Stroller fabrics: coats and trousers

[Etutee]

Call me even more old fashioned but I prefer the hour glass silhouette of nineteenth century tailoring to the modern so-called "drape" which is really a product of the RTW age when an ill fitting coat could be passed off by a salesman saying "why it's meant to be that way Sir - having a little 'drape' is all the rage". Next, bespoke tailors started to copy it too.

I could be mistaken but last I remembered the exaggerated "ill-fitting" RTW drape is a by product of 40s NOT the bespoke of 20s to 30s. It was the RTW industry that ruined the drape with excess... I don't quite think that bespoke tailors copied RTW. In fact it was the other way around.

[HappyStroller]

Oops! Another likely mistaken impression attributable to my unprofessional editorial skills.

In my attempt to edit out irrelevant words from P Chong's post, I forgot to snip out the words "Concordia wrote", which may result in others thinking it was Concordia who said the rest of the words in the quote. My sincere apologies to Concordia.

Anyway, JL, I was just pulling PC's leg about the Sartorial Police.

But those department store workers were providing a service; so in a way, they were like restaurant staff dressed in "semi-formal" clothing.

No, no, no commerce business is to be conducted when you're wearing a formal dress. If you do, I'm afraid someone would have to call the Sartorial Police to knock on your HK SAR door at midnight to invite you for a stay just across the SAR/SEZ border until you have submitted a proper self-criticism confession for abusing the use of such a distinctly Western dress.

"No commerce business is to be conducted when you're wearing a formal dress." Me thunk a stroller was semi-formal, not formal.

I am old enough to remember the floorwalkers at Bullock's Wilshire--a great department store in its day--wore strollers. Presumably they were engaged in "commerce business" (which terminology strikes me as a bit redundant).

[Concordia]

As a bit of a dodge, but not too much compromise on what I like, I've thought that getting a DB suit in a very dark grey herringbone (no pocket flaps or vents) would be a useful entry into this rig. Add supplementary striped trousers and a proper shirt, and we're ready to go. No real sacrifice of utility, as a 12oz herringbone(Dugdale makes some nice ones) could see use in a suit for a whole lot of evenings, and even the odd funeral. While travelling, one could wear the suit and pack the striped trousers.

Now if I only knew where one could go looking like this. Perhaps to keep SilkCity company at the Met, but with two of us dressed this way together people might think we were on the payroll and ask us to fetch something.

Con.
That'd be fun--pm me when the schedule comes out so we coordinate our
matinee selections (I wear a dinner suit to evening perfs)
. I am partial to the bel canto, btw!
And, I'd gladly fetch you something--especially from the bar--for us to toast our
fraternity in the "cloth"!
Best,
SC

Step one executed today at the Plaza Athenee: 2-pc in 9/10oz Oxford grey herringbone (Lesser 120s). No vents, no flaps, DB.

I also noticed that there is a good 12oz shepherd's check in the Specials formalwear book. In addition to the usual cashmere stripes, of course. When I'm feeling in the mood, I'll pull the trigger on that. Stroller at the matinee, change trousers and shirt for dinner. Not to mention an appallingly formal option for Mother's Day brunch.

[SilkCity]

My appointment is at 1500 today!

[Concordia]

Just caught the cinema-HD broadcast of the matinee this afternoon. Placido Domingo was conducting, and wore a variant of the stroller. SB dark grey jacket (notch, flaps, side vents), mid-grey trousers, and pale grey vest of intermediate height. Approximately the same crossover point that a DB would have, but it was SB with 4 buttons. Black and white striped tie. Informal and dignified, good for a wintry Saturday afternoon.

Orchestra was in black tie.