I have long wanted to acquire a black and white plaid suit (like the one Nick Wooster is pictured in as well as the Tom Ford also pictured). But I just can’t. It just wouldn’t work for me. Which is not something I say often. And you may ask why, out of all things, can I not wear what is often thought of as a rather simple and classic suit? Especially, when I wear some rather aggressive patterns and colors and feel completely comfortable in them.
The reason is two fold; a mix of self awareness (which, as a side note, is the most important knowledge a person can have) and humility. The former of which I which I have in substantial amounts and the latter I have in varying amounts depending on my mood and the day of the week.
I have brown hair and brown eyes. My complexion is also on the fairer side of things, although in the summer I often take on a deep tan. That said, I gravitate toward blues, browns, greens, pinks and white. Those are just the colors I feel most comfortable in and the colors that I think I look best in. Yes, I do wear gray but it is not my ‘happy place,’ especially the darker shades. I do not wear black except for black tie and the occasional piece of outerwear. Instead preferring navy blue when I need something darker. That is the self awareness side of things.
Humility comes into the picture when I tell myself that just because I see Nick Wooster or other gentlemen with a complexion and hair that work well with black and dark grays kill the look that that does not mean that I could ever look that good doing so. I have to remind myself of my place and my wardrobes place.
This is one of the largest issues plaguing poorly dressed men the world over. They wear things that do not and could not ever work for them. The issue is prevalent in casual wear but perhaps more pressing with tailored wear. Just because fashion (or perhaps even your wife) tells you something is ‘in,’ ‘fashionable’ and sometimes even ‘classic’ does not mean that it will work for you. It may work for your friends and it may work for the guys in the street style photos but that does not mean it works for you. Having good style is knowing what does and does not work for you. I don’t care for much of what Nick Wooster wears, but what he wears works for him and he knows that. The black and white plaid suit works for him and he knows it, it does not work for me and I know that. But oh, how I wish I could wear that.
–JLJ
great little article, justin. gotta luv the transparency of the ‘author’ of this piece.
you are spot on in that the individual must be confident to carry forward whatever style or new piece to their wardrobe they will showcase for the public. i recall your article on horiz. striped shirts and how some feel a bit self-conscious if they are not built for horizontal as it’s the opposite of the slimming affect of vertical stripes. as i responded, it’s only horizontal in my wardrobe, for i embrace the uniqueness of it and the fact i enjoy its look. so, all of us must be able to not only wear whatever is on the outside, but it must ‘fit’ on the inside as well.
it’s funny, but i’ve seen you wear certain items in your articles that while really nice pieces, i catch myself saying, ‘…well i don’t think it will work for me.’
all of us need to be as honest about this subject as you have offered us. i really enjoy the term, ‘seamless, so what i hear you offering your readers is that seamlessness to believe in what you are wearing and as a result of that confidence, it actually will look like an extension of the individual instead of an add-on.
73rebzcar,
Thank you for the kind words! Best wishes on your pursuit of style!
-Justin
Give it another 30 years, when your hair goes gray and you get some “character” in your features, and try it then.
Dan,
Indeed, when my hair grays, then I will be able to wear more black and gray.
-Justin
I’m pushing 50 and while the hair I have left on my head only has the occasional gray strand peeking through, my beard and mustache are well on their way to silver. In the meantime, I have a jacket in a dark brown over cream in a very similar pattern to the suits above that I wear frequently and love. It looks very much like this one: http://25.media.tumblr.com/baf45c846dda518a164b44d0b1c6b290/tumblr_mvkpksFFvy1reo5bno1_500.jpg
Dan,
Good looking jacket, hope it brings you good fortune.
-JLJ
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Great article! Agree with you on that one of the largest issues plaguing poorly dressed men the world over is that they wear things that do not and could not ever work for them. We’re trying to provide them with a style guide in our vogue themed Fashion Magazine for the Modern Gentlemen and Lady. Would love for you to check it out: http://www.globalyuppiestyle.com/2014/02/20/an-ocean-breeze-away/