Youthful inspiration

[Costi]

Auguste Baud-Bovy, 1892
"Le jeune homme"
Valentin, son of the artist, aged 17
Gruyeres Castle, Switzerland

[SMCK]

It is an inspiration Costi.
We haven't seen or heard much from you for ages.
So welcome back! always value your expetise on this site.

[Screaminmarlon]

Happy to hear (and see) from you, Costi.
We missed your contributions

[Costi]

SMCK, Screaminmarlon - thank you! Such a warm welcome makes it worth being away for a while, so don't tempt a Prodigal Son

I could say I have been lurking for some time, as many Loungers do, looking much like Valentin above... In expression, not in dress - because, you see, I have a few things to learn from him: high-waisted trousers needn't be pleated, provided they are cut wide enough over the hips and they taper (quite a lot!) down; we can do away with our much-beloved turn-ups, if the trousers are narrow enough at the ankles; those widely open quarters on that jacket look great, provided the coat is kept on the short side.
There is something of Beau Brummel in this painting, but the allure is quite different. Though his clothes are cut close enough to the body, there is enough comfort built into them to make Valentin look so at home in these fluid fabrics.
And what a home, the Gruyeres castle... Since that's close to my new home, I can pay him a visit every now and then to see if all is the same. Or that was Mr. Gray's picture - do you suppose only his face changed, or his clothes, too? At any rate, Valentin is the best dressed young man I have seen so far in the Country of Cantons...

SMCK, if my posting were inspiration enough for any other fellow lurker to come out of mere contemplation, that would make me very happy.
Anyone?
I'm sure Valentin would, if he could

[snapper]

Costi,

I second the above comments in welcoming you back.

Regards,
Snapper

[T.K.]

Grüß Gott Costi and thanks for the introduction. I think I'm starting to like the dark colored 'odd jacket' too.

[Frederic Leighton]

For trousers to fit well, it is of first importance that they be well up in the fork, and reach right down to the ground. Short-legged trousers defeat all attempt at trying to appear well dressed. If muddy, turn them up (fortunately it is the fashion to do so nowadays), and have the back edge round the heel inside bound with a slip of morocco leather, half inch deep, which should be flush with the bottom of the legs. This prevents their cutting with the ground; for in this case they cannot be let down should they shrink in wear.

Trousers should be cut to fall straight from the knee (plumb-line), with a slight spring over boot. The width over boot is invariably one inch and a half wider than knee measurement. Most tailors fail to hit off the just milieu at the termination of their trousers, and make them either too gaitery, like the bottom of a caraffe, else slope them away horsey, or in ostler fashion. [...]

One word about material, another about patterns. Avoid soft nappy cloths: the pile quickly wears off, and the trousers look threadbare. Choose firm, strong tweeds. Some are like pinwire, and wear practically for ever.

In patterns shun checks, plaids, and chessboard devices. Never order any material so prononcé that you would know it again. Stripes in long parallel lines are to be avoided; when the knees get ever so slightly baggy, the break in continuity of the lines draws attention, and makes your pantaloons, though only out of shape, look shabby. Pepper-and-salt, light and dark brown, and all grey mixtures devoid of any decided pattern, will be found most serviceable, and are always fashionable. [...]