When you're abroad

[DiSiLLUSiON]

There are LOADS of little americanisms in that outfit, but yes, it's a slightly more upmarket version:

3 button, rolling down to the second button navy blazer paired with flat front grey trousers and a pink candy stripe shirt and loafers is pretty much preppy 101. Hell, the blazer is even from that bastion of American clothing, Brooks Brothers (from the Thom Browne designed Black Fleece collection - it even has a locker loop on the back under the blazer collar for added preppy kitsch...).

Of course, as I said, I didn't really do the full-on US look, because the shirt is English and french-cuffed with a medium-spread collar not an oxford-cloth button-down, and the loafers are Italian and in a tan calf, not colour number 8 cordovan. And I'm committing the cardinal sin of wearing socks with them. But as a homage to Americana, it's about as close as I'm willing to get!

Well, you convinced me: I really need to take some time and immerse myself in the culture of well tailored suits. It seems to have a lot more then meets the eye. Ignorant peasant, I am.

Looks good on you, btw. But that's probably because of the European elements.

 

[RoJoHen]

I took a couple of snaps before going out. See if you can count the Americanisms...

Well, it isn't that American, if you ask me. I miss the loud Hawaiian blouse, the flip-flops and a large backpack. But perhaps that's only for tourists.

Also, men in America don't wear blouses.

 

[DiSiLLUSiON]

Also, men in America don't wear blouses.

The loud obnoxious Hawaiian what-ever-you-may-call-it then.

 

[RoJoHen]

Also, men in America don't wear blouses.

The loud whatchaevermaycallit then.

Shirt. Let's go with shirt.

 

[DiSiLLUSiON]

Also, men in America don't wear blouses.

The loud whatchaevermaycallit then.

Shirt. Let's go with shirt.

I always thought a shirt was something different, but thank you doctor Dictionary.

 

[Maestro]

As someone who has followed your fashion tips, as well as followed those of my tailor, I must say that I think I just lost some respect for you, Holdfast.

 

[Holdfast]

As someone who has followed your fashion tips, as well as followed those of my tailor, I must say that I think I just lost some respect for you, Holdfast.

It was the socks with loafers thing, wasn't it....

 

[Maestro]

Sorry, dude, but some of your remarks came off to me as anti-American flippancy, and you got the pants all wrong. So, I was actually being serious.

For the record, in America, grey trousers paired with a navy jacket is considered a "classic look" in men's business wear. We consider it to be quite fashionable. If you want to mock preps, at least get the pants right. Preps would wear a khaki or tan pan with the navy jacket.

 

[Triskelion]

Also, men in America don't wear blouses.

The loud obnoxious Hawaiian what-ever-you-may-call-it then.

The seventies called. They want their caricatures back.

 

[pheonix]

My brother used to work at the Adventure Island in Tampa. He would say he and his friends where able to smell Europeans. Then there was the other stereo types, bad teeth, hairy pits, etc that he said he was true.

Me I don't know. Maybe if I see someone where ethnic clothing, but even then I would rather not assume and be wrong. I always thought Europeans dressed pretty much the same as Americans.

 

[Count Zero]

Me I don't know. Maybe if I see someone where ethnic clothing, but even then I would rather not assume and be wrong. I always thought Europeans dressed pretty much the same as Americans.

Pretty much, but not quite. It's always interesting for me to see the subtle differences when watching US series and newscasts. It's not necessarily a bad thing. It would be boring if everyone looked the same.

 

[Holdfast]

Sorry, dude, but some of your remarks came off to me as anti-American flippancy, and you got the pants all wrong. So, I was actually being serious.

For the record, in America, grey trousers paired with a navy jacket is considered a "classic look" in men's business wear. We consider it to be quite fashionable. If you want to mock preps, at least get the pants right. Preps would wear a khaki or tan pan with the navy jacket.

You can do a preppy look using the "security guard" navy-blazer/grey-trousers base as well as with tans. I do agree that tan would be even more preppy-looking, but some sacrifices just can't be made and wearing that combo is one of them, unless I heavily subvert it somehow. I'm not a huge navy blazer fan at the best of times, and navy blazer/tan trousers is a step too far! Even this navy blazer/grey trousers combo was largely only done for purposes of having fun for this thread since I was only going out for tea that day. I wouldn't normally do it.

My comments were absolutely flippantly anti-american. There really is a lot to laugh in US dress conventions. At other times I'm flippantly anti-italian or anti-english. All clothing styles and fashions can be inherently amusing and worth laughing at. That's where the real joy of dressing up comes from because you can have fun with the styles and play with the limits.

Don't take clothes so seriously. As odd as it sounds, I don't think clothes should be about looking good or even fashionable. They should be about amusing oneself in a way that just happens to look nice to you when you glance in the mirror.

 

[Braindeer]

Don't take clothes so seriously. As odd as it sounds, I don't think clothes should be about looking good or even fashionable. They should be about amusing oneself in a way that just happens to look nice to you when you glance in the mirror.

I like you.

 

[An Officer]

When you asked us to spot the Americanisms Holdfast, I thought it must be a trick question or something! I saw not one thing American about it... you looked your usual British doctor type to me. I think you might have a different understanding of preppy than most... perhaps influenced by the (British?) boards you frequent.

This is how I think of the modern preppy look, more colourful and playful than the outfit you referenced there:

I actually really like the style.

Perhaps it's a problem of the times, maybe you were thinking of the preppy looks of the past, whereas I come across the more modern, evolved look more often when out and about... I think you could stand to go a little more youthful in your outfits. I would love to see you drop the blazers/suit jackets and go for a short-sleeved shirt and scarf or a colourful v-neck sweater or cardigan, just for a change.

 

[WillsBabe]

^ I like the guy on the right hand side. Cute look (I can still enjoy looking at the younger chaps).

 

[An Officer]

Adorable, isn't it. I live near Soho, so I see so many like that, the pristine little boy look. Nothing like a gay man to complete a style to perfection.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

This is how I think of the modern preppy look, more colourful and playful than the outfit you referenced there:

I am now completely convinced that every American tourist you guys have ever seen was participating in a mass punking of the UK.

NO ONE dresses like that here. They must be changing clothes at the Douchebags 'R' Us duty free once they get off the plane.

 

[DiSiLLUSiON]

NO ONE dresses like that here. They must be changing clothes at the Douchebags 'R' Us duty free once they get off the plane.

I don't think anyone dresses like that, anywhere.

 

[WillsBabe]

Adorable, isn't it. I live near Soho, so I see so many like that, the pristine little boy look. Nothing like a gay man to complete a style to perfection.

I'm down in the Smoke next week. Hope the weather holds out so I can see it for myself in person.

As for telling visitors by their clothes. I think there are styles or looks that set people apart. I'm not sure what it is but there is something that makes people distinctive. In the case of British people on holiday abroad, I think we can be identified a lot of the times by our cheap clothing (Primark, Tesco, George etc) and being overweight. I try not to fall into that sterotype myself, but sadly, I sometimes do!

 

[Maestro]

You guys can buy clothes at Tesco? Now you have no excuse to talk when it comes to American dress.