Your favourite style of suit

[Jeff the Fish]

So what is it?

Are you a shiny mohair kinda guy?

Or maybe a dark and mysterious wool number?

Or bright colours?

Me, I'm into colours, unusual ones that seperate me from the usual office working hordes, something very smart but in a colour that makes an impact and proves that suit isn't just "work gear"... pictured is a suit I dearly loved that sadly doesn't fit anymore (damn that middle age!)

Anyway, how about you?

[Del]

I wear Adam's suits for work ( yes, I'm one of the hordes, I'm afraid.), so I need a bit of variety, as well as allowing for seasonal changes.

You can't beat a navy blue chalkstripe for those deadly-serious meetings, and you've got to love mohair in sunny weather, but I've become spoiled: since buying a lovely Air Force blue three-ply from Adam, the two-ply stuff looks a bit shiny and cheap to me; looks great under artificial light, but get it outside and you look like the Teflon Don. Good for a do or a party, bit lary for work. Ask any of the guys who were "in the know" in the sixties, they'll tell you three-ply was the thing.

Yesterday, popped in to Adam and picked up a brown check number, nice and casual and very, very sixties.
Preferences? All wool in various chalks, pins or a quiet check, or three-ply mohair in plain two-way colours. Also rather like anything with a bit of subtle purple in, a great colour in small doses.
Natural linen can be great for summer, I've always rather liked the one Michael wore at the airport in the Italian job (looks like linen, anyway.)

One rule: I avoid black suits at all costs, as I feel the colour lacks sophistication: its what (non-mod) teenagers inevitably buy as their first suit, "cos black's the coolest colour, right ?" Sadly, some men retain this syndrome well past their teens........ the one I'm wearing in my b/w profile photo's actually navy blue. I love this colour in a suit, good enough for Ian Fleming, good enough for me.

If you want to stand out from the masses, a half-decent cut is sufficient to do that, these days. I find the cut of my suits puts me in a minority of one at every meeting I attend.

I sometimes feel Adam makes it all a bit too easy. "The look" has become effortless.

Oh, and how you wear it is crucial. Only ever fasten the middle button, when standing or walking, and undo it as soon as I sit down. If I'm standing casually having a fag, I'll undo it too. And stand properly, don't invest in a great suit, then ruin it by slouching about like you're ashamed of it. I see a lot of that. And never, ever, ever sling a backpack across it whilst walking to work. Please. OK, rant over...

[Jeff the Fish]

Lol! Its fine to be one of the hordes, the problem is looking like one! I work as a film extra, and I have a black suit (one of Adam's too) when I have to imitate like a horde member, but when left to my own devices I like something that stands out. I go through phases of being into one of the suits in my collection and currently I seem to be wearing green ones a lot...

I'm not that bothered about looking 60's (although I probably do), its 2008 after all, but I like that classy classic look.

[Outrigger]

I tend to like subtle patterns and effects that look different in various lights. So I'll wear a navy blue worsted that doesn't stand out too much from the crowd, until the sunshine catches it and you notice the sheen; or a grey self herringbone that looks like a plane colour until you get close.
As for the cut, I like English Military for it's sharp lines, and Ivy League for it's soft natural shoulders and slimmer lapels, trousers tend to be quite slim, and slightly longer at the back so they fall properly over the shoes.
I also go for those subtle details that only the people looking closely will notice.
I wouldn't call it a Mod suit but I always go for a three button SB jacket, I've tried two button and double breasted and I know the 3B looks better on me, usually with only the middle button done up.
I still have one full on Mod suit in a three ply tonic mohair.

[Jeff the Fish]

Well its all about breaking a few rules isn't it? A nice one button jacket (with the button placed where the centre button of a three button jacket would normally be) is a look I've been into for a while as we discussed once. Its nice when people don't immediately think "Mod" when they see you but rather "there goes a very sharp geezer". I saw a chap in Bond st the other day in a suit that I could only describe as Mod with stepped trouser buttons etc in a very nice shiny deep bronze colour, and on top a reddish/bronze knee length fur coat! (not PC I know) and he looked brilliant. I'm pretty sure he wasn't a Mod or 60's enthusiast though.

[Outrigger]

I think rules are only necessary for uniforms and formal dress. Dressing well for me is about putting your personality into your look. I think that's what the mod scene was all about, and the people who follow all the rules are missing the point. You always look sharp to me and I think that's because you put personality into your look.

[Jeff the Fish]

Likewise!

[Nicky Bubbles]

I have to say im a sucker for italian short box jackets with side vents, covered buttons, slim lapels..the standard early 60s contintental look. Having said that, I do have a nice 3 ply dormueil tonk suit that George in Haringey made for me that is slightly longer in the body and rather waisted.

I have to agree with you. Its all about injecting personality into the look. Why do we have to look like bank managers in the same navy mohair suits with shirts matching our origami in our breast jacket pockets and equally matching jewellery?

[Outrigger]

I had a quite long, double breasted 6x2 gun mettle grey suit from Sam Arkus (sp) in Berwick street about ten years ago. I might get something similar as a blazer, also I'd like a three piece one button suit in a burgundy colour .