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06

Aug

From now on, I think we should only buy clothes that look as good or better after sleeping in them.

— Tom, to me, a few months ago after a “late” night.  But seriously, I like this approach to clothes, and it hits on some of the themes we’ve been talking a lot about lately:

  1. Buy a few quality pieces that are durable and versatile, even if they cost more money.
  2. Develop a personal style or uniform that you can wear all the time and riff off of when necessary.
  3. Live in your clothes.

1 year ago Comments

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16

Apr

A Case For Uniforms

A: That’s right, I’m going to make a case for uniforms.  No, this isn’t another sports post, so I wont be talking about these or these.  And I definitely wont be talking about these.  That’s for another time and place.

I’m talking about personal uniforms.  A calling card.  The outfit that people immediately associate with you and your style when they think about you.  The shit you wear all the time.

It may sound weird that a guy writing for a men’s style blog is advocating wearing the same thing over and over again, but hear me out on this one.  When you choose an outfit to wear a large part of the time (we’re talking 2, 3, 4 times a week) you make a statement about who you are as a person.  You saying to people that you’re confident that you look good, that you’re comfortable in your clothes as well as your own skin, and that while fashion is a great way to express who your personality it by no means consumes your every thought.  In short, it let’s you achieve that effortlessly stylish essence that we’re all striving for.  Plus, when you do switch it up with something more bold or dressy, the contrast makes you look all that much fresher.

Now that your convinced, how should you go about picking a uniform?  Here’s my guidelines:

  1. Keep it simple.  Solid colors, classic patterns, and common fabrics.  In other words, its unlikely that your uniform will include seersucker. 
  2. Keep it casual.  Your uniform should represent your life outside of work. 
  3. Keep it tight.  You know what would be a great uniform?  A crisp white tee and jeans.  You know what would be a horrible uniform?  A 5 year old off white tee that’s curling at the edges because it’s A FIVE YEAR OLD HANES TEE SHIRT!  You get the idea.

That’s it.  Uniforms are convenient, expressive, and stylish.  What more could you ask for?  Check out a few famous people who weren’t afraid to rock a uniform:

My favorite one right now is Terry Richardson’s (the famous photographer with an awesome tumblr), which almost always consists of a blue or red plaid flannel.  And he gets to hang out with these people:

Jackson Pollock is seen in almost all his photos wearing some derivative of this outfit: dark tee, dark jeans, and boots.

Katherine Hepburn rocked pants all-the-time when it was still a big deal for someone like her to do that.  Like I said, a personal uniform can make a statement about who you are.

 Just don’t let it be this statement:

2 years ago Comments

uniform/

06

Apr

T: There is no one suaver (is that a word?) than Cary Grant in North by Northwest.  His gray suit has been the inspiration for characters in numerous other films (see Cruise, Tom in Collateral) but never has a piece of clothing has this much impact on a movie.  Cary Grant manages to keep it fresh even while running from communist agents, dodging a crop dusting plane, and while leading a drunken high speed chase with police.  The suit itself was made at Kilgour, a 124 year old tailor on Saville Row in London with the input of the famous actor himself. Everything about this ventless, three button suit with a roll-over lapel is perfect.  The cut in the shoulders is flawless, Mr. Grant shows the perfect amount of cuff, and the shade of gray is neither too dark nor too light.  It just shows that one excellent piece of frequently worn clothing can make everyone consider you well dressed.  But, I wouldn’t recommend wearing the same suit for a week at a time like Mr. Grant does in the film.  (at least change your socks).

T: There is no one suaver (is that a word?) than Cary Grant in North by Northwest.  His gray suit has been the inspiration for characters in numerous other films (see Cruise, Tom in Collateral) but never has a piece of clothing has this much impact on a movie. 

Cary Grant manages to keep it fresh even while running from communist agents, dodging a crop dusting plane, and while leading a drunken high speed chase with police.  The suit itself was made at Kilgour, a 124 year old tailor on Saville Row in London with the input of the famous actor himself.

Everything about this ventless, three button suit with a roll-over lapel is perfect.  The cut in the shoulders is flawless, Mr. Grant shows the perfect amount of cuff, and the shade of gray is neither too dark nor too light.  It just shows that one excellent piece of frequently worn clothing can make everyone consider you well dressed.  But, I wouldn’t recommend wearing the same suit for a week at a time like Mr. Grant does in the film.  (at least change your socks).

2 years ago 4 notes Comments

Cary Grant/Gray Suit/Suit/North by Northwest/Uniform/