The London Lounge

Gentlemen,

first of all I would like to introduce myself to the LL. I really appreciate this source of information and look forward to be part of it.

While taking photographs for my first post at LL (I assume it now will be my second) I noticed for the first time that my posture is not very "proper". (I guess my mother was right about it all those years).

I know that one of the merits of bespoke tailoring (and to some extent MTM) is the possibility to account for some imperfections of the human body. Looking at my picture I see a substantial bent/crouch in the upper back, a "strange" bent of the legs (leading to a forward leaning hip) and a sloping right shoulder (others might spot even more "issues").

http://api.photoshop.com/home_14a10782e ... 4305bb719a

http://api.photoshop.com/home_14a10782e ... 0511dd9f98

(I would like to start a potential discussion on the improvable fit of this MTM suit in another thread)

My first impression was: Well, I need to find a good tailor and get bespoke suits - no MTM suit will "hide" my bad posture.

My wife's first answer was: "First you should try to improve your posture" (e.g. Yoga, QiGong, Alexander-Technique, you name it...).

Her second comment was: "Your posture turned that bad the last 3-4 years. That is the time you worked 18 hours a day in front of a laptop and wore suits all day."

Since then I am really thinking about it and wanted to share my main questions:

1. Is a proper posture something a Gentlemen should aspire, as long he has no handicaps or other physical limitations? Isnt't a proper posture something like well shined shoes, proper attire and manners? I remember my grandfather always making quite a fuzz about sitting straight/standing straight etc. I guess its the same in the military? Proper posture = respect for the other person?

2. It is not very easy to "proof" the causality between my bad posture and my work situation over the last years. But could it be, that my posture is (with other factors) the result of wearing sub-perfect fitting suits for a long time and not feeling very comfortable in them?

I don't know how realistic it is to actively change my posture. Maybe I should just get better suits and take a natural posture while being measured. What is your view on proper posture?

Regards,

Max

PS: Please excuse/ignore some of my german school english
PS 2: I tried my best to embed the pictures and failed

Lieber Max

Not long ago there was a discussion on the appropriateness of our speaking of a proper posture in another thread, viz.: "Posture - exercise and tailoring?" http://thelondonlounge.net/gl/forum/vie ... ht=posture

Now, my own opinion is that if you feel comfortable about your posture, and your Arzt has nothing to object about it, there is no point is comparing it to well polished shoes or good manners.

Querido Marcelo,

thanks for your reply. I saw the other thread - and had the impression that I have a slightly different question, I hope I was not wrong.

Regards,

Max

Dear Max

Welcome to the LL.

I see a very good candidate for bespoke tailoring in those pictures and one that is not to far from my own. Your erect stance and rounded shoulders must make RTW devilish. This is not an easy combo for tailors and your MTM made coat is pretty well done. The state of your posture has nothing to do with working on computers or slouching. You were made this way.

What worries me, as always with the pictures and young men I see, are the condition of your trousers. They need serious work and you might want to glance a minute and read some of the LL posts on full trousers.

Anyone who worries about their posture need only remember two things: keep your head and chin up, looking just above the horizontal plane; and keep your shoulders back. The secret is the head, because the rest of our body follows where the head leads. If your head is down and your chin drilling a hole in your chest, your shoulders will fall forward and so will the rest of you.

Cheers

Michael Alden

Not sure I compltely agree with you Michael that posture is all about how you were made. One can improve one's posture. Most office computers are set far too low and so folk slouch.

They also put hands in pockets ( a back surgeon wanred me against this when serious back problems hit me at 17) and do not sit upright.

I have done a lot of pilates in recent years to strengthen core muscles and to hold my old back in place ( another back surgeon refused to give me epidurals in spine unless I had pilates lessons in place). It has certainly imrpoved the way I stand.

By the way, to avoid back ache at drinks parties stand using ballet's open 3rd position. Most men start to stick their stomach out after a time and therefore arch their back, causing back ache. This prevents this.

Chelsea

It look to me like hyperlordosis. If your back gets sore after standing for periods, this is probably the case. You are overarching your back which causes the pelvis to tip forward and downward, which is why the third position, as mentioned above, helps- it forces you pelvis to tilt upward, which straightens out this arch. If you feel uncomfortable standing in third, you can just think to tilt your pelvis up and it will straighten your spine. Pilates or any other core-strengthening regimes are ideal for fixing this as it is usually a result of weak abdominal muscles which are the muscles which are responsible for keeping your spine straight, in part by keeping the pelvis tilted upward toward the ribcage, the two parts of the body joined by this wall of muscles. I have also seen absolutely remarkable results in one client who used a program called Callanetics. Any of these programs will dramatically change your posture and alleviate back soreness and are highly recomended.

The forward tilt of your pelvis is one of the things that cause the trouser to drag so badly.

Remember, however, that the whole balance of the suit depends on your posture so it is important to always stand naturally during fittings and not in some "ideal" posture.

Thank you very much. I guess I should consider taking care of my posture and maybe take up some "core strengthening" exercise. (Need to google hyperlordosis as well )

@Michael: Thanks for the advice on the trousers. I am especially dissatisfied with them. The jacket has some problems as well. Would it be okay if I post pictures of my suit in a another thread and ask for help on improving my next MTM?

Right now I am very undecided about bespoke. Yes, money is an issue - travel is even a bigger issue since Berlin is one of the more remote sartorial places on this planet and I would need to travel to London or Italy. My posture issue is another (I don't want to do bespoke if I change my posture too much). RTW is develish indeed and I gave up trying.

Regards,

Max

Dear Max

Post to your heart's content right here and we will try to get you dialed in.

Or maybe we will have to come to Berlin one day.

Cheers

Michael

Is the posture at issue here the one sometimes referred to as “stooping figure”? Some books on tailoring have a special section on this topic, with suggestions as to how the fabric should be cut in this case.

...

Thanks Jefferyd,

I hope this can be fixed. I will see a doctor about it. I might pick up the "Core Performance" training friends of mine recommended. Yoga might me an idea.

Max

Your back, and your trousers, will thank you for it.

Good luck!

J

I agree on the advice in favor of pilates. It works really well for core muscles & posture. I believe swimming might also be a very good exercize for this.

My physical therapist was adamant that sitting down and working on a computer was conducive to a bad posture, and she mentionned that I should get up a do a little walking every 15 - 30mn (in addition to exercize).

JDelage wrote:My physical therapist was adamant that sitting down and working on a computer was conducive to a bad posture, and she mentionned that I should get up a do a little walking every 15 - 30mn (in addition to exercize).

Does it include reading the treads, and posting in the LL?

I tried to follow Mr. Aldens advice and try out fuller trousers. I ordered a pair of flannel daks top trousers and just received them.

(I know they are a tad too long and therefore have too much crease).

http://api.photoshop.com/home_14a10782e ... 79009f7aed
http://api.photoshop.com/home_14a10782e ... 05496e611b
http://api.photoshop.com/home_14a10782e ... adb890ca0c

I think its an improvement on my suit pants - BUT i still need some advice. The front looks okay to me but there are many wrinkles in the back and I am far away from a straight line in the back (what I was hoping for). What is wrong?

Still not full enough?
Too long?

The pants sit very nice on the waitline, slightly below my belly button (very comfortable). Any advice apreciated.

Kindest regards from Berlin,

Max