Elegance is not about being noticed, it is about being remembered
Giorgio Armani.
I guess the word here should be ‘respected’, or ‘revered’, not ‘remembered’. Swag, grunge and hip-hop are all remembered. It could be for their atrociousness, or for the mind-sets of the generations that sport these styles.
We live in an era of quick comfort, blind imitations and commercial interests overruling true style. Shirt lengths have been shortened. 80% of the stock in stores comprise of Slim Fit garments. And why not? People are conscious of their fitness levels. The manufacturer makes 110 shirts with the material meant for 100 shirts, and reduces cost.
But, if swag is for the boys, style is for men.
“Style is the perfection of a point of view.” – Richard Eberhart
There are 3 styles that we would like to see revived, in the interest of elegance.
- The Tie-Pin
I have tried buying one for a gift, and was told that it is an outdated concept. It has been replaced by the collar pin. I love collar pins, and the element of intrigue that they add to a gentleman’s outfit with its shape and design. Neck ties are gradually fading out.
But the few that I see in videos and pictures of animated speakers, appear to have shifted to the left or right, or are bulging out of a buttoned-up coat, in a statement of rebellion.It distracts the viewer, who has a tough time resisting the temptation to point it out, or set it right.
Have a look at this. Confidence personified, despite the stubble and the peeping tattoo on the forearm.
2. The Suspenders
They have a retro feel, reminding one of the yester-year mega stars – Dev Anand or Raj Kapoor. But they perform the onerous task of keeping the trousers and the waist-belt in place straight and unfolded. Indian men do tend to be a midriff variation, which is not conducive to a good fit for the trousers. And suspenders can so easily be concealed behind the jacket.
3. The Comfort Fit shirts
The style is easy on the eyes of the viewer, and easy on the skin of the wearer. There are no gaps in the button placket, threatening to split open, and no embarrassed viewers trying to look elsewhere.
If you see the cover pic, it is the relaxed fit and selective buttoning, that has made the red jacket tolerable. Even Mr. Amitabh Bachchan has to make an effort to conceal the midriff variation.
It is high time, we returned to customized tailoring, whether you prefer online convenience, or the comfort with the neighborhood tailor. It is a fast vanishing species that needs to return, even if the cost is higher than that of an off-the-rack item. There is a price to be paid for elegance, style and comfort.
Visit http://reinventions.in for Free Style Recommendations
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