A working Chappie

[SW13]

Hello !

I have been following the threads on L L, for a shortish while now with growing enthusiasm.
So apologies if this has been covered before, but I wonder if anyone has some thought on what I could wear in my working day !

I am a picture framer, bespoke naturally, and need to look smart in the gallery, yet practical when down in the cellar, where I do the cutting.
Perhaps a waistcoat ?
I do wear a rather scruffy bottle green apron, with much evidence of the trade I frequent, over the years.

The shop is in a West Sussex market town, in an off-centre location but close to the station. In these darker evenings, I stand out like.... er a bloke in a shop window , and wonder what the commuters from London think, on their way home.

Many of my clients are medium to high spenders, Polo club owners etc. But not in any way is the majority of the shop clientèle elitist, so dressing in a beautiful suit, is going to look pretentious ?!

Thank you for reading this far and any thoughts, pictures and advice would be welcomed and appreciated.

The shop / gallery is very small but the work I do and the pictures I sell are of top quality.
This I feel should be the same with the clothes I wear.

Thank you
Vernon

[alden]

Many of my clients are medium to high spenders, Polo club owners etc. But not in any way is the majority of the shop clientèle elitist, so dressing in a beautiful suit, is going to look pretentious ?!

The pretentious look emanates from the person inside the suit, not the suit.

The suit you choose need not be beautiful but understated, practical and elegant. I suggest you watch the "informal suitings" clip recently posted here. It contains some ideas for you. A 3 pc suit made of tweed, covert, or flannel would give you the opportunity to wear the waistcoat with the apron for work and leave the coat until you leave the shop. I would suggest you leave shiny worsted cloth to the commuters and city boys. Look for subtle, interesting shades of color and texture that communicate creativity.

Cheers

M Alden

[SW13]

Thank you, yes the Country look is eminently more suitable.
I had wondered about Tweed.

I shall look at what you suggest.

[DD MacDonald]

Chappie, in your situation I'd commission a 3 piece suit with a lapeled waistcoat in gray whipcord. You can't hurt the stuff and the gray is universal.

I have trousers made from the 450g / 14.5oz bunch from Holland & Sherry but I can't dig up the number. The color is short of charcoal, a darker than mid-gray with some silver in it.

DDM

[SW13]

Thank you, I will look at Holland and Sherry.
My knowledge of materials and styles is pitiful, I am afraid.
But I want to learn !


Thank you for the nods up on your clip, good luck with the new project..