Guy on the subway has on the most lovely perfectly fitted classic black pinstripe suit. BUT he has on a dark blue shirt and it ruins the whole effect it’s heartbreaking. I considered telling him, to be helpful “that combination makes you look like personal assistant of a mob boss- “ but then it occurred to me maybe that’s what he *is* and his outfit may be perfect.

there but by the grace of god go I

I have a soft spot for black pinstripe suits since it's an East Cost, but very NYC style for fall and winter. Doesn't work in California, feels off in London. It's for Chicago and NYC.

But never with a dark shirt what are you doing.

Tweed suits are the inverse. They are OK in London but on the East they are for academics only.

Incidentally... why do all the guys in the UK have such big shiny ties? What is that about?

Incidentally... why do all the guys in the UK have such big shiny ties? What is that about?

@futurebird What’s your take on houndstooth?

@futurebird

A school knot, four in hand, is a sign of adolescence or low class white collar work. A full Windsor though requires a longer and fuller tie to do right.

So you end up with full suites signalling they're not boys with their grown up big neck knots.

(This is also why a lot of foreign leaders look like the work placement president with their school knots)

@futurebird

A school knot, four in hand, is a sign of adolescence or low class white collar work. A full Windsor though requires a longer and fuller tie to do right.

So you end up with full suites signalling they're not boys with their grown up big neck knots.

(This is also why a lot of foreign leaders look like the work placement president with their school knots)

@doctormo @futurebird I learned the hard way, going through a couple of traditional uk law firms in the 90s.

You had to have double cuffs and full or half Windsor knot (Hermes tie ideally, Thomas Pink if not).

Short sleeves, button down collars or - god forbid - a shirt pocket, and you'd be sent home.

Pin stripes were for financial industry types only.

@jbenjamint @doctormo

That's so fascinating. Anyone who wants to wear a fall or winter suit can choose pinstripe in NYC. It's just one of several normal kinds of suit.

But, when I worked in London I noticed exactly what you said even though I was just their "American Programmer"

(this was when having a programmer from America made people feel innovative for some reason.)

@futurebird i think it's changed since? My sense is the 90s and maybe 00s were the final heyday of the strict City dress code?

Happy to be told otherwise though - am a mere rural homeworker these days...