Trying too hard - rejecting affectation in fashion

Thursday, 19 January 2012

In looking around for inspiration in my search for style in middle age I've found myself put off by the artificial appearance of those who try too hard. I don't like affectation and one sees too much of it in fashion. However, I recognise that this may result from the often inflexible and reactionary nature of middle age.


Some things that grate with me - men in brogues not wearing socks (why not wear deck shoes and why make your best shoes all smelly and sweaty?), wearing a shirt and tie but with tie undone (why bother with the tie?), hats pushed too far back (wide boy), white socks with anything other than sports clothes (yuck) and finally wearing sunglasses indoors or at night (why?).

I recognise that these things sometimes result from error or forgetfulness - and that's often forgiveable. What is unacceptable, though, is doing these things and thinking it's cool (although I'm now going to admit that I have a sneaking admiration for the wearer of the odd brogues worn above with no socks).

Please take all this with a pinch of salt; but have a look at the photos and you'll see that I'm right -









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13 comments

  1. Divali21 January 2012 at 06:31

    I agree. Maybe you can add fleeces, baseball caps and "oneseys".

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  2. Grey Fox21 January 2012 at 06:34

    I totally agree with all of these - and maybe t-shirts with teenage logos! Thanks for commenting.

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  3. Jason22 January 2012 at 06:57

    Nick Wooster is awful.

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  4. Monique Low19 January 2013 at 11:14

    Could I add,'men in any top that has a low v' eeugh

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  5. Grey Fox19 January 2013 at 11:55

    Thanks Monique, I agree (shudder).
    GF.

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  6. Anonymous8 April 2013 at 07:58

    GF, I agree with your pet hates, e.g. hats worn too far back (they should be level when standing straight) but where do you stand on hats indoors? I still try and uphold the old tradition that gents remove headdress indoors (whereas ladies may leave theirs on).

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  7. rupe_greenhalgh2 November 2013 at 00:33

    And trousers worn without a belt and hanging down one's arse. What's that about. No need for these people to advertise they are sartorial arseholes!

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  8. Dauvit Alexander2 November 2013 at 01:01

    I always take my hat of indoors but don't mind if others don't.

    Can we have a campaign to ban grey gym pants from anywhere that is not the gym?

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  9. Grey Fox2 November 2013 at 09:18

    Agreed, agreed... as regards hats; it's customary for men to remove them, women not - I'm not sure I really approve of men wearing hats indoors where it's warm and not raining.

    GF

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  10. Anonymous4 December 2013 at 14:13

    I saw someone wearing a pair of leather shoes like the ones pictured. The person was wearing them with a pair of jeans. He took them off while at the park bench. I agree, why sweat up a good pair of leather shoes.

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  11. Dennis Schoeller15 February 2018 at 15:12

    David,
    Quite the late response to this post but what the heck? In fact, it coincides prefectly with my recent email to you in which I mention my wearing of a pair of Bruno Magli Monk Straps sans socks. I believe that living in a tropical climate presents a great opportunity to explore such a look without appearing contrived or artificial. On the contrary, I think it's a rather smart look. However, I'd never go truly sockless; no-show socks are a must.
    Dennis

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  12. grey fox20 February 2018 at 09:21

    Thank you Dennis - a good point!

    GF

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