Art of Manliness - Latest Comments in 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Yonatan — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 07:25:16 -0000

Tie bars are definitely the norm for suit-wearing of all kinds in Japan. Different kinds exist based on the level of formality.

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Lee — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 18:12:28 -0000

If you don't wear an ascot at times, you are lacking in style, but you may improve.

If you have no desire to wear an ascot, you are not a gentleman.

I should add that if you dare to wear a tie with a button-down collared shirt, you are a hopeless rube. (I saw many such rubes on a visit to a brokerage in St. Louis. To protect the hopeless rubes, I will not mention the name of this hapless group of country bumpkins.)

Thanks for your post, even though its tongue-in-cheek mood about wardrobe illustrates a certain lack of taste.

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Jer — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 08:25:21 -0000

Halfway between knot and tip for tie bar? No! Don't split the tie in half - boring, and not eye-pleasing. Go a little higher than halfway. 0.61% of the way up from the bottom to be exact. I've always thought the tie tack and tie bar were a great place to employ the Golden Ratio. Embrace asymmetry, add a bit of visual interest and give your clothes something in common with classical architecture.

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Carl Reid — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 22:54:20 -0000

Great to see these old fashions coming back. I think it is like a cycle. Many things that are in style now will be back in may be 10 to 15 years. Lesson learned: don't throw away your outdated fashion items. It can be used as treasures in next decade.

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

j. monck — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:21:48 -0000

I'm in a hurry, and have lost track, but to whomever had the issue of where to put a pocketwatch when not in a suit, i keep mine in a leather belt pocket. it was a gift from my uncle when i complained about the fifth pocket on my jeans never being large enough. its made specifically for pocket watches and fits my colibri wind-up perfectly. And as per the Argyle socks... I was taught that not only should your shoes match your belt, but your socks should match your pants. That way there is no break in the continuity of colors, i.e. the picture above. That is just plain distracting in my opinion, and if your dressed well enough otherwise, with a few manly accessories like a nice pocket knife, or pocket watch, tobacco pouch or lighter. Then you don't need argyle to grab attention and spur conversation. unless your rockin knickers...

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Tapio — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:07:03 -0000

Don't forget the Edwardian variation which preceded the tie bar -- the tie pin or stick pin. Some of these are gorgeous statements. I wear one every day and always get positive comments.

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Rope Spinks — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:02:50 -0000

Where's the "Trench Coat"?
http://www.ae.com/web/brows...

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Vincent LoGreco — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:11:14 -0000

Great article! As for eyewear, I wear a vintage style from Berkshire Chase known as the Saville Row Saddle Round. They are the same glasses that you see Indiana Jones wear in the fourth movie, Radar and Boone in M*A*S*H had them and of course it was one of the many specs seen worn by John Lennon. They are a style of eyewear that goes back a hundred years and the frames are made to last.

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Molly NYC — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:07:28 -0000

You forgot boutonnieres.

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

justin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:12:03 -0000

Never come across the one piece underwear, but it would save the gap! As regards braces, I wear them regularly as they are so much more comfortable than belts. surprisingly, on the odd occasion i have removed my jacket, the girls have been most complimentary.Sadly my male mates do rib me, but at 23 I think I can do my own thing, and my girlfriend loves to twang them playfully. So guys, give them a go!

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Jason — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:34:41 -0000

Wool knickers?? I was okay with the ascot, that I like, but wool knickers??
I suppose someone may like the "look".
:)

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

K. — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:54:58 -0000

Originally Posted By pistoletteRegarding #5 , The Tie Bar. my corporation actually sent out a note about them in our newsletter last year. It was a travel warning saying that if you were going to dangerous countries, that criminals or terrorists could tell you were American if you were wearing a tie clip (bar). Apparently European and Asian businessmen do not wear them (at least not in 2007). Interesting.

Tie bars are a breach of etiquette. Wearing a bar implies your tie is of insufficient quality to hold itself in place, and therefore diminishes it. That's why Europeans never wear one.

For an otherwise great site that promotes gentlemanly things, the basic rules of etiquette should be considered when making these suggestions.

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Brett — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:24:49 -0000

@Holly-

See here: http://artofmanliness.com/2...

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

holly — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:36:16 -0000

This article is great...you should submit it to DIGG

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Jonathon Howard — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:53:07 -0000

Where does one find knickers I wonder? I have a pocket watch, though I only where it when I'm wearing my three piece suit. It's hard to find a place for it, when you don't have a vest. I'm all for more vests by the way.

@ Dude

Why is this vanity? This is looking classy and professional, (except the long johns). We all have an image in our heads, constrocuted by both our grandfathers, and a classier, older, hollywood, where men were allowed to dress-up, and the code wasn't the simple sloppiness it has become...

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Slade — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:14:34 -0000

Number 5, in fact, is not a tie bar. That is a tie clip, which is not quite the same. A true tie bar is worn up near the knot of the tie to keep it centered and lofted between the two sides of the collar. Both are excellent.

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Dude — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:01:49 -0000

I say "fail" on all accounts unless you're old enough to bank on your social security. This is pure vanity, and pompous vanity at that.

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Jenna — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:25:53 -0000

Wonderful post.. These images remind me so much of my grandfather. Classic & simple styles that will remain popular for years to come.

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Vercingetorix — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:19:50 -0000

I like the long handle drawers, but most of these I dont go for. To me if it isn't functional and simple it isnt classic. Basic grooming and simplicity is classic IMO. I agree tailoring is something that would benefit most of us. Off the rack clothing seldom fits well, although tayloring is impractically expensive for most. The most classic article i lament the oss of is the working mans suit. A durable suit of moleskin, wool or canvas that allows freedom of movement. people used to play golf in suits and now its almost impossible to drive a car in many. plumbers use to show up in a suit of clothes, take of their jacket, roll up their sleeves and go to work. It would be a functional, weather appropriate, simple to wear and always look groomed. I my just have to (re)design one!

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Jasper — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:50:21 -0000

Regarding suspenders / braces... fellas, NEVER purchase or wear the clip-on kind... they're tacky. Be a real man and wear the kind you have to button onto your waistband. Get your girlfriend or wife to sew six buttons on the inside of your waistband, or else sew them onto the pants yourself. It takes a needle, some thread, and about 4 minutes per button. Nothing to it.

I've been wearing braces for several decades now. It's a good, classic look that if done with panache will impress your friends and the ladies. Just today 3 women at work told me I was the most handsomely dressed guy there, and I feel like I barely even try. I had to laugh though when I read through this list... I was wearing a couple of the things there (tortoiseshell glasses and pocket watch) and of course the suspenders and nice shoes.

Guys, it isn't all that hard to stand out in a good way... just stick with the classics!

Jasper

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Jack — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:17:00 -0000

@Novel- Thank you for separating suspenders from braces.

I work in construction management and often wear braces to the office. There is an older gentleman whom I work with who came up to me the other day and said

"What's your name again?"
"Jack."
"Jack, goddamnit, where are your braces today? It reminds me of the better days when men were men and we built buildings as if they were going to be there forever."

THAT is a ringing endorsement for braces.

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Forrest — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:44:41 -0000

Fountain pens I agree with. And pocketwatches. Horn-rimmed or black-plastic-rimmed glasses? Unh-uh. Looked bad back in the 1950s, look bad today.

Some suggestions: stickpins (though they're usually better on the lapel, unless your tie is monochrome), breast-pocket handkerchiefs, and horsehide or steerhide coats (not ordinary leather jackets, which have never gone much out of style).

Oh, and iClaudius? "Being odd or eccentric is not manly?" I stand with Ralph Waldo Emerson on that one:

"Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist."

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Rich Landers — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:03:16 -0000

Love the Union Suit! Funny, I just did a reference on my site regarding union suits based on the writings of a manly American man from World War I. Check it out!

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

Gentleman Duncan — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:05:31 -0000

All of these are good pieces, but aren't they also staples of "indie" fashion? Doesn't make sense to criticize the indie kids for their uniform and then praise the uniform.

Re: 10 Outdated Men’s Fashions That Still Have The Charm

AK — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:50:47 -0000

These are some bold suggestions - I love almost all of them! But beware - they take a man with panache and confidence to pull them off; there's no room for timid men here. Nothing worse than someone (man OR woman) who looks like the clothes are wearing them. I hope more men learn to appreciate and embrace the look of classic menswear.