Horizontally Striped Shirt - Need Help w/ Decision

[alexeberlin]

An actor on a production I am working on recently requested some horizontally striped shirts, as he was a great admirer of Patrick Macnee's early portrayal of John Steed. The budget did not allow for anything to be created especially for him so he was supplied with some Greathall striped shirts from Thomas Pink . These have a contrast collar of course like Mr Macnee's in the days when he co-starred with the lovely Honor Blackman.

[Frederic Leighton]

Charles Boyer, 1930s.

[Luca]

Having looked at some fo the pics hee and also the great old Apparal Arts drawings, I really think that anyone considering horizontal stripes should really go for the white cuff/collar.

I hear what you say about the "Trump effect" but, I think, that comes across onyl if the whole outfit / contrast is garish.

Lastly, I think that one needs to be slim to pull horizontal stripes off.

[davidhuh]

Having looked at some fo the pics hee and also the great old Apparal Arts drawings, I really think that anyone considering horizontal stripes should really go for the white cuff/collar.

Lastly, I think that one needs to be slim to pull horizontal stripes off.

Dear Luca,

I'm afraid to disagree with you on both aspects. I would never ever have white cuffs/collars on any shirt. It doesn't matter to me what others do, but I cannot imagine having such a shirt made for me.

On your second point, I would agree to a certain point if said big man would walk around without wearing a coat. But under a coat or even a waistcoat, I don't see any problem.

Cheers, David

[VRaivio]

Luca, the thing with contrast collars and cuffs is that they're much nicer on used shirts, as a sign of long use that has frayed the ends. Will over at ASW has written about the topic before, and his words helped me realise that some shirts just have more history, more stories of the wearer to tell. Adding contrast bits to brand new ones subvert this old-world look.

[rodes]

I really like the horizontally striped shirt and could see myself ordering one at some future time. It's just that, for me and for now, the checked shirt offers most of the advantages without the drawback of making that strong statement.

[hectorm]

.. the thing with contrast collars and cuffs is that they're much nicer on used shirts..

Oh dear, yes. I couldn´t agree more.
Although not my favorite, I have always had a couple of these shirts hanging in my closet. The stark white and the impeccable smoothness of the brand new contrasting collar have been -at the beginning- too much of a demand on my face and older suits and ties. After 5 washes and not so perfect ironing, I can wear contrast collars as a second skin like with the rest of my shirts.