, just a friendly nod from one avid thrifter to another.

C said...

I agree with the others, that is a great sweater. Nice tie too.

Conor

Young Fogey said...

I love the shoes, and wish I had a pair like them--you got a great deal when you picked those up! However, I'm not sure they're the right color for the slacks. Maybe it's the lighting, or the hardwood floor as the background, but to my eye--or perhaps it's just my provincial sensibilities--I think that black shoes may have gone better with the Blackwatch slacks.

Then again, as a Pacific Northwesterner, I'm just not used to plaid pants at all, and I'd be the first to admit that I don't know how to make them part of an outfit.

Regardless, that sweater is great, and the perfect vehicle for a bow tie. Have you tried a red tie with it?

Richard said...

I love this look, and especially the sweater and bow tie combination. For some reason, I believe bow ties look better with sweaters than normal ties. Giuseppe, you have a very good site, keep up the good work!

ADG said...

Strong. In a huge nad way.

heidi said...

Love it.

Anonymous said...

I love how the outfit all hangs together - and great addition of the bow tie!

Giuseppe said...

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

Anonymous,

I think I saw you too. You stood out as the only other person on the street whose clothes weren't spanking new, besides the panhandlers up by Mass. Ave. (take that as a joke and a compliment).

Jean Martha said...

love love love the plaid pants!

poloist12 said...

Giuseppe,

I love the trousers... I to have done this look usually on Thursdays just before casual days.

Its a nive way to easy into Friday.

L.A.S said...

I'll trade you my soul for those black watch plaid pants...deal? No? First born? No again? Hmmmm...how about a David Letterman intern?