Hats

[Matthew Carberry]

I still wish vests were popular with suits.

Vests started going away with central heating and more car ownership.  No need for the extra insulation when you walk a few steps from your warm home to a warm car then walk a few more into a warm office when you reach your destination.

That same factor has influenced other clothes issues.  Suit jackets now, by and large, are not cut to be comfortably worn (armholes cut far too low for instance) but rather to look good standing still and be taken on and off easily; as it is expected that once you are inside you will hang it up as the warmth isn't needed.

That's one of the reasons most suit fabrics, even the "Supers" don't drape or last as well as they used to.  Heavier fabrics drape better and can be worn for more than just sitting at a desk but there's no need for a suit to be as warm or durable as they once were.

[Matthew Carberry]

Carebear: awesome dog! I love bull teriers; I'd like to get one when we have a house instead of an apt. But that tie in the second one.... what's up with that, man?

I too wish we could wear more kinds of hats without it being a fashion statement. I wish I could open carry at work without freaking people out too. What I wish != reality.

That is my buddy's dog Keebler and step-daughter (my niece for all intents and purposes).

The tie is bold, I like bold, ties only had to get boring (for some men) in the conformist '50s and '60s.  Ties are one of the few acceptable ways for men to distinguish themselves at a glance from everyone else in a suit.

"Statements" or the lack thereof are determined by the intent of the stater, not the observer.  If you are wearing the hat simply because it is practical and it looks good, not with the intent to make a "statement", as I do, then by definition it isn't a statement.

If you are open carrying the gun because it is practical (in your eyes) and legal, without caring what others think, then that isn't a statement either (though the job may not want you to in any event). 

Not everything we do that is publically visible is meant for public consumption.  There's a common idea in this world of self-promotion that we are always on display or stage, as it were and should act accordingly.  Screw that, I am just living my life as I want to in the presence of others, not for their amusement or consumption.  I'd do everything I currently do in the presence of others exactly the same if I were on a world devoid of life.

Except I'd wear pants less if it were hot. 

[Balog]

Would you say the same thing to a teenager wearing baggy pants and other gangsta style clothing? Are you seriously suggesting someone strolling into the office wearing a Ren Faire costume "just cause I like it" isn't making a statement based on their choice? They may not care what others think of them, but they are in fact making a statement. Same with hair. You may insist you have that hot pink, foot high mohawk just cause you like it, but it stills says something about you.

[Harold Tuttle]

i found a sweet black pork pie today for 5 bucks

too bad it was only a 7 1/8th

[KD5NRH]

i found a sweet black pork pie today for 5 bucks

Minor oops "PORKPLE" for $20: http://www.villagehatshop.com/jaxon_wool_felt_porkpie.html

But wouldn't you prefer something that stands out a bit more, like http://www.villagehatshop.com/bell_crown_topper.html or maybe http://www.villagehatshop.com/dr-seuss_fish-in-a-teapot.html

[Harold Tuttle]

you can call me... Tim

[BridgeRunner]

That same factor has influenced other clothes issues.  Suit jackets now, by and large, are not cut to be comfortably worn (armholes cut far too low for instance) but rather to look good standing still and be taken on and off easily; as it is expected that once you are inside you will hang it up as the warmth isn't needed.

That's one of the reasons most suit fabrics, even the "Supers" don't drape or last as well as they used to.  Heavier fabrics drape better and can be worn for more than just sitting at a desk but there's no need for a suit to be as warm or durable as they once were.

And that, my friend, is why I wear Pendleton, whenever I can.  (Sadly, they don't do maternity)

Unfortunately for you guys though, their men's lines are pretty casual these days.  Fabulous and comfortable and well-made women's suit though, from very formal to business casual.  From time to time they have some decent office-appropriate men's clothes though.  The fabrics are generally incredible.

[Perd Hapley]

Oh, hey, now that Bridgewalker's here, I just remembered that chicks dig a man wearing a real hat.   

[Matthew Carberry]

Would you say the same thing to a teenager wearing baggy pants and other gangsta style clothing? Are you seriously suggesting someone strolling into the office wearing a Ren Faire costume "just cause I like it" isn't making a statement based on their choice? They may not care what others think of them, but they are in fact making a statement. Same with hair. You may insist you have that hot pink, foot high mohawk just cause you like it, but it stills says something about you.

I think you are ignoring a general, if unspoken, factor called appropriateness. 

A Renfaire costume, for most offices, would in fact be inappropriate attire, whether or not the wearer feels they have a statement to make, they are not dressed appropriately for the environment.

A modern (20th Century) man's hat, though less commonly worn now, is not inappropriate attire for almost any setting.

Similarly, I may feel the baggy kid looks stupid, but, as that style is in fact generally considered an appropriate casual dress choice in most environments, I wouldn't consider him as making any sort of statement by wearing it.

[BridgeRunner]

Oh, hey, now that Bridgewalker's here, I just remembered that chicks dig a man wearing a real hat.   

Eh, not so much.

You say hat, I think black.

As in: http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=17637

Hm, it occurs to that my brother was almost certainly in attendance at that funeral.

[Perd Hapley]

No, no, I meant normal chicks.     

[BridgeRunner]

Yeah, I guess that could be an important distinction. 

[charby]

And that, my friend, is why I wear Pendleton, whenever I can.  (Sadly, they don't do maternity)

Unfortunately for you guys though, their men's lines are pretty casual these days.  Fabulous and comfortable and well-made women's suit though, from very formal to business casual.  From time to time they have some decent office-appropriate men's clothes though.  The fabrics are generally incredible.

I don't know about that, some of the stuff they call dressed up or formal for woman looks pretty casual to me. I wish my wife would get a pant suit or dress suit, when we go to an event where a male is required to wear a suit and tie, I usually out dress her by a lot. I've tried to explain to her that we need to dress to complement each other and so forth.

I get invited to a few black tie events each year and I like to wear a tuxedo from time to time, but I always deny the request because my wife will not wear or purchase the appropriate attire for such an event.

[seeker_two]

I don't know about that, some of the stuff they call dressed up or formal for woman looks pretty casual to me. I wish my wife would get a pant suit or dress suit, when we go to an event where a male is required to wear a suit and tie, I usually out dress her by a lot. I've tried to explain to her that we need to dress to complement each other and so forth.

I can empathize....I have to dress down to my wife's style when we go out on dates....she'll wear nice casual clothes, but then ruin the look by wearing those silly rubber Crocs... 

I'd sic Clinton Kelly on her....but she'd break him in half....