The London Lounge

1966 was a great year because it was the year "Blowup" came out, I may not have been born then but when it comes to style I think the Photographer wears a good example of the perfect casual outfit. It is relaxed enough that you can go anywhere from the cinema to the pub yet still dressy enough to have a drink with a young woman at a five star hotel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8ArHxmELYg

I recommend you watch the movie if you haven't, it is very strange but quite good! And the scenes in which he drives through London in his Rolls Royce will remind you of a time when those who owned such cars actually had class.

Dear AOTW, I very much agree with you observation regarding the casual elegance of The Photographer in Blow Up. White jeans, a dark green velvet jacket with side vents, a small checked light blue shirt and Chelsea boots. A timeless classic! Minor details betray the period though: the dated shirt collar or the very wide belt, but I believe the ensemble is quite wearable today. Actually I borrowed the idea and have tried a similar outfit this week after reading your posting (only changing for the dark brown velvet jacket and suede Ferragamo chukkas that I own). It worked wonderfully for casual Friday and (borderline) for later meeting my wife at a trendy restaurant. I said borderline because I think the look might be dressy enough only for younger men. Have you tried this look that you admire on yourself?

It is interesting that this film has achieved and maintained such cult status. David Hemmings (the actor who played the central character) visited the Prague film festival in 2002 to promote "Last Orders" and was asked to a screening of "Blow Up" and to take part in a discussion afterwards where he discovered that it had influenced a generation of young people who copied the style of dress and saw white jeans as the ultimate fashion statement of the time. Few western films were shown in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s but "Blow Up" was considered art and was available. It is possible that the director got the idea for the clothes from a well known photographer of the period, John Cowan, whose studio was used as the setting for the film. He always wore light coloured trousers.

The Rolls Royce in the film was bought from Jimmy Saville.

"1966 was a great year because it was the year "Blowup" came out, I may not have been born then but when it comes to style I think the Photographer wears a good example of the perfect casual outfit. It is relaxed enough that you can go anywhere from the cinema to the pub yet still dressy enough to have a drink with a young woman at a five star hotel."

Not so sure about this, I remember 1966, there were certainly some five star hotels that would not serve you if you were not wearing a tie.

Times have changed! Do any hotel restaurants/bars still have dress codes?

AndyM wrote: I remember 1966, there were certainly some five star hotels that would not serve you if you were not wearing a tie.

Times have changed! Do any hotel restaurants/bars still have dress codes?

At least the Rivoli Bar at The Ritz still requires you wear jacket and tie. They tell me that with the right attitude you can get away with just the jacket provided you're not wearing jeans or trainers. Of course at The Palm Court restaurant in that hotel you will find the same dress code.