When in doubt, look like JFK

[caleb]

Last weekend I was headed to a lakeside wedding with a few friends. Saturday was a very sunny day and as we were headed out the door I asked my buddy Kaj which sunglasses I should wear before the ceremony and then later at cocktail hour (not during the ceremony because that would of course be rude).

Kaj turned and offered me the most basic piece of fashion advice I think I've ever received: "When in doubt, look like JFK."

It was that simple. Don't look like a douchebag. Look like JFK.









Who do you turn to when you're in doubt?

[nahtnoj]

Robert Redford.

The answer to your question though is "your aviators" because they are the only pair of (non-cycling) sunglasses you own.

[chasea]

Near any body of water? Hell, near a puddle? Ray Ban Clubmaster. JFK approved.


BTW, I think "always look like Robert Redford" is great advice.


As an aside- and I don't know this to be true, because I'm a young pup- but I've always heard that JFK left his hat on the podium after his inauguration and American men never looked back. Only in the past few years have men begun to wear hats again. Can anyone confirm this?

[geoffk]

As an aside- and I don't know this to be true, because I'm a young pup- but I've always heard that JFK left his hat on the podium after his inauguration and American men never looked back. Only in the past few years have men begun to wear hats again. Can anyone confirm this?

Short answer: it's a myth. Like most myths, with a grain of truth.

Long answer can be found in this quick read of a book.

[chasea]

Short answer: it's a myth. Like most myths, with a grain of truth.

Long answer can be found in this quick read of a book.

Thank you.

[geoffk]

Should have added, I'm happy to forward my copy... if I can find it. (It might be at my brother's.)

[gkk]

I think I do have geoffk's copy I will happily pass it along if it is relevant to your interests.

[davids]

Short answer: it's a myth. Like most myths, with a grain of truth.

Long answer can be found in this quick read of a book.

Nice to see this referral. Neil (one of my oldest friends) will be tickled to know about it.

[chasea]

I think I do have geoffk's copy I will happily pass it along if it is relevant to your interests.

Thank you. You're knid to offer. In the middle of something dense that I'm enjoying, but its taking me a while to get through. May hit you up soon with a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

[geoffk]

Nice to see this referral. Neil (one of my oldest friends) will be tickled to know about it.

Huh, small Salon!

My compliments to the author. Or should I say, chapeau.

[sonnybiker]

black suit, white shirt, black tie?

[chasea]

black suit, white shirt, black tie?

Works for Clooney.

I play with patterns but the dark suit/ white shirt/ dark tie thing is my bread and butter. Simple, slimming, draws attention to the face; always a favorable.

I stay away from black suits personally. A little too morbid... or mod. A funeral look. Or perhaps "my first suit." Don't know what it is, but I don't like it on myself. On others... I've seen it done well. As with most things, try before you buy.

Gray or navy looks good on pretty much all men and can go with either black or brown shoes depending on the shirt/tie/belt, etc Very versatile.

[shanerpvt]

i enjoyed the tread. what about Steve Mcqueen? I wish I always looked like him.....

cheers,
shaner

[dhoff]

Not a fan of the black suit or black tie. My sense is that, to many this should be reserved for funerals and weddings. I like blue and gray, brown shoes and belt. Ties and shirts I can get a bit creative with, a bit of color.

[chasea]

i enjoyed the tread. what about Steve Mcqueen? I wish I always looked like him.....

cheers,
shaner

Same as Paul Newman. Khakis, white tee or gray crew neck sweat shirt, brown leather jacket, white sneakers or motorcycle boots, unfiltered cigarette.

[cody.wms]

Not a fan of the black suit or black tie. My sense is that, to many this should be reserved for funerals and weddings. I like blue and gray, brown shoes and belt. Ties and shirts I can get a bit creative with, a bit of color.

+1 on this. I usually stick to a light blue or white shirt and let the tie and socks do the creative part.

Funny story - I remember an acquaintance from school telling me about an internship he once had. One day, he wore a pastel shirt to work. His boss actually called him into his office to tell him how inappropriate it was to wear a pastel shirt. His boss told him that they "dress like the Kennedy administration" - dark suit, dark tie, white shirt. Even if your boss isn't offended by pastels, keeping it Kennedy is a good idea.

[chasea]

+1 on this. I usually stick to a light blue or white shirt and let the tie and socks do the creative part.

Funny story - I remember an acquaintance from school telling me about an internship he once had. One day, he wore a pastel shirt to work. His boss actually called him into his office to tell him how inappropriate it was to wear a pastel shirt. His boss told him that they "dress like the Kennedy administration" - dark suit, dark tie, white shirt. Even if your boss isn't offended by pastels, keeping it Kennedy is a good idea.

Never dress better than your boss. Raises and promotions go right out the window if you look like you're doing better. But ^that guy's boss is an idiot.

[caleb]

+1 on this. I usually stick to a light blue or white shirt and let the tie and socks do the creative part.

Funny story - I remember an acquaintance from school telling me about an internship he once had. One day, he wore a pastel shirt to work. His boss actually called him into his office to tell him how inappropriate it was to wear a pastel shirt. His boss told him that they "dress like the Kennedy administration" - dark suit, dark tie, white shirt. Even if your boss isn't offended by pastels, keeping it Kennedy is a good idea.

My wife tells a story about a local attorney who went to court in a pink shirt. The conversation went something like this:

Judge: Counsellor, you're wearing a pink shirt today.
Lawyer: Yes, Judge, I am.
Judge: Counsellor, do you have a white shirt?
Lawyer: Not with me.
Judge: In your office?
Lawyer: Yes.
Judge: I can wait. When you are appropriately dressed we can resume the trial.

When in doubt, don't wear a pink shirt to trial.

[jbartmc]

What works for me will not work for most others. True style is the confidence to make your mark. Lots of great comments in this thread about what works for each person. I know that some of my suits, jackets, ties and shoes would scare others, but I like to push the envelope a bit.

[nahtnoj]

i enjoyed the tread. what about Steve Mcqueen? I wish I always looked like him.....

cheers,
shaner

Oh hell yes.

I recently ripped the elbow on my trusty gray Brooks Brothers crew neck sweatshirt (I know, Brooks Brothers for a sweatshirt, but its perfect in every way) and have been unable to find an adequate replacement.