Stroller specs

[salsatron]

I recently set myself the task of trying to put together a full black tie outfit from what I can find primarily in charity shops. I am happy to say, I have almost completed this (although I think I will have to go elsewhere for the proper shoes).

I am now going to try to put together a stroller on the cheap as well. I have a couple questions though. I know all the specs for exactly how a dinner jacket should be (ventless, flapless pockets, shawl or pointed lapels etc.), but I'm not really sure about the stroller. I am planning on pointed lapels - I take that for granted, but what about the vents and pocket flaps - should it lack both - and what about the number of buttons (I am planning on a SB model). Is a stroller jacket essentially identical to a dinner jacket but with self-faced lapels?

Also, colours. I currently own a very nice buff linen waistcoat, which I am planning on using with the outfit, rather than a dove grey waistcoat (this will inevitably mean I will use a gold tie rather than a silver tie). If I get a Homburg to go with the outfit, I will go for a grey one rather than a black one - would the combination of grey Homburg go ok with the buff waistcoat?

On a related note: has anyone here actually worn a black Homburg for black tie? I know that either that or a straw boater is supposed to be the hat suitable for black tie, but I just can't imagine anyone wearing a Homburg with a dinner suit.

[angelo]

Salsatron,
You can have here an idea of how a dinner suit with an homburg hat looks like!


http://img828.imageshack.us/i/4466.jpg/ ... .jpg[/img]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/url]

[Concordia]

Is a stroller jacket essentially identical to a dinner jacket but with self-faced lapels?

Back in the day you could probably find variations, but this is pretty accurate. 1-button or DB in some form would be fine. No flaps, but most other things according to your taste.

I have a DB suit in darkest grey herringbone: no flaps or vents. If I ever find myself in a formal-ish daytime wedding, I'll just order striped trousers appropriate to the climate and go from there.

[rodes]

These are not specs, but rather, suggestions. I would go double breasted,no vents ,no flaps,checked trousers. Summer weight cloth in very dark gray is the most practical since many appropriate occasions,Easter,graduations,weddings,etc. are warm weather affairs. You have my compliments whatever way you go. The stroller is a smart choice and should be brought back into favor. It is classic yet modern and most handsome. I have often recieved compliments on mine from people whose opinions I respect the most.

[Costi]

I don't see much of a problem in wearing an other-than-gold tie with a buff waistcoat or a black Homburg with a stroller, or a gray Homburg with a buff waistcoat.

[salsatron]

Thanks for the feedback guys. It's nice to see my thoughts on colour aren't going too far astray.

I will try to find what I outlined above (although I'm not too concerned if I can't find anything without flaps, as I can always tuck them in).

Something I really like about the stroller, is that it did fall out of fashion. We are all used to the idea of people wearing morning dress for weddings, or white tie or black tie for evening events, but unless you're at an event with the appropriate dress code, it would be quite innapropriate to wear them any other time. I think the nice thing about the stroller is that, because it has largely fallen out of use (from what I understand), people don't recognise it for what it is. They see how smart it is, but they don't realise that it is actually MORE formal than a standard business suit, and they confuse it with a sports jacket. The mind of the layperson is kind of tricked into seeing you as dressed informally, whilst there's some subliminal formality behind it.

[salsatron]

What patterns have people used for stroller trousers?

I've not had much luck finding proper formal trousers in charity shops my size - yesterday I finally managed to find a pair in grey with small light specks in the weave (i.e. not your classic cashmere stripes or a anything like a chequered pattern). What is acceptable for stroller trousers (if people are that bothered)?

Also, I managed to find a beautiful navy jacket with white pin stripes that, aside from the colour, matches the stroller specs. How acceptable is navy for a stroller? I'm very happy wearing it as it is, but I do wonder how it fits with the idea of what a stroller is supposed to be.

Finally, I haven't found a Homburg yet, but I did find a nice cream, linen flatcap, which works very well with what I have so far. It makes the outfit look really good, without screaming of high formality like a Homburg would.

[Simon A]

A navy coat with pinstripes is designed for business, not for semi-formal events. It couldn't be called a stroller, but you may still get some good wear out of it for other more casual daytime occasions, or for work.

A cloth cap doesn't really go with semi-formal wear, it is more casual. If you wish to wear a hat, wear a Homburg, but I doubt you will find one second hand in your size easily.

Semi formal outfits are really uniforms (stroller by day, dinner suit by night) and are designed to look elegant, but only small variations on the theme are desirable. That way, people's attention is diverted to the ladies' very diverse outfits, none of which will be the same. So dinner suits are black (or sometimes midnight blue), and strollers are black or dark grey. Stroller trousers are usually striped but I have seen checks used also in some old photos.

[le.gentleman]

Dear Salsatron,

With regard to the choice of hat for your stroller suit, you might also want to consider wearing a bowler/coke with your outfit.
Not long ago, I wrote a little article about the : Stresemann suit - the German Stroller maybe it is of some help to you.