In honor of the spring that never was/still hasn’t really been, here are some vintage Liberty of London floral ties 2 silk, 4 cotton.
Have your cake/Eat your cake.
My love for festooning myself with all manner of patterns and colors has been well documented. However, I’ve also written a fair amount about the basics and how they fit in to a wardrobe (specifically how they fit into my wardrobe). This is an example of finding a way to have my cake and eat it too.
Here I’ve matched a subdued cotton floral tie, mostly in navy, with white jeans, blue OCBD, brown suede derbies and a brown jacket…
But wait!
The jacket has all manner of colorful flecks that are only visible from up close. They get brought out by the tie, which itself is made more “fun” from being matched in such a conservative* outfit. You can have your more esoteric items that aren’t necessarily “elegant”, but are fun to wear. And sometimes, you can even have your ridiculous items and make them barely noticeable.
A fine example of having your cake but also getting to eat it.
—————————————————————————-
Thrifted:
Jacket - Southwick - $4 ($5?)
Shirt - Vtg. Van Heusen “Profiles” - $2.50
Tie - No Brand (Vtg?) - $3
Jeans - LLBean Signature (Clearance) - $20
Shoes - Bass - $7
*Ed. Note: “Conservative” by my standards, your results may vary.
Gingham/Floral.
Gingham shirt w. floral tie is my favorite summer combo. And I don’t know why cream jackets don’t get more props, they wear much cooler than navy, and are just about as versatile. Here I’ve chosen to echo the base colors of navy and yellow in both my pocket square and socks, which I think is a fun way of experimenting with color
Whatever though, nobody reads these WIWT’s anymore, so I should just do something silly.
poop poop poop.
——————————————————————
Thrifted:
Jacket - Bespoke (gifted)
Shirt - PRL $5
Tie - Brooks Bros Makers $2
Trousers - Vtg. Anderson Little - $3
Shoes - Cole Haan Green Label (Made in Italy) $6
Pocket Square - Handcraft (Made in Italy) $1
What’s up AFOS? What you wearing these days?
Sorry for the radio silence. WIWT’s are the least popular part of the blog and since I haven’t had a good screed against common wisdom lately, I’ve just been accruing a bunch of pictures of myself against a brick wall (also in a driveway).
So what have I been wearing this summer?
Simple outfits with some bracelets (I’d call them “man bracelets” or “mewlery” BUT BRACELET AND JEWELRY ARE NON GENDER SPECIFIC).
Thrifted:
Vtg. No Tags OCBD
Levi’s 505’s (inherited)
Bass Brown Suede Bucks
White Converse Chuck Taylors (Gifted)
Levi’s “Movin’ On” Red Gingham Shirt
No Brand Woven Leather Belt
Levi’s Web Belt (Made in USA)
Bracelets by Ashley
When I’ve been getting a bit more complex I’ll wear some vintage madras. Either a shirt or a jacket (or some pants, though not in these pics).
Thrifted:
Vtg. “Career Club” Madras Shirt
Levi’s 505’s (Inherited)
Levi’s Web Belt (Made in USA)
Vtg. “Triton” Madras Jacket
Oleg Cassini BD (complete with unlined collar, which I think was to save money or something, but still, interesting detail)
B Republic Chinos
Allen Edmonds “Grayson” Tassel Loafers
Vtg. “Golden Weave” Irish Linen Pocket Square
Oh, also I wore that ridiculous floral tie I own for First Friday. That was pretty fun.
Thrifted:
Vtg. Lanvin DB Blazer
Remick’s of Quincy Floral Tie (Made of real Oiana Nylon!)
Church’s Black Horsebit Loafers
So that’s it, that’s what I’ve been wearing since I (apparently) vanished last week. You can resume not noticing in 5… 4… 3…
It’s Summer and Out Come the Wolves Floral Ties.
What can I say? I like floral ties.
———————————————
Thrifted:
Vtg. “Campus” Plaid Sport Coat
Vtg. Liberty of London Floral Tie (gifted)
Uniqlo Jeans
Vtg. J&M Made in Italy Loafers
Pocket Square
Pitti-ful.
Well I guess Pitti is starting again.
I kind of hate it because now all of a sudden my general MO is popular for like 1 week.
Next week everyone will be back to navy blue and gray, but not me
GINGHAM AND FLORAL TIL I DIE M——-FUCKER!
————————————
Thrifted:
Bespoke Jacket - Gifted
Liberty of London Floral Tie
Burgundy PS
Vtg. Adams Row by Anderson-Little Trousers
Vtg. Howard & Foster Wholecut Chocolate Oxfords
Deep Freeze Florals.
When it gets to be this cold you need to stay positive. So I’m rocking a floral on floral combo to remind myself that it won’t be this cold forever. (shit, it’s already up to a balmy 11 degrees today!)
Same deconstructed 3-piece look that I’ve been rocking for a while now. It makes a great base because it’s all neutrals, so it sits well with both other hearty neutrals (like a wool olive tie) but also with powerful contasts (like a silk purple/teal floral tie/pocket square).
Throw a duffle coat over the whole mess for warmth, and a turquoise scarf to reference the colors you’re covering up and you’re good to go…
…Straight to your heated car, because it is COLD AS BALLS out there.
—————————————————————————————
Thrifted:
Vintage Tan Duffel Coat by Lodenfrey - Free
Stanley Blacker for Homicks Navy Blazer - $4
Tweed Waistcoat - Free
Jordan Marsh “A Fitted Shirt” OCBD - $2.50
Liberty of London Floral Tie - $1
Floral Pocket Square (Lady’s Scarf) - $1
Banana Republic Moleskin Trousers - $9 (previously shown as $11, my bad…)
Eastland Ranger Mocs - Free (Thrift Gift from Ashley, $15 to her)
Turquoise Glen Plaid/Houndstooth Reversible Scarf - $2
Fall Florals
Before Winter really sets in, while it’s still unseasonably warm I thought I’d get one last floral look. And since this tie is a totally awesome deep burgundy, it doubles as a perfect autumn color scheme before the winter really sets in (I mean shit, it was like 55 last night).
I think the silk and rich colors play well against the muted earth tones of the tweed. It gives the look a lot of textural depth and a great organic feel. Paired with some burgundy shoes and green cast gray flannels (and gingham because… hey… maximalist), I think this is a great way to say goodbye to fall.
So it’s raining and I only have one class today at 4. I did all my errands yesterday and did a whole bunch of reading. Today, my plan is to do fairly little except for classwork. I was planning on blogging but there isn’t really enough light in my apt to take the pics I’d like to (that’s a pretty good #whitewhine, right?)
Anyway, enjoy this picture of me and Ashley from last Friday. I think it showcases why we’re a good match for each other, as neither one of us had seen the other’s outfit when we got dressed.
Styling Art Deco Floral Ties
Thanks to The Silentist, Mr. Danger, and Eight-In-Hand for their suggestions. I’ve incorporated some ideas from each suggestion into something I’m happy with.
I thought I’d just sort of go through my thought process with this, as it was interesting to think about.
First, I loved the idea of pairing this with green chinos. But they’re in the laundry (I know, I know, how does A Fistful of Style only have one pair of green chinos? Answer: I have 2, but one needs substantial tailoring).
Second, I was going for a look that didn’t just put all the focus on the tie. I wanted to keep well clear of Middle manager wearing a KOOKY tie on Casual friday!. When I tried on the outfit with a solid jacket it just made it too much about the tie. I thought since the tie was a blue base I would work with that.
In that vein I went with my blue plaid jacket over a light blue gingham shirt, blue watch and blue bracelet.
Third, I wanted to skirt a very specific line of formality with this. I’m going to be out and about, but also working in a fun, hip, arty environment in the evening. I figured chinos and a sport coat with wingtips would be too business casual, or too Mainer in the big city (which I am, but I don’t want to look like I am). I thought the black shoes/belt referenced that without going overboard. I also thought the jeans made it a bit more… I dunno… urban? urbane? something like that.
I was pretty happy with it and have 3 WIWT’s queued up in the various modes of my 3 suggestion givers. Hope you all enjoy!
While I was slow on the uptake with floral ties (I wasn’t rocking any till like… I dunno, June!), I’ve really come around this summer. I dig how a foulard-esque floral pattern plays off ginghams and other patterns. Plus this tie is Burberry, so it’s super expensive feeling.
Mid-gray trousers, & tan sockless bucks complete the look. Ashley says I look like some kind of southern guy. I say this is another Maine meets Miami look.
Well my weekend is over. Back to work.
Now except for the red shoes, this outfit is pretty conservative (by my standards).
Except for the red shoes, and the tie.
I think it’s important to remember that as important as anchor pieces and loud pieces are for balance, if you have a totally staid outfit except for (in this case) red shoes, it ceases to be about what you’re wearing and becomes “LOOK AT MY RED SHOES!!!!!”
BUT! If you have a heavily patterned tie (that conveniently echoes all the colors in the outfit) and a vest (instead of a blazer/sport coat), you can put enough of a twist on it so that it’s still an outfit, and not just a pair of shoes… and some other stuff.
Or at least that’s what I think.
Snapped on my lunch break.
Couldn’t decide on one, so here’s all of them.
