The London Lounge

I was reflecting, quite recently, how the sharing (well, mostly receiving in my case) of information on this most erudite and polite of clothing style fora has influenced my tastes and habits, over the past few years. I don’t mean my knowledge, which has indeed been expanded greatly by reading LL; I mean what I actually wear. I expect some (many?) other members would agree. A partial list, for myself, would include the following:

> A much more subtle understanding of the balance of contrast vs. similarity in combining shoes, socks, trousers and odd jackets.

> A greater use of suits in daily wear, other than when professionally necessary.

> Greater emphasis on quality of fit than variety/quantity, in the wardrobe (and, my, London property prices also help…)

> An embarrassing level of interest in fashion plates from the 1930s

> A greater inclination to wear semi-formal wear (not really having the occasions that call for full fig)

What about you?

Salve Luca,

nice list, I can subscribe to it

Would add that I got better with pattern matching and colour combinations. And that I'm back to wearing a hat on almost daily basis

Cheers, David

I have to say that for the most part the LL has not changed what I actually wear, but it certainly has influenced how I wear it.
I believe that might be even more important.

Dear Hectorm,

Could you elaborate? How has the LL influenced how you wear what you wear?

Best,
TOS

Dear TOS,
I hope I don´t disappoint you in case you were expecting me to reveal some powerful formula learnt at the LL pages regarding how to wear my clothes, let´s say, in a more nonchalant or stylish way.
See, I joined this forum already in my fifties when all my personal sartorial preferences regarding what I wear were already set in. In spite of that fact, I recognize the LL has had certain influence on how I wear what I wear. I find it significant because it has helped me to achieve a better correspondence between my exterior appearance and my inner being (or at least what I want to express).
The LL has taught me many new ways regarding the "how". For instance, and translating into practical terms, this morning at home -getting ready to walk out to the office- I had the chance of applying 2 teachings by our LL host regarding that "how".
First, I remembered his lesson about the twice-tilted Fedora (you can see it on his Vimeo the 2 Tilts) which has definitely influenced how I wear hats. Second, I also remembered his showing the more possibilities offered by the fastening of 6x3 overcoats, so -not being a particularly cold day- I played with doing up only the two lower buttons of the OC and, this way, getting a much more elongated lapel and front V.

The LL has greatly influenced my tastes and for the better. Two are most notable, the first being the DB coat. Perhaps seven years ago Costi encouraged me to try one and now I prefer this style, especially in winter. About half of my suits are DB. I like the look, the fit, and the feel and my co-workers respond no differently than before. Second is the use of heavier cloth for all suits even in summer. The advantages of this cannot be overstated. A heavier weight suit nearly always looks better, and lasts longer than a lighter one.

rodes wrote: Second is the use of heavier cloth for all suits even in summer. The advantages of this cannot be overstated. A heavier weight suit nearly always looks better, and lasts longer than a lighter one.

Dear Rodes,

rings a bell here - although I would say that heavier cloth always looks better, no exception
Agree, I don't live in Mexico...

Cheers, David

Okay, Hectrom. Understood, thank you!

Best,
TOS