Menswear

[Metcarfre]

Why do you feel awkward? What do you think makes hiking gear feel comfortable to you?

While we're at it, here's MFA's top outfits of June. Maybe you'll see something you like.

[My pseudonym is Ix]

I have a long list of chips on my shoulder, little insecurities y'know? I generally feel awkward in any situation where I do not have a definite purpose, so the only clothes I feel comfortable in are those with either a sole functional purpose (hiking gear, rugby kit etc.) or those which are so completely ubiquitous that I can go unnoticed (which, in most cases, is jeans and tees). It took my mum three years to persuade me to buy a pair of shorts.

Plus, hiking trousers also happen to be the single most comfortable garments ever created by man. And have plenty of pockets.

[Metcarfre]

Here's a month's worth of what I wore.

[Lord Chrusher]

I am posting this a couple days late but I wore my "good" shoes on out Friday:



Commando soled Allen Edmunds

and I got a lot of positive comments. I rarely wear them but I am thinking of wearing them more.

[Metcarfre]

They're pretty casual; you can wear them with pretty standard business-casual stuff.

[Bebop Man]

I wanna find a reason to wear a suit more often but all I can think of are weddings and the stock market.

[Metcarfre]

I've found it's a much better idea to dress well in a manner that is coherent with everyday life. And unless you work in a conservative business environment, suits don't often fit in to that.

[Kara]

Reading through the pages of this thread reminds me more than ever what I learn every time I go shopping at a store that has Men's and Women's clothing. I WISH I COULD JUST WEAR GUYS CLOOOOTHES. Men's clothing is fucking awesome.

I'm actually just a bit obsessed with ties more than anything. The amount of ties I've given to my manfriend in the past few years is actually ridiculous. There is very little that can outdo a generally well dressed man with a nice tie. So great.

Insert tie porn here -






/tie porn

[Bebop Man]

This also reminds me I need to get a tie to go with the suit. I wouldn't know the first thing about tie shopping though. How much are these things worth?



I started drinking coffee because of Dale Cooper, why stop there?

[Kara]

Value Village that shit. Unless you want a really nice tie or if something catches your eye. Otherwise I've honestly found most of the best ties I've ever given to manfriend at Value Village or got them from other people.

Also...Tie and Pie Day, next up and coming international holiday?

[Bebop Man]

That would be April 8th, the day they first aired the Twin Peaks pilot.

[TheGhostOfZero]

Ugh, I need to find a pattern for a double-breasted suit jacket so I can do my Spike Spiegel cosplay, then I've gotta sew the blasted thing.

[Bebop Man]

The main problem are the lapels, I think. Have you seen the size of that thing? And he only seems to have one.

[Fezzul]

I have got most of my ties at cheap clothing stalls or thrift stores.

Ties are one of those things that people need to look really closely at in order to tell the quality or not. And most people don't care anyway, so long as you look nice.

[Metcarfre]

Don't try and make a suit jacket - it's tremendously complicated. Ebay or thrift are your best bets.

As for ties, if you only have one, I recommend a navy or black grenadine. Versatile, classic, and visually interesting with the addition of texture. Can be worn with almost any suit or sport coat. That link is just one option, the cheapest true grenadines I've seen run around $50 at retail, but considering they could last you your whole life, they may be worth it.

For additional choices, I favor silk knits in (again) black or navy, a deep red, perhaps brown. In the US, repp stripes can be a good, preppy choice; in the UK, avoid in general. A knit wool in gray is good in the fall, and a shanting (raw) silk or linen are nice in the summer.

I'm also on the lookout for a wedding tie, and am considering having one made.

For your further edification.

While I've thrifted many of my ties - particularly wool knits - I've found good deals at the knottery. Their silk knits are nice, particularly at the price point, and are made in the US of Italian fabric. They have occasional 50% off sales; sign up for their email.

[TheGhostOfZero]

The main problem are the lapels, I think. Have you seen the size of that thing? And he only seems to have one.

I don't think the lapel will be much of a problem

Don't try and make a suit jacket - it's tremendously complicated. Ebay or thrift are your best bets.

Did you see that damn thing? Where d'you think a guy'd find a jacket like that in the real world?

[Metcarfre]

Sorry, I shouldn't comment on cosplay.

[TheGhostOfZero]

Sorry, I shouldn't comment on cosplay.

No worries, man. My first thought was actually modifying an existing jacket.

[Bebop Man]

Surely you can fake the costume - however coarsely - with some strategically calculated asymmetry? Or is it a custom job yes-or-yes?

[TheGhostOfZero]

Surely you can fake the costume - however coarsely - with some strategically calculated asymmetry? Or is it a custom job yes-or-yes?

Knowing how my brain works, I'm not gonna be happy unless it's close to perfect.

[Metcarfre]

The problem with a suit jacket is construction; in the upper chest you have multiple layers to deal with; the outer face fabric, inner lining, and the interior canvas element, which gives the garment structure. In the vast majority of examples these days it will be "fused" (glued) to the outer, while higher-end jackets may be semi-fused or hand-attached.

Of course then there's the shoulders - his jacket appears to have ludicrously oversized and heavily padded/structured shoulders, with an aggressively nipped waist (ignoring the other stylistic choices). Buying an oversized jacket and adapting the buttoning point to mimic his clasp in a manner that reduces the waist. The challenge will be finding something with high enough armholes, as those are inalterable.

[TheGhostOfZero]

The problem with a suit jacket is construction; in the upper chest you have multiple layers to deal with; the outer face fabric, inner lining, and the interior canvas element, which gives the garment structure. In the vast majority of examples these days it will be "fused" (glued) to the outer, while higher-end jackets may be semi-fused or hand-attached.

Of course then there's the shoulders - his jacket appears to have ludicrously oversized and heavily padded/structured shoulders, with an aggressively nipped waist (ignoring the other stylistic choices). Buying an oversized jacket and adapting the buttoning point to mimic his clasp in a manner that reduces the waist. The challenge will be finding something with high enough armholes, as those are inalterable.

I defer to your expertise in this area.

So if I were to modify a jacket, I should aim for one that's about 4 sizes too big and work from there?

[Metcarfre]

It may be your best bet.

Not saying it'll look good, mind you.

[TheGhostOfZero]

There was a guy who made the suit out of a bed sheet, I guess I'll have a plan B.

[Metcarfre]

I was interviewed (with others) for GQ UK.