“I’ve got a question for you – how do you gauge which patterns work well together across the tie, shirt and jacket?”
“I’ve written about that before, it’s all about the density of the pattern.”
“Well I didn’t see it, you should write about it again.”
One of the inherent disadvantages of a blog is its lack of an easy way to view the archive. Most questions I am asked my friends and readers have already been answered somewhere, previously (and I’ve only been doing this two years). There are exceptions, of course – a friend asked recently which side the buckle should go when you wear your belt, and I honestly don’t know.
But most of the time it’s been dealt with already. So to deal with this, and avoid the dull repetition that would result from following my friend’s advice above, I’ve created a list of useful answers by topic.
How do patterns go together?
How do you wear a pocket handkerchief?
Then and only then should you experiment with harmonising colours.
A good way to illustrate this is by looking at the way autumnal colours can go together.
This is an refinement of an earlier post regarding some general tips on stuffing.
How do you tend to wear waistcoats?
This can mean changing the way you have your waistcoats made, if you have that luxury.
I hope this was useful. If it was, suggestions for similar references please.
4 Guest Comments »
1.
RE: which side the buckle should go when you wear your belt
I’ve always learnt it as being “the man is always right” i.e. the “male” (non-buckle) side of the belt lies on the righthand side.
Thanks for the topic index, and a great blog!
Comment by Colin — July 19, 2009 #
2.
I was told that the non-buckle side is on the right because, if you’re right handed, that’s the easiest side to tighten the belt and slip the loose end through the loops. Though that would imply that lefties wear the non-buckle side on the left…
Comment by Guy — July 19, 2009 #
3.
Visually, The side without the end of the belt seems slightly cleaner, so I’d put the end sticking out on the side that is less busy already (watch, etc.)
But generally, I switch back and forth to prevent the belt from developing a bow either way.
Comment by Patrick — July 19, 2009 #
4.
Thanks for your thoughts all. I had instinctively always put the non-buckle side on the right, but didn’t know why. Now I have a reason.
Though I do have an Etro belt, with an E on the buckle, that only reads as an E if the buckle is on the right… Perhaps it’s a belt for left-handers?
Simon
Comment by Simon Crompton — July 20, 2009 #
Great post. The topic about which side the buckle should go remembered me when I was a boy I had the same question regarding which arm should I wear my watch. I’m lefty, so I chose wearing it on my right arm because when I write it doesn’t bug me. I guess that’s why righties wear their watches on the left arm. Just a guess, because when I ask people why they wear their watches on the right or the left arm they usually don’t know why, they never thought about it. I guess it is because someone told them to do so, probably their mothers when they were kids.
You continue to offer excellent insight in this space. Eventually when I have the clothing, I will surely be using your advice and guidance. Thanks always.
Max Gibson
wineandbowties.com
I always put my belt on counterclockwise (as seen from the top), because That’s How Men Wear Belts. Women wear them the other way.
Or at least that’s what I was taught, and have observed.
Interesting thought about switching directions to prevent the belt from bowing, but I consider a bowed belt to be a better fit than a straight one.
“Just a guess, because when I ask people why they wear their watches on the right or the left arm they usually don’t know why, they never thought about it.”
As a righty, i’d say most watches are made to be worn on the left wrist, as the crown is on the right side of the watch, making it possible for one to adjust the time or use the functions of a multi-function chronograph with the right hand without removing the watch from the left wrist.
As a lefty I always need to take off the watch from my wrist no matter which arm I wear it. Because I don’t have a precise coordination to perform this task with my right hand. 🙂
I’m glad you a gave a thought about it.
Simon, I love your blog ad your practical approach to style. I know I’m late to this topic, but perhaps I can still contribute a solution for your searching quandry.
Google has a special keyword, site: that restricts results to a given website. People that wish to search for an article about matching tie patterns to jackets could do a google search for:
site:permanentstyle.blogspot.com tie pattern match jacket
Your Density of Pattern article is the second result to that search. If you like the idea, we could pretty easily add a search bar to your blog.
CP, thanks for the comment. Could you please email me personally about this? [email protected]
Thanks