The London Lounge

Why do the British love bold stripes that can be seen down the block?

In comparison Americans like muted stripes that can be seen only upon approaching from five feet.

Bold, bright shirts are an Englishman's patrimony.

Generally, the British are altogether more confident dressers than Americans.

Moreover, this bit of dandyism is accepted within the business world in the UK which makes all the difference to one's psychic comfort in wearing such patterns; on the other hand, in the US, such loud shirtings are contrary to standard corporate practice.

Americans are timid and conformist in their clothing choices and could not easily adopt the British shirting, even if so inclined, lest they stand out when they don't necessarily want to make such a statement.

In the the UK there is much more room for, and acceptance of dandyism and a bit of eccentric clothing choices is admired, while in the US it is frowned upon and suspect.

Bright, brilliant, creative use of bold and colorful shirting is as much a part of the British code of dress, heritage and style as is Savile Row.

You may not see it in NYC or indeed Milan, but it is purely, distinctively British and they carry off it off beautifully.

That's an insightful response.

I always found it odd that establishment clothiers, such as Brooks Bros., featured pin and chalk stripe suits with such muted stripes that they appeared to be solid suits from at least 10 feet.

Ralph Lauren's style a l'Anglaise seems to have introduced at least some patterns into the mix?

A recent exchange in Chambers (I was wearing a light blue and white horizontal striped shirt and a paisley tie, in a whimsical moment):

Learned friend - "So Eden, why do you never dress like that in court?"

Me - "Well...someone might mistake me for a solicitor!"

When it comes to classic dressing, why is dandyism a value in Britain, and not in the States?

In my view, the British set the standard for excellence in men's sartorial dress.

This is also clear historically as our friend, Manton states in his excellent book, The Suit.

The best dressed Neapolitans, Milanese, French and others have adopted and developed their own particular interpretation dervived from classic British style, and whether they have surpassed the British at their own game, is a question of one's personal taste.

Nevertheless, the British celebrate their eccentrics and it certainly helps that their society's leading lights cultivate their own individual signature styles. There is certainly much more room in the UK to be a dandy - a respectable and respected dandy - than in the US.

I really couldn't imagine anyone in the US able to get away with the hirsute and sartorial style of Pr. Michael for example......

Years ago i was also thinking that some british cloth with bold stripes are a little bit to "loud"
for me.
But i changed my mind. I love to waer suits with bold stripes and the people around me call me a little bit eccentric.
I saw suits with bold/rope stripes in London and like them on others. So i bought me one and i feel great.