Sharp Stylings #45: The City Gent

We can learn so much from yesterday’s fashion icons.  And living in a post-Mad Men world means we can even enjoy aspects of current male fashions! Every Friday, I’d like to start your weekend off right with a little style inspiration from either then or now. Hopefully, my fellow Mod enthusiasts will find the whole or some detail of the whole to appreciate and maybe even adopt.

Okay, so it's not really a summer-inspired photo this week. However, this is the type of outfit made for a San Francisco summer... if you're in the City and looking out the window right now, you'll know what I mean. Plus, a super swank shot to inspire you for the weekend:


Photo taken from Gillian Long of Cock of the Walk bespoke tailoring.

 According to Long, this is "an old stock photo from about 1966 that tailors and cloth merchants would use in mens mags and trade mags. Most likely from Man About Town but I can't be 100% sure."

Sure, it might be a bit too 'city gent' for some, but there are just so many great touches in this entire outfit. Nice fedora hat with a short brim (my fave!), thin tie, checked suit with contrasting waistcoat, pocket square, and narrow, slightly-pointed shoes. All the ingredients of an immaculate look!

The suit itself is of a nice narrow cut all around. Three-button with a lower stance than I'm normally into, but which probably works to show a sliver of waistcoat when buttoned. Ticket pocket, which is recommended as often as you can. The trousers are tapered, but not too tapered or too 'skinny' (blech!) and also barly touch the shoe. Many times, people go for the high-watered trouser look, but here, the trousers barely carry a break with the shoe. A clean, unexaggerated look for your pants.

The last bit is the most obvious: the pattern of that suit! A small-checked look that's not too loud or crazy, but enough to catch the eyes of passers-by. What also helps is that the pocket square, tie, and waistcoat don't carry any patterns that conflict with the suit, so that the suit itself is what stands out. The only thing I'd probably change is the shirt. The collar is a tad too plain for me. I'd rather sport a tab-collar or pin-collar shirt to work with this.

Overall, a killer look and one I wish more Mod-leaning types would explore. And you know what? This guy's probably dressed this way just to grab a cup of morning coffee! Yes, I know this isn't really daily wear these days, but hopefully it's inspired you to ramp up your own look a bit.

If you're visiting a tailor this weekend, be sure show off this photo!