22 January 2011

Elevated Casual

Same topic twice in a row...Another great use for the collar pin:
 In this simple and time tested combination of grey tweed, blue shirt, foulard tie and crew neck sweater, the collar pin brings the outfit up nicely. I would say that it "dressed up a casual outfit", but we all know that it's been a long time since an outfit like this would be considered casual. And before someone else says it, I live and work in a city, but the time for considering these things "country clothes" is long past too.

Wearing a tie with a crew neck is tricky. I like it with a bow tie, because you can see the tie. A necktie usually disappears under them. But the pin pulls the tie up a bit, making it just visible. A nice trick. Also, wearing a tie clip high up under the sweater and pushing the tie up a bit gives it some curl and keeps it from sliding back down...another nice trick. 

Tricks like these allow you to convince yourself that you've successfully created that certain air of unstudied nonchalance all clotheshorses strive for, even though its clear to anyone you meet that you spend far too much thinking about your clothes.


12 comments:

Old School said...

"Elevated Casual".

What a great expression!

ADG said...

Stellar. You've nailed it. The collar pin heightens the "visual stance" of the knot. Thus guaranteeing a pulled together--elegant look.

David V said...

Convincing yourself is half the battle. The other half is realizing you don't have to convince anyone else.

Roger v.d. Velde said...

Normally I just knot the tie while holding it horizontal to give it some curve. It still slips down eventually. I've never tried a pin or barbell.

Is that a tweed jacket or a coat? It looks pretty thick.
And speaking of such, anyone know why Heavy Tweed Jacket's blog keeps disappearing and reappearing?

Lacroix said...

Good point on the "you spend far too much thinking about your clothes" ... love it

Mason said...

"Tricks like these allow you to convince yourself that you've successfully created that certain air of unstudied nonchalance all clotheshorses strive for, even though its clear to anyone you meet that you spend far too much thinking about your clothes."

Yep. Love this.

Young Fogey said...

G,

On this day, you were the best-dressed man in Boston!

I think HTJ takes his blog off-line when he's unable to give it the attention he thinks it deserves. I wish he'd just close comments instead--but I'm not HTJ, and have no influence over him.

Vetus Schola said...

My understanding of the occasional disappearance and reappearance of Heavy Tweed Jacket's blog is that his posts require so much extensive and intensive research that it would be impossible for him to provide them on a regular basis. So, he occasionally switches off his blog and withdraws to some well-hidden archives, only to unexpectedly reappear with new treasures for our reading pleasure. I, for one, find them worth waiting for, and always look forward to the unexpected reappearance of the blog.

Britt Sudduth said...

I'm digging that jacket. Looks great with the whole kit!

Britt Sudduth

those tricks said...

haha nice.
I'm all for tricks.

Anonymous said...

Love the tie knot. Would you ever consider giving some pointers to those like me who never seem to "get it right" day in and day out? I'm looking for some consistency.

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