A lot of people have a hard time separating body type from style....
derek guy@dieworkwear
116 views
May 16, 2024
~2 min read
1
A lot of people have a hard time separating body type from style. This outfit would not look good on anyone. He needs a jacket; the sweater would look better if it was textured; blue chinos are hard to wear. This same outfit would look bad on a skinny or athletic person. 🧵
x.com/on_da_spectrum…
x.com/on_da_spectrum…
2
My friend @DavidLaneDesign is a bigger guy and looks tremendous. Here we see:
1. A finishing layer (jacket or coat)
2. Smart use of accessories
3. Better use of color
4. An understanding of the cultural meaning of clothes
1. A finishing layer (jacket or coat)
2. Smart use of accessories
3. Better use of color
4. An understanding of the cultural meaning of clothes
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What do I mean when I say "a cultural meaning of clothes?" When you think of fashion as cultural language, and you know the cultural history of clothes, you can put together outfits that make cultural sense.
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Here we see David in a waxed Barbour, brown tweed, tan cav twill trousers, light blue shirt, and brown chukkas. Everything says casual and country:
1. materials like waxed cotton, cav twill, tweed
2. colors such as brown, olive, and light blue
Outfit has history and meaning
1. materials like waxed cotton, cav twill, tweed
2. colors such as brown, olive, and light blue
Outfit has history and meaning
5
Here we see David in a chore coat, hoodie, beanie, raw denim jeans, and work boots. Did you know that when Champion first introduced the hoodie in the 1930s, it was worn by warehouse workers? This outfit's colors, materials, and style communicate that working-class history.
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The reason why this outfit doesn't look right is because it doesn't really communicate anything, nor is it visually interesting. It has nothing to do with his body type. Dressing well is a skill that anyone can learn.
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If that person wanted to improve their outfit, they should:
1. Figure out a cultural aesthetic they want to draw from. What do they want to communicate?
2. Wear a textured sweater (textures add visual interest)
3. Choose better colors.
1. Figure out a cultural aesthetic they want to draw from. What do they want to communicate?
2. Wear a textured sweater (textures add visual interest)
3. Choose better colors.
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If they can't wear a jacket for some reason, then still go with a textured knit like a Shetland, not a smooth and plain Merino. Draw from prep and Americana history. Pair the sweater with pants like tan chinos, grey flannels, or taupe five-pocket cords.
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Blue chinos are not ideal because cotton fades in patchy ways, and this will be more evident in dark colors. Instead, choose tan chinos. The outfit below is not groundbreaking, but you can see how small changes in color and texture improve the overall look.
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It bugs me when people make style about body type because it makes some people assume they can't look good. You may decide to want a certain body type for whatever reason—I don't care either way. But style is not the same as body type.
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Jackie Gleason was one of the most stylish men of the 20th century because he knew how to dress. It's a skill that anyone can learn if they put in the work.
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"the outfit would look better on an athletic person" oh yea then explain THIS
