The style thread

[Riceball]

Interesting. Shirt stays aren't something I came across in the Royal Marines in either blues or lovats, though it does seem USMC wears their dress shirts more often. Especially now the Corps is using Crye kit, nobody wants to be wearing anything else during the work day, for fear of not looking, as we say in the uk, ally in gucci rig.

The tucking of the shirt as you say and pulling the excess around the back is certainly something done here too.

Outside of certain special duties like recruiter, DI, & embassy/White House security, we don't wear our service dress uniforms that often. Most Marines spend most of their time wearing their utilities (cammies) or some form of coverall regardless of whether they're in the field or in garrison.. They're mainly only worn for brief periods of time for things like reporting in to a new duty station, change of command or retirement/senior personnel leaving the unit, and inspections. But once the ceremony is done, it's back into cammies for the rest of the day.

 

[VanPersie]

Outside of certain special duties like recruiter, DI, & embassy/White House security, we don't wear our service dress uniforms that often. Most Marines spend most of their time wearing their utilities (cammies) or some form of coverall regardless of whether they're in the field or in garrison.. They're mainly only worn for brief periods of time for things like reporting in to a new duty station, change of command or retirement/senior personnel leaving the unit, and inspections. But once the ceremony is done, it's back into cammies for the rest of the day.

Ah okay, that actually sounds very similar to us then. Thank you.

 

[Axlotl]

A lot of of guitarists learned this trick the hard way after scratching up the backs of their guitars .

I used to wear my belt buckle on the side for exactly this reason. Stopped doing it when I stopped playing guitar, though.

 

[Riceball]

Ah okay, that actually sounds very similar to us then. Thank you.

I don't know how it is in the Royal Marines and the UK military as a whole, but here in the US there are those who feel that those who serve in more administrative roles/office jobs like admin and working in higher headquarters, particularly the Pentagon should wear some form of service dress in place of the cammies you normally see them in. But I think that this usually comes from people in combat arms (infantry, armor, & artillery) who wouldn't be affected by such a change.

I used to wear my belt buckle on the side for exactly this reason. Stopped doing it when I stopped playing guitar, though.

I actually wear my belt buckles off center to the left of the middle of my pants with the right edge of the buckle aligned with the right edge of the fly. But I don't do this because I play or played the guitar, this is just one of those holdovers from when I was in the Marines and still do to this day

 

[greenmachines]

Here's what they look like.
View attachment 1660473
But I have no idea if they cause any fabric distortion, but if they do, it would be down on the tails of the shirts where you wouldn't see them since they'd be tucked into your pants. As far as features go, I've only used what was issued to me in the Marines, so I don't know if there's anything really to look out for aside from the usual sort of things like longevity and maybe making sure that the elastic is not scratchy.

Even though the pic I posted shows 4, you really only need 2. Clip the top to where the shirt tail is folded over and then clip the bottom to the top of your socks, off to the side and slightly forward so that the shirt stay is coming down at an angle. If you want to use 4, just clip the other pair to either side of the front of your shirt and clip them to your socks going straight down. We only used 4 when we wore the short sleeved khaki shirt or the long sleeve without the accompanying jacket.

When done right, this is the look the shirt stays creates, granted this is on a mannequin and kind of idealized. But it does show what blousing looks like.

View attachment 1660474

Is this what does the same work that the suit pocket access holes are for? The little trap door on tuxedo pants inside the front pockets?

 

[VanPersie]

I don't know how it is in the Royal Marines and the UK military as a whole, but here in the US there are those who feel that those who serve in more administrative roles/office jobs like admin and working in higher headquarters, particularly the Pentagon should wear some form of service dress in place of the cammies you normally see them in. But I think that this usually comes from people in combat arms (infantry, armor, & artillery) who wouldn't be affected by such a change.

It wasn’t until Combat 95’s really kicked in in the 90’s that UK military moved to wearing combat uniform day to day, but when MTP PCS uniform started to filter into general issue, they tried re-introducing what we call Barrack Dress.

For a time it went okay, but soon enough it was ignored and back to wearing combats for everything became the norm again.

Mind you the british military also decided that yet again having a uniform designed to wear untucked and sleeves left rolled down, no creases ironed into to, and “too american looking” was too much change to handle so back to tucking it in and having a new design made so we can roll the sleeves up. I kid you not.

 

[bwayne64]

The same cannot be said for the floral print, wide lapel, bell bottom wearers of the 70's.

Hey I resemble that remark. I wish I could find that picture of myself as a kid. It was full on Brady bunch, lol. And don't forget the wide, white leather belt, ; )

 

[bwayne64]

And let's not forget this gem !

 

[greenmachines]

And let's not forget this gem !

Being out of style puts you into fashion. My daughter's lifetime buddy was getting married. We left last minute and I threw on jeans (new), an off white 70s embroidered mariachi shirt (no frillies just embroidery where the frillies normally are), a black two button single breasted suit jacket, square nose shiny dress shoes, white short socks, brown felt pendleton hat and sunglasses (large aviators in gold). I had a black alligator head belt I had won in a raffle and a large garish gold watch from the same raffle. My wife commented "So you decided to not fit in at all?" When we were seated for the reception dinner, several women were watching our table and my wife asked if I knew them, nope. They got up and walked to our table and one says "And you are?" and I replied "Scared?" and she said they were trying to figure out who I was, so I told them and how we knew the bride but her response was "Oh, so you aren't anyone famous." It wasn't a question but rather a statement. They said their goodbyes and nice to meet you's and went back to their table. My wife warned me then that I was never going out in public again purposely looking like I had no idea of good taste.

 

[joberg]

I don't know how it is in the Royal Marines and the UK military as a whole, but here in the US there are those who feel that those who serve in more administrative roles/office jobs like admin and working in higher headquarters, particularly the Pentagon should wear some form of service dress in place of the cammies you normally see them in. But I think that this usually comes from people in combat arms (infantry, armor, & artillery) who wouldn't be affected by such a change.


I actually wear my belt buckles off center to the left of the middle of my pants with the right edge of the buckle aligned with the right edge of the fly. But I don't do this because I play or played the guitar, this is just one of those holdovers from when I was in the Marines and still do to this day

To be sure, the right hand side of your belt buckle should be aligned with the right hand side of your fly aligned with the right hand side of your shirt flap...wow, that was a long sentence

 

[joberg]

Is this what does the same work that the suit pocket access holes are for? The little trap door on tuxedo pants inside the front pockets?

It's easier to tuck your shirt that way, depending on the type of tuxedo you're wearing.

 

[joberg]

Being out of style puts you into fashion. My daughter's lifetime buddy was getting married. We left last minute and I threw on jeans (new), an off white 70s embroidered mariachi shirt (no frillies just embroidery where the frillies normally are), a black two button single breasted suit jacket, square nose shiny dress shoes, white short socks, brown felt pendleton hat and sunglasses (large aviators in gold). I had a black alligator head belt I had won in a raffle and a large garish gold watch from the same raffle. My wife commented "So you decided to not fit in at all?" When we were seated for the reception dinner, several women were watching our table and my wife asked if I knew them, nope. They got up and walked to our table and one says "And you are?" and I replied "Scared?" and she said they were trying to figure out who I was, so I told them and how we knew the bride but her response was "Oh, so you aren't anyone famous." It wasn't a question but rather a statement. They said their goodbyes and nice to meet you's and went back to their table. My wife warned me then that I was never going out in public again purposely looking like I had no idea of good taste.

Sometimes, rich/famous people have no sense of style/fashion. If your look is "out there" you'll be taken for a famous person real fast
I would've liked to be a fly on the wall to see your outfit

 

[greenmachines]

Sometimes, rich/famous people have no sense of style/fashion. If your look is "out there" you'll be taken for a famous person real fast
I would've liked to be a fly on the wall to see your outfit

I knew that my daughter's friend would love it. She is super proper, high style, grad with honors, prez of the business club type of person whose hobby is thrift shopping for wacky 70s clothes. She appreciates the "wack" in wacky because it is so absurd. It was for her. My daughter was in the wedding so was also wearing 70s and unmatched. All the other guests didn't seem to get it and dressed normal.

 

[greenmachines]

Question on ties: which types of suits require the different style of ties. I have seen some that are nearly chords all the way to ones that just look like a scarf.

 

[Ron]

Very good question. In general (I'm sure joberg can elaborate further), the type of suit and shirt you wear determines the kind of tie you wear. If your jacket has a wide lapel and your shirt has a wider collar, you want a wider tie. A narrow lapel and narrow shirt collar would require a narrower tie. As far as which knot to tie, that's generally also determined by the width of the collar and somewhat by how far apart the collar opens in the front (the upside "V" if you will). If you have a wider collar, you want to tie a bigger knot like a full Windsor. A medium size collar would call for a half Windsor or a four in hand knot. For narrow collars, something like a Nicky knot would look nice.

As far as colors, your tie should be darker than your shirt (unless you're wearing a black shirt of course). I like to wear ties that have some kind of textured knit to them rather than the typical silk print ones. As far as patterns, in general you should mix and match between solids and patterns. You might hear that you shouldn't wear a striped suit, shirt, and tie together, but I've seen it done and done it myself. It can absolutely work but it takes the right style of suit and shirt to pull it off. I always like to wear a pocket square too (not a handkerchief, that's a different piece of accessory with a different use). Now, a lot of men like to wear a matching pocket square and tie, but it's considered a no-no. I happen to agree with that and I never wear a matching set myself though it doesn't really bother me seeing it either. It's very low on the list of fashion faux pas. It's typically a thing you'd see in a ceremonial setting like something groomsmen would wear for example.

As far as "scarf" ties and ascots, I have no experience with those haha. Mr. Furley could sure rock them though. I've never worn a bolo tie either, but I've heard if you do wear one your testosterone levels triple just from the sheer manliness of them.

 

[joberg]

Very good question. In general (I'm sure joberg can elaborate further), the type of suit and shirt you wear determines the kind of tie you wear. If your jacket has a wide lapel and your shirt has a wider collar, you want a wider tie. A narrow lapel and narrow shirt collar would require a narrower tie. As far as which knot to tie, that's generally also determined by the width of the collar and somewhat by how far apart the collar opens in the front (the upside "V" if you will). If you have a wider collar, you want to tie a bigger knot like a full Windsor. A medium size collar would call for a half Windsor or a four in hand knot. For narrow collars, something like a Nicky knot would look nice.

As far as colors, your tie should be darker than your shirt (unless you're wearing a black shirt of course). I like to wear ties that have some kind of textured knit to them rather than the typical silk print ones. As far as patterns, in general you should mix and match between solids and patterns. You might hear that you shouldn't wear a striped suit, shirt, and tie together, but I've seen it done and done it myself. It can absolutely work but it takes the right style of suit and shirt to pull it off. I always like to wear a pocket square too (not a handkerchief, that's a different piece of accessory with a different use). Now, a lot of men like to wear a matching pocket square and tie, but it's considered a no-no. I happen to agree with that and I never wear a matching set myself though it doesn't really bother me seeing it either. It's very low on the list of fashion faux pas. It's typically a thing you'd see in a ceremonial setting like something groomsmen would wear for example.

As far as "scarf" ties and ascots, I have no experience with those haha. Mr. Furley could sure rock them though. I've never worn a bolo tie either, but I've heard if you do wear one your testosterone levels triple just from the sheer manliness of them.

All good points Ron and sometimes things tend to go South real fast when wearing suit/tie that doesn't help your height/girth.
Ascots are great for short and wide people; it tends to elongate the figure since there isn't a tie to block the opening of your jacket.
It shows the whole shirt and has a tendency to make for an "airy look".
Problem with the Ascot is that you have to be a certain age to rock it...same with Bolo ties (unless you're rocking the Stetson + cowboy boots/shirt/pants combo
I tend to wear traditional shirt collar, as to have a very pointy V and a "medium width tie). Some ties ('70S) are as wide as a football field and, while I "could" wear them, I tend to stick to a middle look. Now, with suits nowadays, you can wear your straight '60s knitted narrow tie with a half Windsor or full one.

 

[Ron]

All good points Ron and sometimes things tend to go South real fast when wearing suit/tie that doesn't help your height/girth.
Ascots are great for short and wide people; it tends to elongate the figure since there isn't a tie to block the opening of your jacket.
It shows the whole shirt and has a tendency to make for an "airy look".
Problem with the Ascot is that you have to be a certain age to rock it...same with Bolo ties (unless you're rocking the Stetson + cowboy boots/shirt/pants combo
I tend to wear traditional shirt collar, as to have a very pointy V and a "medium width tie). Some ties ('70S) are as wide as a football field and, while I "could" wear them, I tend to stick to a middle look. Now, with suits nowadays, you can wear your straight '60s knitted narrow tie with a half Windsor or full one.

Age, height, and weight are definitely factors. Speaking for myself, now that I'm a little older, I've been wanting to incorporate turtlenecks more into my formal wear. Being in southern California, there's a very limited window of time to wear them but it's such a great look. Classic Sean Connery/Steve McQueen style.

 

[greenmachines]

All good points Ron and sometimes things tend to go South real fast when wearing suit/tie that doesn't help your height/girth.
Ascots are great for short and wide people; it tends to elongate the figure since there isn't a tie to block the opening of your jacket.
It shows the whole shirt and has a tendency to make for an "airy look".
Problem with the Ascot is that you have to be a certain age to rock it...same with Bolo ties (unless you're rocking the Stetson + cowboy boots/shirt/pants combo
I tend to wear traditional shirt collar, as to have a very pointy V and a "medium width tie). Some ties ('70S) are as wide as a football field and, while I "could" wear them, I tend to stick to a middle look. Now, with suits nowadays, you can wear your straight '60s knitted narrow tie with a half Windsor or full one.

On the outer edge of not having a clue, I have been known to follow the 80s alt fashion of ribbon collar ties. A band of material that matches the collar in height and might have an adornment in the front. Or, even a chain. Halfway between a necklace and a tie. Usually with narrow collars and mandarin. At least once was confused for a priest.

 

[greenmachines]

To be honest, I had to stop this as it was considered too much fashion for my area and men would constantly ask if I was gay, am not, and it was both straight and gay asking. Not wanting to deal with this on a regular basis, the ribbon tie was abandoned.

 

[greenmachines]

Speaking of mandarin, the other thing I think is sharp with a mandarin collar is the magnetic buttons or covered button shirt front without a tie.